Sparks in the Park
"I really don't think going on this date is a good idea, Angie," Alicia said with a frown. "I know I'm usually the fun, spontaneous one, but I'm just not sure about this. I mean, how much do you really know about this Katie girl? She could be a—a serial killer or something!"
Angelina chuckled. "I'm pretty sure it's statistically less likely for females to be serial killers, but I appreciate the concern, Leesh."
Alicia twisted a lock of dark hair around her finger, a nervous habit of hers. "I've just seen so many shows where people decide to meet up with someone they originally met online, and it never ends well. I'm sure there are some success stories, but I never hear about them."
Angelina scrolled through her mobile until she found the pictures that she was looking for. She clicked on one of them, a photograph of a girl with light brown hair and a wide smile, and showed it to her friend. "That's Katie. I saved a few others as well. Tell me, does that look like the face of someone who wants to do me harm?"
She watched as Alicia gave the photo a suspicious once-over, then viewed the other images. "I suppose she looks sweet enough," her friend conceded, "but I still don't think you should go. Don't you remember what happened to that Marietta Edgecombe girl? She went to some sort of dodgy meeting she heard about online and the next thing you know, she had contracted some weird, incurable disease!"
Angelina sighed. What had happened to Marietta was quite unfortunate, but she didn't think that her situation was similar in any way. "I really like Katie, Leesh. She's funny, and athletic, and most importantly, she likes me back. It'd be silly not to go and see if anything develops between us."
Alicia tugged at the hair wrapped around her finger. "Look, I know how much you've been looking forward to this, but I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen."
...
Angelina walked towards the park, Alicia's warnings ringing in her ears. You don't know this girl. You don't know what she's capable of. Call me if she turns out to be an axe-murderer, alright? So much for being a supportive friend. Her own family hadn't been much better on the support front, but at least they knew not to try and change her mind.
The tall girl shook her head to clear the negativity from her mind. This was supposed to be an exciting occasion. She had never met anyone in person after talking to them online, but she figured it couldn't be the nightmare that Alicia made it out to be. Besides, she had a pretty mean right hook, if she did say so herself.
The park had a giant thermometer which proclaimed that the current temperature was a slightly nippy 18° Celsius. Angelina looked at it for a moment, then fished her mobile out of her pocket to double-check where she was supposed to be going. Katie's latest message had said to meet her at the bench between the playground and the fountain. Angelina navigated to that spot, but didn't see Katie there. She glanced at her mobile again. It was only 4:20, so she was ten minutes early for their date.
Angelina glanced down at her outfit, which had been picked out with Alicia's expert guidance. She had opted for a pair of grey baggy drawstring trousers and a loose black pullover, plus her favorite black combat boots. "Great choice of shoes, in case you need to make a quick getaway," Alicia had said. Angelina just hoped that she didn't look too casual.
She plopped herself down on the bench, swinging her foot aimlessly back and forth. After about two minutes, however, she grew restless and began to pace around the bench. Her eyes fell on some nearby flowers, and she decided to walk over and pick a few for Katie. It was probably cheesy, but Katie seemed to like cheesy, if her taste in movies was any indication.
She plucked a couple of bright yellow buttercups and a few brilliant blue cornflowers, then arranged them in a tiny bouquet. By this time, her mobile screen indicated that it was 4:30, and she walked back towards the bench just as Katie arrived.
Angelina immediately felt a little underdressed. Katie was wearing a pair of high-waisted pintuck trousers with a green and black plaid pattern, a fitted black shirt, and a pair of black suede chunky boots. A pair of silver earrings in a timeless hoop design glinted from her ears, completing the look.
"Hi, you must be Angelina," Katie said, giving her a small smile. Angelina hadn't realized that the brunette would be nearly half a foot shorter than her. She had to hold her neck at an odd angle to return the smile.
"Yeah, that's me. I guess you must be Katie." She held out the small bunch of flowers she had just gathered. "For you."
"Thanks," Katie said quietly. "They're lovely."
"You're welcome." Angelina cleared her throat as she tried to think of something else to say. "You look...really nice. I guess I probably look like a total slob."
"No, you look great," Katie said, taking a seat on the bench and setting the flowers down beside her. "Really sporty. I like it."
Angelina tucked a braid behind her ear as she sat down, too. "Yeah? Cool." Remembering their shared interest in sports, she added, "How's your football team doing?"
Katie launched into an explanation of her team's current stats, and Angelina couldn't help but smile at the passion with which the other young woman spoke. Soon, the conversation flowed easily and effortlessly as the two continued to discuss sports, moving from football to rugby and, briefly, to swimming. Before long, it had started to grow dark, and Angelina's stomach was beginning to grumble.
"Hungry?" Katie giggled.
Angelina flushed. "A little, yeah."
"Me too," Katie said. "Should we order a pizza or something? I'll bet we could just have it delivered here, to the park."
"Oh, that'd be—" Angelina was cut off by her mobile's vibration. "Hang on, I'd better check my phone real quick."
It was a text from Alicia: Hey, just wanted to make sure you're not lying in a ditch somewhere! Leesh x
Angelina rolled her eyes and typed out a swift reply. I'm fine. Date's going well. Will call you when done. She hesitated before keying in one final sentence. Please don't message again. Angie x
"Everything okay?" Katie asked, nodding at Angelina's mobile.
"Yeah, all good," Angelina said, slipping the device back into her pocket. "My friend just wanted to know something, and it couldn't wait." She gave Katie an apologetic look. "Sorry. Anyway, you said something about ordering a pizza?"
Katie nodded. "I have to know one thing first, though. How do you feel about pineapple on yours?"
"I love it!" Angelina said at once. That was a sore spot with Alicia, who absolutely couldn't stand it. She said that eating warm pineapple was disgusting, and that it made the crust all soggy.
"No way! So do I!" Katie exclaimed.
"No way," Angelina declared. "This is amazing!" She wasn't sure what compelled her to add, "You're amazing," but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized they were true.
In the dim light, she could see that Katie's cheek had gone pink. "You really think so?"
"I do," Angelina reassured her. "Katie, everything about you is amazing to me. Your love of sports, your love for Hallmark channel movies, your expressive eyes…"
"What was that about my eyes?" Katie giggled, leaning in closer.
"They're—" Angelina's breath caught in her throat, and it took her a moment to finish her train of thought. "They're beautiful."
Katie took Angelina's hand in hers, lacing their fingers together so that the contrast in their complexions was more apparent than ever—milky versus mocha. Angelina was enthralled by the difference, and she was so busy staring down at their entwined digits that she didn't notice Katie's face moving even nearer.
"Angie," Katie whispered. When Angelina looked up, she found that the brunette's lips were inches from her own.
She gulped. "Yes?"
"I just wanted to say that I think you're pretty amazing yourself." With that, Katie closed the distance between them, planting a soft kiss on Angelina's mouth. Angelina blinked, feeling a little dazed by the decidedly chaste move.
"Wow," she murmured. "Can we—can we do that again?"
The grin Katie sent her way was nothing short of dazzling. "I don't know why not."
As Angelina's eyes fluttered shut in anticipation, she was struck by a single thought: Now this is what a success story looks like.
She couldn't wait to tell Alicia how wrong she had been.
WC: 1,479