The Wallflower and The Star Athlete (closed for Poprockz)

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian stood almost motionless. He was not expecting this, it shocked him almost to the point that he missed her face mask coming off. He saw her full face for the first time. My word, she is beautiful. But he quickly snapped back to reality.

‘Let’s go inside and get a coffee. You need to breathe, but I also want to understand what is going on here’.

 

[Poprockz]

She opened her mouth, fully intending on continuing to rant and rage until she saw the expression on his face. It looked like he was being genuine in wanting to know why she was so upset. Of course her reasons weren't obvious; it wasn't as though he would be able to guess why she would be so keen on hiding from publicity. While her anger was justified, it wouldn't do anyone any good to take it out on him. After all, he wasn't the one who hadn't done his job. The only thing she could really do was explain herself, and possibly avoid him in the future. She didn't want to have to avoid him, but she didn't want to risk being in his spotlight and further exposed.

Olivia sighed and her hands came down to reveal the dainty features of her face. It was the first time she had been out in public without her mask in a long time. She almost felt naked with it and was almost tempted to put it back on. It would be fine- it wasn't as though people would be taking pictures of them in the coffee shop.

"Alright... Let's go inside." She led them out of the alley and into the shop itself. A couple people glanced at them, but otherwise they didn't garner any attention. As always, she ordered a latte and a blueberry muffin.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian followed Olivia into the shop, staying silent as they ordered. He got a cappuccino and a flapjack. He motioned to a table at the back of the shop, looking quite private. They sat and he studied her face. Her blue eyes were well complimented by a button nose and thin lips. But it was the expression on her face that worried him. The anger was still there, but worry had also made an appearance.

‘So, please tell me. What has you wanting to be hidden?’

 

[Poprockz]

“Alright…” She took a moment to organize her thoughts before going into her explanation. “You’re about to get a breakdown of my history. So… my mom cheated on my dad and I’m the result of that affair. They got back together, but neither one of them liked me very much since I was a reminder of what happened, I guess. I was paying rent when I was sixteen, but when I turned eighteen they gave me the boot. I was homeless for a little while before I was able to find some stability at a shelter and save some money until I could get my own place. Well, I mean my own place with roommates, but you know.”

A sip of her coffee was taken and she paused her story to ask, “following so far? Any questions at this point?”

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian listened intently, her story off to a heart breaking start. But he stayed quiet while she continued.

‘Go on, I’ll hold all questions to the end’.

 

[Poprockz]

“Okay… So when I was given the boot, apparently my parents realized that it was actually kind of nice to have a third source of income. They tried contacting me for a while, but I was kind of in the wind due to my circumstances and all. Once I got back on my feet and got myself a cellphone, they started to contact me, asking me for money. Of course I didn’t and still don’t have money to spare for them, and I told them that. They said I “owed them” though and that it would be “just this once”, and they really pushed, so I gave them what I could spare without crippling myself.”

A sour look came to her face and she shook her head. “I really shouldn’t have.”

She took a drink of coffee and continued with pinched eyebrows, “You can probably guess what happened. They asked me for money again, of course. This time I said no firmly, but they weren’t having it. They threatened that they would mess things up for me if I didn’t give them money, and they made good on that promise. I got kicked out of my apartment at the time and had to struggle to find a new place. At that point I moved to another town to start over, but they found me again and the cycle repeated.”

It was at this point that the anger mostly dissipated to be replaced by a troubled worry. “I didn’t want to have to leave this place, so I did my best to be as invisible as possible, but now they might find me from that article.” She could feel her eyes starting to water, so she glared at her muffin and willed herself to keep it together.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian's concern for Olivia only grew as she continued her story. The tale of turmoil and betrayal by family was the complete opposite of his childhood and background. He couldn't comprehend what he was hearing. As he saw tears beginning to form in her eyes, he instinctively reached a hand out for hers. His hand almost covered hers and he gave it a reassuring rub. As she finished her story, he paused to gather his thoughts.

'Look, I am not going to sit here and pretend to understand what you are going through. My family life is miles from this. But I can sympathise. Nobody should go through this, especially when family is involved. And now I feel guilty. If I have never picked the soup kitchen as the charity to highlight, this would have never happened'.

'As for the way your family treated you when you were born - that is not a family. I'm so sorry Olivia'.

 

[Poprockz]

"It's okay..." she answered, blinking away a few tears and wiping her cheeks. "I mean, it's not, but it'll be okay. None of this would have happened if you hadn't chosen that soup kitchen, you're right, but it's not like you did any of this maliciously. So... I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier."

Olivia sighed and her eyes drifted to the firm hand that rested atop her own. It felt so comforting, so warm. It brought warmth to her cheeks as well as she realized that they were sharing a somewhat intimate gesture.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian smiled at her apology.
'You have nothing to be sorry for, but I appreciate it all the same. I don't think anyone has ever yelled at me like that before!', finishing with a small laugh.

His eyes also drifted to their hands. He realised she did not recoil, or move at all. Did she enjoy his hand on hers? Regardless, it kept his hand where it was, enjoying the feeling of her soft skin. He lifted his gaze to her again, giving her another smile.

'Look I'd understand if you want to stay away from me. The spotlight on me is big at times, and clearly not what you want. But I'll just say this - I've enjoyed talking with you, just being around you. I feel like this is the most sincere connection I have had with someone in almost three years'.

 

[Poprockz]

If he had never been yelled at like that, then he was more lucky than he knew. Her parents gave her a generous helping of that growing up, so she was accustomed to such treatment.

She listened to him quietly, mulling over his words as he spoke. It was surprising to hear that he considered there to be a connection between them, and that he was basically asking her if there was any way for them to continue to see each other. He was a public figure who had everything going for him, so why didn’t it sound like he was so isolated?

Olivia didn’t have any friends around here, the only friends her age being ones from highschool who had moved away for college. They texted occasionally, but it didn’t seem to relive the loneliness much. The truth was that she did want to spend time with people and make connections, but she was always so busy that it was really hard to make that sort of thing work.

“Honestly, I think you’re a really stand-up guy, and I would like it if we could still hang out too, but I don’t know how feasible it is. I work full time and go to school full time, so my only free time is on Saturdays. You’d see me in class, but other than that it might be difficult to coordinate.”

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian had to laugh at her reasoning, hoping it didn’t come across as rude.
‘Olivia, I’m not suggesting we get married or something. I just like hanging out with you. If one day a week is all you can manage right now, fine. My life is not exactly wide open either. I just feel we could both use a friend that get each other. Yes we seem to be from two different world, but I sense there is a shared interest of sincerity. If I’m wrong, just tell me’.

 

[Poprockz]

Did he think that she was under the impression that he had feelings for her? She wanted to protest that she would never assume such a thing, especially between the two of them, but she kept her mouth shut on that front. Of course she understood that he just wanted friendship here, though she also understood that trying to prove that she did would only make it look like she really was thinking that.

She withdrew her hand from under his and chuckled with a touch of awkwardness, scratching the back of her head and avoiding his eyes as she took a bite of her muffin and swallowed. “Yeah, I think being friends could be nice.” Her gaze lifted to him and she gave him a genuine smile, “I haven’t really made any friends at college yet, so the position definitely has a vacancy.”

Olivia took out her phone and entered in a contact for him before handing the phone over. “It’s probably best if we trade numbers, if that’s okay with you.”

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian returned her genuine smile and took the phone from her hands, entering his. He handed it back to her.

‘How about I take you to dinner, just as my way to say sorry about this whole thing and a thank you for being open to being my friend’.

 

[Poprockz]

"Sure!" she replied enthusiastically. "Did you have someplace in mind? I chose where we met for coffee so it's only right that you get to choose where we go for dinner." Her phone was taken back, and she glanced at his contact before wondering what sort of picture she should put in for him.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Smiling at her enthusiasm, he replied, ‘Well I do know this little Italian place off campus. The owner seems to like me so I could probably get us a private table. How does next Friday night sound?

 

[Poprockz]

Private table? Olivia hesitated. "Friday would work, but is there any kind of dress code?"

There was no way she would be able to show up in her normal clothes if it was a nice place, but she didn't own anything suitable. She would have to shop and try to find a simple dress in order to avoid making him look bad. Maybe she could go to one of the second-hand stores and find something. And shoes, she needed shoes as well.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian chuckled, her nervousness on the dress code coming across as cute
‘I think as long as you don’t show up in pyjamas, I think you’ll be ok. But do me one favour - leave the mask at home. Your face is far too beautiful to be hidden away. I promise there will be no pictures taken!’, giving her a cheeky grin, hoping his joke was not too far.

 

[Poprockz]

He thought her face was beautiful? That was unexpected. Why did that make it feel like a tingle had gone down from her heart into her stomach? She didn't know how to react, flustered as she was. Olivia wondered if he was trying to encourage her or build up her self-esteem. Yes, that certainly seemed like the only reasonable conclusion. Should she return the favor?

"Maybe you should wear it then - I might lose my eyesight if I have to keep looking at your blindingly good looks." She grinned. Was that awkward? She hoped it wasn't. Banter back and forth could be fun, but she didn't want to overdo it or sound like she didn't have her head on straight. To be fair, he was very handsome, especially when he had such a playful look on his face.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian nearly spit out his coffee with a laugh, hiding behind a napkin.
‘Well we can’t have you going blind, otherwise I’d have to become your guide dog. I’d have two things to feel guilty about then!’
He had to admit, this was fun. It was the most pleasure he had with someone, who seemingly did not want anything from him. He almost didn’t know how to react either. It had been a long time since he felt he could be just himself without the need to have his guard up.

 

[Poprockz]

She closed her eyes and pretended to be blind, 'looking around the room' before leaning in slightly, "Adrien, my most trusted advisor, my eyes... Tell me... Do they still frolic in the fields? Do they still drop it like it's hot?" The woman had played it up, using a dramatic, wizened voice that was tinged with faux-wistfulness.

 

[Mr_Positive]

This time he did burst into laughter before responding.
‘Oh yes Olivia, the fields are alive with the sounds of frolicking. Are we Snoop Dogg now?’
The world around them seemed to melt away. Olivia’s voice was melodic, making Adrian forget everything else around him. He took a mental note - this girl needs to stay in his life.

 

[Poprockz]

"Snoop Dogg, seeing-eye dog, they're practically the same thing, right?" she joked, knowing full-well the absolute nonsense she was spouting. "I just need to know the important going-ons, you know?" she smirked before taking a bite of her muffin. "Anyway, do you go to that restaurant often? How do you know the owner?"

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian knew it was nonsense, but it filled his heart to see Olivia happy. In the week since they met, this was the first time he had seen this side of her.
‘The owner, I met him through my coach. He gets me and my dislike of being mobbed. So he offered me his private table whenever I want it. But I have only used it a handful of times, when my family is in town’.

 

[Poprockz]

"Having your own private table sounds pretty nice. I don't really go out to eat very often, so odds are that I haven't been there before." Olivia was honestly excited about trying some new food and having dinner with her new friend. The private table suited her just fine- she too did not like the idea of being mobbed by his adoring fans who might get the wrong idea about things.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian looked at his watch and groaned.
‘I have to go, I have a meeting with my coach. He wants to go over the training plan for Nationals. But this was fun, really’.
He stood, ready to make his exit.
‘Text me later so I have your number. I’ll be in touch with the details for Friday night’.