77
July 04, 2017 - 262 words
Midnight
Los Angeles - 8th & Olive
We wander the quiet streets of a desolate metropolis, shivering slightly in the silvery midnight air. Something about the setting feels surreal, as though we’re walking through a waking dream.
“I might want to head back to my place and get my coat, if we’re going to be out much longer,” she says in a sort of toneless voice that doesn’t betray her thoughts.
“Well, you know,” I answer, a complicated mixture of mischief, hope, and anxiety coloring my voice as I wonder how she’ll react to this, “I did bring something that’ll keep the night going for another few hours.”
She stops walking. So do I. Her eyes sparkle and narrow and I can see her enthusiasm reignite. “I’m only considering this because of how the last few hours have gone.”
I nod and play it cooler than the coolest. “Yeah, same. Are you thinking yes?”
“I’m going to say yes because…” She searches for the words. “… because I admire your spontaneity, and I love good stories. Have you done this before? On a first date?”
“On a first date, no. Second date yes. Let’s go back to your place and get your coat, then we can keep wandering.”
At her apartment, a spacious loft the size of a small parking lot, we split a banana, a glass of water, and a bitter chunky brown crystal no bigger than a ladybug. We share a look and walk back out into an urban mystery to discover what this city of mirrors is about to reveal.