Dinner with Chloe*

The cafeteria was full with students grabbing dinner, so I suggested we head off-campus. Between the walk and the bus ride, I let her do most of the talking. Perhaps it might have been better to say she did most of the talking as she didn't give me much choice. Not that I minded. It was nice listening to her talk. There was something about her voice that was pleasant and soothing. It was fascinating listening to someone try to cram three conversations into one. Just when one was catching its stride, she was off in another direction talking about something else.

We ended up at a mom-and-pop shop that sold a variety of things. It was a bit crowded, which made it a bit difficult to concentrate with all the blends of Noise. Fortunately, Chloe’s presence helped with that. With her euphoric emotion blazing in her noise, it was easy to locate and concentrate on it.

“I am totally dominating the conversation,” she said suddenly. “Sorry, sorry. Tell me, what kind of things do you do outside of school?”

“I…” Trailing off, I watched as she leaned forward. I didn’t need her Noise to tell me she was interested in what I was going to say. “Do a few things.”

She laughed. “Funny. How about something specific?”

I thought for a moment, trying to think of something that would sound better than the generic hobbies most people engaged in. I failed. “I play video games with my neighbor.”

“What kind?”

“Usually fighting or racing games so she can kick my ass.”

A fluctuation in her Noise distracted me, but I couldn’t identify it with all the other people creating a sort of static around us. It was like trying to focus on a conversation in the middle of a sporting event with everyone screaming and cheering. “She that good?”

“Only because she spends all day playing them. It seems every time I come home, she’s sitting there playing them.”

“I thought you said she was a neighbor.”

“She is.”

A moment of silence. “Does she… have a key?”

I shook my head. “The lock on my balcony door is broken. The only thing separating my balcony from hers is a waist-high wall. She gets in that way.”

“And you let her?”

“It’s fine,” I said with a shrug. “At least her sister is normal and rings the doorbell.” She continued to stare at me as I continued. “We watch a lot of movies together. Turns out we both enjoy bad, over-acted movies.” Technically, I had no real preference for what movies we watched. Natalie enjoyed them, and that made me enjoy the time we spent watching them.

She chuckled. “You are nothing like what I expected.” Her hand idly spun her straw around her drink as she looked at me. I said nothing, breaking my normally stoic expression to hint at my curiosity. “I pegged you for the virgin nerd and here you are, casually inviting girls over. Sisters even!”

I replayed what I had said in my mind, realizing how it could be misunderstood. “Oh, I am a virgin,” I confirmed in a deadpan voice. “As for being a nerd, I cannot speak to that one way or another. I don’t enjoy academic work, but I know the value in doing the work and keeping up on things. I do well enough.”

Chloe looked at me like I’d said something especially scandalous. Then she snorted, holding a hand in front of her face. “You seriously just admitting that?”

“It seemed like you were misunderstanding something. My relationship with the Parker sisters is not sexual in nature.” I tilted my head slightly. “I suppose you could call them my friends, but our relationship has never been formally defined.”

Giving me a long look, she slowly shook her head. “I knew it before, but you are seriously one weird dude. Most guys wouldn’t admit they were a virgin, let alone announce it so confidently to someone they barely know.”

“Ah. Yes. I apologize if that made you uncomfortable.”

“Don’t worry about me,” she said, waving off my apology. “This is probably the most fun I’ve had in… a long time,” she finished after a long breath. A grin formed. “You’re a quirky guy, Jake. I like that. It’s refreshing considering the number of assholes and douchebags we go to school with. Or at least, the guys I typically associate with.”

I gave a firm nod. “I am glad you are enjoying yourself. I have to admit, I am quite curious about you as well.”

There was a look in her eye I didn’t recognize, but something amazing happened. Her Noise seemed… alive. The run of emotions going through her was staggering. The gauntlet of emotions made it impossible for me to pick out one from the other. I bet not even she knew what she was feeling right now.

And at that moment, she proved my words correct. My initial fascination with her had been her Gift. After spending some time with her, I found that while that was still important, the experience had been pleasant—as much as I could feel at least. If anything, I was comfortable around her. Her Noise was entertaining to watch and had a calming effect, much like the Parker sisters.

If she enjoyed my company as well, it seemed we had found something in common.