"Since it's the first date I'm going on with her, I think I want to take this one solo." You say to Derek. His smile falters a bit, but he says "Great!" me and Gwen will go to the bowling alley. I already made reservations for you two at Les Changements. You know, that weird restaurant right on the edge of town?" "Oooh, French." Arianna says. "I don't know what that actually means..." you say. Your joke wasn't that funny, but everyone laughs anyway. "Ok, see you at eight!" Arianna says, smiling. Then everyone walks off, leaving you alone in the empty hallway to think about how good your fortune is.
Later that night, you're in your room, trying to decide what to wear. In the end, you decide on a red plaid polo shirt and jeans. Grabbing your keys, you're about to leave your room when you see your necklace. It's a small wood disc with a sun carved onto it hanging on a thick nylon string. At the last minute, you grab it and stuff it into your pocket, not knowing why. You run downstairs, leave a note on the table for your mom to say where you've gone, run out to the garage, jump into your car, and drive away under the blanket of dark sky and stars.
In about twenty minutes, you arrive at the restaurant. It's a medium sized brick building, with a green awning all around the roof edge. A yellow neon sign in the window announces the name. To the right, the red OPEN one is flashing in the dark. The parking lot only has about five cars in it besides yours. You pull into the parking spot and check your watch. Oh no, it's 8:10! You're late! Jumping out of your car, you race across the parking lot and into the glass front doors.
The waiting area is a narrow hallway flanked by benches with soft green cushions. A woman in a blue work dress stands behind the podium. "Welcome to Les Changements. I'm Mandy and I will be your server today. Table for one?" she asks, pulling out a menu. "No, I'm actually here with someone. Did she come in yet? She's about this tall (holding up your hand) with long brown hair?" "I'm afraid not, sir." Mandy says. "How about you wait here? I'm sure she'll arrive shortly." She indicates one of the benches next to the podium
"That's OK, I think I'll wait outside." You say. Mandy looks severely disappointed, but says nothing. You leave and stand right near the door, waiting for Arianna. Suddenly, a loud swishing noise penetrates the stillness of the night air. Across the street from the restaurant is a field full of tall grass, stretching on forever until it reaches a dark mountain range in the distance.
You squint your eyes, and think you see a dark shape moving in the grass. Rubbing your eyes, you look again. The grass is still again. Gulping, you start backing away towards the front door. Or should you stay outside? Arianna doesn't know what your car looks like. She'll think you stood her up.