๑The Button - Neil Cicierega Fancic๑

sorry what was that? - pt. 6

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He opened the door for me and offered me his hand again, he smiled at me like he did earlier today when he asked me about this. I love the way he smiles

He led me inside to which we got a table, he had made reservations so we didn't have to wait, it was pretty packed considering it was a Friday night

"So.. um.. we actually don't know a lot about each other." I said fiddling with the rings I was wearing underneath the table

"Right, it's been, what.. three weeks since we've met? Well then, what do you like to do?" He said pushing some hair to the side and out of his face

"Hmm.. well.. I used to read a lot and sometimes I still do but recently I've been getting into art, just drawing but it's a really nice little hobby for when I'm off work.. sometimes I listen to music when I draw too.." I look up at him from my lap

That didn't sound suspicious or like I was hinting at anything I think. We're good.

"Yeah, that's pretty cool.." he smiles at me with a softer expression than before. Somehow.

I could hear my heartbeat in my ears so I looked back down to my lap, avoiding eye contact

The waitress came by to ask for our drink orders and if we needed a few minutes

"Um.. can I have a lemonade?" I said as she smiled at me

"I think I want.. um diet coke.." Neil added quietly

Once she left we kind of... didn't talk.. we just looked at the menu, I personally hate being that person that has to look at the menu as they're taking orders, it's awkward

I tried focusing on what I wanted to get but every now and then I'd look up to see him, he was wearing a cute button down and his hair was swooped to the side, his glasses pushed down to the tip of his nose, I dont think he noticed it. I like his hair like this

I think he noticed me staring a bit because his eyes came up to meet mine then immediately darted back down. I've never actually done something like this so I don't know how it's supposed to go.

He said he wanted to take me out as friends so I'm trying not to get it into my head that he likes me like that.

The waiter eventually came back with our drinks and asked for our orders

"May I have the penne pasta?"
"Of course, and for you?" She smiled at me and turned to Neil

"Yeah, just the same thing"

She smiled again before handing us straws and leaving, taking our menus with her

I took a sip of my drink and set it down
"So, Neil, how old are you? I actually don't remember ever asking.."

"Ah, I'm 26. I don't think it's ever been brought up. What about you?"
"I'm 24. I was hoping you didn't say like... 20.. I don't know, you look younger than 26"
"Yeah, a few people have told me that actually."

"Oh by the way I saw your last name on the board at work.. cicierega? Right?"
"Yeah, you pronounced it right first try too"
"I didn't think people pronounced it wrong.."

What he doesn't know is that his name is constantly on loop in my head

"Yeah actually, some people say 'see see gara' and others uh.. Before I was homeschooled some kid used to call me 'sissy reega' like once or twice. I'm not really bothered by any of that though"

(I'm not making this up he said it in the guaranteed audio podcast)

"Awhh.. that's kind of sad but also.. I was homeschooled my entire life, when did you start??"