05: Cheese & Conversation
09:37 September 27th
It was early for her, but Skye was restless. She worked four days a week, enough to pay her bills and give herself a gift every now and then, and the other three days were usually spent with Laura, Netflix, or finding a fun new game app on her tablet. Today was her day off, but Laura was busy with her second job at the public library, Netflix had nothing interesting to watch, and the apps on her tablet were just boring her.
She decided to take a walk through the park. The entrance to one of the smaller public parks was just a few blocks away. After packing an insulated lunch bag with snacks for the trip - grapes, cheese cubes, apple juice, water - Skye made her way down the sidewalk and across the street. She felt at peace surrounded by grass and trees. There was a small creek bubbling on one side while the playground on the other side of her was filled with laughter of children enjoying their day off from school. Humming to herself, Skye followed the path for a few minute before the giggles were far behind her. This part of the park was empty, with lots of grass, trees, and a gazebo.
Setting down, she took a seat, put her feet on the bench, and took out her bag of grapes. It was quiet, and Skye took a deep breath. She hadn't seen Nightwing in four days. It was usually week the last few time she saw him, but since they had spent time talking… he had been in her room with a girl tied up. She was a bit bummed about that, but whatever. He was a guy in a mask who was not giving up anything about himself that she couldn't find on the internet. She shouldn't focus on someone like that - unattainable in a mental capacity.
She was interrupted from her thought from a presence near her. Skye turned to her left, looking through the entrance to the gazebo, and saw a tall, broad shouldered guy with his hands in his pockets, just a foot from the entrance. He looked familiar… the diner! The guy turned a little toward her, and Skye saw his face more clearly. It was him, without the sunglasses. He turned fully toward her, and she cleared her throat, turning her head and putting a grape in her mouth.
She heard him walking toward her, up the wooden steps and sit next to her. Skye gave in and turned her head to him, offering the small baggy of grapes. There were plenty of them to share.
"I saw you at the diner a few weeks ago," she said. "Want a grape?"
"I didn't think you recognized me," he answered. The guy had dark hair, long enough to be messy, not long enough to pull back in a pony-tail. Light skin, muscle build - seriously, this guy worked out. He took a grape and put it in his mouth, chewing silently. She took one of her own.
"You were staring pretty heavily at me in the diner," she teased with a smile. "It's the hair, isn't it?" She ran a hand through it.
"Sure," he replied, like he was just giving into that answer. He smiled at her, eyes meeting eyes, and Skye felt her heart jump. Something about those eyes…. "I'm Dick Grayson."
"Skye Lovett. You walked up to me. What's on your mind?" The grapes here gone, so she took out her bottle of apple juice, took a sip, then pulled out her cubed cheese. She nibbled on one as she waited for his answer.
"Go out with me." He took a cube without asking, but Skye didn't say anything.
"I don't respond kindly to orders." She said it teasingly, grinning at Dick Grayson.
"I apologize." He really did seem sorry. "Will you go out with me?"
"Yes, but you have to tell me three things that I can't find on social media about you. I'll do the same myself."
He watched her for a moment, seeming to think it over.
"Alright." He turned fully toward her. "Let's see… I traveled with a circus until I was nine, I work as a freelance programmer, and I collect batman mugs." Dick grinned sheepishly at the last one and Skye laughed. She could find out what he did for a living on social media, but he did so well she had to give it to him. "You're turn."
"Okay," she replied. Skye nibbled on a cheese cube as she thought. "I work at a sports bar and club, I dropped out of college, and I watch way too much Netflix. Interesting enough?"
Usually she wasn't worried, but this time… Dick kept the smile on his face and looked completely interested - good sign, she thought.
"I think so. Does that mean you'll go out with me?"
"Depends on what you'd like to do. I'm free tonight, but work the next three nights." She inwardly held her breath.
"Tonight. Do you like bowling?"
"Yeah, but I'm the worst at it. It's fun to try, though."
They traded numbers, and Skye couldn't keep the grin off her face. Dick Grayson was cute and funny.
13:54 September 27th
Dick Grayson
I'm sorry, I should have asked for where to pick you up. I was thinking 5?
Skye Lovett
That sounds perfect. Amhill Apartments #606.
Dick Grayson
It wasn't just the blue hair, BTW.
Skye Lovett
Oh? What was it, then?
Dick Grayson
Do you believe in fate?
Skye Lovett
Not at all. :)
Dick Grayson
That line isn't going to work, is it?
Skye Lovett
Nope.
Dick Grayson
Fine. It was the way you spoke with your friend and your body language.
Skye Lovett
I knew you were looking at my chest! LOL
Dick Grayson
I'm a gentleman! I wouldn't do that! ;)