Asking someone out

David hadn't been on a date in so long that he forgot what the proper etiquette was. At lunch, in the cafeteria of his school, he normally sat near the windows looking out into the main courtyard. Birds would play and divebomb the squirrels and it was a perfect distraction for an hour.

Her name was Elizabeth and she worked the front office doing one of those jobs where students had to come and talk about finance. She took money or did financial aid. He wasn't really sure and really didn't care. She had shown interest. And that was what had caught his eye. Going on a date for date's sake was one thing. She seemed to want to go.

She walked out of the staff line and looked over at David. She smiled and waved politely before walking over to a table full of other women. David worked up the courage and barely mustered enough by the time lunch was over. He watched her pack up her things to take back to the trash bin and recycle and stood up.

He walked over and tried his best to stand directly behind her when she got there. He waited until she had put her tray up and then waited for her to turn around.

"Elizabeth! Do you have a second?"

"Sure," she said and stepped to the side. David stepped to the side and smiled.

"I hope this isn't too weird but I was thinking about trying out this new restaurant and I wondered if you might want to go with me. I thought it might be fun to go and I would like to get to know you away from here. It's okay if I am out of line, please tell me, this is totally a not work-related request." he was nervous and desperately trying to make sure she knew he was asking her as David and not as a member of staff.

Elizabeth laughed at him, "It's okay relax. I could tell it was a date and you were working up your courage for something. I know the difference when I see it. Yes, that's fine. When?"

David breathed a visible sigh of relief. "I was thinking Thursday maybe."

Elizabeth pulled out her phone and checked her calendar. "I am free at 8 that night if that's okay."

"Oh yeah, that's fine! It's that new Curry place over Fourth street. I would love to come to meet you at your place and walk over or you can meet me there." He had no idea what the proper etiquette was and offered both.

"I will meet you there. I have to be out doing something before that but I can absolutely meet you there." she smiled and tapped in a note at 8 to meet him there.

"Okay great! Thanks! I look forward to it. Here is my number. Please call me if anything happens or if you change your mind." David passed her his business card, his cell phone was at the bottom. The students got it when they came in so that they knew how to get ahold of him.

"Great, see you then! I got to get back to the office for an appointment with a student." And with that, she walked off. Leaving David stunned and in shock. His heart was racing. Asking anyone out on a date was always scary. Being turned down hurts almost more than getting dumped.

The rest of his day David smiled a little more than normal. Elizabeth seemed like an interesting person, and everyone he had asked about her spoke highly of her. David kept his heart guarded normally and the thought of talking to someone new and exposing his emotions made him a little nervous.

"Wait until Ae hears about this." David thought to himself.

She would freak out at the thought of him dating again. It wasn't that she was against the idea, she just thought he was done with it all. She commonly told him that she pictured him as a hermit, living in the backwoods somewhere with a dog and a stack of books.

The days until the date flew by faster than normal. David had purchased a new shirt and shoes for the date. He hadn't been to the store in so long he was completely out of touch with what was in fashion now. He had a pair of navy blue slacks that fit him a flattering way so he purchased a new pair of brown leather shoes and peach and blue colored button-up shirt to complete the ensemble.

He researched the restaurant and its history. He looked over the food and tried some similar foods to see if there was anything he wasn't going to like.

David was always prepared... Being caught off guard was something that made him cringe on the inside.

When Thursday rolled around he ate lunch by himself in the cafeteria again. Students came to ask him questions and one of his favorites brought over a book that David had lent him before. David tried to be polite and make conversation but his insides and his mind were racing with the thoughts of having a date that night. He wanted to make the best impression possible.

While David was deep in thought and staring into his lunch box Elizabeth came over to his table and tapped on the tabletop. "Earth to David?"

David looked up startled, in mid-bite, and nearly choked. "Oh I am so sorry, my mind was elsewhere..."

"I can tell. Not nervous are you?" She smiled.

"You would know if I lied anyway." David smiled. "I am looking forward to it. It's been a while since I have been out."

"Oh, is that so? Well, then I look forward to it. This should be entertaining. I have to go back, I just wanted to make sure we were still on for tonight. Talk to you later!" She smiled and waved as she walked away.

David watched her walked away. "What have I gotten myself into," he said to himself out loud.