Author notes: This is a realistic portrayal of a dating scenario that involves a wlw, trans-cis couple.
Trigger warnings: Possible gender dysphoria inducing themes.
"Hello? Samantha?" you speak on your phone.
"Yes, hey Jessica! I've arrived at the station right now." A deep, but pleasantly feminine voice responds. You gently hold the armrest of your seat, and smile slightly; she sounds as lovely as always.
"Great! I'm almost there, just a station away from you. I can't wait to meet you, you know. Really looking forward to it." you say, with a slight blush on your cheeks, and a soft giggle.
"Me too, and did I mention that your laugh sounds adorably cute?" she says in a slightly teasy voice.
"Yes, that was the first thing you told me when we met at that café, wasn't it?" you mention, reminiscing about the first time you met her.
Keeping your phone on your ear, you turn to the left and look out the clean glass window. It's early in the evening, the sky is dotted with hues of orange and red. You stare at the setting sun as your imagination wanders to that day.
It was Monday evening; the sun looked pretty similar outside the window of the quaint coffee shop. Your laptop was open on the desk, next to an empty cup previously filled with a shot of double espresso. It was a tiring day, and you had just finished the writing assignment pending for that day.
This café was a convenient place to work. You could stay as long as you like, and the atmosphere was inspirational for your articles.
As you were getting ready to pack up and leave, you noticed a woman approaching you. She was wearing a tight ponytail, comfortable looking blue jeans, black boots, a grey t-shirt that cropped slightly above her waist, and a similarly cropped leather jacket on her. She was very well-built, but yet looked beautiful.
She noticed you staring and had a light, barely noticeable smirk on her face, as she asked you a question.
"Hi, do you know the way to the post office?" she asks.
Broken out of your gazing, you reply, "Uh yes, yes. Its right around the block. Actually, I was heading there myself too, so do you want to come along with me?"
She answers happily, "Sure! Thank you for the help."
So you pack up, head out of the coffee shop after smiling and thanking the familiar barista, and walk along with the stranger woman.
"Are you new here?" you ask, as you head down the sidewalk.
"Yes, I moved into town just last week actually. It's a nice place, has the peace and quiet of a small town, and is just 20 minutes away from the big city." she answers while her deep brown eyes look into yours.
You can't help but stare, she's a few inches taller than you, so you slightly tilt your head up while taking.
"That's what I love about this place too. The rent's pretty affordable and houses are well-maintained. Although people aren't that friendly here." you say, while rembering your previous awkward interactions with strangers.
She responds back, while staring back into your eyes. "Well, they're not as friendly as you are, that's for sure. Not as beautiful as you either. That's an amazing dress you're wearing by the way, it really suits you."
Her eyes look you over as she says this. She notices the aquamarine one-piece that you're wearing, and the white, slightly heeled sandals.
"O-oh thank you! You respond with a slightly nervous blush. That's very sweet of you to say." You're not used to getting compliments, especially not from an attractive stranger.
"You look pretty nice too. I love your style. It's the perfect combination of bold yet elegant!" You mention, and she lightly touches your arm in response, smiling. Her touch seems to send an electric shock through your body, and you barely manage to keep a straight face.
"Aww thanks, can I know your name by the way? Sorry I didn't ask."
"It's Jessica and that's fine! What's yours?"
"I'm Samantha. It's great to meet you Jessica, and while I'd love to talk more, I do need to go collect this package. We crossed the post office a while back." She mentions with a slight chuckle.
Your face falls, you didn't realise how far away you walked from the post office, lost in conversation. Why didn't she mention anything if she knew though?
"Oh no, I'm so sorry I didn't want to make you late!" you say, as you look into her eyes once more.
She puts a hand on your shoulder this time saying, "hey that's okay, it was worth talking to you. Actually, I'd like to get to know you more if you want to? Maybe we can meet this Friday?"
Now you're extremely flustered, and struggling to find words. Does she mean that in a romantic, flirty way? Does she want to be friends? No, she was flirting the whole time...but what if she's straight? Straight women always flirt with each other for fun, don't they? Oh my god, how did i assume she was into me, she's definetly straight!
"Hey, Jessica? You there?" she responds with a chuckle, as you return back from being spaced out.
"Ah, yes, sorry I was just -" you begin to say but she cuts you off "I meant it as a date, you were overthinking about that weren't you?"
"How did you know?" You speak
"Your facial expressions are intense and easy to read, she mentions matter-of-factly. "Which is adorably cute, I think," she adds.
This time, once again you go into a full on blush. How many times have you blushed alerday? Your cheeks hurt from the constant flustering. You're very happy though and immediately agree.
"It's a date then! See you, and here take my number," she says, and you give her a missed call.
"See you on Friday Samantha!" you say, with a slight hope in your voice.
"Yep, bye Jess!"
You were definitely excited for the date. During that week, you texted her almost everyday after work. On Wednesday, you talked on call for over an hour or two getting to know each other more. The connection was instant, and the conversation flowed smoothly, as you learned more about her.
Samantha is two years older than you, and she is currently doing her masters in finance. She moved into town to attend the local university here, and her hometown is pretty far away at the other end of the country. Her personality has confidence, yet there's a slight hint of cuteness to it that's adorable. She easily blushes when complimented, since it looks like she is even less used to it than you are.
You don't understand how someone this nice didn't receive much compliments, but you definetly enjoyed taking advantage of that in your chats.
"Jess? Jessica? Hello?" Samantha's voice speaks through the phone
"Ah yes sorry" you say coming back to the present in the train.
"Lost in thoughts again?" she mentions.
