Hey everyone this is the next chapter of my story! I hope you enjoy it and let me know your thoughts! :)
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June 19th, 2017

It was finally here.

For the past 48 hours, Dylan had been anxiously waiting to meet up with his Tinder date, Julia McCarthy.

"...I mean, what if I slop my food?"

"You're such a worry wort, Dill," Sam said, watching him pace through the phone screen on Facetime.

"Agh, I'm sorry," Dylan sat down, "I haven't been acting like myself lately."

"I know, ever since your reaction video.."

Oh yeah, Samantha and Kevin found out Dylan had a youtube channel and have been watching his videos ever since.

He almost forgot about that detail, "That's right..," he held up two shirts, "which one?"

"Black."

He nodded and set the other one down.

"Dylan, if you really want this to work out, you need to open up and get out of your head."

He stared at himself in the reflection on the wall, parting his hair, "How do I do that?"

"Just..be yourself?"

Dylan sighed and grabbed a container of hair gel and squirted some in his hair.

"I know that sounds corny but it's true. How do you think I got my job at McDonalds? I didn't let anybody push me around. Stop pushing yourself around."

Dylan left a room for a moment to change as Sam grabbed her cup of coffee and slurped some.

After a few moments, the young man stepped out of his room and appeared wearing the black turtle neck, his key necklace laying on top of it, along with his regular jeans.

Dylan looked up at his phone, opening his arms out, "How does it look?"

Samantha smiled, "You look great, Dylan. Now, show some teeth and wow that girl."

He let out a breath, "Thanks, Sam."

"Get out there, big guy."

He waved to his friend and logged out of FaceTime and shoved the phone into his pocket.

Here we go.

...

Dylan took the keys out of the ignition of his car, opening the door simultaneously. The air had a slight chill to it, but he didn't mind. 

His eyes focused on the lit up building across the way.

Nora's Italian Cuisine.

He began walking towards the entrance, locking the car while he was at it. He could smell the food from outside, that little bit of Italy filled his nose.

The man casually strides through the door of the restaurant, catching the candle lighting around the room. It felt like out of a storybook.

Dylan made his way to the waiter, holding up two fingers, "Table for two, please."

The worker smiled and led him to a table by the window, a nice sight for the occasion.

He thanked the waiter and sat down into a seat next to him.

His phone began to chime and he looked to see the time; 7:00pm.

It was almost time.

Don't ruin this.

Stay calm.

Suddenly, the clacking of heels came closer in volume towards his table.

Dylan looked up and saw a stunning woman, wearing a light pink dress, lacing elegantly at the top, her hair braided out of her face, heading in his direction. Her face looked familiar.

He smiled, standing up to greet her, "You must be Julia."

She smiled back, "Yes it is. And you are Dylan?"

"Yes I am," he held his hand out to her, "It's great to meet you in person."

She took it, "It really is."

He rounded the table, pulling her chair out, "Would you like to sit?"

"Yes, thank you."

Julia sat down and he pushed her chair in, sitting back into his own.

They ordered their meals and drinks right away.

She ordered a salad and a glass of lemon water.

He ordered the parmesan chicken and a glass of coke.

Dylan watched her pick at her salad.

He needed to start up a conversation.

"So, did you grow up in the area?"

"No, I actually lived in Maine."

"Oh really? Why did you move here?"

"Business. I was helping with a new establishment in the area and investing goods into it," she took a sip of her drink, "How about you?"

"Oh, I grew up in Wisconsin."

She stared at him for a moment and looked away, "Ah, I see.."

Dylan felt sweat forming.

He was losing her.

His lips blurted out, "Tell me about yourself!"

Julia glanced at him as he continued, "What do you like to do for fun? Do you have any plans for the future? Hobbies?"

She looked out at the night sky, "I never really have time for fun. I plan on building an empire of my name, so to speak," she pulled a strand of hair under her ear, "I'm a designer for my clothing line if that counts as a hobby. I keep a balanced living with exercising and healthy dieting. My work is what I surround myself with."

Dylan just blankly stared at her.

She was very pristine.

She had her mind made up for her living.

It sounded like the total opposite of his...

Julia took a bite of her salad, then patted her face with a napkin, "How about you, Dylan?"

He fumbled, "Uh, I well..."

He couldn't bluff.

He had to be honest.

"...I work part time at McDonalds."

The girl in front of him froze, "...Oh?"

"Yeah, and I spend time occasionally reading books."

"Books are nice," she took a sip of her drink, "So you said your work part time at..McDonalds, are you apart of any other establishment?"

Dylan shrugged tensely, "...Sort of. You can say that I'm apart of this company in a way."

She sat there waiting, drinking her water.

"I make commentary videos on Youtube."

Julia choked.

Dylan gulped.

She set her glass down and grabbed her napkin, "..Youtube?"

"Uh yes, I get paid a little bit each video and it's actually a fun part of my routine."

Julia sighed, setting her napkin down slowly. She looked at her date in the eye, "You want to know something, Dylan?"

"...yes?"

"A job shouldn't be something that gives you joy. If you don't have a serious point of view of your career, you can never have a stable lifestyle. It doesn't work like that. It always has been that way."

Dylan kept his mouth shut.

Julia pulled out her purse, "Oh, look at the time. It's already 8:15. I must be off."

"I'll walk you out."

...

"This was a lovely evening," Julia said standing outside by the Uber that pulled up.

"It was. Great seeing you tonight, Julia."

He opened the door to the Uber.

"You too."

"Hope to see you again soon."

The girl avoided his eyes, "Have a good night, Dylan."

She shut the door and the vehicle sped out onto the road.

He wasn't going to see her again, was he?

Dylan felt raindrops on top of his head.

It grew harder.

And harder.

But he didn't care.

He didn't care anymore.