(A Day with Theodore)

*May 18th, 1943*

*12:26 pm*

*Gerald's Department Store*

Anya stood inside the busy department store, waiting for Theodore as she looked around for his presence.

Anya decided to wear a light-colored blouse with a high neckline and long sleeves, paired with high-waisted trousers in a Manxish Glen plaid pattern.

"Sheesh. He's late. I hope he's okay at the least.." Anya spoke to herself while checking her watch for the time.

Once Anya checked the time, she looked up to see Theodore waving at her with a smile as he ran toward her.

"Hello, Anya. Sorry for being late. My parents got stuck in traffic but I'm here now.." Theodore greeted Anya happily while taking deep breaths and catching his breath.

This didn't bother Anya and she spoke in an understanding voice to Theodore.

"It's okay. You're safe and that's what matters most but let's go. We don't want to waste time, right?" Anya responded with a smile, winking at him before walking across the department store.

Theodore smiled back before nodding in agreement.

He followed Anya to spend the day with her.

"I know this is only a friendly hangout but It feels like I'm out on a date with you…Sorry if it's weird.." Theodore spoke in a friendly yet hesitant voice as he continued to walk around the department store with Anya.

Hearing those words made Anya turn around, her expression being calm.

"I mean, It depends and I personally find it weird since most men don't really respect a woman's boundaries; however, you're the exact opposite so I don't mind in this case." Anya responded in a reassuring voice before continuing to walk around the department store.

Soon after, Theodore smiled at Anya's comment as the pair continued to walk around the department store.

*Food Court*

Twenty minutes later, Anya and Theodore sat at the small food court as they read through the menus.

"I'm having a good time with you, and I also like the outfit. It looks great on you." Theodore spoke kindly to Anya while also complimenting her outfits.

After hearing those words, Anya looked up at Theodore with a smile.

"Thank you. I'm having a good time with you as well, also, I'm ready to order now." Anya responded with a smile while Theodore was pleased to hear the response.

"I'm glad! And of course!" Theodore responded with excitement in his voice while he and Anya got up from their seats to place their orders.

Unknown to them, a certain pair was watching them. It was Nancy and Charlotte and they were looking out for their friend.

"It seems everything is going well. I thought Theodore was going to be a creep like Neville but I'm glad I'm proven wrong." Charlotte spoke to Nancy, sipping on her Dr Pepper while her friend nodded but was still on guard.

"I'm with you but I'm still keeping my guard up. I don't want Anya to be hurt again." Nancy responded in a protective voice as the girls continued to watch the hangout between Anya and Theodore.

Back at the hangout, Anya and Theodore sat back at their table to eat their lunch.

"This tastes so good. You have good taste in food, Theodore." Anya complimented while she took a bite of the hamburger, savoring the test while this pleased Theodore.

"I'm glad that you like it. The place recently opened up and I figured you'd enjoy it." Theodore responded warmly while he chuckled joyfully, taking a sip from his drink as he stared at Anya, admiring her beauty.

"Wow, Anya looks cute this up close. Her hair reminds me of Clara Bow. I like that a lot.." Theodore thought to himself while he continued to eat his meal as this was noticed by Anya.

"Having a good time? And thanks for paying for the food. I appreciate it immensely." Anya asked Theodore while also thanking him for the food as she waited for a response from the young man.

Theodore smiled at the comment, picking at his food with his fork as he began to respond to the comment.

"You're welcome, and I also like your hair. It's beautiful. Is it inspired by Clara Bow? It reminds me of her If I'm being honest." Theodore responded in a curious voice as he was eager to know the inspiration of Anya's hair.

Of course, Anya's hair was always inspired by Clara Bow and she took great pride in it, admiring her favorite silent actor.

"Yes. I saw this movie called Call Her Savage when I was a kid and I just fell in love with Clara Bow so I asked my mother to have my hair done in her style and the rest is history." Anya responded warmly as she looked back at the memory while Theodore nodded.

Hearing the small backstory made Theodore smile as he continued to eat his lunch.

"That's wonderful. I think that hairstyle suits you. Especially since you always preferred short hair when you were a kid." Theodore responded warmly while Anya smiled back.

Meanwhile, at the other side of the food court, Nancy and Charlotte continue to watch over Anya, ensuring that things go well.

"So far everything is going well. Perhaps Theodore isn't so bad after all. He seems to be treating Anya with respect." Nancy spoke to Charlotte in a relieved voice while Charlotte nodded in agreement.

"I'm glad to know that, I hope they don't see us. Don't want to give off the wrong impression or anything." Charlotte responded to her friend with a chuckle while Nancy nodded in agreement.

"I'm sure Anya will be understanding and besides, Anya is enjoying herself so that's what matters in the end," Nancy responded with a smile while Charlotte nodded in agreement before looking over at the friendly pair.

*1:00pm*

After lunch, Anya and Theodore exited the department store and once they were out of the store,

Theodore took out a small notebook from his pocket and crossed out his to-do list.

"I had a good lunch with you. Are there more things you want to do? I'm down to take the bus to Central Park and walk with you but remember, we're doing this as friends, okay?" Anya spoke to Theodore while also reminding him of her boundaries, and of course,

Theodore didn't mind as he nodded with acceptance.

"It's all good to me and we can head over to Central Park. As long as you're having a good time then everything is good in my book." Theodore responded warmly as he began to walk ahead of Anya, filled with excitement for the next part of their hangout.

After hearing this, Anya smiled as she followed Theodore, ready to continue spending time with him.

And so, Anya and Theodore continued to spend the next hour at Central Park, hanging out as friends and getting to know each other.

*3:10pm*

*Central Park*

It was late into the afternoon as Anya and Theodore were ready to call it a day.

"I hope you find a good woman one of these days. I also had a good time with you as well, Theodore." Anya spoke to Theodore with a smile which pleased Theodore.

"Thank you, Anya. I will and I'm glad to have befriended you. You're the best and I hope so as well, Anya." Theodore responded warmly as he and Anya gave each other a friendly handshake, further strengthening their bond.

Once the pair was done shaking hands, Theodore waved goodbye to his new friend before turning around to leave the park, filled with determination to find a girlfriend like how Anya found Calvin.

"To think I met Calvin in this park.." Anya spoke softly to herself as she remembered their first encounter that had taken place two years ago.

This memory made Anya chuckle warmly as she even thought about Calvin's flirty nature.

"He sure was quite the flirt back then but I knew there was more to his heart than that." Anya spoke once more as she continued to watch the beautiful trees that were around the park.

Anya befriends yet another person and she had hopes that Theodore would find his loved one.