Awkward Encounters of the Third Kind
All I wanted was to enjoy my tea and scones quietly with my notebook and some music, but being here, that would be asking for too much. Of course, shame on me for expecting that even bing alone out in public, forced interactions would happen anyway. I was sitting in my lone table at Mill Mountain Coffee whena voice I was all to familiar with called my name.
"Hey Katie!" My friend Rachel exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" Don't get me wrong, she'd a really sweet girl, but she never shuts up. I forced a smile and greeted her back, praying she wouldn't linger too long
"Just needed to get out for a bit, thought I'd write while I was at it." I said simply.
"Wait, are you alone?" She asked as an expression full of pity crossed her face.
"Yeah, but it's fine."
"My boyfriend is alone here too, why don't you two sit together while I work my shift?"
"That's very sweet, but really I'm-" I tried, but she'd alaready called him over.
"Jeff, this is Katie. She's really nice so I figured you tw could hang out while I work."
If he had any qualms with sitting with me, he didn't voice them and plopped down across from me. As sh esauntered away, I smiled ans wracked my brain for any sort of way to start a conversation. I've been taight my whole life to neve rjudge a book by it's cover, but with this guy it was impossible. Everything about his appearence (his clothes, his piercings, his cold expression) screamed "Get away from me!". Already an uncomfortable and awkward person, I was at a total loss.
"So you're Rachel's boyfriend then? She's realy sweet." I said, in hopes small talk would diffuse the tension.
"Yes." He snapped.
Okay then.
"Do you like Roatoen? It's a cool place right?" I tried a different subject.
"No."
After a few awkward paused, I tried one more converstaion topic.
"So what are you interested in? I'm really into writing, what about you?"
"I want to be a mortician," He said, a sinister smile creeped up his face.
"Really?" I squeaked. "What made you decide to get into that?"
"I like bodies."
I really wish that I was exaggerating his responses, but no. This guy was actually a total creep. I looked over and saw Rachel wave at us, I couldn't help but wonder how these two ended up as a couple. I'd only been around him for about 5 minutes, how did she handle his unsettling nature all the time?
Unfortunately, our uncomfortable interaction lasted about 20 more minutes before I couldn't take it anymore. I made up some excuse about my roommate having a crisis and booked it out of there as quickly as I could without making it obvious that I was running for my life.
This is what I get for trying to be alone.
This isn't "Jeff" but that's basically what he looked like, I know I'm being judgemental but this guy gave me the heebie jeebies.
3. Jeanne Skulstad
I can kind of understand what you went through because one of my best friends had a boyfriend of two years and I never really liked him. Something about him just didn't seem right. I really liked your detail dialogue and voice in this piece. I could really feel like I was there with you looking at this creepy guy.
11/04/14, 04:17 am
2. Vasilea Karageorge
Sounds like you had a a very interesting half an hour. I am just like you. I try to get to know people before judging them, but it's hard when they give you the "heebie jeebies." You did a really good job describing the moment. I felt like I was there with you.
11/04/14, 02:48 am
1. Hannah Wuerthner
I know how you feel, sometimes you just need some alone time. Wow Jeff sounds like a very interesting person. I really liked the dialogue and your sort of input/judgment in the writing. It made it very real.
11/02/14, 05:20 pm