Chapter Text
You don't know why you decided a hike was a good afternoon idea. The views were nice but getting there was torture. The forest around you was thick and full of life that seemed unbothered by you.
It's not that bad. You tried telling yourself. People do this all the time.
But after about 30 minutes you decided this wasn't worth it, and now you were sitting on a bench near the parking lot defeated.
You leaned back and looked around the parking lot for something interesting, something that wouldn’t make this a total loss. Maybe a weird bug or a trail that leads to some mysterious murder you can solve.
There are neither of those things, but you do see a guy not too far from you. He has messy hair and a long sleeve shirt and jeans that looked slept in despite the look in his eyes suggesting otherwise. He was hunched over inspecting a camera, flipping through photos.
He was not attractive by any stretch of the imagination, but you were drawn to him in a weird way. Like your eyes being drawn to a car crash.
You wouldn't date him obviously, you didn’t know if you wanted to go through the effort of “fixing him or whatever. But you could at least leave here with a stranger's number so you have something to prove you socialized today.
As you sit up and start walking towards him you realize you have no idea what to say to him.
Something casual. You're a cool guy. Very cool.
You approach the bench and he glances up at you.
“Sitting around all by yourself, handsome?"
THAT'S NOT CASUAL.
He looks incredibly confused as you immediately start backpedaling.
“Sorry that came out wrong, that’s a greeting that me and my friends use a lot so im just used to it I guess. But, uh, how are you doing? I'm asking platonically.” You blurt out nervously.
You need to stop talking. You fumbled this so badly. It would have been better if you left. You should do that, you still can. Abort mission.
Against all better judgment and logic you choose to continue this conversation.
Luckily the stranger seems only mildly weirded out. He looks back at his camera. “Im uh, taking a walk.”
“Oh, cool.” You say and the conversation is swallowed by uncomfortable silence. Your in too deep now to stop.
“What’s your name? I'm new around here and I've been wanting to meet people.” You lie, you've lived here for 3 years. But he doesn't know that. Hopefully.
“It's Simon, what's yours?” Simon asks.
“Oh its-” You're immediately interrupted by a car backfiring nearby, very loudly. You both flinch. “Asshole.” Simon scowls. “What were you saying?”
“Oh, nothing.” You brush it off, desperately trying to get this conversation to go faster so nothing bad happens, “Do you do photography?”
“Yeah, it's a hobby of mine. I'm out here trying to get photos for a…friend.” Simon responds. You're about to question him on why he paused but he beats you to it.
‘I want her to be more than that. She means a lot to me.”
Fuck hes straight. Well, possibly straight. Well you thought that for years so maybe there's a chance. You won't fix him but you can make him bisexual.
“That's nice, I really like photography, maybe I could buy some of your work?” You say, despite having little interest in photography.
“Oh no I dont-” Before he can finish you interrupt him. “Here’s my number if you're interested, I better get going. Nice to meet you!” You scribble your number out on a piece of paper crudely and hand it to him in a haste before leaving.
That was smooth if you ignore all the failures.
You get in your car and let the embarrassment set in for a minute before driving off. You leave with low expectations, doubting the possibility of even a one night stand. Whatever, plenty of weird guys left in the world.
You're predictably disappointed as you receive no response from Simon after a few months. You understand, but it's a little disheartening to know your flirting skills are that bad.
You're standing, waiting for a bus to take you home. The bus is running late, which it always was. The wind was cold with a few people mingling around. There was some ad about rabbits on the side of the bus stop.
You scan the area, hoping for something to distract yourself. You must be good at this, as you notice someone you overlooked earlier. Simon.
Well, you think it's Simon, his face is pretty much the same, except now he’s in a wheelchair and has a thin beard. Other than that he seems the same.
You decide to risk it, can't fumble the same person twice right?
“Excuse me? Are you Simon?”
He looks up and looks confused. “Uh, yeah, who-” then he stops. “Oh, you're that guy from the park, right?”
“Yeah! Didn't think I'd catch you here.”
He shrugs. “I never caught your name, what was it?”
“Oh yeah, everyone calls me-” The bus pulls up loudly, screeching to a halt and opening its doors.
“Shit, my bus, it was nice seeing you again.” You take a few steps back.
“Yeah, sorry I never got around to uh, messaging you.” He adds.
“Oh, that? No it's fine, that was a terrible first impression anyways.”
He shrugs, “Yeah, I suppose.”
“Ouch. How did it go with that friend?” You ask, trying to change the subject.
“She wasn't interested.” He responds, seeming mildly upset.
“Ah, I'm sorry, I'm sure you’ll find someone better!”
Then your bus leaves. You watch it speed away, taking its passengers with it.
You both watch it go for a while before it disappears. Then you sigh.
“Guess I'm walking home then huh?”
“You don't have to, my place is closer if you want to crash there, I've been looking for company.
Holy shit how did you do that. You must be in some novel or shitty romance this can't be real. You are however not going to miss out on this shit.
“YES! I mean, yes thank you, that's very kind.” You blurt out, shoving your hands in your pockets.
Well, this wasn’t how you expected to spend you evening but your not complaining.