Two New

She smiles a bit. The curve of her mouth turned upwards. It's a sly smile, slight enough to be barely noticeable. She makes sure not to show any teeth. Just pursed lips trying to appear less so. But what for?

Maybe it was for him. His black eyes and black hair on his pale face. He wasn't smiling back but he seemed at ease and attentive at least. This was a date. This looked like a date. Dates can be awkward, can't they? After all, this was their first time meeting each other. Or so they think.

Some part of her feels a weird familiarity. Like she's seen those swollen black eyes before. But she wasn't sure from where or why. All she felt was this sort of strange comfort in seeing them. Her reflection showed back. Where did they meet anyway and how did they end up here?

The more she tried thinking even about that the stranger things felt. She remembers a cafe. Or was it a grocery store? Standing in line? Maybe it was during a transit meet-cute. Uncertain, very uncertain. But he was handsome enough. And despite his brooding exterior he also seemed kind. Gentle too.

From his perspective, things felt weird too. He does not remember asking her out or agreeing to this. Why were they here? Why aren't they talking? They must've talked beforehand because it's felt like they've been here forever. Wherever "here" is. Surely in that time, they've talked about something. Anything. But he can't seem to remember.

When he looks at her, he also sees black eyes and black hair on a pale face. It wasn't unnerving but she was pretty to him. Was that a smile she was trying to make?

Sometimes, some tricksters come to play. Maybe they play with you, or others. But they always play although not everyone has fun. When the game is being played, no one is aware of any of it. They're not allowed to, because that's part of the game. That's the fun in it. Because things might not work out and you lose. You've lost and it's over; maybe there won't be a next time.

He tells her that he can't remember his name. Nor why they were here. Or when they came in.

It was an empty and nameless coffee shop. No signs, no patrons except them. Just a simple counter and a couple of tables like the one they were at. The place was empty but still had some sort of radio playing some arrangement of jazz tunes.

Time felt blank. Was it weird to feel like you've just woken up in someone else's body? No memory of those hands in front of you? Another stranger looking back at you in the same way too. What did they have to do with this?

Those black eyes and black hair. They were from somewhere. Maybe in the past from a memory you can't quite remember. Dripped down from your brain when the moment feels right. What can you decide to do when that happens to you?

She smiles. He smiles back. Maybe it would ok if they held hands. Those fingers feel nice even if they're new. Time will pass through. Again, and again. But for now, it's just them two.