Second Date
Posted by Sean and Michelle
on May 30, 2023, 1:07 pm
The scene unfolds in the apartment of Sean Parker. He’s frantically trying to tidy things up. He folds up a pile of Men’s Health and Gamemaster magazines on a coffee table in the living room, picking them up and sliding them under one of the couches. Some recent activity on the HWA YouTube channel plays in the background on his kitchen TV. As he continues to prepare for Michelle coming over for their second date. Suddenly, he hears the voices of Fallen and Legion as they both cut respective promos. His attention is grabbed and he takes a moment to listen to them. After they’re done, a snort of derision escape’s Sean’s lips and nose. (Sean): Pricks… I’ll deal with them later. Head in the game, Sean. He turns off the kitchen TV and goes back to preparing for Michelle coming which was going to be any minute now. In the living room, there are a couple of candles on the coffee table along with two wine glasses along with bottle of red wine and a bottle of white. Adjacent to the living room is the walk-in kitchen and on the island is a bouquet of a dozen red roses. He surveys the scene, checking off a mental list out-loud. (Sean): Table….candles….flowers….pizza ordered… Sean looks around, trying to make sure he hasn’t forgotten anything. He pulls out the collar of his shirt and takes a sniff. (Sean): Cologne! He darts to the bathroom and grabs a bottle of Dior Savage, spraying himself lightly. He catches a look of himself in his bathroom mirror and makes some last-minute adjustments to the style of his hair. The doorbell suddenly rings and Sean looks at himself in the mirror. (Sean): You’ve got this lad, just don’t make a twat of yourself. She’s your girlfriend, she likes you, just be you! He makes his way back into the living room, grabbing the flowers from the kitchen island and answers the door. Michelle is standing in the doorway, looking radiant. Her blonde hair has been curled and weaves in spirals down to her shoulders. (Sean): Hey! Wow, you look amazing! Michelle can’t help but blush. (Michelle): Thank you, you’re so sweet, you look really nice too. (Sean): Thanks! These are for you! Michelle’s face lights up as Sean hands her the bouquet of flowers. She reaches up and gives Sean a kiss on the lips and he invites her into the apartment. He hurries behind her. (Sean): Let me get your jacket for you! Michelle beams again as Sean gently helps her take off her jacket. He hangs up in the closet next to the door as he beckons into her the living room. (Sean): I’m sorry, I’m not the best cook so I ordered pizza, I probably should have checked if you like pizza… (Michelle): It’s fine, I love pizza! (Sean): I also wasn’t sure what you liked so I ordered cheese, one with practically every meat and one with vegetables and stuff. (Michelle): I don’t mind meat on pizza but cheese or veg is fine, thanks for being so thoughtful! The two continue their conversation as they make their way to the couch, sitting down. Sean gestures to the two wine bottles and respective glasses sat on the coffee table. (Sean): I also wasn’t sure if you drank or not. I read on Latter-Day Saints stuff and the Book of Mormon said Mormons are free to drink what they want but then it said if you’ve been baptised you can’t drink so I panicked and bought some anyway… so I hope it’s ok… I bought red and white wine…I even went and bought wine glasses because I didn’t have any. If you don’t it’s totally fine, I have soda and fresh fruit juice in the fridge. Michelle involuntarily reaches up with her hands, placing them on her chest and has an almost pouty expression on her face. (Michelle): Did you really read up on the Book of Mormon to plan for tonight? (Sean): For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts and mine angels round about you, to bear you up…I know I’m not religious in any way, but I quite liked that passage, kinda reminds me of what’s on my dad’s grave back home. (Michelle): Sean, I really don’t know what to say… Michelle couldn’t smile any wider if she wanted to. Sean was so sweet he was actually taking an interest in her beliefs to make sure she was comfortable. No boy had ever done that for her. (Sean): I’m sorry, it’s too much, isn’t it? We’ve only just started dating and here I am quoting bloody bible passages to you like some… I don’t know what? Sean turns around, hands on the back of his head. (Michelle): Sean….Sean, please, look at me! Michelle takes Sean’s hand and beckons him to turn around. (Michelle): Sean, honestly what you’ve done is so sweet. No one’s ever done anything so thoughtful like that for me, it’s just not something I’m used to… so thank you! (Sean): Well, I know how much your beliefs mean to you and even though I’m an agnostic, I still find learning about other people’s beliefs and traditions fascinating. Plus, between you and me, I have absolutely no idea about wine… Michelle bursts into laughter which itself draws a snort from Sean. (Sean): Seriously, I have no idea what I even bought, for all I know that tastes dreadful in which case I just wasted ten dollars. (Michelle): Well how about I square you up for the wine and that’ll be us even? (Sean): No, you’re fine, Michelle, it’s only ten bucks. Suddenly the door bell rings. (Sean): That’ll be the pizza! Sean goes to the door, accepting three large square boxes and hands the delivery guy a couple of twenties. (Sean): Keep the change, mate. He kicks the door closed behind him and sets the pizza boxes down on the coffee table. (Sean): Do you prefer a plate or do you want to be a rabid, feral animal like me and eat out of the box? Sean curses in his head at his attempt at humour. Idiot! But Michelle giggles. Oh wow, can’t believe she found that funny (Michelle): Out of the box is fine but do you have any paper towels or anything? (Sean): Yes, yes I do! Sean darts up and grabs a roll of paper towels from the adjoining kitchen and places them next to the pizza boxes. They chat as they delve into the pizza slices. (Sean): Sorry you didn’t get a match for Havoc. (Michelle): Oh, it’s fine, Erica is still waiting on her visa being sorted and Alexis and Sarah are the only ones who haven’t faced each other yet so it makes sense for them to have a match. (Sean): How do you see that one going? (Michelle): I would never go against Sarah! She’s amazing. I mean Alexis was tough but I don’t think she’s “Sarah tough” if you know what I mean. (Sean): Definitely, I have a black belt in karate and wouldn’t mess with Sarah. To be fair I wouldn’t mess with you. Sean playfully nudges Michelle. (Michelle): Stop it, you’re just saying that! (Sean): No, I’m being serious! How long have we been training together? Trust me. Plus, I watched your match with Alexis, you busted her up pretty good. I’m telling you, never mind being “Sarah Tough”, neither of them are “Michelle Tough!” Michelle blushes as she tucks some loose strands of her hair behind her ears and takes a bite out of another slice of pizza. They continue to chat for a bit, laughing, sharing more stories and learning more and more about the other. As they chat, Michelle glances round idly at Sean’s apartment. In the living room there are framed posters. There is a Metallica one with the image of the cover of the band’s “Ride The Lightning” album. Sean catches Michelle glancing at the poster. (Sean): You like ‘Tallica? (Michelle): ‘Tallica? (Sean): Yeah, Metallica, one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time. Michelle looks a tad embarrassed. (Michelle): I’m sorry, I’ve never been much of a heavy metal fan. (Sean): It’s ok, everyone has their own tastes! Metallica are great though. The stuff I listen to isn’t all about satan and devil-worshipping. There’s a lot of like political and meaning in a lot the lyrics. I mean yeah, some of the stuff I like has that screaming in it but I won’t subject you to that. (Michelle): And is that your guitar next to it? (Sean): Yeah, that’s my baby. You know, James Hetfield signed it - he’s the singer and one of the guitarists for Metallica. I streamed my reaction to watching the Season Four Finale of Stranger Things and it went viral. The band got in touch and because of the whole HWA thing, I got to hang out with them. Apparently they’re huge wrestling fans and James gave me one of his signature guitars and signed it for me. (Michelle): Wow, that’s so cool. Have you ever played it? (Sean): I mean, I can play but I’ve never played that one. But I guess I could, for you. (Michelle): Oh no, you don’t have to, I’d feel so bad! (Sean): Nah, it’s cool, what’s the point in having something awesome like this if I’m not gonna play it? Sean gets up and reaches up to grab the guitar from its hanging hooks and brings it down, resting it on his knee. (Michelle): Wow, it’s so beautiful. How much would that be worth, do you think? (Sean): Like $2000 I think? (Michelle): For a guitar?! Sean laughs at Michelle’s shocked reaction. (Sean): That’s nothing. There are ones out there that are waaay more expensive. Right, let’s see if this actually in tune. Sean turns the machine heads on the headstock and plucks the strings intermittently as he does so. After about ten seconds, he’s satisfied. (Sean): Drop C, perfect. Pick, pick, I’m sure I had a pick around here somewhere… Sean searches round the coffee table and manages to find a stray guitar pick and places it between his thumb and his forefinger (Sean): Now this probably won’t sound the best since I’m not plugged into an amp or anything but here goes… Sean plays some notes and bars for Michelle from a couple of songs. After a few minutes he sets the guitar back up. (Michelle): Wow, you’re really good! (Sean): I’m alright, nothing special but thanks. (Michelle): You’re just being modest! Do you have any other hidden talents I don’t know about?! Sean smiles subtly and shakes his head. (Sean): I mean, apart from being a wine connoisseur? Michelle laughs again. (Sean): Other than wrestling, video games, ridiculously useless movie trivia and being an all-round Geekasaurus Rex, I’m afraid not. Michelle giggles. (Michelle): Well, I think it’s cute. She continues to glance around the room and spots another poster that appears to show two video game characters holding swords with the words “Final Fantasy VII Remake” above them. (Michelle): Who are they? Is that a video game? Michelle points to the Final Fantasy poster. (Sean): Hmm? Oh them? Yeah, that’s Final Fantasy VII, it’s like my favourite video game of all time. Basically, it’s an adventure game about a group of people who are trying to save the planet from a bad guy named Sephiroth, that’s him… Sean points to the silver-haired character with the huge katana sword in his hand. (Michelle): Look how big his sword is! (Sean): I know! It’s so cool, it’s called Masamune! I have a replica in my game room. (Michelle): Oh, like your finishing move? Your running knee thing you use because of Kenny Omega. (Sean): Yeah, I let my Twitch followers pick one of my move names and I obviously couldn’t pick the One Winged Angel because of Kenny Omega. (Michelle): And who’s the blonde guy? (Sean): That’s Cloud Strife, he’s the main character. He used to work for the bad guys but now wants to help the good guys. The good guys are called Avalanche and they want to stop a big company called Shinra from hurting the planet. As you go through the game, playing as Cloud, you get to meet lots of other interesting characters and you’ve got to fight lots of bad guys to basically save the world. In the end, Cloud has to fight the bad guy Sephiroth to save the planet….it’s so unbelievably awesome! Michelle loved how passionate Sean was about his hobbies, especially video games. Whilst it was something she didn’t have a lot of experience in, she had played some video games as a child but not to the extent Sean obviously had. It somehow made her like him even more hearing the passion in his voice. (Michelle): So what does the Remake mean? Is it like a sequel? (Sean): Oh yeah, the original game came out on the PlayStation One in 1997, it’s still a masterpiece in my opinion but the Remake is just as good. Final Fantasy has been around since like the 80s though, 16 comes out soon. The first came out on the original Nintendo in 1987. I actually managed to get a copy at a Gaming Convention last year…sorry, I’m droning on and on about video games, you must be bored. (Michelle): No, no, not at all! I find it really interesting, I mean know there’s loads of video games out there but I didn’t realise most of them had all these incredible backstories. (Sean): Have you played Zelda much then after last time? (Michelle): Yeah, I have actually, I’m really enjoying it. I’m at some place called the Fire Temple I think? Michelle sounds unsure but Sean has a shocked look on his face. (Sean): Seriously? You’re at the Fire Temple already? Wow! You’re good! Are you sure you’ve not been hustling me? (Michelle): Is that good? (Sean): Uh, yeah! You’re like more than halfway through the game! I’m literally just a chapter ahead of you. I can’t wait till my Twitch followers that, they’ll get a kick out of that. (Michelle): You talk about me on your online video game thing? Sean smirks proudly. (Sean): I think it’s a safe bet you’ve came up once or twice. You’re actually really popular. Because of HWA, a lot of my followers know you already and think you’re great. (Michelle): They do? (Sean): Yeah, look, see. Sean takes out his phone, thumbs through his apps and brings up Twitch, showing her his most recent comments. He holds the screen up for Michelle to read and her eyes light up at the comments. (Michelle): Oh my goodness, that’s so nice! (Sean): Told you! The two sit back down and keep talking until the topic of films and TV crops up. (Michelle): So what do you like? (Sean): I like a bit of everything to be honest, classics, horror, action, sci-fi, comedy you name it. I am partial to a bit of Disney as well. (Michelle): I did not peg you for a Disney guy. (Sean): Are you kidding me? Disney is my jam! Have you seen any of the new ones? Coco and Inside Out are two of my favourite. Wanna watch one? I have Disney Plus on my TV. (Michelle): Yeah, sure. (Sean): Okay dokay, here we go. Sean grabs the remote from the coffee table and navigates the Disney Plus menu and finds Coco. (Sean): Fair warning, when it comes to Disney, I’ll let you in on a secret…I’m a crier… (Michelle): Oh, I’m a blubberer so you’re fine. As the movie begins, Michelle snuggles up to Sean and rests her head on his shoulder. He wraps his arm around her and pulls her close, enjoying the warmth and comfort of having her close to him. As the movie progresses, they both keep stealing glances at each other, their eyes locking briefly before looking away. It's clear that the chemistry between them is still as strong as ever. When the movie finishes, there’s suddenly a long silence. Michelle and Sean look at each other for a moment before Sean gently puts his hand on Michelle’s leg, around her knee are. They both tentatively lean in and kiss each other. Like their first, it’s soft and gentle. Delicately, as if testing the waters, Sean slowly slides his tongue through Michelle’s lips and into her mouth, massaging hers with his. Michelle doesn’t know what to do at first but slowly she starts to reciprocate. It's like a slow dance, where the couple starts off shyly holding each other at arm's length, but as the music builds and the chemistry intensifies, they gradually move closer together and become more passionate in their movements. They continue making out, as Sean pulls Michelle in close, stroking her hair with his hand and cupping her chin with the other. Michelle can feel Sean’s heart racing against her chest. They break the kiss for a moment, both gasping for air, and Sean looks into Michelle’s eyes. (Sean): I’m sorry, I don’t mean to put you under any pressure or make you uncomfortable. Michelle smiles, feeling a rush of emotion. (Michelle): No, It’s ok, I… I liked it. (Sean): I just want you to know I would never pressure you into anything, Michelle. This is all completely new to me too and I know it's only our second date, but I feel like we have a real connection. And I know you have a close relationship with God and I wouldn’t do anything that would jeopardise that. Michelle smiles at Sean, feeling her heart skip a beat. (Michelle): I feel the same way, Sean and I want to see where this goes in our own time. They both lean in for another kiss, their lips meeting in a gentle embrace. As they pull away, they both feel a sense of happiness and contentment. They know that this is just the beginning of a beautiful relationship. (Sean): Another movie? Michelle smiles. (Michelle): Sure. Sean grabs the remote again and puts another movie. Michelle leans and snuggles into the crook of Sean’s neck, wrapping her arm around his waist as the scene fades to black.
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