I blushed as I took his hand. "It's a.. pleasure to meet you." I said rather lamely. I saw my sister give me the stink eye and glowered at her before turning my attention back to Alexander.
"You too." He said kindly.
"Wow. You too are really awkward." Peggy, my adoptive sister giggled.
"Shut it!" I snarled, she jumped a foot away before coming back.
She looked at Alex. "Alex, this is John. He had a huge crush on you. John, this is Alex. And guess what? He also has a huge crush on you! Shocking amiright?"
"You're so obnoxious Peggy." I said, as the red in my cheeks burned holes in my cheeks from the heat.
Alex chuckled awkwardly. "Uh... so, John. What do you do in your free time?" He asked, crossing his arms in front of his blue and white camouflage T-shirt.
"I-" I shrugged, unable to think of anything.
"He draws. Or spends times with his turtle." Peggy interfered, sensing my social anxiety as it took over.
"What about you?" I managed to murmur.
Alex grinned at me. "I read and write a lot. Like, a lot a lot."
"Oh..." I trailed off, not able to say much.
Peggy stepped in yet again. "John has dyslexia, and doesn't really read or write. But he swims a lot. Do you do any sports?"
"I definitely don't swim, I- I have a fear of the water." Alex said, his voice got slightly lest bold and courageous and more small, like a weakling. "I used to play ultimate frisbee until my adoptive parents adopted my brother Laf and he told me that frisbee is lame-y."
"What's Laf like?" Peggy questioned, obviously curious.
"A poofy haired, flamingly gay goddess." Alex explained, a smile on his face. "Why? Looking for a man?"
"Me? Ah... no no no Alex. More like both my sisters are single." Peggy giggled.
Alex chuckled yet again. "Anyway, do you do any other things John?"
"No." I replied simply. "Not much."
"That's not true John. That's a lie. That's a lie. He does a lot. He's a pretty good singer, he plays football during the season and he is the best at giving gifts. He loves dogs, but not small happy ones. More like the large mutts, the terriers. The labs." Peggy elaborated, and continued to talk about me against my will.
"I don't mind small yappy dogs. I just prefer-"
"He likes turtles better than anything though, he has one turtle named Kendall, and his old one Yolanda died three months ago. It was sad, but he's over it." Peggy blabbed on and on.
"Peggy." I said warning ly, my face grew hot as she continued to brag about me. It was nice, she was trying to help me get a date, but I wish she could just step off for a moment. "Pegs." I attempted to stop her.
She waved a hand dismissively. "He's also really kind, and a great listener."
"Unlike you." I whispered to myself.
"And he had a great sense of humor, though some of it is based off making fun of others. Not the nicest but about him, but kinda funny anyways." Peggy giggled.
Finally I snapped. "Peggy stop!" I said loudly.
She turned to look me in the eye, she was oblivious to the fact that I was upset, and raised an eyebrow. "Stop what?"
"I can speak for myself thank you very much."
"Oh.. right, I just got swept up in the moment. Caught up in how amazing you are." Pegs blushed and quickly walked away.
I turned to Alex and smiled. "So.. you pretty much know everything there is to know about me now. Any chance I can still get a date?" My hopes were soaring high, and I crossed my fingers behind my back.
Alex frowned and every bit of happiness inside of me crashed. "That depends..." He sighed, I tried to keep myself from shaking. "Will she come on our date or...?" His frown turned upside down and his grin was sweet and kind.
"Alex! You really had me for a loop." I said, jokingly angry.
"I'm not sorry, that was an amazing joke." Alex looked up at me, I was a little less than a head taller than him and I could definitely use it to my advantage.
"Well.. jokes like that are acceptable around me: you heard Peggy." I giggled.
"TBH, I zoned out for most of it. Got lost in looking at you." Alex flirted, he traces. Finger up my broad chest and smiled at me. He had a scruffy beard and deep brown eyes that made me feel comfortable with him instantly. I smiled back at him, for once, not paralyzed by social anxiety. "Dammit you. I'm never going to be able to focus on anything until our date."
"Why don't we make it tomorrow night then? Dinner?" I said boldly. I felt very brave around him, and I liked it.
"I have classes tomorrow, it's gonna be a-" he licked his lips seductively and whispered. "Hard and long day." He then winked at me.
"Well.. we could meet for coffee in the morning." I suggested, not catching his very flirtatious smile.
"That's too far." Alex but his lower lip and widened his eyes at me.
I shrugged. "It's the soonest I can do:"
"Alright alright. Fine fine. I guess, I guess that can do." Alex gave in, but still left his smoldering smirk on his face for me to get utterly lost in. It melted my insides.
"You know you're cute right?" I stuttered, I wasn't quite brace enough to say that without the sweats and the stuttering, but it wasn't too bad, mediocre.
Alex looked somewhat surprised. "I had heard it before, but it's nice to hear from somebody as good looking as you John."
I blushed a light shade of pink when he said that, feeling the need to kiss him softly. Even the cheek would do, I just needed to touch him. I placed a hand on his shoulder and let it slip down to the small joint vehind his neck. "Tha- thank you Al." I murmured. I pulled him a little closer so that he could feel my breath on his face as I spoke. "That means a lot." I gathered all my courage and leaned down a little. I connected my lips with his and held for a mere thirty seconds before pulling away and standing upright.
Alex smirked up at me. "Like what you see huh?"
"I thought a kiss might wipe that smirk off your pretty little face. Guess it won't." I shrugged and turned around.
"Where're you going?" Alex seemingly panicked and grabbed my shoulder, turning me back around.
"So.. at least that did." Now, I was the one smirking. He stared at me, his mouth open at me, gaping. "Shut your mouth Alex. We are not a codfish."