The cafe was as cute as it had seemed in the pictures. An arch made out of thousands of little purple flowers adorned the entrance. Next to the door was a big window that gave you a peak of what was going on inside. It was busy, but not to the point of it being unpleasant. Ayden pushed against the pale green door. Would Maddy be inside already? He stepped inside and looked at his surroundings. Indoors it was just as cute. Every table was decorated with flowers and a colourful candle. Every chair had soft looking pillows and the walls were stark white with painted on flowers in some spots.
The cozy atmosphere calmed Aydens mind. What would be the worst that could happen?
They would just have a nice dinner, maybe he could invite her to his apartment or the otherway around, and after he would just say that he didn't feel a spark. It may brand him an asshole, but he had the feeling that he was past that already.
He took a good look around again to find Maddy and after a few seconds he spotted a girl with flawless blonde hair sitting alone. He took a quick glance at his phone to check the time. 13:05, fashionably late if he said so himself. He ruffled his hair and walked towards Maddy. She turned around when she heard footsteps and smiled kindly at him.
"Hey, so glad you could make it. I hope you didn't have any trouble finding the place. It really is lovely isn't it?"
"Sure is", he sat down and smiled back. There was an awkwardness in the air that seemed to already build a wall between them. Ayden was usually so good at talking, but now…. Now he was at a date that he didn't even know if he really wanted.
The silence stretched. Maddy coughed nervously.
"Soooo, how are you doing?" She eventually asked.
"Oh, I'm doing pretty good. How about you?"
Ayden tried his best to sound interested, nonetheless his words came out dull. He mentally slapped himself for not being able to muster up at least a little enthusiasm.
"I'm doing great actually. You see, I'm a designer and I've been working on this project with my team….."
The words all flew past him. She seemed really kind, truly, but nothing she had to say interested him one bit. Ayden smiled and nodded politely at her story. He should probably ask questions, otherwise Maddy may notice that he wasn't paying attention at all.
Luckily for him, a waiter just came up to them to take their order. He got a coke and she ordered some weird tea with flowers in it. It sounded fancy and probably looked amazing, however Ayden could almost guarantee it would taste terrible. He himself liked to stick to soda and alcohol. Not the most healthy, but at least it tasted better than warm water with leaves.
Once the waiter left, Maddy turned to him again.
"I'm so sorry, I've been rambling on and on about myself. I tend to do that when I'm nervous." She blushed and Ayden would've thought it was cute if he didn't have to put all his energy into focusing on the words she said.
"It's okay, I don't mind at all. Im a good listener. Plus, you have a beautiful voice so no harm done." He tried to flirt, but it didn't sound natural at all. He felt like a robot that was programmed to say certain things. Maddy didn't seem to notice, because she giggled and blushed even harder.
"Thank you, that's really kind to say. I would really like to get to know you more though. Would you mind telling a bit about yourself?" She asked carefully.
Yes, i mind.
"No of course I wouldn't mind. Euh…. What would you like to know?"
She tapped her lips with her index finder and made a humming sound.
"Hmmmm, let me think. What's your favorite animal?"
It was a bit of a childish question, but it was better than having to tell your whole life story.
"I would say a stingray."
"Why?"
"I don't know. They look funny."
"I guess so."
Again, an awkward silence fell down on them like rain. Ayden wanted to jank out his own hair. Could it get any more painful?
The date only got worse and worse. Maddy started to ramble about her own life non-stop and Ayden did his best to not fall asleep.
It wasn't Maddys fault. He knew that very well. It didn't make him want to be home any less though. He didn't even feel like trying to get her in bed anymore.
His only saving grace from listening to Maddys stories was when the waiter came to bring them their drinks and take their orders. Ayden made sure to stretch these moments as long as possible.
"Im sorry everything just sounds so great. I just don't know what to pick." He sighed dramatically and the waiter raised one of his eyebrows.
"Should i pick the bacon burger? Mmmm, or maybe just a chocolate cake? Or what about soup?" He pretended to ponder on it.
"You know what, I'll let you pick for me", he leaned a bit closer to read the waiters nametag," Jay".
Maddy was just looking at him in confusion, but the waiter, Jay, didn't seem to mind. A twinkling of amusement shone in his eyes.
"I hope I'll pick well then." Jay smiled mischievously. He took Maddys order and disappeared again.
"I didn't know you had such problems with making choices. I could have picked for you if you wanted."
All the joy Ayden gained from messing around left his body immediately.
"Yeah, euh, i had forgotten myself." He smiled at her as to not let his shift in energy be know. To distract Maddy, he grabbed her hand that was lying on the table.
"You're really pretty Maddy. And I'm having a nice time, but-"
This was it, he could just say he wasn't interested. Only, her eyes did that thing again. Big and pleading and innocent. Maddy did nothing wrong. She was just, boring?
He could afford one date right? God, why hadn't he thought this through?
"But?" She questioned.
"But nothing, I don't know where i was going with that." There was his awkward smile again. It didn't hinder Maddys sudden enthusiasm one bit.
"Im having a great time too! It's like we were ment to meet you know? And next time, I'll pick the food for you." She beamed. Ayden felt panick well up. Next time? No there shouldn't be, but it was like he was incapable of saying no. He had to find a way out and soon.
"I see you're up for a next time." It was like the room was getting smaller.
"Yeah, I really like you Ayden." She looked away in embarrassment.
He really wanted to ask why.
"Are you up for a next time?" She didn't push. It was just a question. He could just say the truth.
"Naturally."
Shit.
That was his out. And his dumb brain ruined it. He could still ghost her, but Maddy didn't deserve that.
He looked around for an out and that's when he spotted the waiter coming back to bring their food. His way out. As subtly as he could he started blinking SOS at the waiter.
Jay stopped in his tracks and stared at him with a weird look. Ayden checked if Maddy wasn't looking and then mouthed help. The waiter nodded and started walking again.
A small feeling of relief washed over him. Maybe he still could get out of this.
"Now i know who you are again." Jay set down their food and stared accusingly at Ayden.
"You guys know eachother?" Maddy asked. Curiosity clear in her voice.
"Euh…" Ayden was at a loss for words.
"Yeah i know him. He is my cousins husband. Are you his sister or something? I don't think I've seen you at the wedding." Now Jay was the one looking curious.
"Wedding?," curiosity turned into confusion and confusion turned into horror, " you're married!?" Maddy kept her voice down, but it was obvious that there wasn't a calm cell in her body at the moment.
"I am- euh… look." Ayden started. Maddy looked at him for further explanation, but it never came.
"Wauw, and i thought…
You are such a dick. How could you do this to your wife? She deserves so much better than you."
She turned to Jay," make sure your cousin gets to know about the fact that her asshole husband is going out on dates with other girls." And with that she swiftly stood up, turned back to Ayden, threw what was left of his coke in his face and stormed off.
Ayden blinked a few times and looked down at his clothes.
"Couldn't you have come up with a more innocent lie?"
"At least you got completely rid of her now. Downside, you won't have any chance with any of the women she knows." Ayden looked up and saw how hard Jay was trying to hold in his laughter.
"That's the least of my worries now. Got any spare clothes somewhere?"
"Nope, but ill help you clean up since this is partly my fault."
Jay led Ayden to the restroom. Thankfully, his glass had been almost empty so the damage was minimal. Ayden looked at his shirt. The stain wasn't too big. Half of the coke had ended up on his neck and face, which certainly wasn't the most pleasant. He felt sticky and gross, but it could have been worse.
The restroom was empty aside from them. The doors of the stalls all had different types of flowers painted on. It looked clean and cute. Ayden hadn't expected anything else from this place.
"You guys must really like flowers." He said whilst taking off his shirt.
"No time wasted, alright." Jay mumbled under his breath.
"Yeah, the owners love botany. I've heard they have a fantastic garden themselves." He then answered.
"How lovely." Ayden was ready to drown his shirt in the sink, but Jay stopped him.
"Just let me take care of that." He quickly grabbed the shirt and carefully started wetting the cola stain.
Ayden shrugged. He turned on the faucet and started splashing himself with water, trying to wash off the drink.
"So, what did your date do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well i assume you have a reason for having me save you."
Ayden cringed at the reminder.
"Oh, yeah euh… she was boring i guess. And I didn't really want to go on a date to begin with."
"Then why did you go on a date in the first place?"
"She was very pretty and i have a problem saying no. I mean, i was there with my friends. If i would say no to such a gorgeous women they would think I'm sick. I have a reputation to uphold you know." Ayden grabbed some paper to dry himself off with.
"You, my friend, are one shallow person. To pursue someone just because of how they look? And just to impress your friends? Kind of a dick move dude."
"Why? Almost everyone does it. Looks are important and stuff."
"No relationship that is build off of pure physical attraction will last. You have to actually like each other too." Jay shook his head. An amusing smile crept on his face.
"I know that. I just-
I just haven't found that girl yet. And i tried! I thought, maybe Maddy could be the one, but she obviously wasn't. God, I'm never going on a date again. This was so painful."
"Yup, it really was."
Ayden glared at Jay who just smiled back.
"Here, your shirt. I did my best."
"Thanks." Ayden took his shirt and put it on again. There was still a stain, but it was from water this time, it would dry up and disappear.
"Well, i should go."
"Don't forget to pay for my wonderful service."
"Shit, you're right."
They walked out together to the cash register. Ayden quickly looked at the table he and Maddy had been seated at. Their food still untouched. On his side stood a plate with half a burger, a piece of chocolate cake and a small cup of soup.
"Creative choice, but terrible combination." He thought. He still would've eaten it. It was kind of a waste not to. Jay saw him looking at the food.
"Would you like to take it with you?" He asked
"Honestly, ill just take the burger with me. I am actually kind of hungry."
~^~
A few minutes later Ayden was finally free from the cafe where his terrible date had taken place. He breathed in the air. He didn't have to deal with Maddy anymore and it lifted a weight of his shoulders. Now he just had to pray to god that he didn't come across her again in a club or some bar.
She would most likely try to avoid him too, so it wouldn't be too hard. He could go back to just taking women home for 1 night and then never having to talk to them again.
However, right now he was way too tired to deal with anyone.
He just wanted to lay down on the couch and watch some random movie and order some take out. Maybe pizza.
Ayden walked to his car and was glad to see that Maddy didn't slash one of his tires. He wouldn't blame her to be very honest.
She doesn't even know which car is mine, ofcourse she didn't destroy it.
He sat down in his car and began eating the burger. It was surprisingly good, maybe he should see if this cafe delivered food as well. He made a mental note to check later on.
The drive home was mostly uneventful. His phone had lit up a couple of times. Probably Gavin. He really didn't want to talk about the date. Gavin would probably give him another lecture. Hell, everyone seemed to give him one at this point, even the waiter. At least Jay seemed to have been amused by his failed attempt at a date. It wasn't very amusing to Ayden though. He tried to relax by putting on some music. That stupid waiter didn't know him anyway, who was he to judge? However, Gavin judged. And he had said about the exact same thing. But this was his life. He was completely fine with how he was living it. Even if it felt like something was missing. It didn't matter. His other friends were jealous of him. They could only dream about getting so much attention from girls.
Yeah, see? Ayden was doing pretty well for himself. He smirked. He had money, girls and he didn't look so bad either. What more could you want?
To actually be happy?
A small voice in the back of his mind questioned, but he was quick to silence it.
He was happy. He was just tired from that stupid date. It made his mind all negative.
Ayden couldn't wait to go to sleep.
When he finally arrived at his apartment, he barely made it to his couch before he collapsed. Exhaustion took over his body and mind. This date had drained him. He didn't know going out with a beautiful girl could turn out like this.
He finally unlocked his phone to check on Gavins texts.
"And? How bad was it?"
"You have so much faith in me gav"
"..."
"Yeah it was bad
I just couldn't focus on anything she was saying
I thought it would never end"
"Was i right or was i right?"
"You were right….unfortunately"
"How did the date end?"
"I blinked sos at a waiter and they made up a lie about me being married
And then she threw my own drink at me"
"Honestly, that's hilarious
Maybe you should go on dates more often"
"So more people can throw their drinks at me?
No thank you"
"Well at least the waiter was kind enough to help you
I would've just watched you suffer"
"Of course you would have
You hate me"
"We both know i love you
I just think you make some of the dumbest choices"
"Yeah yeah
I am well aware"
Ayden left their conversation at that. He ordered some pizza and put on a random movie.
At least he could end this day in a more relaxed fashion.