sixwordstories | (no subject)

Familiarity, I guess.

...maybe.

I don't know. I've always done well on my own.

[Or she's just in denial, either one.]

There's nothing wrong with that. Doing well on your own, I mean.

*maybe he's in denial too, but he's ok with that*

Do you have a girlfriend? You must, right?

I must? Why do you say that?

Because you're very -

[Handsome? She stops, blushing and lowering her eyes.]

Um. Tall.

[Nice save, Matilda.]

*Jason smiles slightly and shrugs* I guess I'm pretty tall, yeah.

But no, I don't have one.

Oh. That's surprising.

I don't have one either. I mean a boyfriend. One of...those, I don't have one of those.

[She doesn't do this often. Or at all.]

Because of how tall I am? *He can't help but say*

You sounded like you were opposed to dating. Is that it?

...yes. Of course, I'm opposed to it. It's...unnecessary, it really is.

[She's not sure who she's trying to convince here.]

We all have our reasons for liking it or disliking it, I guess. I'm kinda on the fence about it.

Why?

I mean, you must have a reason.

Because... I'm not big on getting person, I guess. *Its the best answer he can give without getting personal*

Oh.

I'm sorry if I'm invading your privacy, then. I should know better.

You're not. You're fine. But now I get to ask the same question. *He offers a small smile*

[She gapes for a moment, eyes wide, before looking at the ground.]

I'm...just used to be alone. I don't make friends easily. My colleagues are all, like, forty years older than me but I can't be friends with my students even if they're my age...

B-besides, there's a difference between being alone and being lonely.

[What Matilda doesn't realize, however, is that she's lonely.]

So you're really smart, huh. What do you teach?

*He nods slowly, because he knows that's true. He thinks about it a lot, actually* Even if you're used to it, you're probably allowed to feel lonely, too.

I'm not...that smart...

[Yes, she is.] I teach literature? I studied literature and math but I like stories better.

Yeah. Yeah, maybe. But isn't that what friends are for?

Well, you sound smarter than me, that's for sure.

Literature, huh. That's really great. I always mean to read more but then I get stuck on a whole bunch of other things.

That's what friends are for, yeah. But... you said you didn't have many friends either?

I'm sure that isn't true.

What do you do instead?

[She's silent at that. Well. He isn't wrong.]

...I'm uh, Matilda.

[Subject change now.]

Well, school was not my strong suit. I skated through a lot of it on pretty thin ice.

I own a bar. I'm usually pretty busy with that.

*He doesn't mind the subject change. He doesn't want to make anyone uncomfortable* Jason. *he holds a hand out* You should come by the bar sometime... you're... you're of age, right?

School isn't for everyone. I'd like to change that. Not everyone learns the same way, you know. But that's what school makes you think. That everyone does.

[She takes his hand and shakes it before laughing.] Yes, I'm of age. Do I look that young?

Yeah, that's what it seemed to be. I just couldn't work with the... flow of it. If that makes sense.

*He shakes her hand firmly and gives a crooked grin* As a bartender I always err on the side of caution.

It does. Believe me, it does.

[Oh, she feels herself grow...weak in the knees with that smile. Cool it, Matilda.]

I'm not much of a drinker but...maybe I"ll come visit. To see a friend.

Well, it's good to meet a teacher who finally understands.

*He pulls a flier out of his back pocket and hands it to her* Address is on there. We have bar food too, if you just wanna eat. Our wings are killer. As a friend, it'd definitely be nice to see you.

[That makes her smile.]

I like wings.

[And cautiously, she steps on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.]

Thank you. Jason. That's nice of you.

*His smile grows a bit brighter at that* No problem.

And um... I'm usually always there, so you wont miss me. If I'm not, I'm probably right upstairs and my bartenders can grab me.

[Does he always work this hard to get patrons at his bar? Probably. It's all part of being a good businessman, after all.]

I'm not good at bars. I usually...sit there and read.

You know, it's not a particularly rowdy bar, so it's highly possible you might be able to sit and read. *Which surprisingly he doesn't find all too odd. He's seen lot of things happen at his bar. It wouldn't be the weirdest thing*

You're very nice to me.

Why are you so nice?

[People are never really this nice to Matilda.]

I... *He isn't even sure how to answer that question* Don't know? Why wouldn't I be?

[She hesitates before shrugging. It isn't time to get into your childhood, Matilda.]

I'd like to see your bar. It sounds lovely. Do you run it alone?

*He wonders what prompted the question, but he won't pry*

I have a small staff. They're pretty great.

That's good, that's nice.

When's a good time for me to stop by?

Yeah, they're a good group. They help out where they can.

I'm there almost every day from noon to close.

Then I'll come visit you.

[She smiles at him and kisses his cheek.]

I look forward to it.