All characters involved are above the age of 18.
Dear Diary,
Yesterday was the best birthday of my life, even though I celebrated it with only one guy. I never imagined my 22nd birthday to be anything like this, but it sure was better than the crap my parents used to put me through. I've never felt so free in my life and I definitely don't regret moving away this far to start my masters.
I bumped into this guy at the library. Classes had just ended on my first day of grad school and I needed to pick up a book. I was not the only one. There were 6 people in line in front of me and this guy got in line behind me, holding a John Grisham thriller. I briefly checked him out, he looked cute, but definitely a bit older. Short brown hair, a patchy beard, pretty broad shoulders, not bad at all. When I looked into his eyes, I noticed he was checking me out, too. Fair enough.
The line didn't seem to be moving much at all, so when I glanced over my shoulder to take a second look, he looked me straight in the eyes. Mesmerizing grayish brown eyes. When I turned around and flicked my long dark brown hair over my shoulder, he already had his hand out. I shook it and he introduced himself as Jack. After telling him my name, I told him he could call me Amy, but he insisted on calling me Amelia, because 'it's a pretty name'. Oh, how smooth.
As the line shuffled forward, I learnt he was in fact older, 26 to be exact. He had been studying at this school for a year now, doing some masters degree I don't remember the name of. Sorry alright, this guy was cute. I wasn't listening much to what he was saying, I was enjoying his toned body.
It soon was my turn at the counter and the book I had was checked into my school account. I waited up for Jack and walked out with him. This gentleman even held the door for me, how sweet. Once outside, he straight up invited me to come visit him at this local pub tonight. He was clearly in a hurry for something, acting a bit jumpy. I told him I'd think about it and off he went after telling me it was a pleasure to meet me. The forwardness of this guy reminded me why I became bisexual years ago. Some guys are just so bold.
I never even told the guy it was my birthday, it seemed too personal for the brief chat we had. I was planning on getting myself a bottle of wine and celebrating alone, like a lonely friendless introvert. It's not like I had made any friends in the week I'd been in this new town, I just about said 'hi' to my neighbors and none of them seemed very interesting to talk to.
I walked home and made myself some dinner. I didn't end up buying the bottle of wine and I hadn't decided yet whether I was going tonight or not. I sat on my bed and opened my laptop, browsing though Netflix while eating my dinner straight from the pan. Everything my parents never let me do. I chuckled at the thought and watched an episode of
Queer Eye
while eating. Another one after putting my bowl away. And another. And another episode.
By the time it was 9:30 I decided to stop the pity party. Jack must've thought by now that I was a no-show. Who the hell goes out to a pub on a weekday anyway. I tied my hair back and touched up my make-up. I went through my unopened boxes and found my hairband. The silver glittery one I always wear on my birthdays. I figured my jeans would be fine, but I changed my shirt to a black semi-see-through one with a lower V neck. Might as well show my 34C's off a bit, it's not like they've had much attention lately.
I eventually got to the pub at a quarter past 10 or so. It was more of a burger bar type of place and it seemed quiet, 15 people at best, most of them at least twice my age. The music was pretty loud and I looked around, but didn't see Jack. I figured he had left, but then noticed him waving at me from behind the bar. He's the friggin' bartender. Had I read this all wrong, was he not hitting on me earlier? I walked up to him to find out. Through the loud music I learnt his shift would end at 11 and he offered me a drink on the house.
He complimented me on my sparkly hairband. I explained to him that I only wear it on my birthday and he caught on quick. Then he dropped a question on me that I should've seen coming, asking me where my friends were. Dammit. This guy.
I stumbled to find the right words, but then fessed up to him I didn't have any and that I was very new to the town. His attention was then pulled away by another customer wanting service and I sat down by the window with my drink at an empty table. Taking occasional sips of my gin tonic, I watched cars and people go by outside until a man appeared at my table.
A guy in his early 50s sat down after asking me if it was okay and I recognized him as one of my teachers. He was pretty nice and not trying anything weird, so we chatted for a while about his field until Jack showed up, seemingly having finished his shift a little early. Kudos to my teacher for keeping it all business and not being a creep. Faith in humanity restored.
Jack asked my hand and I got up and followed him to the exit. Once outside we could actually have a normal conversation. He apologized for asking me to come over to the other side of town on my birthday and I told him it was fine. I'm honestly not sure if I was fine with it, but I said it anyway. He then proceeded to invite me over to his place, using the colder outside temperature as a lame excuse.
To avoid getting off on the wrong foot, I told him I was not looking for a relationship right now. He seemed to be completely fine with that, as he broke up a month ago and wasn't ready for anything yet. He insisted we go to his place and I let him take me there. It was only a few blocks over.
