Alexander, Robert, and Megan arrived in the Mek-Tek lobby. Alexander glanced towards the receptionist booth and saw Veronica, still seemingly annoyed at the very world around her, and another girl. This other girl had long, silky-smooth lilac hair and gentle lilac-colored eyes. She was incredibly beautiful—the 21-year-old Lila.

Robert gave Alexander a hearty slap on the back. “You got this, man!” he said with a grin.

Megan added, “Just be yourself and it will all work out!”

Alexander nervously approached the booth and awkwardly tried to get Lila’s attention. “H-hey, Lila,” he said, his voice shaking as he nervously adjusted his collar.

Lila greeted him with a warm smile. “Hi, Alexander. How are you?”

Veronica rolled her eyes but said nothing.

Alexander awkwardly tried to make small talk. “I was just wondering… what do you have going on this weekend?”

Lila tilted her head slightly. “Nothing really. Why do you ask?”

Alexander took a deep breath. “I was wondering if you might possibly…you know…if you would maybe wanna get dinner with me on Saturday night?”

Lila’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Are you asking me on a date, Alexander?”

He nodded anxiously. “Y-yes! Yes, I am.”

Lila smiled again. “Sure! That sounds like fun!”

Veronica rolled her eyes once more as Alexander joyously threw his arms up. “Great! I’ll pick you up at 7 on Saturday night.”

Lila nodded. “Sounds perfect. See you then!”

Alexander returned to Robert and Megan, his face beaming. “She said yes!”

Megan clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful! I knew you could do it.”

Robert grinned. “My man! You’re going to have a great time!”

A few days later, Robert and Megan were doing their best to help Alexander get ready for his date with Lila. The three of them were gathered in Alexander’s living room, the air filled with a mix of excitement and nerves.

Megan was in full advice mode. “Make sure you pick her up promptly on time,” she instructed, her tone firm but caring. “Walk her from the door to the car and open all the doors for her. It’s the little things that count.”

Robert, lounging on the couch with a grin, chimed in. “And don’t forget to compliment her appearance. A genuine compliment goes a long way.”

Megan nodded in agreement. “Take her somewhere nice, but not too fancy. Save those places for possible future dates. You want to impress her, but not overwhelm her.”

Alexander felt a wave of anxiety wash over him as he tried to absorb all the advice. “What should I talk about?” he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Megan placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Just be yourself,” she said with a warm smile. “Show her the Alexander that we know and love.”

Robert leaned forward, his expression sincere. “Yeah, man. Everything will be alright. Just relax and enjoy the evening.”

Alexander took a deep breath, feeling a bit more at ease. “Thanks, guys, really. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

As he walked them to the door, Megan gave him a quick hug. “Good luck, Alex. We’re rooting for you.”

Robert gave him a playful punch on the arm. “Knock her off her feet, buddy.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Alexander watched them leave, feeling grateful for their support. With friends like Robert and Megan, he knew he could face anything.

A while later he stepped out of his apartment, the cool evening air brushing against his face. He made his way to the nearby garage, where his car waited. The city was alive with the hum of activity, the weekend transforming Pendragon City into a vibrant spectacle of lights and sounds.

As he drove through the bustling streets, the cityscape unfolded before him like a living, breathing entity. Skyscrapers towered above, their glass facades reflecting the myriad of neon signs and digital billboards that adorned the buildings. The streets were a river of headlights, each car a vessel navigating this urban sea.

The sidewalks were crowded with people, their faces illuminated by the glow of shop windows and streetlights. Street vendors called out, their voices blending with the distant sound of music from nearby clubs and bars. The aroma of street food wafted through the air, a tantalizing mix of spices and grilled meats.

Alexander moved steadily through the traffic, the rhythmic thrum of the engine a comforting constant. He passed through the business district, where sleek, modern buildings stood as monuments to the city’s technological prowess. The area was bustling with professionals, even at this hour, their hurried steps echoing the relentless pace of city life.

As he entered the more residential areas, the atmosphere shifted. The towering skyscrapers gave way to charming brownstones and tree-lined streets. The noise of the city softened, replaced by the gentle murmur of conversations and the occasional bark of a dog. The streetlights cast a warm, golden glow, creating a sense of tranquility amidst the urban sprawl.

Alexander finally arrived at a small suburb and pulled up to a cozy, charming house. He nervously got out of the car, taking a deep breath to hype himself up one final time. He walked up to the door and knocked, his heart pounding in his chest. After a few seconds, the door opened.

Standing in the doorway was Lila, her beautiful lilac hair cascading well past her shoulders. She wore a cute, casual dress that perfectly complemented her delicate features. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement, and her smile was warm and inviting. Alexander was stunned by how adorable she looked.

He barely managed to mutter a simple, “Wow.”

Slightly embarrassed, Lila blushed and replied, “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

Alexander’s nerves melted away as he eagerly asked, “Are you ready to go?”

She nodded. “I am.” She looked back into the house and announced, “I’ll be back later.” Alexander heard a woman’s voice call back.

As they drove away, Lila glanced at Alexander and said, “I still live with my parents, so I needed to tell them I’d be out late. I hope you don’t think that’s weird.”

Alexander shook his head, offering a reassuring smile. “I think it’s great. You should cherish this time with them. Both of my parents are gone.”

Lila’s expression softened; her eyes filled with empathy. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

Alexander quickly tried to reassure her. “There’s no need to apologize. It was a long time ago, 15 years ago when I was 10. My parents and my sister were in a bad accident... I miss them, but I try to live a life they would be proud of.”

Realizing he had gotten too personal too fast, Alexander felt a pang of regret. He glanced at Lila and saw her eyes watering. “I-I didn’t mean to be so negative!” he added, his voice tinged with nervousness.

Lila shook her head and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “It must have been very hard for you.”

Alexander nodded, appreciating her kindness. “It wasn’t easy, but I managed. I lived with my dad’s parents through school and college. Moving to Pendragon City alone was scary, but then I met Robert and Megan. They helped me a lot.”

Lila gave him a warm smile. “It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, but you’ve come out stronger. I’m glad you have good friends.”

Alexander felt a bit more at ease, grateful for her words. “Thanks, Lila. I really appreciate that.”

Lila smiled, her mood lifting. “I wish I could be friends with my coworker,” she joked, referring to Veronica. “She always treats me like a nuisance.”

Alexander laughed. “I’ll have to tell her you said that.”

Lila playfully pouted. “I don’t think it’s possible for her to like me any less.”

Alexander chuckled. “It’s not just you. I don’t really think Veronica likes anyone.”

Lila then said, “You’ll have to introduce me to your friends sometime.”

He delightfully agreed as they continued driving.

As they arrived at the restaurant, Alexander opened the door for Lila, feeling a surge of confidence. They were seated quickly, and the evening flowed effortlessly. They talked about their lives, their dreams, and their hobbies. Lila shared her passion for reading and her studies to become a nurse, while Alexander spoke about his work at Mek-Tek and his love for building things.

The evening was filled with laughter and genuine connection. Alexander couldn’t believe how well the everything was going. After dinner, he drove Lila back to her house, walking her to the door.

“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Alexander said, his heart pounding.

Lila smiled warmly. “Thank you for dinner. I had a great time!”

“So, do you think I could maybe take you out again…?” He nervously and eagerly asked.

Lila’s gentle eyes met his, the warm smile still on her face. “Yes, I’d like that.”

Alexander felt like he was on top of the world as they said goodnight. As he walked back to his car and drove away, he couldn’t help but feel like this could be the start of something special.