@VinceCharlie 2 June 2022

The Night we Met. Thursday, June 2nd 2022. It was a cold, and dark night. I'd just left the restaurant where I worked after leaving school. There I was alone at the edge of the road waiting for a taxi to take me home. As I remember, I was impatiently glancing at my watch every ten second. (*It's something I do whenever I get anxious about anything*). So, I decided to wait it out a couple minutes longer, but the cars only drove past me as quickly as they came. At that point, the cold was beginning to numb the exposed part of my legs. I knew if I'd stayed there any longer it could get worse. So, I guessed that it would do me more good than harm if i take the long, dreadful walk home. I haven't walked past a few meters away from where I was when I heard someone walking beside me. At first, I thought maybe he was just a random person, who also made the same decision I did. That figures. However, the more my steps receded I noticed his was just the same as mine. Now, I couldn't let this stranger make a fun of me because I was getting tired of walking. So, I turned towards him to give him a piece of my mind. "Hey, stranger!" "You shouldn't be walking next to me the way you are. What's the big idea?" I said. "I'm sorry. But, it's ***brass monkeys*** out here tonight." He answered. "Don't I know it." I deadpanned. "Ooh... I apologise, *ma* *chéire.* I'm Henri, without the Y." He said. "Did you just call me *ma chérie*?" I said, seemingly taking offense with his remark. "Yes. You don't like it?" He said. "Oh, no. I'm not used to people calling me anything like that. Ever!" I replied. "But, I only stated the obvious. I had thought girls here loved flattery such as those." He said. "So, because you're what... French? You somehow deluded yourself to believing such rubbish." I said. "It seems to me you're trying really hard here to take into consideration something so unnecessary." He shot back. I gasped. Only to notice the beautiful face behind the covers of his hoodie, and just like that I felt my heart for the first time. If I were to describe it rather extensively I'd say that, at that night it was as if something struck me. My ***heartthrobbed*** like they were going to give out. It was so surreal. I couldn't have imagined to ever feel like that. Especially not on this freezing cold night. ***Sighs*** "Well... I'm sorry, Henri." "Uhh... You are?" He said. "Yes. I overreacted. I shouldn't have." I answered. "Let's start over, shall we?" "Err... Yeah, sure." "Hi, Henri *without the Y*. I'm Sophia." "I'm American. My parents moved here when I was ten, and..." I stopped. I realised I was overdoing it. He didn't ask where I was from but I just ***inadvertently*** mentioned where I came from without thinking. I tried not to make it as awkward. Still, I was sure Henri realised just how much the conversation ***spiraled***. You could say it was pretty much bred from an ***oversight***. I wasn't sure of my feelings for this utter stranger. It was weird enough that our first meeting wasn't ***pleasingly romantic*** just as I've read in books. I wanted it to get better, so I offered to go for a drink at the nearest pub. "Well, I'm open to a ***pint*** of drink or two." He said. His eyes glistened, and I was beginning to get excited. His countenance was warming. It was as if I got drawn to him somehow. Thinking back now, I couldn't have understood it. The live music played in the small space that divided the counter from a couple of seats. We sat at the far back away from the drunken cheers from a couple of people. Anybody would question our presence there by reason of our appearance, but surprisingly enough, not one of them raised as much as a fuss. I was eighteen, and Henri must've been what..., twenty. I was curious, so I asked him. "Wait, Henri. You're above eighteen right?" He looked at me, smiled and nodded. I was relieved. We were left on our own - perhaps they were considerate because of the freezing cold outside. (*Except we weren't to do anything illegal, that is.*) I was mindful of the amount of drinks I took, but Henri however was beginning to get intoxicated. A far cry from the *two pints of drink* he wanted when I offered. Maybe it was because we'd talked for long periods. A couple of minutes later, a particular song played. It started with a soothing melody that sort of calmed the moods in the room. Then, Henri glanced over towards me and offered to dance. "Would you like to dance?" "Uh... I don't know. I haven't danced in a while". I said. "Oh, come on. It's not going to harm you." He said. I took his hands and he ushered me to the center of the room bearing my hands on his shoulders. It was like we'd been lovers for the longest time. I liked the feeling. I didn't wanna leave his arms. But then he whispered what sounded like, *"Just give yourself to the music, Sophia. I plan to make this night a memorable one."*

Image https://unsplash.com/photos/HW-ep3fC4Kc I was glad I was able to mend things with him. Our meeting started rather strangely, with me venting at his remark and stuff. I didn't want to care for his cheap words. However, at this point, I realised he meant it. Like a love made only for movie screens I was undoubtedly and utterly his *chérie*, his dear. And, I was glad he made me feel wanted. After the night was over we exchanged numbers, and promised to meet again when we have the time. I went home that night with a basket full of memories. It was a night that had all the sparks, the fun, and the glamor that it made me yearn to go back to the night we met. ***The End.*** Writer's Note Hi, guys. Happy Thursday. This is another creative writing session which took me almost two hours to write. I wanted to create something special, and see how it'd pan out after getting a topic. I'm glad it went great, and i hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. ****Tell me what you think in the comment section.**** Thank you for guys reading. Until next time. 💐