I also know that it’s entirely wrong and absolutely
ridiculous that I’m pleased to the point of feeling strangely
giddy inside at the fact that Stephanie didn’t like Jeff last
night. It’s the ultimate irony given that my job depends on it.
As I join her, she says, “This is a cool place. I noticed
that they have a really good sci-fi section over there.”
“Do you like reading science fiction?”
Steph stares at me blankly, but then she grins. “You
like it too?”
“Yes! I don’t know many people who really do, but
then, I’ll read just about anything. When I was in high school,
I never really liked going to parties or even hanging out with
people that often. I didn’t want to watch movies I wasn’t
interested in or bum around the mall or whatever. I was one of
those geeky kids who thought that reading was awesome and
I’d read a book a day, sometimes more. My mom would get
mad at me because I’d stay up all night reading and have to
drag my butt to school the next day. It got to the point where it
looked like I was into partying, that’s how often it happened.”
“Oh my god. I never thought that you could be geeky.
You don’t look geeky at all. I’m the one that’s the science
nerd. Even if you were, or are, geeky, though, that’s okay. I
don’t mind that at all.”
I smile back, even though Steph’s words make me wish
that she was here getting to know me as if we were on a date
of our own. That we were finding out about each other
because we were thinking of spending time together in the
future. Not just hanging out, but so, so much more.
I force myself to stop the wishful thinking and get out
my notes.