Chapter 1: Change (Chris)
Typically, Chris doesn’t like to put himself out there for anybody. Living life as a single man is all he’s ever known, and facing any other reality where he would even remotely consider a relationship with a woman makes him shudder. “I just don’t get the appeal of dating”, is what he once said to his best friend Matthew. His response on that front was, “well, what if there was somebody out there I know who really wants to know you? Would you deny her the chance?”
“Yes.” Chris left no trace of hesitation in his response. This usually makes Matthew grow annoyed and impatient with him. “You are too stubborn for your own good. You need to lighten up!”
“I know what I like and what works for me. Why should I change that?”
Chris and Matthew continued their conversation until they made their way back to their shared office. The two of them have been friends for years before starting up their own law firm together. Both have graduated from the same college, and back in high school when they were teenagers, they made a point to not let anything or anyone stand in the way of their friendship. That promise is still being upheld, but college for Matthew has loosened up his mindset some, if not completely as he became good friends with a girl named Rachel. Chris has noticed these changes inside of his best friend, but has never minded them too much or has let it get in the way of their friendship. Today, of all days, though, Matthew has been a little extra pushy in his efforts to have Chris meet Rachel. “Why do you care so much about my lack of a love life? You used to not be this way in high school. We made a promise. Don’t you remember?”
“I do remember… It’s just that I’ve been talking to her a lot about you. She’s the one who started it. She’s the one who’s interested; it’s not like I’ve talked you up onto a pedestal. I think-
“Matt, I’ve known you since we were kids. You made a promise to me. I know that college has changed you, but please, just let me live my life in peace.”
“Is that what you really want?”
“Yes.” Chris’ tone was firm and strict, which made Matt retreat quickly without saying another word. That is, until he pulled out his phone to check for any missed calls or messages. No notifications showed up for a moment, and then Rachel’s name popped up. She left a text that said, I’ll be there.
A few hours later after wrapping things up in the office, the two men drove back home to their shared apartment. Upon unlocking the door and entering, Chris was taken aback to see a woman sitting in their living room. “Hi,” he said flatly. His tone immediately switched from mild shock to mild aggression. Matthew… he muttered to himself. I’m going to have words with you once you arrive.
Once Matthew finally arrived home, the first thing he noticed was his best friend standing in the middle of the living room with a grimacing look on his face. He could already tell that he wasn’t happy, and before he could get a word in, Chris pulled him into the bedroom. “What the hell is your friend doing here? I told you that I don’t want to be set up on any dates.” He arched his eyebrow for a moment then stole a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening in. Matthew let out a defeated sigh. “Do you really think I’m going to let you have your way every time?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Don’t be stupid, man! You know exactly what I’m talking about. Rachel came here on her own accord because she’s been insisting on meeting you. I didn’t have much of a choice, so how about you let go of your stubborn pride for once and just try to get to know her? You don’t have anything to lose here.” Chris didn’t flinch or change his expression. He could feel his stomach doing cartwheels and started feeling nauseous for a moment. If there’s anything he hates more than being told what to do, it would be being forced to do anything that he would deem unthinkable. After a long moment of contemplation, Chris opened the bedroom door and started walking towards Rachel.
For a few long moments, both Chris and Rachel sat in silence. Matthew had retreated himself back into the bedroom, saying that he wanted to get ready for bed. It was nearly 10:00 pm, and before Chris could stand back up to force away his nerves, Rachel finally spoke up. “I’m sorry if my being here is making you feel awkward. I was under the impression that you’d be willing to just hang out and talk. Get to know each other, that sort of thing.” She paused before making any other comments. Chris continued to not say anything. “I guess I should be heading out now. I apologize for bothering you.” She started heading towards the front door of their apartment and grabbed her bag and jacket from the coat rack. Just as another thought came to her mind, Chris finally spoke up. “I should be the one to apologize. I’m not used to having visitors over, but I guess that’s not a good enough excuse anymore.” Rachel wasn’t sure if she should say something in return or just head out the door. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and kept her arm firm against the door. At that moment, Chris realized that her features made him feel something different. He wasn’t sure what that feeling was, but before she fully exited, he found himself walking closer to her. Her wavy brown hair fell naturally onto her shoulders, and he found himself gazing into her eyes for a moment. “I see you have the same color eyes as me,” he muttered. Rachel could feel his breath on her neck, and she tried willing herself away from his intense gaze. She offered a small smile, but couldn’t form any coherent sentences. She opened the corners of her mouth slightly, and by the time her voice came back to her, she said, “I really should get going now. Have a good night, Chris.”
The next day at work, Chris worked up the courage to ask his best friend for Rachel’s phone number. Matthew chided in himself for a moment. “I guess this means that you’ve finally caved into her. Isn’t she amazing?” Chris didn’t give any sign of acknowledgement to Matthew’s comment. Instead, he pressed a little harder. “Can you just give me her number, please?” Chris handed his phone over to Matthew, and after watching his fingers glide over the keyboard, he took back his phone. He then started to mutter her name to himself. Rachel… Matthew wasn’t paying attention to his friend, but once Chris sat down on the couch looking lost in thought, Matt decided to do the same. “What are you thinking about?”
“I’m thinking about asking out Rachel, but only as a friend.” He then started to mutter to himself again, and Matthew was trying to piece together what his best friend was saying. “I really hope you don’t do anything to hurt her. Your current expression worries me.” Chris didn’t say anything, and it was in that moment that Matthew started to feel the smallest bit of fear and doubt. Chris hasn’t changed at all since childhood, and while the two of them knew each other well, he had to admit to himself that he didn’t think that this situation would have actually happened. Chris is as stubborn as a rock. They hardly ever argued when they were kids, but with both of them being in their 30’s now, most of their arguments usually involved some major flaw that his best friend carried. I really hope I don’t regret what’s about to happen here, Matthew thought to himself. Even if it was initially Rachel’s idea, Matthew just couldn’t help but suddenly feel guilty for letting his only friend have what she wants.
RACHEL: THE FIRST DATE
A week has passed since Rachel first visited Matthew and Chris’ apartment. She wasn’t sure what to make of Chris. She thought she felt something, but quickly shook away the thought. She continued walking down the sidewalk until she came to a stop outside a coffee shop. She checked her phone for the time, which read 11:30 am. Right on time, she thought to herself. This is the place Chris recommended that they meet up at. He had allowed himself enough time to spare in the morning before heading to the gym to do his usual workout routine. Rachel walked into the shop with little hesitation in her step, then saw Chris look up from his phone. He offered a warm smile and waved for her to come over. There wasn’t a ton of open space between the booths and the bean bags, which was pushed in a corner against the coffee station. “The place looks cozy,” Rachel started to say. “It also feels a little cramped.”
“It’s not meant to be an actual restaurant,” he replied. “I think the owners wanted this shop to act as a grab and go kind of place, but it’s charming in its own way.” The two of them continued to make small talk for a moment before standing up to place their orders. After Chris came back from the check-out with two iced mochas in his hands, he saw that Rachel had made herself comfortable on one of the bean bags on the floor. He chuckled softly and decided to join her. She fiddled around with her hair nervously, offered a smile to him and took one of the plastic to-go cups from his hand.
Rachel was able to pick up easily on what made Chris soften up as they continued talking between sips of coffee, but still, he seemed far from her reach somehow. She could tell that he’s not someone who gets out often; his guarded demeanor said that much already. She could also tell that he likes to make a good first impression. Even though he was only in a white t-shirt and shorts, his brown hair was only slightly tousled; it looked as if he hadn’t cut it in a couple of weeks, but that didn’t bother her too much. Because of the tight quarters of being close to the floor, she could smell his deodorant, which gave off a masculine scent. She also thought she could smell cologne mixed in with that, but quickly realized that it was the aftershave. Why go through the trouble of shaving if you’re just going to get sweaty? she thought to herself in confusion. She tried to pull herself away from her thoughts and pay attention to what Chris was saying, but she couldn’t. Before she knew it, he had stood up from his seat. He held out his hand, and she instinctively took it. In that moment, the two of them inched closer towards each other. She surely thought that he was going to kiss her at that moment, but instead, she found him intensely gazing into her eyes again. She quickly pulled away and bent down to grab her purse. “I enjoyed this, Chris. Thank you. I should get going now.”
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