They have been spending everyday talking in one form or another since their chance encounter online. Each had taken a chance that night and it seemed to have paid off. With communication beginning with simple emails and soon he suggested they Instant Message so they didn't have to wait for the responses.
She agreed, feeling safe with this natural next step. Each day one or the other would logon after work hoping to see the other their. Even thought both had busy schedules they managed to carve out a few hours each day for each other. After a few weeks of this they agreed to exchange phone numbers so they could text message during their break. They began as the random hi or have a good day. Then as if it was meant to be the text messages became more frequent during the day and the instant messaging continued each night.
He made the next move. He wanted to hear her voice and without thinking called her on his way home. She smiled when her caller ID showed it was him. She answered. Her voice sounded weak to her own ear and she tried to sound causal, hiding the excitement that rushed through her. Although she could not see it he was also smiling. He had imagined her voice as soft yet strong and wasn't disappointed. She was pleased with the deep tones that rang in her ears. From this point on the texting continued during work and then when both were able to they would talk instead of instant message. The conversations were easy and the words flowed. They felt at ease and shared things many people didn't know about them in their own lives.
The next step would be the make or break of the all they have invested into each other. They had arranged to meet. She decided she wanted to be in control because she had heard of all the dangers and needed to have some safe way out. She chooses a mall located about half way between their homes that included a movie theatre. They had discussed what they might do, but ended up agreeing to just meet near the center and walk around and talk. They would decide from there if they would part or continue the date. She had changed many times and had decided to dress comfortable regardless. She wore her favorite jeans and a flattering t-shirt. In her nervousness she had arrive 15 minutes earlier then they had agreed.
Despite all the pictures they exchanged she feared she wouldn't recognize him. A small voice inside told her she would recognize his voice and smile and those beautiful blue eyes she had found herself staring at in the pictures she kept of him on her phone. What she didn't realize was that he too was nervous because he wanted it to work out. In all their conversations he only grew to believe she was what he had been wanting in his life. He wore jeans as well. He decided on a gray t-shirt with a dress shirt left open that has small blue strips that he was told were the same color of his eyes. She had made comments on his eyes and decided to go with something he knew she already liked.
He arrived a few minute after she did and had stopped at the restroom for a double check. Pleased with his choice he headed to the center hope to find a seat that would give him a good view of all the corridors.
As he approached he caught sight of her. He stopped short in his steps. She hadn't seen him yet. He knew it was her from her pictures which he had studied. Her wavy light auburn hair fell around her shoulders and face. He took note that she too had dressed down. "Good," he thought, "she already isn't like the others who would dress in heels and say that was what they always wore." He took a deep breath and began in trek toward her. She happened to turn as he approached.