Strange Place for an Encounter

Chapter 3: First date

I'm waiting at the bus station. It's five to one p.m. and I'm waiting alone at the station. I'm wearing a high waist and mid-thigh length, black flare skirt and a black and white stripes, short-sleeved woolen sweater that I tucked in the waist of my skirt. I'm also wearing my trusty canvas shoes and the purse I use to put my school stuff in. I finally decided to tie my hair in a high pony tail. And of course, on the ground next to my feet, I put the big paper bag in which I tucked Vaas' towel.

I'm getting more and more nervous as I look at the clock on my phone. I try to look at my surroundings, in the hopes of finding Vaas. But he's nowhere to be seen. I then try to occupy my mind, think of something else. I just left school, leaving my two friends-Jacqueline and Emma- alone. I didn't tell them about Vaas. I'm sure they would've ask me tons of questions if I had… I try to keep this a secret as much as possible, even if I know it can work with Vaas, I don't want to get carried away, so I remain rational and try my best not to shout it on the roof tops… Even though I want to…

My train of thoughts is suddenly broken by a voice. "Ally!" I turn around slightly to see Vaas walking up to me. A smile instantly lights my face. I take two steps towards him and greet him with a hug. Oh wait, maybe it's too straightforward…? Should I shake his hand instead? Yes-no… Too late, he hugs me back. Well, I guess it's okay then…

"Wow, you look great!" He says, stepping back a little to take a look at me. I look at him in turn. He's wearing jeans and a shirt, he rolled the sleeves up.

"Well, you look…" I try to compliment him back but I don't find what to say… "More dressed than the first time we met!" I exclaim, joking in an attempt to soften the atmosphere. I miserably failed apparently… He laughs awkwardly, but he is kind enough to reply.

"You too!" I try to laugh in turn… No, this is definitely awkward.

"Oh, I've got this for you." I say, handing him the paper bag I lifted off the ground. "Dark grey, I remember?" I state, referring to the towel. This joke is better than the last one, he laughs. But suddenly, his smile fades and he looks at me with widened eyes.

"Oh, uh, the thing is… I forgot to bring yours, actually…" He says, awkwardly scratching his temple. I don't really know how to respond. It doesn't really bother me…

"It's okay, don't worry…" I assure. "But then I'll have to keep this as a hostage." I add, pointing at the bag, laughing slightly.

"Yeah, of course, I understand." He says, nodding and laughing. This joke worked too! "Well, maybe we can sit at the café right there, and have lunch." He states, showing the café on the other side of the road.

"Yeah, of course!" I exclaim. "I like this restaurant, I come here often for lunch since the college is just around the corner." I say, showing a random direction behind me as we cross the road. He simply nods.

"Are you a student?" He asks, trying to start a conversation. I immediately seize the opportunity and start talking.

"Yes, I studied architecture for three years, already. And there's still one year left before I can get my Bachelor." I say, rather proud of myself.

"How old are you? I mean, you look young…" He immediately says.

"I'm twenty-tow." I reply as he nods. "And you?" I then ask.

"Twenty-five." He replies. Good, we're almost the same age.

"Oh, same as my big sister, she just turned twenty-five last month. And she's getting married this year, I learnt that yesterday, I'm so happy for her!" I add enthusiastically.

It doesn't take long to arrive at the café. He goes in first to hold the glass door for me. I thank him with a smile. Plus, he's a gentleman! That's perfect! We quickly sit at a table next to a window, in front of each other and we order our food. The waitress arrives with our drinks. I sip a little of my ice tea as Vaas speaks again.

"So, you were at a family gathering yesterday?" He asks. I nod, swallowing the cold drink. "Yeah, we gather every week, on Sunday." I say.

"Do you have a big family?" He asks, curious.

"Actually, I have a big, loud family." I state, laughing slightly. He seems to wait for something. "What?" I ask.

"Tell me about your family." He says, smiling at me. I instantly shake my head.

"Oh no, I'm sure you don't want to know about them…" I exclaim, shaking my head, hoping he won't insist. "I want to." He simply states.

"Okay, then…" I reply with a sigh. "You asked for it!" I exclaim, pointing a finger towards him, making him laugh. "So, there are my two parents- William and Lucie." I start, counting on my fingers. "I have a big brother- Thomas, we call him Tom. He's twenty-eight, he has a wife and two girls. I have a big sister- Joselin, we call her Jos. She's the one who is getting married with her boyfriend- Marc." I shortly stop to take a breath and a swig of ice tea. "I also have a little sister and a little brother- Lily and Adam. They're both sixteen years old."

When I finally stop talking, Vaas lets out a laugh. "That's a big family, in deed…" He states.

"Oh! And we have a cat –Boulette." He laughs even more at the name of our cat. "It was my mother's cat's name when she was little. When we found this one, she said it looked just like her old cat, so we called it this name." I explain.

"Is your mother American?" Vaas asks. "No, she's French, but she moved here when she was twenty." I reply, surprised that he noticed this. "And, what about you? I mean, your name doesn't really sound American either…" I try to ask the question without looking rude. "Hear no offense! It's just, I mean…" I shrug.

"No, it's okay. Actually, my father is Colombian." He sates. "He came to the USA when he was around my age." He adds.

I nod as the waitress arrives with our food. I immediately start eating. "I'm sorry but, I'm extremely hungry right now…" I apologize, trying to find an elegant manner to eat my wrap. And trust me it is not easy at all.

"It's okay, I'm hungry too." He says, taking a bite of his hamburger. "Plus, I appreciate a girl who likes eating." He says. I immediately respond.

"Well, it's a good thing, because I like to eat… A lot." I state with a laugh.

We keep on eating for a few minutes. We're both silent, but it isn't an awkward silence like I expected it would be. I feel more comfortable now, even though I'm a little nervous. I try to find another topic for our discussion. "So, do you come to the swimming pool often? I've never seen you there…" I ask.

"It was the first time, actually. I used to swim in another pool, but it closed a few weeks ago. Swimming is a big part of my regular training. You know, to keep myself in good health and good shape." He says as I immediately think of his 'shape' as he says.

"And it works." I add before even thinking. "I mean, you're… well built…" I try to redeem myself, but I make things even worse, I immediately stop talking, feeling my cheeks blush.

Fortunately, he seems to find my mistake funny and don't expand on the topic. "Do you swim often?" He then asks.

"Yeah, I love it!" Exclaim taking the last bite of my food. "And, do you have other hobbies…?" He asks. I swallow my mouthful and wipe my mouth with a paper towel. "I like drawing and painting." I say with a nod. "You?" I ask.

"I like having lunch with pretty girls." He states. I laugh a little and blush. Seriously, I must look like a teenager at a first date, all nervous and shy.

"That's not a hobby…" I tease, looking at him in the eyes. "Yeah, but I like it…" He replies, smiling to me. I didn't noticed how white his teeth were… God, I love his smile! And those eyes, oh those eyes. I feel like I can get lost in them. Oh, and did I tell you about his accent? No, I didn't… Oh it is a strong Hispanic accent, it's so sexy… I absolutely love it!

"Are you through?" The waitress' voice gets me out of my thoughts. We both nod and she clears the table. She proposes a dessert but we refuse politely, Vaas asks for the check. "Oh, hold on, we can share." I say, getting my wallet out of my purse.

"No no no, I invited you, it's on me." He says, gesturing to me to put away my wallet. "Thanks." I simply say as he pays.

We then get out of the restaurant. He holds the door for me again, leading me forward by resting a hand on the small of my back. The gesture makes me blush for the thousandth time. We now stand awkwardly in front of each other. I try to find something to say. "Well, I'll have to go… hum, well, bye!" I say with a smile and a wave of the hand. "Bye." He replies.

That's the moment. I don't know what to do, what should I do as a goodbye? Should I hug him again? Well, it worked earlier so… I can stop wondering right now, though; he just steps forward to hug me friendly. I'm kind of relieved, I hug him back and we part. I take a few steps in the opposite direction, thinking that I really like him…

And you know what? I turn around and walk up to him quickly to plant a kiss on his cheek. I obviously blush and leave without wasting anymore time. For a second, I thought I saw him blush too.


"Hermano, I never thought I would say that on day but… she's even cuter with clothes on." Vaas states through his phone. "Seriously, she was wearing a skirt, lo juro, just the right length, her legs are absolutely perfect!" He exclaims, he hears Javier laugh at the other end. After his meeting with Ally, Vaas immediately called Javier. "Her hair was tied in a high pony tail, you know the kind of pony tail you can't help pulling when you take them from behind!" He adds. Javier frowns.

"Oh, no man, I don't want the details, Dios mio!" He says, making Vaas laugh. "What did you do then?" He then asks.

"I took her to a restaurant for lunch." Vaas states, Javier nods. "Good, did you pay the check?" He asks, Vaas immediately replies. "Of course I did, I'm not an idiota!"

"Perfect man, now you just have to show her she can have a good time with you, you know?" Javier states. Vaas frowns, he has no idea how to do that…

"How?" He asks. Javier thinks about it for a seconds, what could a girl like her appreciate…? "Shopping." He suddenly says. Vaas roll his eyes as if it was a joke. But after a few seconds of silence…

"You serious!?" Vaas exclaims. "No, hermano, that's out! I don't go shopping with a girl!" He shouts. He refuses to be dragged in one of these malls and wait for her to buy tons of clothes, especially with his money… No way!

"Man, it's part of the thing…" Javier says. "Chicas love shopping. And if she likes the moment you spend together, she likes you. And if she likes you, bueno…" He trails off.

Vaas sighs. Javier is right. "Vale, vale…" Vaas finally says. "But, do I have to pay everything…?" He then asks, hoping the answer is no.

"Everything." Javier states, making Vaas growl. "I hate you, hermano…" Vaas says.

"You will thank me, man!" Javier replies. Vaas is about to hang up when Javier speaks again. "Oh and… try not to… involve her, if you know what I mean…" Vaas feels Javier is serious when he says that.

"Don't worry, hermano, I'll be careful. It's a one-time thing anyways…" On these words, Vaas hangs up. Javier is right, he has to be careful. The thing is, Vaas doesn't have a standard work, of you catch the drift. And she surely doesn't have to be involved in his… business…