Chapter Text
The park around you was completely quiet. The changing foliage had tinted the world in a warm golden hue that made your dull world glow just a little brighter.
Only a little.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to ease your wandering mind. The dull ache brought on by monotony and quiet frustration with yourself and the world you occupied. The park was empty. Just you and a flock of Canadian geese milling around a nearby pond. You slid into a park bench and let your body relax as much as it could after the kind of day that you’d had.
You’d wrapped up yet another appointment. One with all questions and no meaningful answers; just an hour and a half of telling your therapist what she wanted to hear. God bless the woman. She’s trying, really. She’s nice enough to get you to at least have a conversation, but it seems like nothing’s really changed since you started all of this almost a year ago. You’ve been doing your so-called homework that she assigns you every week: take your pills and recite your affirmations in the mirror every morning like some bullshit incantation.
Despite everything, the only thing that’s different about you is the scale. The medicine had made you hungrier, almost insatiable. You’re also a lot more tired these days. Everything else is just as dull and overwhelming as always. Freeloading roommate with revolving doors for legs. A dead-end job at that Damn Diner in town working double shifts because of her. The only thing that makes it all a little more bearable is your coworker. They’re sweet. Not nosy. Just the kind of person you can tolerate at a time like this.
You didn’t even realize that you’d slumped back against the bench and your eyes had drifted shut. You stayed like that for quite a while, wondering how and why things had snowballed into where you are now. How did you let things get this bad, you wonder. Why?
“Excuse me?”
Your eyes shoot open at the soft sound of someone close to you. Either you were so lost in thought or he was just that quiet when he approached you. Regardless, his sudden appearance makes you jump as you clutch your chest dramatically.
“Woah! Take it easy! It’s just me…!”, the stranger reassures you as he holds his hand out awkwardly as if he’s ready to catch you if you fell out of your seat.
“Sorry! I didn’t realize you’d sat down.”. You take a deep breath and recollect yourself, subconsciously scooting away from him to give him more space if he needed it. “Do you need more room?”.
“No, thank you. I’m alright.”, he replied politely. His hand rested awkwardly by his side and he sat back against the bench. Almost mirroring your posture. “Must’ve had a lot on your mind.”
“Something like that.”
He nodded, scratching the back of his head. He’s probably really chilly given the weather, and you can’t help but notice his physique: tall, lanky. Almost gaunt. He looks like he could use a nice hot meal, poor thing. “I’m really sorry for scaring you like that.”, he apologized. His voice was soft and sad, like a newborn puppy.
“No, really! It’s okay. I wasn’t paying attention. It’s not your fault.”. You feel awful for making him feel awful so you decide to start a conversation as a sort of peace offering. After giving your name, you wait for him to introduce himself. The stranger looked genuinely shocked, as if he wasn’t worthy of even speaking to you. Especially not after the first impression he’d left on you.
“I’m…Peter…”. His voice got even smaller. A sort of sour undertone, like he hated the way his name tasted on his tongue.
You nodded, then turned your attention back to the flock across the water. The two of you sat together for a few seconds in awkward silence. Peter’s fingers twisted into themselves in his lap, biting a dry patch on his lip. He was struggling to say something. It wasn't until he finally spoke again that his shaky voice made you startle once more.
“Look…I know this is…really sudden…but I…”, he stammered. Adam's apple working against his throat. You watched him, waiting. Like an anxious mouse waiting for a viper to strike.
“I…like you, and I’d like to get to know more about you.”
Time stood still. So did your heart. The flock took flight and soared away, leaving you and Peter on that bench. A confession hanging over your heads.
Peter’s eyes met yours again. The cool blue in his pupils were almost glistening against the golden atmosphere. Now he really looked like a lost stray; a look that screamed silent desperation.
You blinked at him and cleared your throat, “I…uhm…sorry, but I don’t even know you…”
“I know!”, Peter replied. Almost too loudly. “I know I’m coming off a little strange but…I go to the diner on the corner often and have noticed you a few times. I just never got the chance to speak to you because you’re always so busy. So…I wanted to talk to you now.” He flashed a crooked smile. Strange, but also charming in a way.
“So…may I have the pleasure of taking you out sometime?”