Meet up with Tom again.

Lauren debated about what she wanted to do, and she sighed. “What the heck,” Lauren said as she pulled out her phone. “Am I crazy if I want to be with a guy I just met? Maybe I’ll end up on a NCSI episode or something.”

Lauren hit the phone number and waited as the phone dialed. She immediately heard Tom’s voice on the other end. “Miss me already?”

Lauren let out a laugh. “Sorry. It seems my... family has ditched me. I was thinking... it’d be kinda lame to walk around the aquarium all by myself. Think you could be a good tour guide? Or maybe just a companion?”

“I suppose I could find time in my schedule to walk around the aquarium with a beautiful woman,” Tom said. “Let’s meet at the archway before the octopus area.”

“Okay,” Lauren said. “See you there.”

Lauren hung up and immediately started heading for the octopus exhibit. Lauren sighed. She hadn’t felt this way in... ever really. Who knew she’s actually be grateful her mom **** her to come to this stupid fish bowl. Lauren smiled as she saw Tom waiting for her as she arrived.

“Hey,” Lauren said, looking down to hide her blushing face.

“The great Lauren is... shy?” Tom teased.

“Please, I’m not that great,” Lauren said. “And I’m not shy, I just... I don’t know what’s going on here, but... I find myself wondering where this is all going to go. So I guess for now, I’m playing along.”

“Fair enough,” Tom said. “Well, let’s get going, shall we?”

Lauren nodded and laced her fingers inbetween his as they walked into the octopus exhibit. “You know, I really hate sea creatures,” Lauren said. “The only way I like them is in my mouth.”

Tom raised an eyebrow. “Do I have competition?”

“Not like that,” Lauren said, rolling her eyes but smiling. “I mean as food.”

“I do like a good lobster,” Tom said. “I dunno. I think the aquarium can be kinda nice. Let me show you my favorite part of this aquarium. If you hate it, then oh well, but maybe I can get you to appreciate the sea world just a little bit more.”

“Alright, sure,” Lauren said.