Mike’s laughing so hard, there's water coming out of his nose. He leans forward, desperately reaching for a napkin when the person across from him lifts one up to his nose.
"You're so silly!" They say with a soft smile. Mike looks up at them, but their features are all blurry, 'Who are you?' Looking around, he recognizes his current favorite restaurant, but it looks slightly different. All the flowers are either blue or yellow, not the basic red roses, and leaves on vines have engulfed the brick walls. It's not the same Italian restaurant, this is something from a fairytale.
The world tilts on its axis as his mystery date asks him what he thinks. 'Why did your voice change?' They suddenly had a much higher and more feminine voice.
The world stops spinning. He had been daydreaming. He blinked at his real date for the night. The lighting is much harsher; there is no glow. The flowers are basic roses, and there is no special feeling in the air. 'That might be a good story prompt.' God, you'd think he'd take the hint.
"Mike, what do you think?" She tilts her head at him.
"O-of? Sorry, I must've missed it." Feeling guilty he straightens up and tries his best to look like he's been listening and is interested. He's not fooling anyone.
Sighing she says, "I was thinking of dressing up as a cowgirl for Halloween. It's just around the corner, you know."
Halloween was the whole reason Mike agreed to this date, he was a big fan of group costumes. 'I think that sounds basic and boring. What, did you dress up as a cat last year?' He doesn't say that because he knows it's impulsive and mean, even if he wants to. Plus, he already feels bad enough for daydreaming about someone else. He's doing surprisingly well at keeping his mouth shut.
"I think that sounds nice." He straightens up even more as he sees a waiter approaching with their food. As he sets it down on their table, Mike looks up, about to say thank you, but instead-
"Do I know you?" He blurts out. Nevermind. Although, it works out in his favor here because he would've never said anything.
The waiter ponders it for a minute before quietly saying, "You sit in my section a lot if that helps?" He politely omits that Mike has been here on four dates in the last two weeks.
"Are you sure? Maybe, I know you from a class or just walking through the hallway or the library-" He takes a breath, cutting himself off, "Sorry. You just seem very familiar."
"You're silly." The "mystery" waiter says lightly, then looks embarrassed that he let that slip. Mike was too stunned to say anything. 'Oh.' That is certainly something to think about. 'That might be note-worthy.' Might? For the next twenty minutes, he finds himself glancing at the waiter a lot and racking his brain for where he knows him from. He just moves food around his plate, too deep in thought to eat or give more than one-word answers to his date. My date! He's a multitasker by trade, actually.
His head snaps up to look at her just as she says, "You're obviously not interested in me." She grabs her clutch and stands up.
Usually, Mike would be getting defensive, why is it his fault? Why is he the bad guy? He uses common sense for once and knows she's right, he hasn't been paying her enough attention. Feeling guilty but also secretly thankful for the out she's giving him, he mumbles a lame excuse of an apology.
"It's fine, it's not that much of a loss."
Yes! Drag him! 'That's......fair.' She starts to leave before leaning close to lightheartedly taunt him, "Why don't you actually talk to him instead of just gawking, huh?" Then she leaves the restaurant.
'Am I really that obvious?' Yes, the answer is yes. His ears feel warm as he glances again at the pretty waiter. He catches his eye and starts walking over to him.
It went silent for a couple of heartbeats, as the gears in Mike's head started turning and the puzzle pieces started clicking into place. Just give him a moment, he'll get it eventually.
An epiphany crashed into Mike, "Will?!"
"Yes?" He replies skeptically, pointing lightly to his name tag. Mike is really the next Sherlock Homes, isn't he?
"No, no. You're Will! Will from elementary school, you know! Before you moved away."
You could see it click, a lot faster, for Will. "Mike?! Oh my gosh, you look so different, I didn't even recognize you! It's been forever."
"I know right, here come sit down for a moment. She's not coming back."
"I figured." My man can't catch a break.
He gasped. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing." Will giggled while waving his arms, "It's just- You can be pretty absent-minded sometimes."
"I am not!" They continued to go back and forth, lighthearted jabs thrown across the table. A moment turned into many, and they didn't even notice for a long while, too absorbed in their conversation.
"It's been great seeing you, but, I've got to go. Gotta get back to work." Will pointed over his shoulder.
"Um! Maybe we could continue talking another time? Maybe, like over coffee or something?" Mike winced at how awkward his fumbling was. Forget Sherlock Homes, he's coming for Shakespeare next. Believe it or not, he's actually an English major.
"Yeah, that sounds great. Here, give me your phone," He clearly endeared by it. Mike handed his phone over and watches intently as Will typed in it. He's down bad.
"Cool, so-" Mike started but quickly lost confidence. Holy shit, this is hurts to watch.
"It's a date!" Will finished for him. "Bye, Mike!"
'This is way more than noteworthy, shit.' Oh, for fucks sake.
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