A First Date

A Few Hours Earlier

Bonnie Murphy had a date, a real proper date for the first time in nearly three months. Sure she’d go out for coffee with guys on tinder or even, in her desperation, tried the odd one night stand… However, just like always, she was usually flaked out on or stood up, left with little company but a half empty bottle of merlot and endless reruns of Dr Phil.

Bonnie Murphy existed in somewhat of a nebulous flux of hope and loneliness. Sure it was true that she had come to the Americas as an immigrant, the daughter of a Scottish dock worker and a runaway convent nun from Donegal. However, since her parents decided that she wasn’t worth the exorbitant childcare costs which tend to arise for sickly children in the lands of the free, Bonnie had been forced into a life of hope-adjacent solitude.

Perhaps that is why she put so much effort into tonight’s date?

She was by no means shy nor particularly insecure about her looks, yet nonetheless, she struggled greatly with plucking the courage to ask this particular man.

He seemed like a good one, if not a little dorky and plucky. Yet she knew him well and expected a comfortable evening bereft of the pressures which dates with the usual instagram male thirst traps or wannabe tough guys who she usually pursued romantically.

And so Bonnie had put on her favourite green dress - despite the cold of Autumn - spent a good hour or two putting on her make-up and got into her shabby Volkswagon to drive into the west-city.

She had decided on a late night date at a local Pizzeria, Marco’s Pizzeria to be exact, one of her favourites. It wasn’t all that formal, but still on the slightly fancier side as to not appear stingy.

Bonnie had a terrible habit of picking overexpensive first locations, so that afterwards when the, Insert textbook douchebag number 348, decided that she would have to repay his kindness with sex, that she would almost always give in out of guilt.

Her penchant for moving too fast in potential relationships served like a guillotine for any real connection… This cycle had continued for quite some time and it had proved to be the bane of her existence.

And so when she pulled her beetle, the colour of a stale yellow afternoon piss, into the car park, she began hyping the fragment of herself which she often left untouched: her self control.

“Okay Bonnie, he’s a nice guy, totally and completely normal. Even if he is a colleague and this could get weird if you mess this up - No, no you aren’t going to mess this up. He’s just a completely average joe, who can take it slow and there is no need to worry!” She perhaps could have left the self-motivational speech there, but found her mouth spilling out more words against her will.

“It won’t be weird, it certainly won’t get weird at work. Just be normal, take it slow. This isn’t like the time you let Derek fuck you by the dumbsters behind Seimor’s cafe, or that time you gave simon a handjob in the City-Wok bathroom…. Or… or that time with…”

Charlie Drake, one of the students who saved her from getting bent over like a pretzel in a back alley by a bunch of hairy bikers. The name roared in the back of her head, even if she couldn’t say it aloud.

She slapped the wheel of her car and made herself chuckle “No! No it won’t be like any of those times at all, hehe… heh…” She put her head in her hands “God help you, Murphy.” she said, slapping the furry dice hanging from her rear-view mirror as she got out of the car.

When she walked around the front, the streets were bustling with life. People were enjoying their hump day, flowing in and out of clubs or frequenting tightly knit bars and cocktail lounges. The Air was filled with joy, it made Bonnie smile.

“Bonnie!” A friendly tone called.

Standing from a bench just beside the Pizzaria, came a tall handsome man dressed in a casual plaid button up and neat grey trousers. He had shaved his usual stubble and his neat brown hair shone with slightly too much wax. His square glasses accentuated his nervous blue eyes.

“Ben! Hey, good to see ya.” Bonnie said, going in for a hug.

Benjamin Harrow, East-Wallace’s English Professor extended a hand.

Bonnie jolted, extended a hand as he went to go in for a hug.

The Two of them just stood there slightly awkwardly, sharing a chuckle as Ben rubbed the back of his head. “Shall we head inside?”

Bonnie was not a picky eater. She very much loved her food. Yet it was hard to get that true homely taste of authentic cuisine these days. Yet she did enjoy indulging herself, in more ways than one. Still it was strange to her that no matter where she went, no matter which meal she’d enjoy, none gave her the same homely, warm feeling as the breakfast she had with…

Jesus Bonnie, stop letting a student live rent free in your head.

“You alright?” Ben Harrow said.

Bonnie blinked out of her thoughts, looking at Ben and the exceptionally bored expression of the waitress waiting for her order. “What? Oh, um I’ll have some pepperoni doughballs, some garlic bread and a Meaty Pepperoni please?”

Ben smirked as the waitress raised her pierced eyebrow “Anything to wash all that down with?”

Bonnie tried and failed to hold back a sneer “Yeah I’ll have a pint of good manners please? And a glass of merlot too if you don’t mind?”

Harrow quelled his laughter as the girl read back their order, rolling her eyes before marching off to the kitchen.

“You’re a bit of a firecracker aren’t you?” Ben said.

“Honestly, if I spoke to me mam like kids do these days, I’d get a clout in the ear and an empty belly for bed.” She said

Ben played with his hands “Yeah, totally. My Mom is a Deaconess from Detroit, she’d decimate any of these kids in a heartbeat.”

The two of you shared a laugh, you couldn’t help but smile. Hey, this was going well so far, you could totally see this going somewhere, a nice slow burn of a night, ending in a peck on the lips and the anticipation of a good relationship welling in your stomach like butterflies-

Thirty Minutes Later

“...And Shakespeare, oh god that man, a visionary I tell you. You know I was saying to one of my classes just last week - really focus on the prose of that work, and you’ll find nothing but pure inspiration. That reminds me of Carl Jung, boy if you ever needed a bit of philosophy in your life that guy’s work is simply sublime, it really reframes the outlook on…”

Bonnie sat with her head resting on her palm. Ben Harrow had been spouting off about his favourite book authors for so long that she had finished both of her sides and half of her pizza. He flamboyantly waved his hands with such enthusiasm during his one-way discussion on Chuck Palahniuk that he nearly knocked over her wineglass… not that it mattered considering it was practically empty.

You took up the wine glass, necking the last of its sweet Italian remnants, and as you did an involuntary sigh escaped your lips.

Ben paused from his monologue, gritting his teeth “Shit… Shit am I boring you? I’m bored, aren’t I? Damn me and my big mouth.”

“Oh no, no you’re absolutely fine I-” Bonnie started, and Ben’s face lit up like the fourth of July.

“Oh good! You know I was reading some stuff which I think you’ll really appreciate for your field…”

Thirty Minutes Later

You were getting dizzy. After Ben’s third wave of Medical research authors you had practically snatched the Waitresses arm and begged her for the rest of the bottle.

As if Ben wasn’t extra enough for this date, suddenly a loud piercing sound emanated from outside. At first it was of no concern, probably just a late night training run by the Jets from the Airbase on the Mainland. However when the table, the glasses began to quiver and slightly shake, everybody in the Pizzeria stood up, the beginnings of panic on their face.

It was short and the tremor quickly died down. A man in a stained apron with a comedically big chef’s hat came out and shouted “Everybody calm down, probably just a tremor. No need to worry.”

And people did just that. You never did like the thought of American Earthquakes or Tornados. Luckily things just went back to normal.

As everybody got back to their food, Ben had pivoted subjects so suddenly that when he waited expectantly for your response, you blinked at him “Huh?”

“Sorry, got a bit excited there, maybe it’s a bit too soon to be asking about stuff like that. We can totally drop it if you want-”

Bonnie grasped the table cloth like a starving man “NO, hell no - Uhhh I mean. Please, feel free to ask your question.” She blinked her eyes trying to look charming, but the wine just made her look a little dopey.

“I was just asking if you had an opinion on some of Dr Ito’s work?”

“Dr Ito? I mean, yeah he’s a nice guy. His wife’s a bit meek but I respect what they do. Trying to teach science to some of the brats that we have in the academy is very admirable.” You said, deciding to remain bureaucratic.

Ben did something… very odd. He rested his head on his hands and looked up as if recalling a pleasant dream “He really is something special. I really admire him. I heard that he and Missus Ito were having some issues… You know, I just couldn’t bare to imagine him without a shoulder to cry on…. From a… purely professional standpoint of course.”

Bonnie paused “Riiiight. Um…” Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the pressure and boredom, but Bonnie simply couldn’t help herself. “Talking of work, you… have Charlie Drake in your English Literature Class right?”

Ben’s eyes sparkled “Oh boy do I. That kid is a god damn marvel, never seen work like his before. Not only is he super punctual and incredibly thorough, but I swear I’ve never seen papers put in so fast! Shame about… you know, the incidents with the prefects and all that. But honestly, he’s a good guy, just needs to get his priorities in order.”

She nodded, Bonnie had asked around about Charles a few times, and everyone mostly had the same stuff to say. He was greatly mysterious around campus, he disappeared for quite some time after his father’s even more mysterious death and yet, he managed to catch up his grades in less than a week.

He was suddenly buff as hell, sharply handsome and his new reputation had snuffed out his prior pariah status amongst the faculty and students alike.

“You know it was a great shame what happened to his father, he was a great man.” Mr Harrow said.

“You knew him?”

“Only in passing. He was there during a lecturers' meeting once upon a time, he even used to reside in the Academy’s board as a chairman back in the day when I was still just a trainee. Let me tell you, the man was an absolute beast. His intelligence, his cunning and authority, it’s hard to put into words. Everything just felt right when he made a plan, and his opinions always concerned everybody, making sure that every person present was not only involved but protected. If not for him, East-Wallace wouldn’t be what it is today, that’s probably why Principal Kaz hated the guy.”

“He did what he couldn’t?”

“Bingo. I see much of his dad in Charlie as well… but also, that same darkness, the part of him which bears some kind of greater weight on his shoulders, sorry that’s a very obtuse thing to say-” Ben said scratching the back of his head again.

“Not at all, I know exactly what you mean.” There was just something about Charlie, that night in the alley and back at her apartment… He clearly wasn't normal, but he put his life on the line for her and never asked for anything in return. More than what any man had ever done for her.

“And god was Roman a handsome one, honestly, there’s nothing like a well-groomed old fashioned gentleman to-” Ben stopped himself mid sentence, wiping that dreamy look off of his face and sitting straight “You know I never said, but you look absolutely stunning hehe!”

Bonnie raised an eyebrow, but smiled “Yeah… right, uh thanks, Ben. EXCUSE ME! CHECK PLEASE!” Several other tables jolted and stared at Bonnie and she half hung out of their booth. She chuckled nervously “Could I just get the Bill? T-thanks hehe.”

Bonnie and Ben stood outside of the Pizzaria, waiting for his Cab.

The breeze was cold and Ben was oddly quiet. “Soooo, Thank you I had a uh, a great time!”

Ben nodded “Yeah, me too. You know I was worried things would get awkward or that work would affect things but I actually had fun!”

“So… would you uh, like to do this again sometime?” Bonnie was swayed by the wine to move closer. Taking Ben’s hand. Although he went a little rigid, he did grip it back.

“O-of course, I mean, if you’d like too?” He stuttered.

Bonnie had gotten very antsy on this date, alcohol and anticipation, even if it wasn’t a perfect date, had dulled her capacity for caution. He seemed like a nice enough guy, even if he was a bit chatty and dorky. Why not give it a try?

Bonnie slowly closed the distance between them, getting up on her tip toes to reach his much taller form. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she whispered “I would like to, very much, Mr Harrow…”

Their lips were only inches away now, the lively sounds of the bustling streets, the pleasant smells from the many restaurants around them filled the air, the gentle glow of the street swayed their senses.

Ben Harrow buried his face into Bonnie’s bare shoulder and began to weep as his arms closed around her “Oh god I’m so sorry, I-I can’t I can’t do it. Bonnie I’m… I’m…”

She pinched her lips together “You’re Gay… Yes, I figured.”

“I… I thought it would be easier to just try it out with you because you're just like one of the guys at work… you know? And mother said, if I don’t try then these ripe sexual urges I have for men will never go away…” He cried so hard into her that his slopper coated her shoulder.

“There-there, calm down. It’s… fine. Just - hey HEY!” She put him up straight and smacked him once, then twice in the face. “Quit your sobbing. You aren’t going to get anywhere with that, now I get that your mam is a deaconess but she has no right to dictate what you are, understand? HEY-” She smacked him again, jolting him back to his senses as she wiped his tears away with both thumbs “If you’re gay, be gay. Don’t ever hide what you are, take what it is that you want. Got it?” She said.

Ben nodded, taking a deep breath and collecting himself “Phew… Thanks Bonnie, I uh, I needed that. Thank you. We can um, still go back to my place if you want? New housewives of los-angeles just arrived on netflix?”

People were starting to stare now, but Bonnie didn’t really care “Oh Ben, you’re like Gay - Gay. Thank you but I couldn’t think of anything worse. Let’s just go get a pint or something eh?”

Ben nodded trying to get his shit together… when Bonnie’s phone began to ring in her jacket pocket.

She pulled it out and saw an unfamiliar caller ID. She declined the call straight away and went to take poor Ben’s arm, but found the ringtone burst free instantly once more. “One sec - one sec Ben, just hold up.”

She walked a few steps away and answered the call.

“Hello? Who’s this?”

The line was silent for a second.

“Hellooo?” She said again.

“Hi… um is this, Bonnie Murphy?” said a shallow female tone.

“Yeah, speaking? Who are you and why are you calling at this hour? I swear if you’re trying to sell me something-”

“N-No Miss Murphy, ummm my name is Namina, I’m calling on behalf of the Drake Estate, we got your number from Charlie’s phone…”

Bonnie was frozen at first, her eyes crinkling “Okay… well what’s up? If Charlie needs something he’d call me himself.”

The woman on the other line paused for a moment before sighing “You see, that’s the thing urr, he kind of needs you at the Mansion, urgently if possible? Something’s happened…”

When Namina’s strangely baritone voice buzzed through the phone, giving an incredibly vague but worrying explanation, Bonnie went as stiff as a board before bursting into a frantic rush. “I’ll be there right away!”

As she hung up. She ran over to Ben and grabbed his shoulders “I’ve got to go, it’s an emergency. Remember BE GAY, BEN!”

“Jesus Bonnie, what about-”

Bonnie waved him off, shouting as she tried to run in her heeled boots back to the carpark “BE A BIG GAY BEN, NOT A BIG FAKE BEN!!!”

Bonnie got in her car and raced the best she could through the dense traffic, while slightly drunker than she probably should have been behind the wheel… all the way to Black Drake Mansion.