It was a cold stormy day in Rockville, Maryland, March 1st, 2000. I was nineteen, sitting in the Taipei Cafe, when I glanced toward the back and saw him. He was sitting there, corner stare, focused on the television. As I was looking up from my daily coffee, I was stunned by his smile, his smile was as bright as the sun. He got up and headed to the door when he saw me, he saw I was alone, so he stopped and asked, "Would you mind if I sit with you?". My heart sank, "Of course" I said shakily, "But you look like you'll be late for something." He smiled, "Oh, no I'm new in town, I have nothing important, and besides I would definitely rather see that gorgeous face of yours."
His name was Derek, just the sound of his name rolling off my tongue gave me butterflies. He was eighteen, moved here from Live Oak, Florida. He had long brown hair that fell just above his eyes, perfectly straight teeth, gorgeous greenish/blue eyes, he was skinny, and tall, he looked like a model. In all honesty, I couldn't stop wondering why he was talking to me. He was perfect, and I was just another girl.
We sat and talked for about half an hour before he said"I'd love to get to know you even more, I'd love to see some of your favorite places, around here. But only if you would like." I was dying to, I wanted every excuse in the world to see him longer than the time I already have."Of course, it would be my pleasure." I said with a smile, as we stood up and headed for the door.
We walked down Maine Street, and through the park. He was funny, but not like most guys who try to be funny by being stupid, or abusive. He loved making jokes, not even hurtful ones, just jokes, the ones that could get you laughing in the middle of crying. He was smart, he talked about his passion for forensic anthropology, his first job, the studies he learned about in high school. He was starting Montgomery college in June. I went there for my nursing degree.
We made a turn down Alexis Drive, where he was so fascinated by the antique sword that was originally owned by King Arthur. I laughed as I grabbed his hand and brought him into Olde Towne Antiques. I watched as he was astonished by all the antique things for sale in the store. After he spent hours in that one store, I took him to my favorite Italian resturaunt on 123rd street. I could tell by the awe in his eyes he loved it. I spent all day with this guy I barely even knew. He could've been a murderer planning to kill me. Did I care? Not at this point.
After we were done eating he offered to pay my bill. I wasn't going to let him, but he insisted. I then decided to walk him home. When we arrived at his apartment he turned to me and said with a smile and a glare in his eyes, "I had the best time in my life today, I'd love to do it again sometime. May I have your number?" As I was putting my phone number into his phone I was shaking, "Here you go darling." I said. I handed him the phone, and the second his hand touched mine, chills ran up my spine. He quickly leaned in and kissed my cheek, I froze. He looked down at his phone and whispered,"Sidney," he looked up with a smirk, "I can't get enough of your name, it's as beautiful as you." I looked down blushingly not knowing what to say, "Thank you" I murmured. As I was turning around to catch a cab home he gently grabbed me and pulled me into a hug.
As I walked in the door to my house, I had two voicemails from two unknown numbers. I played them, the first number played, "Hey gorgeous, it's Derek, thank you for the best day ever, I can't wait to do it again. Hope you made it home safely, sorry for texting you again, just can't stop thinking about that smile of yours." We've only been apart for about twenty minutes and he's already making me miss him. I played the message from the other unknown number and it played, "Hey Sidney, it's Tobie, missing you more than ever, especially when I heard our song play at our favorite place here in New York. Really wanting you back, I miss you and us, please consider this. I love you." All I could think was how pathetic of Tobie, I left him for a reason, yeah it hurt, but I'm moving on. I wasn't even sad that Tobie tried coming back. I was more focused on when I could see Derek again.
I called Derek back after my shower, he couldn't stop talking about how his day was amazing. I said with a depressing tone,"Derek, I have to go back to school tomorrow, I have papers coming up. Maybe over the weekend we could hangout?" He sounded kind of depressed but he still managed to make himself sound okay when he said, "That's perfectly fine, I want you to be more worried about your school work, your career is way more important." We talked pointlessly for about fifteen minutes before he went to bed. I then called Sara to tell her the good news, she was my best friend, I could tell her anything. "He's so perfect, he's going to go to Montgomery, it's just, words can't describe how I feel!" I stated excitedly. "I'm so proud of you! We'll talk more about it tomorrow before class, I'm going to bed." she said tiredly before she hungup. How could I sleep after my day? How could I stop thinking about him.
