Dusk & Summer

tom.
apr 15, 2005.
london, england.
I fiddled with my shirt collar nervously as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

Was I too dressed up? I didn't want to seem like I'd made a huge effort.

I tugged on the left sleeve of my plain white shirt, and it crinkled crisply as I slid my jacket on over the top. I slipped my wallet and key card into the breast pocket before glancing down at my phone to see the time. I was meeting Anna at Tottenham Court Road Station in 20 minutes.

Taking one last look in the mirror, I exhaled heavily and turned to leave my room. I didn't know why I was so nervous. Maybe because I hadn't been on a date in years. But how did I even know it was a date? Did I even want to see it as a date? Anna might have just been seeing this as dinner between friends; I had no clue how to act or what to think and it made my palms begin to sweat as I left the hotel and crossed the street to the tube station.

After a few minutes of waiting the tube arrived, and I stepped on. The compartment was pretty empty, which I was grateful for. I slid into one of the seats as the train screeched against the metal tracks and plunged into the darkness of the tunnel ahead. I stared at my reflection in the window opposite me. My hair was an unruly mess. No matter how hard I'd tried, I couldn't flatten it.

I glanced around me at the few other people in the compartment with me as I tried to smooth my hair down a little.

There were only a few stops til my own, and my stomach promptly filled with butterflies as the train slowed to a stop in Tottenham Court Road station. I played with my ticket nervously between my long fingers as I made my way up the stairs to wait for Anna by the entrance.

She wasn't there when I got there, and I peered around me in case I'd missed her. I bit on my lip ring as I waited for her, standing to the side of all the barriers so I didn't get in anyone's way.

I glanced up after a few minutes, and she was just walking towards the barriers, rummaging through her small white bag for something. I quickly looked her up and down while I had the chance.

It felt wrong for many reasons to think it, but she was gorgeous. I mean I couldn't help but notice.

She was wearing an even prettier dress than the ones she normally does, and a pair of heels to match. Her long, unruly hair was loose around her face and shoulders. I'd never seen her hair loose before.

She glanced up as I was staring, and her face lit up with a dazzling grin as she pushed her ticket into the slot and passed through the barrier.

"Well hello Mr. DeLonge." She said slyly. "You look nice."

A lopsided grin graced my lips. "So do you."

Her smile softened a little as she slung the thin chain of her bag back over her shoulder.

"Thank you." She said. "Well. Shall we go?"

I nodded quickly and we began walking back towards the downwards escalator.

"So, where are we going?" She asked me with a grin. "You wouldn't tell me on the phone."

I grinned back, and waited a few moments to tell her as we climbed onto the tube.

"I thought we'd go to this Greek place in Notting Hill that I've been to before. It's really nice, I think you'll like it."

"Notting Hill?! I've never had dinner there before." She told me excitedly, turning towards me in her seat and batting my arm a little like a playful kitten. I grinned and couldn't help my cheeks flushing with pleasure.

"I hope I've brought enough money.." She mumbled, opening her bag and pulling out her purse to look inside. My eyes widened with shock.

"What?! You're not paying! This is my treat!" I exclaimed, and she looked up at me sharply.

"Of course I am." She told me. "Tom, we've had this discussion before-"

"I told you I'm taking you out to dinner in repayment for showing me the city. So there's no way you're paying. End of story." I said stubbornly, settling back in my seat and folding my arms over my chest. She stared at me exasperated, but I couldn't help but notice the shy smile forming on her lips at the same time.

She turned back in her seat and crossed one leg elegantly over the other, folding her arms at the same time. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye and smiled.

We sat in a somewhat comfortable silence for the rest of the journey, both lost in our own thoughts. Because of this, we almost missed our stop. I suddenly snapped back to reality and casually glanced up as the tube slid to a halt for the sixth time, and I jolted quickly.

"We're here." I said, grabbing Anna's hand and pulling her quickly off the tube seconds before the doors slid shut. I looked back at her and quickly dropped her hand with a nervous cough.

"It's on Hillgate Street so it's a really short walk round the corner from here." I told her as we climbed the stairs, both getting our tickets out ready.

"Okay." She replied as we passed the barriers and emerged into the cool night's air. Pleasant sounds of quiet chatter from passers-by filled my ears as I smiled at Anna and we began walking down the street leisurely.

I held the door open of the quaint, delicious smelling Greek restaurant and lightly rested my hand on Anna's back as I followed her indoors. We were immediately seated near the beautiful big window in the corner of the room, at a small, dimly lit table that was decorated immaculately.

"It's really nice here." Anna commented, grinning at me from across the table as I slid off my jacket. Her eyes sparkled over the tiny glass holding a delicate, pale orchid and I grinned back as I settled in my chair. A waiter appeared by our table and handed us both a menu, before asking if we'd like anything to drink.

I looked at Anna questioningly, before asking, "Is there anything specific you'd like?"

She shook her head and smiled. "You can pick for the both of us."

"Okay. Um.. We'll have.." I scanned the wine list quickly. "..A bottle of Mavrodafni, please."

The waiter nodded politely and quietly left, giving us time to look at the menus.

"What's Mavrodafni?" Anna asked curiously, and I smiled.

"It's a type of Greek red wine. I had it last time I was here, it's gorgeous."

She grinned at me and nodded, before looking down at her menu.

"Are you getting a starter?" She asked me.

"Of course I am!" I replied immediately. "Why wouldn't I?! I'd starve otherwise."

She laughed. "Okay, I will too then."

Over the top of her menu she raised her eyebrows at me, and I grinned.

After a few minutes in silence, I lowered my menu and looked over the table at Anna.

"So, what're you gonna have?" I asked her, and she chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully.

"I think I'm gonna have...tzatziki for starters...and then...the Sou..Souvlaki- I can't pronounce anything." She laughed, and I joined in before saying, "Don't worry, neither can I."

"Hmm. Well. What are you going to have?" She asked me, setting down her menu.

"I'm gonna have the..Fakes soup for starter and then 'Kleftiko' for main."

"...And what are they."

I laughed. "Fakes soup is lentil soup, and Kleftiko is lamb."

She nodded. "Good choices. I might have to taste them both."

She smirked at me as the waiter reappeared with our bottle of wine, as well as two large red wine glasses. After he had poured us both a glass each then settled the bottle in the wine cooler that he'd also brought along, he pulled out his little notepad.

"Are you ready to order?" He asked us, and we both nodded before I looked at Anna, indicating her to go first. She told him her order and I did quickly after, before handing him both our menus and thanking him as he left us in peace.

"I should warn you, Mavrodafni is a lot stronger than normal wine, so go easy." I grinned at Anna over my glass, before taking a sip and letting the warm, sweet liquid wash over my taste buds.

I watched her take a sip and saw her approving face.

"I like it." She told me, smiling sweetly before taking another sip.

We continued in relaxed, casual conversation until our appetizers arrived, and I peered over at Anna's interestedly.

"I've never had tzatziki." I told her. "What is it?"

"It's yoghurt with cucumber and mint. It's really good. Here, try some." She said, dipping the end of a slice of pita bread into the pale sauce and handing it to me. I bit into it quickly and nodded.

"I like it."

"Now let me try your soup." She said quickly with a sly smile and sparkle in her eye. I laughed and dipped my spoon into my soup, before cupping my hand underneath it as I carefully held the spoon across the table towards her to stop it spilling on the table cloth. She leant forward slightly to taste my soup, and I grinned.

"Mm, it's good." She told me, and I laughed. "I know."

We both finished our appetizers in between idle chitchat, and our plates were taken away. I took a sip of wine and stared out the window at the street outside, until I rested my chin on my palm and smiled at Anna. She glanced up from fiddling lightly with one of the petals on the orchid, and smiled back.

"How was work?" I asked her casually, and she picked up her own glass to take a sip.

"It was alright. Quite quiet, for a saturday."

"What is it you do at the spa, then?"

"Oh, a bit of everything. I did a beauty therapy course in college." She gave me a wry smile. "Typical course for the dumb blonde."

"I don't think you're dumb." I protested quickly, and she laughed.

"It's alright though. I like working there."

"What does 'a bit of everything' entail?" I asked with a smile, and her eyes twinkled.

"Probably not half the things your dirty mind is imagining, Mr. DeLonge."

"Hey!" I protested, laughing. "I was not thinking anything dirty!"

"Yeahh of course you weren't." She answered with a wink as she traced the rim of her wine glass delicately with her forefinger. "I do manicures, pedicures, massages and facials."

I nodded in approval. "Sounds good."

After about fifteen more minutes of conversation, our food arrived. It looked delicious so we both kept quiet while we ate.

"How's yours?" I asked her after swallowing a mouthful. She nodded.

"It's really good. Want to try some?"

"Sure."

She carefully handed me one of the skewers and I took a bite.

"It is good." I nodded. "Here, try some of mine." I loaded my fork and held it over the table to her.

"Mmm." She said, grinning as she slid her mouth off my now empty fork. I blushed and grinned as I leant back in my seat.

We finished eating quite quickly, and after a few minutes the waiter appeared to clear our plates. He handed us both a dessert menu before carrying our empty plates away.

"Do you want to share a dessert? I don't think I could finish a whole one by myself." Anna said, smiling at me over her menu. I smiled back and nodded.

"Sure. What do you like the looks of?"

"Hmm." She scanned the menu. "I think that one called Baklava looks nice."

I quickly found it on the menu.

"Yeah, that sounds nice." I said, reading what it was. "Shall we get that?"

Anna closed her menu and placed it on the table while nodding at me and grinning. I did the same before taking a sip of wine.

The waiter reappeared about five minutes later and took our dessert order, and it was another ten minutes before it arrived, to give us time for our main course to settle.

I carefully moved the tiny vase holding the orchid to one side so that the dessert could sit in the middle of the table. We both picked up our spoons, but I indicated for Anna to taste it first.

"It's so good." She said with a nod after swallowing her mouthful. I grinned and tried some myself. The sweet, nutty taste danced over my taste buds, and I nodded as I took a sip of wine to follow.

"It goes really well with the wine, too." I commented, sinking my spoon into the sweet dessert again.

Another fifteen minutes later the plate was empty, and I ordered two Greek coffees when the waiter appeared to clear the table once again.

"Tom." Anna laughed, resting her arms on the table and leaning forward onto them. "This is going to be so expensive."

She chewed on her lower lip a little, looking guilty for the fact that I was paying for the evening.

"Do you think that matters?" I said, but she interrupted me.

"Please, just let me pay for at least some-"

"Annabelle." I interrupted her in turn. "I am paying. No questions about it. And of course I don't mind, I've had a great time tonight."

I smiled a little shyly at her, and after a few moments her dazzling smile appeared on her lips.

"Thank you. This is so kind of you." She said, reaching forward and resting her cool, slender hand on my arm.

"Really, it's my pleasure." I said, hoping my flushed cheeks weren't visible over the faint candle light.

After another half hour of nursing our strong, sweet coffees slowly in between steady conversation, I finally asked for the bill but I didn't really want the evening to end.

"Let me see how much it was." Anna asked, trying to snatch the bill out of my hand. I pulled it back quickly as I slipped my credit card onto the silver dish.

"No! Because then you'll stress out." I scolded, waving the waiter over to take the bill away before Anna could grab it from my fingers. She tutted and sat back in her seat, draining off the last of her coffee.

The waiter returned with my credit card and receipt, both of which I quickly placed in my wallet before returning that to the breast pocket of my jacket as I slipped it on.

"Ready to go?" I asked Anna with a smile as I sorted out the collar of my jacket. She smiled and nodded, grabbing her own jacket and pulling it on before standing up and untucking her hair. She slid the strap of her bag over her shoulder, and I stepped aside to let her pass me. We both thanked the waiter on the way out, and the cold, early spring air hit my face as we stepped onto the pavement.

"It's a bit cold." Anna commented, pulling her jacket around her tighter. I nodded in agreement and placed one foot onto the street to peer down the road.

"I'll get us a taxi." I said, raising my arm as I saw one approaching us. It slowed to a stop next to me, and I opened the door to allow Anna to get in. She smiled at me gratefully and climbed inside, and I quickly followed her.

"What time are you leaving for the airport tomorrow?" Anna asked me as the taxi turned onto her road. I sighed heavily and picked at my pants leg absently.

"9 am." I told her, and saw her nod out of the corner of my eye. The taxi slowed to a halt, directly outside her old looking house, and she picked up her bag from her lap and opened the taxi door.

"I'll walk you to your door." I said quickly, shuffling out of the taxi after her.

"I won't be a minute, okay man?" I told the taxi driver, and he nodded. I followed Anna through the little gate and up the pathway to her front door, before she turned to me and smiled.

"Take this for the taxi." She said, fishing a twenty pound note out of her purse and holding it out to me.

"No." I replied stubbornly, pushing her hand back. She laughed and held it out again.

"Tom, take it!"

"No!" I replied. "Tonight has been my treat. You're not paying for any of it."

A smile slowly smeared across her lips, and she shook her head slightly.

"Well. It's been a lovely night." She told me, and I smiled in pleasure before nodding.

"Thank you so much, Tom." She said, flashing her charming smile at me while reaching out and placing her hand on my arm.

"Thank you for going out with me." I stuttered in a shy mumble, glancing down at my feet before smiling up at her. "I'd like- I mean- it'd be nice to..stay in touch - in case I'm in the country again sometime soon-"

"I'd like that a lot." She said, before suddenly stepping forward and pressing a soft, warm kiss against my cheek.

Then she turned and quickly unlocked her front door.

"Stay in touch, yeah?" She said, turning her head to look at me over her shoulder as she stepped into the house. I nodded as a wide grin spread across my face.

"Have a good journey home, Tom." She smiled at me warmly. "Good luck with everything."

I nodded silently again, before finally finding my voice.

"I'll hopefully see you soon."

She nodded and smiled again, before waving.

"Goodnight."

She shut the door quietly, and I could hear her heels clicking as she began climbing the stairs up to her apartment in the house. I exhaled slowly, before turning and walking back down the pathway to the black taxi waiting solemnly at the end of the drive. I climbed inside and told him the address of my hotel, before settling back in my seat and sighing. I glanced up at Anna's house one last time as we pulled away from the curb.

This is probably the best I'll feel for a long time, now. I thought, dread filling me as I realised what I would soon be returning to. The thought of starting the divorcing process with Jen made a fleeting pain shoot through my heart. And it made me want to jump out of this taxi, and run to somewhere that no one would ever find me.