Run and Hide
Chapter Four
I walked up to the restaurant, looking up at the gleaming white sign that had the name on it. I inhaled deeply, feeling my stomach twist and turn. Normally I was fine meeting people but something about Jack made me so nervous. Maybe because he was like me. Both of us were soldiers but he was more so and we were both outcasts. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "You've got this. He's a normal person just like you. Except he's a lot more attractive than any other man you've met... and more mysterious... and he's a wanted man... No! You can do this. It'll be fine. You'll be fine." I think to myself. I ran my hands down my dress to make sure it was looking good. I walked in and saw him waiting inside, some pink flowers in his hand. He looked up when he heard the door shut and mustered a smile. As I looked at him I felt my heart race and the flight or fight kick in. I knew I wasn't in any mediate danger but it felt weird going out into public with a wanted man... no one probably recognized him without his overwatch suit on. Taking a deep breath, I walked up to him and smiled. “Hi Jack.” I said.
“Hi Anna.” He said and handed the flowers over to me. “These are for you.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to!” I smiled brightly and took them. I smelled them and the smell was amazing. I loved the smell of flowers, candles, nature, and so much. It calmed me.
We walked over to our table and sat down. There was a candle in the middle of the table and the soft music playing in the background made this all seem so romantic. I tried to forget about it since I figured a guy like him could never like a girl like me. A nobody compared to him..
As I was thinking that, he looked at me concerned. “Are you okay?” He asked.
I guess my thoughts made a sad expression on my face and I hadn’t even noticed. I nodded and smiled. “Just great.” I lied.
We soon figured out what we wanted and ordered. He got the steak and asparagus with red wine while I got chicken alfredo with red wine. After the waiter had left, he looked over at me. “So, while you were out one day, I noticed an old war photo on your dresser. You were in the army?” He asked.
The panic and fear that the army had given me came back to me quickly, rushing through my veins. I kept my composer and nodded. “Yes I was.” I smiled to hide the panic.
“I enjoyed the army… Well, as much as one can. I made good friends with my partners.” He said and then he went on to talk about the army until the dinner came. I was fine with him talking about it, as long as I could stay clear of my past of it.
We ate and talked about life, laughed at some things here and there, and for once I got to see his genuine smile. I could watch him laugh forever and never get tired of his smile and laugh. This feeling only lasted a moment though before his phone went off. He stepped away to answer it and he didn’t look too pleased about it. I waited awhile and our food got cold… Well, what was left of it. I didn’t want to eat the rest without him because I thought it would be rude. When he came back and sat down, he had a disappointed but concerned look on his face. “Everything okay?” I asked.
“That was Winston.” He said in a hushed voice so only I could hear him. “It’s not good news for me.”