Martin and Leah arrived at The Caffeine Factory, both a bit nervous. There was relatively little talk between them driving over. Leah needed to figure out how to bring up that she and Martin had much in common. When he was trying to win Abby. Martin was in a similar thought pattern. Pulling into the parking lot of The Caffeine Factory, Martin just in a very blunt manner. I'm glad you asked me to coffee; I don't understand how Simon and Bram can support this, given what I did to both of them. He noticed that Leah smiled at the blunt statement. This is one of the things Leah like about him. Leah answered what is your favorite line from Freddy Vs. Jason? This caught Martin off guard a little, but it made him smile, and he did have to think about the question. It was a good one. He rolled it around in his mind and finally said, " Well, I don't know if it's my favorite line. Still, one of the funniest lines is when Freddie pops out of the magazine, grabs the girl's nose, and says got your nose. Leah started laughing as it was a good funny line for a one-liner. After Leah laughed, Martin realized that she had asked him out due to how much they had in common when he tried to win Abby over. He and Leah had many talks in his pursuit of Abby and missed the signs completely.
Martin asks: What would be your favorite statement from Lady Jessica in the Dune books? For Leah, this one is easy. She answered, "When we try to conceal our innermost drives, the entire being screams betrayal." Now Martin knew for sure by the answer they both had an intensifying of their feelings towards each other over winter break.
Martin had never been to The Caffeine Factory before. Walking in together, Martin looks around at the space. Notice first the small stage for different kinds of acts. Thinking of a good place for an amateur magic show. It was spacious for local coffee shop standards, in his mind, comfortable tables spaced far enough apart to offer private conversations and group tables that could be used for board games or maybe even tabletop gaming. He noticed a ton of local art on the walls, a piece of art, and he looked over at Leah. Asking Leah, is a piece of art on the wall yours? She was impressed. Given all the art on the walls, he could identify the drawing she had on the wall. She smiled and said yes, I am surprised you can identify so quickly, given the variety of art on the walls.
At the counter, the Bastia automatically assumed Leah, you want iced coffee, right? Yup said Leah. Martin ordered an iced chai. The Basita informed him they made their own, which was not sweet. He smiled broadly and said that excellent real chai was never sweetened outside of a bit of honey. After getting their orders, they went to a table, and Martin paid for them. Leah looking back, realized he was very much a gentleman, even at the beginning. Sitting down, Martin knew by Leah's answer to his question that she had feelings for him. The smile on Martin's face when she gave her her favorite statement of Lady Jessica told Leah that he knew she had feeling for him.
Neither one of them had ever really gone on a date in life which created a bit of stumbling on the mental side for both of them. It had an awkward look to other people in the coffee shop. Martin and Leah knew they both had feelings for each other. Leah asked what is one of your favorite lines from Dune? Martin needs to think he wants a good answer to match the question Leah's statement. Martin smiled and said The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future.
They looked at each other in astonishment because their answers to each other questions were definitely a way to open to more conversation. The Dune books were the starting point because they both talked about different pieces of the books. Leah was fascinated with thoughts on many Bene-Gesserit statements and axioms. Martin had obviously done in-depth thinking on the character of Muad-dib. Has the afternoon went on, they talked and laughed. Leah looked at her phone at 7 PM. Shit, she said I need to get home. I have a ton of homework to do. Martin smiles sadly. I understand and will drive you home. Okay, Martin, thanks. Leah, now smiling shyly, walked back to his car. Martin opened the door for her, which was surprising for Leah.
Driving home with Martin putting his hand on her squeeze, she turned her hand upward to intertwine her fingers with his. Arriving at Leah's about 20 minutes later. Martin turned to her and said so well, I get more than the fluttering of your lips. This quote was Duke Leto speaking to Lady Jessica when he wanted a kiss. Leah admitted that asking for a kiss with that quote was well done. She gladly leaned over and kissed Martin. In fact, it turned into five minutes of making out. They broke off smiling, and Martin asked if he could pick her up for school in the morning. She said no, there was a routine she followed with all of her friends, but that he should come and sit at the lunch table with all of them if he felt comfortable. Martin said he would need to think about it.
Parting ways for that night, Leah immediately texted the group chat with the date had gone well, and she had invited Martin to sit at their table. He responded a little awkwardly about needing to think about it. Everyone gives a thumbs up, and Simon says let me give him a call. I think it's over what he did to me and Bram. Bram responded that Simons was right. Leah was unsure, but she knew Simon would be gentle with Martin. After all, Simon and Bram were together now and happy. Simon had been the one at lunch which gave the most reassurance that the date would go well.
Given what he had done, Simon grabbed his phone and unblocked Martin's number. He was curious to know if Martin had blocked him and made the phone call, and it didn't go right to voicemail which said Martin had not blocked him. Martin looked down and his phone and saw Simon calling him and decided not to answer. He wasn't sure what would happen here just had a really good date with Leah. A few minutes later, Simon texted and said hey Martin, I'm not mad at you. I know you and Leah had a really good date, and I just want to talk to you. Please call me back if you're comfortable. It took Martin about 20 minutes, and he finally called Simon back.
Hey, Simon, what's up said Martin. Martin, please come sit at our table tomorrow. Leah really would love that. You guys have a great date, and we all encouraged her to ask you out, and it would mean a lot to her Simon responded. Simon, given what I have done, wouldn't be at your lunch table tomorrow be weird? Who in the fuck cares, Martin? Our group doesn't. You deserve forgiveness. Leah told us you are very much a gentleman. She told me privately how you asked her for a kiss using a quote from the first Dune book, which she openly admitted was a great way to be asked for a kiss. Martin answered in an embarrassed voice. I didn't think she would tell you how I asked for the first kiss. She is one of your best friends, so I shouldn't be surprised. Okay, Simon, I'll try it and sit at your guy's table tomorrow. If no one in your group cares, you're right. I shouldn't fucking care, either. Great, man. See you tomorrow. Thanks, Simon. Happy for you and Leah. You're welcome, Martin.
Martin texted Leah, so I'll be with you at lunch tomorrow because of the fluttering of your lips. Leah replies to protect yourself is only shielding from the terror of the future. Leah texted again do you want an iced coffee in the morning? No, can I get an iced Chai Martin wrote back? Sure, and an upside-down smile face.