we’ve always had the kind of friendship where we’ve enjoyed giving each other shit.
“Okay, did he pick you up at your place and pay for the food, or did you meet him at some gaming event and he followed you around for half the night?”
I laugh, the princesses could never get over how Brandon and I met up during the school year. In my best sassy voice I tell her, “Real date, real guy, real car.” For drama, I count to five before telling her, “and a real kiss.”
Juliette looks at me surprised, in an admiring voice she says, “Wow, Hita, good for you.” She then leans in and quietly asks, “Is he a good kisser?”
I nod and wink in reply.
Juliette loves the inside scoop. Her eyes sparkle as she asks, “That’s good.”
With a shitty ass grin I play it cool and nod again.
“Where’d you meet this guy?” she asks. Then with a chuckle she teases me again. “Please tell me he wasn’t wearing a super hero costume when you met him.”
Dramatically rolling my eyes, I tell her, “Really? You’re going to go there?”
***
Over the next week, David and I meet up in Minecraft every night. On Wednesday he e-mails me.
David: There’s an all-night underground game party on Friday. Can you join me?
My stomach twists with excitement as I e-mail back
Hita: Yes, sounds like fun.
David: Is seven okay? We can grab a bite to eat before we go.
I see my smile reflecting back at me from my computer screen as I follow up with him.
Hita: I can’t wait.
***
On Friday I leave work early so I have time to wash up before David comes over.
He looks nice in a hoodie and a Dr. Who T-shirt. Giving him some good natured ribbing, I say, “Dressing up tonight? No work T-shirt.”
He laughs displaying both dimples, and then shyly shakes his head. “I’m not sure if Dr. Who is dressing up or going more casual than one of my work shirts, though, I get more comments when I wear this.”
“Comments? Like what?”
“Usually I get to hear which doctor someone likes best.”
“Which would you say is the most popular?”
“I think it’s split between David Tenant and Matt Smith.”
“Yeah, I think Matt Smith is my favorite.”
He gives me a look igniting both dimples, shakes his head and says, “Naw, it’s David Tenant.”
I bark out a laugh, “That’s right, it’s your name on Minecraft—David10.”
“And you’re Pocahontas?”
“She’s an American-Indian.” I give him a smirk and nudge him with my elbow. “Get it? So am I.”
We continue our nice casual banter as he drives us over to The Counter, a casual designer burger joint.
I get a veggie burger, he notices and asks, “Are you a vegetarian?” Nodding my head he continues with, “I’m glad I didn’t choose a place that only has meat.”
“I usually find something to eat where ever I go. I’m casual about being a vegetarian. My family is from South India. It’s what I grew up with.” With a tip of my head, “It’s not like I’m a vegan.”
He laughs as he shakes his head. “I’m from Houston, Texas. I think steak is the state food. Anyway, I work with this guy who’s a vegan. I call it the Fundamentalist Religion of Veganism. He’s always going off on how terrible animal products are. I really like cheese. I make a point of eating it in front of him, just to get him going. He loves to tell me how terrible our agro industrial complex is to chickens and cows.”
“Kind of takes the fun out of food,” I say in agreement.
He nods his head as he bites down on his double patty, with cheese and bacon. After eating our burgers and fries, we head over to the all-night gaming party. It’s being held in an office that’s up for lease. There’s a handmade sign on the door that says “Underground Gaming Night.” I don’t know how they procured the space, but David pays my twenty dollar entrance fee. There are homemade signs that guide you to the different areas. Our go to game is Star Wars, as we enter that room we’re greeted by a number of people dressed in costumes. I chuckle to myself as I think of Juliette’s comment. Now I wonder if these guys date. Looking at David I smile, I’m glad he’s into games, but not so into it he dresses in character. My friends would never let me live it down.
We play for awhile as doubles. We’ve played against each other, which