First Date, First Love

Patricia was glad to be home. It had been a long day at the library and she was exhausted. She threw her purse on the floor as she unlocked her apartment to let herself inside. She pushed it to beside the door with a tentacle before throwing herself on her old couch. It was actually pretty uncomfortable and she needed a new one but couldn't afford it. Sighing she reached back to pick up her home phone and dialed her parent's number. She held the device to her head as she got up to go to her tiny kitchen.
"Hello?" Patty's younger sister answered. Maddie was in her last year of law school and wanted to move on to work as a paralegal in their parent's law firm. Patricia was never interested in law. She just couldn't find herself facing the everyday stress. Books and literature had always been her source of joy and she loved the way you could get lost in a really good one. However most of the ones she put her nose in were sappy romances.
"Hey. It's me." Pat sighed as she poured herself a glass of sweet tea.
"Funny you called. Mama was just talking about you." Maddie sighed. Patricia loved her mother but she had changed since her grandmother had passed. Her mother had been crushed by grief and desended into depression. Now she saw a psychologist every week and took antidepressants. Last month Patricia had gotten into a fight with her mother and has stayed away from the house since then but she called everyday. She felt guilty but she just couldn't stand her mother anymore than five minutes.
"What was she saying?" Patty sighed.
"That she misses you. She said she wished you would go back to law school and get a better job and give up on your writer thing." Maddie also sighed. Maddie knew her mother had problems but she wished Patricia wasn't as stubborn as her. They were so much alike. Pat groaned, this was the usual for her mom to talk about.
"She said that she wishes you wouldn't be so picky with your men either. She's worried you will never get married or give her some grand kids before she's on her death bed." Maddie continued.
"I'm not picky. I have standards and I'm just not interested in having kids right now." Pat said a little peeved.
"I know. I know. I think it's just my engagement that has her like that." Maddie tried to change the subject. Maddie was to marry in November to Daniel, a guy she met in one of her classes.
"She wants to talk to you..." Maddie whispered.
"Fine."
Patricia listened to the phone be handed to her mom and waited for her to start talking.
"Hello, sweetie."
"Hi, Mom. How are you?"
"I'm good, dear. Listen I need a favor from you. I know your off on Saturdays and both your father and I have to be in court that day. Our reception computer has broken so we have someone coming to the office to fix it but Maddie can't be there because of her classes. Could you please just stay there to let him in? You can just leave when he's done." Her mother explained. Patricia felt it was at least a good way to reconcile with her mother and she didn't have anything else better to do that day.
"I'll be glad to help. What time will he be there?" She asked.
"I actually don't know. Maybe close to noon time." Her mother sighed. "Thank you for your help, sweetie."
"Anytime."

Patricia sighed as she pulled up to her parents' law firm building. It was slightly small and could go unnoticed save the small sign hanging from the front. She knew where they kept the keys and dug into a fuax plant made of plastic and rough silk. Pulling out a bronze key she quickly opened the door and stepped inside. She left the little sign in the glass door to announce that it was not open but pulled up the shades for the computer guy to at least let him know someone was there to meet him. It was ten o' clock now and there was no telling when this guy would be here. Patty sighed as she sat down in the reception desk and pulled a book from her purse. "Bet Me" was the title and it was a very popular romance novel. She had bought it on her way home yesterday. Settling comfortably into her chair she began to lose herself in the novel and the hours flew by so quickly. The ringer above the door announced a guest, telling her it was time to put the book away for now. As she set it on the desk she found herself stunned and suddenly with a foggy mind. His scaly skin was black and his eyes were green. He was also quite tall with large wings folded to his back.Two large scars were on the right side of his face, one on his lip and the other on his cheek and one large scar on his right arm. Patricia knew it was not polite to stare but he had such a pretty face even with the scars. He cleared his throat making Patty jump from her chair.
"Ah! Sorry! Your here for the computer!" She stammered as she moved out of the way for him. Her tentacles curled in embarrassment. She must have offended him by staring at his scars but she couldn't find a way to apoligize that didn't make her sound like a creep. Patricia let him sit down in front of the computer and watched him start to open it up. She was staring at him again. He must have felt it because he glanced at her. She quickly turned around and zipped to the back room. She needed to collect herself.
"Oh my god! What is wrong with me?!" She sighed as she plopped on a stack of copy paper boxes. She rubbed her forehead as she tried to relax a little. There was a small fridge in the corner and Patricia knew it was normally stocked with water. She grabbed two and cracked open the door. He was still sitting there but had taken several pieces out beside him. Gathering courage she sat a bottle down.
"Just in case you feel thristy..." she said. He looked up at her for a minute then his eyes widened before he smacked the table scaring a small sqeaul out of the octomaid.
"I finally know where I've seen you before!" he sounded proud of himself. Patricia was very confused. He frowned.
"I'm sorry. I've been trying to think where I've seen that face before. You work at the library."
Patricia relaxed and nodded.
"I do. I'm actually off today." She said. He nodded then quickly put out a hand.
"Oh, pardon me. My name is James Werii." Patricia lightly shook his hand. It gave her a strange feeling until he let go and she hoped it didn't show on her face.
"Patricia Wells."
"So what is a librarian doing in a small law firm office?" James asked as he continued to pick at the computer. Patricia pulled up a chair but gave him space.
"My parents own it. They both had court while the receptionist is sick. They asked me to let you in."
"Hm. It's good that you did. I was told it was over heating. Looks like the fan motor has a short in it. Could have gotten worse if they kept using it." James stated as he removed said fan. He got into his duffle bag to pull a new one from a box. Patricia watched as he started to put it in.
"So is computer repairs the only thing you do?" She found her odd shyness fading. Now that he had started talking she could relax.
"No. I have another job and this is just something on the side. A hobby that pays for itself." he chuckled. Pat grinned then watched the outside through the windows until she noticed James was closing the computer back up.
"That should do it." He brushed his hands together. Patricia handed him an envelope of money she had been told to give him.
"Thank you very much, James. Maybe next time I'll see you at the library." She smiled. James went blank for a moment before snapping back to attention.
"Ah. Right. Right. Yes, library." he muttered before taking it. Pat waved him out and soon after headed home.

James felt like just turning around and going home as he stared at the glass doors of the library. For the bench he sat on he could see inside. He had so many thoughts going on in his head and none of them were positive. He sighed. At least he had tried. She would be back tomorrow he was sure. James started get up from the bench but paused when he saw a movement of hot pink and bright orange inside. Now he didn't even know what he was doing as he finally slipped inside. He saw it again and watched her place books on shelves and striaghten those placed on top. James mustered up his courage and stood in front of her while she placed books on the shelf between them. She was so concentrated on the task she didn't hear him clear his throat. James frowned. This was not going well.
"Patricia." He said low. This was a library. She jumped up dropping her books.
"J-james?! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you!" She stammered as she picked up the fallen books and set them on top of the shelf. James smiled a little. He thought Patricia was very pretty. He liked the bright color of her skin and her large expressive eyes.
"I know. You really like it here I see." He said. Patricia twirled a limp tentacle on her head with a finger, nodding and darting her eyes. A woman called her name waving her down.
"Here you are, Patty! I wanted to-... Who is this?" The woman asked.
"Casandra this is James. James, Casandra." James waved weakly. Casandra looked at them both.
"I was going to ask if you would do one more thing for me but you know what? I got it. In fact I'll let you leave a little early and take care of these for you." She grinned as she took the cart away with her before Patty could protest. James tried not laugh as Pat pouted with her hands on her hips at Casandra.
"So you were leaving soon?" He asked.
"Yes. I only work until 2 usually." She sighed. James glanced arounded and fidgeted with his fingers. Pat leaned on the shelf.
"So...um...can I help you with something?" She asked. His face turned a little red as he nodded. Patricia smiled and waited for him to ask.
"Actually I don't really need help. I was just wondering if...you like Italian?"
"I love Italian! But why do you ask?" Pat grinned excitedly. James cleared his throat.
"Would you like to get some with me? I know a very good place. It's nothing fancy so we...can just go now." He said to the best of his ability. Patricia turned red again and nodded before stammering.
"I'll g-go get my p-purse."

It wasn't but fifteen minutes later before the two were already sitting inside a moderately sized resturant with a table for two.
"What can I get you to drink?" A smiling waitress asked the pair.
"Water and no lemons, please. I have allergies." Pat smiled back and glanced at James before frowning. The waitress took James drink order before leaving them to choose what to eat.
"Pardon my asking but how severe is your lemon allergy?" James asked quitely already able to tell it was something she wasn't fond of sharing.
"Mild. My face and tongue swell up if I eat it and if it gets on my skin I usually get hives. But it's not just lemons. It's any citrus fruit." She sighed.
"I see. Were you born with it?"
"No. I was probably eight when I had a glass of lemonade one day like I had done before and my tongue blocked my trachea. My sister isn't allergic though."
"Oh. You have a sister?" James smiled taking a chance to switch to a more comfortable subject.
"Younger by a few days. I hatched almost a week early. So we could have been twins but I was premature." Patricia started smiling again.
"I have fifteen other siblings. I actually have a twin brother."James chuckled. She blinked wide eyed.
"How ever did your parents manage..." Patricia mumbled.
"Please excuse me for a few minutes. I'll be right back." Patty's smiled faded but she nodded. James quickly said a thank you before heading back toward the kitchen. He got a waiter to fetch someone in kitchen for him. Soon he was met by his identical twin who came out with a snarky grin.
"Alright let's see if you've been pulling my leg or not. Seeing is believing." Mario laughed at his brothers agitated frown. His brother was very much the jokester and enjoyed picking on James more than anyone. But it was all in fun.
"Patricia is very real." James said as he quickly pointed to the octomaid sitting alone. Mario peeked around the corner and smiled.
"She's awfully pretty. Oh, you better get back out there. She's devouring those rolls." Mario chuckled. James quickly took a look at her. He watched as she hunched over and stuffed a roll into her mouth before grabbing another. James quickly went to rejoin her and Mario grinned shaking his head while going back to the kitchen.

Pat nearly choked on her garlic roll when she saw James coming back. She quickly swallowed and wiped her mouth before he got to the table.
"I'm sorry for that. Have you picked something to eat yet?" James asked sitting down. Patty shook her head. She couldn't believe how she had just pigged out on bread like that. Eating out of stress was one of her worst habits.
"Um...what's good?" She mumbled. James silently pointed to a picture of manicotti. Pat mumbled a thank you and felt like hiding under the table. She heard James sigh tiredly. Patricia bit her lip and felt her tentacles twitch and curl. The waitress was back again with a grin as she took their orders. Pat brushed a tentacle that had slipped onto her face away and James was almost staring at her. Finally he opened his mouth.
"So how is your parents' computer working now?" He asked.
"They said like new." James smiled and nodded. She giggled and he was happy to see it.
"So what do you do besides computer repair?" Patty asked.
"I work for Facebook but I do it from home. And what about you?" James smiled. Pat turned red.
"I'm a struggling writer."
"Oh. Do you have anything published?" He sounded very intetested. Pat nodded.
"It's not doing very good. The only people who seem to buying a copy are long time singles or lonely housewives." She sighed.
"I see. So I'm guessing you write romances?" James said. She nodded again.
"Hm. That seems quite nice. Are you going to make another book?"
"I'm trying but I'm very stuck. My editor wants a much better novel by the end of Feburary. I just started this new one but its not turning out to what she wants." Patricia sighed. Suddenly the waitress placed the food on the table and they became silent as they ate. They also decided to have dessert before getting the bill. Patricia started rooting around in her purse to pay her half.
"Don't." James said taking the receipt.
"But, James! I can pay!" She protested.
"Please. I asked you to this lunch so I will pay for you." That made her quiet but she didn't seem to like it to much.

James walked with Patricia back to her small car. He insisted on helping her inside. He watched her start her car then roll the window down.
"Thank you very much for lunch. I appreciate it." She said.
"Your welcome. I was very happy to get to know you more." Pat blushed.
"Listen, James. Right now I'm going through a lot in my family. My grandmother died recently and its effecting my mother's mental health. My sister is getting married next month too." The octomaid took a deep sigh. "I do like you, James. I never really thought I could meet someone like you but I would just really like to take things slow until I can even the bumps in my road." She looked at him apologetically. James gave her a sweet smile which eased her worries.
"I am perfectly okay with that. However next time I come to the library it will be your turn to pick lunch." He leaned on her car and chuckled. Patricia handed him a slip of paper with both of her numbers.
"Sure. Sure. I think I already know a good one. You can call whenever you want." She rolled her eyes but laughed.
"I'll probably call you soon. I hope things get better for you." He said as she pulled out and waved goodbye. Patricia felt so strange. It was a good kind of strange. She felt so happy but there was also nervousness. Would this really work out. She actually really wanted it to. Suddenly she had the urge to get to her lap top at home. Immediately upon getting home she changed to "work clothes" and quickly got to writing.