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"Arnold, just... let go." Fable's hand gestures were fluid. "Wear those quirks like a badge of honor."
"Right." I chewed on the inside of my cheek, considering her words. "Quirks are...good?"
"Best part of you." Lyric crossed her arms, her smile softening. "Don't hide 'em."
"Okay." My voice became stronger than I felt, but it was a start. "No more hiding."
"Exactly." Fable stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "Now, go be the Arnold that Agatha can't wait to see again."
"Will do." I pushed myself up from the sofa, feeling less like I was heading into battle and more excited for the date with a girl who maybe, kinda, liked my kind of awkwardness.
"Go get 'em, tiger." Fable's chuckle followed me as I stood, more sure-footed now.
"Thanks, guys." A grateful grin spread across my face.
"Anytime, Arnold." Lyric's salute was playful as I turned towards the door.
"Really." The words were simple but heartfelt.
"Go be you," Fable called out as I left their office, the weight on my shoulders lighter than it had been moments before.
"Be me," I whispered, my steps more purposeful. That's exactly what I'd do.
I shuffled through the maze of bookshelves, my heart a light drumbeat in my chest. Excitement fizzed through my veins like soda pop. I could hardly wait to meet Agatha again.
"Hey, Rufus." A golden head nudged my hand, brown eyes full of that doggy wisdom. His tail gave a few thumps against the leg of a table stacked with new releases. "Thanks, pal."
The bookstore hummed around me, the scent of paper and possibility hanging in the air. I plopped into my chair behind the desk, the leather creaking under my lanky frame.
"Okay," I mumbled to myself, fingers drumming on woodgrain. "Let's make this special."
Rufus settled by my feet, a warm presence anchoring me to the moment.
"Park?" I suggested. The idea popped into my mind; it was simple but good. "Yeah, she'd like that."
A smile crept onto my face, imagining Agatha's laughter as we walked past duck ponds and flower beds. No pretense, no scripts—just Agatha and me, and maybe a frisbee for Rufus.
"Then coffee," I continued, picturing the quaint little shop on the corner, its windows fogged up with warmth. "The one with the couches."
Rufus let out a soft 'woof,' his tail swishing in agreement.
"Perfect." I nodded to myself. "Just keep it real, Arnold."
Details first then hit her up. Make it casual. This was it. A second chance for an honest-to-goodness connection. And I was ready for it, awkward phrases and all.
I hovered over my phone, my fingers twitching with a mix of nerves and excitement. Rufus snored softly at my feet, oblivious to my inner turmoil.
"Hey," I typed, then backspaced. Too casual? "Hi Agatha," I tried again. Better. Professional, but not too stiff.
"Looking forward to our second date. Maybe we can go for a walk in the park," I continued, fingers finding a rhythm.
I chewed on my lip, re-reading the words. They felt right—honest, simple. A grin tugged at my lips. This was me, no pretenses.
"Can't wait to catch up soon," I finished with a flourish, feeling brave. My heart hammered a rapid beat as I hit send.
A quiet 'whoosh' signaled the message's departure. I leaned back, releasing a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Done. Out there in the digital ether, waiting for her eyes only.
Rufus stirred, lifting his head to glance at me. His tail wagged once, slow, as if he sensed the shift in the air.
"Thanks, buddy," I whispered, scratching behind his ears.
Now came the wait. The agonizing, nail-biting suspense of waiting for a reply. Would she laugh? Smile? Or just feel... nothing?
I shoved those thoughts away. No. We've broken the ice. We are both dorks. This time, we would really connect. I could feel it in my bones. We'd stumble through it together, two awkward souls fumbling towards something real.
The chime of a new text cut through the silence. My pulse spiked. It was from her.
"Excited too! See you in a couple of days," her response read. Simple. Sweet. Perfect.
A laugh escaped me, unrestrained and genuine. This was going to be good. I could handle the awkward, the cringe-worthy moments. Those were the bits that made life, well, life.
