Unofficial Date

....

For an hour you and Kathrine walked around from store to store side by side conversing about all kinds of things. You told her a vague idea of who your family is so she can help look for a gift. She did the same telling you about her geeky, shy and quiet sister who does nothing but read books and study all day. She went on quite the rant talking about her.

For another hour you two went around and actually hung out in the district after getting the gifts.

"Ah~ have you ever tried the specialty drink from that shop, Jun? It's quite good."

"Oh, no I haven't. What's it called?"

"Come on, I'll show you." Kathrine says as she lightly pulls on your arm. You smile following her in.

....

"Hey Ms. Kathrine, you hungry? I might wanna grab a quick bite. Been awhile since I hade something." You say sipping on a plastic cup.

"Yeah, I haven't eaten since this morning too. Let's grab lunch. What're you feeling Jun?"

"Hrmmm~....tacos sound good....oh, look there's an ice cream vendor over there." You say pointing a finger.

Katherine chuckles a little and pushes you with a hand. "No Jun, no ice-cream for lunch. If you have something sweet first you might get a stomachache."

You playfully try to dodge her. "Come on~....okay fine. How about that place there then?" You point to a nearby restaurant.

"Oh....that's- that place looks pricey."

"It's fine. I'll pay." You grab her hand.

"A-Are you sure? I'm okay with-"

"Let's just enjoy ourselves a little." You say interrupting her.

Kathrine looks speechless....then she sighs and nods at you. A genuine look on her face. "Alright, Jun lead the way then."

....

After the meal you two happened upon a movie theatre and on a whim she convinced you to actually give a rom-com movie a shot. Not really your type of film but by the end you two sat through the entire trilogy....it wasn't bad actually.

And just like that several hours flew by....

....

The two of you sit at a bar counter inside a small bar. Music plays in the back with lights flashing in and out of patterns. People shout and sing on the dance floor while others drink and converse at the tables.

Ms. Kathrine has a large smile on her face. She laughs and chuckles as you speak to her. It's a precious sight. This is the first time an older lady, much more mature and refined than the girls that you're used to is giving you this much attention. She converses, laughs and drinks with you with cheerful glee. Your heart hasn't let up all this time yet going on a drumming high. You feel....odd, as if you've done this before....it's a familiar feeling, Deja vu?....Why?

Then it clicked, your dreams, right. Your dreams are memories of your past and as soon as you wake, you forgot them....have you met Kathrine before in a past life?

....

"Jun?" Ms. Kathrine says as you pop back into reality and realize that you've just been staring at her for a long moment.

"Y-yeah, yeah. Sorry." Your legs spin you on the bar stool and you motion to the bartender. "Another, please." You say placing down your tall glass next to the 7 others on the counter. You....don't feel at all drunk or any different from the norm.

"Oh, me too please." Ms. Kathrine smiles and sets down her own smaller glass onto the counter next to her first one.

You eye her carefully. Her face is becoming flushed and her movements are slightly slower.

"What is it, Jun?" Ms. Kathrine says to you again with a tilt of her head. "Something....on my face?" Then she smiles showing her pearly white teeth.

"No! Just....haha, sorry. Got lost there for a second."

"Are-....are you sure? You're not tipsy are you? Oh no, we can't have that." She says and you wave your hand.

"No no! I'm alright. Umm....actually, I need to use the restroom." You stand up and turn to look at the bartender. "Um which way?"

The dark haired lady bartender points toward the back of the room where a holographic bathroom sign sits above a dark long hallway lit only by the changing floor lights.

You smile to Ms. Kathrine and quickly walk away. She looks at you with an odd look.

Moving past the dance floor towards the back you pull out your phone to check the time.

[9:58 PM]

It's late....its damn late. You spent the entire day on this "date". Not that you regret it but you didn't expect today to go this way.

No message from Ms. Jenny either. Is she even still lurking about? Surely not right?

Jun: [Hey where are you?]

You type to her quickly. There's no response as you walk down the dark hallway.

Jun: [You didn't ditch me did you?]

As you type your next message your shoulder brushes past a person walking by. You almost didn't see them before they were right next to you. You turn to glance at them instinctively. No one important, some stranger in a dark trench coat.

You turn back and enter the men's restroom on the right. The woman's are on the left.

....