Hey, Girl

You’re the best thing that happened to your worst nightmare.

Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash

Hey, girl — you look a little lonely. (Don’t meet her eyes. It’s better if you prolong the moment, like you’re considering a deep thought, when really all you want to do is take a long glide of a look at her silhouette as she stands like a statue against the bar.)

Me? I’m lonely too. But you’re not asking — and I can’t say the words threatening to skitter off my tongue.

Stay cool, my mates would say. You’re just another human being — and anything else is just me overthinking.

Stay. Focused.

Would you like something to drink? (You look down at your full glass, and I know I’m supposed to take the hint — but I don’t. This is just the game we have to play.) Sorry, I’m new to the city, so I thought it’d be nice to socialize a bit, you know?

You look like you’ve just swallowed a bitter pill. Your face scrunches up, and I would think it was cute — if it weren’t directed at me. I think you’re going to walk away, maybe find your friends in the crowded club, but then you turn your gaze back to me — and I get it now. You’re assessing me. I hope I’m to your liking.

Are you looking for someone? I can help you look, if you want. I’m pretty good at hide-and-seek.