The Encounter

"Mind if I sit here?"

The voice startled Celia. She looked up from her phone to see a guy around her age. His jet black hair perfectly set on his head, and friendly brown eyes with a warm grin that gave him a relaxed and friendly vibe.

Celia shifted slightly on the bench, making room for this stranger. Her heart skipped a beat as the young man sat. The was another unoccupied bench a few steps to the right, why hadn't he gone for that? He mind was ready to assume the worst. Who was he? What did he want with her? Was she in some sort of danger? 

She wanted to flee but where to? She convinced that if he tried anything, she would scream and hope that the small group of drunks a few meters away would come to her rescue. 

"Not a fan of the whole concert scene either?" 

She promised herself to just play along and find a reason to ditch him, then go back to the concert and join her sister where she knew she would be safer. 

"Um, yeah. My sister dragged me.You?" She figured that since they were already talking, the least she could do was pretend she cared. 

He chuckled softly. "Same. A couple of friends said it would be fun but so far, it's just loud and unsettling."

She smiled, more to herself than him. He understood her. 

"I thought I should step away from all the craziness for a minute, catch my breath and let them have their moment." He went on. 

"Same here, I hardly know any of the songs being performed." 

"And you still agreed to come?" There was a gentle laugh attached to his question.

"Like I said, she practically dragged me here." She told him with a chuckle. "Said it would be a good experience as compared to me staying indoors all the time." 

To Celia's surprise, they fell into an easy conversation, sharing sarcastic banter about the overly overrated concert experience, making fun of the crowds. She found herself relaxing in the stranger's presence. But she was careful not to lower her guard, as far as she was concerned, he was just putting on a show to get her to loosen up and make his attack when she least expected it. 

"I'm Achilles, by the way," he offered his hand to her.

"Achilles like from the Greek mythol-"

"Yes, that's me." She took the hand and shook it. No harm in that.

"Wow! That's a bold name." She told him and they laughed.

"I know, I have no idea what inspired my parents to go for that."

"I'm Celia." She let go of his hand.

"Celia," he repeated, a warm smile on his lips. "That's a beautiful name." 

Her face grew flushed with blush. "Thank you," she managed in a whisper, avoiding his eyes. 

"Are you blushing right now?" He teased, trying to find her eyes.

"Shut up." She cried and they laughed it out. 

"There's a late night dinner not too far out from here, do you mind going to grab a bite?" He asked, a very sweet and innocent smile on his face.

Was this the moment she had feared? Where he got her to lower her guard and then make a move on her when she was unsuspecting?

"Um..." She tried to find her tongue to turn him down gently.

He read her eyes. "I get it. There's no way you're going to some dinner with a stranger in the night."

"I'm sorry." She said softly almost feeling guilty for not taking him up.

"You have nothing to apologize for Celia." He got on his feet as he spoke. "I understand."

He walked away without saying anything else. Leaving Celia wondering what had just happened. Why had he just walked away like that? That was weird, nevertheless, she went back to her phone. 

A couple of minutes later, her phone rang and her sister's name popped up.

"Where the hell are you?" Amelia's voice came through, accompanied by loud background noises of the chanting crowds and the music.

"I'm just outside," Celia replied, almost shouting for her sister to hear. 

"You scared the shit out of me you know. Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry. I just came to get some air, don't worry, I'm fine."

As they spoke, Celia saw a male figure walk towards her. She quickly realized that it was Achilles, carrying two brown bags.

She finished up with her sister just as he was setting the bags on the bench. "You're back." 

"Yeah, I figured if you couldn't go to the dinner, I'd bring the dinner to you." He said wide a wide grin across his face.

She was speechless for a couple of seconds. Trying to understand what kind of person the boy was and why did he go through all that trouble. 

"You really didn't have to." She finally found her voice, looking at him with sparkling eyes.

"What? Are you also going to turn this down Celia?" He teased, unpacking the bags. 

"Of course not." She replied with a childish laugh.

"One caramel milkshake for the lady," he placed it next to her and handed her a straw. "I didn't know what you'd like. I was torn in between caramel and vanilla, my gut told me to go with caramel." He explained and watched her smile.

"One beef burger and curly fries."

She didn't say anything as he unpacked, she just watched in silence, amused by the effort. 

"Thank you Achilles." 

He gave her a slight nod with a glint in his eyes. "Let's eat before they get cold."

So they started eating, with him doing most of the talking and she happily listened. Sharing horrible jokes that had them laughing out loud. The conversation flow was effortless, and Celia found herself easing up to him. 

"This is really really good." Celia admitted, covering her mouth with the back of her hand as she chewed a curly fry. 

He turned to her, eyes wide. "Don't tell me you've never eaten at Pop's."

She shook her head, picking up her milkshake. 

"Why the hell not? It's easily the best spot for burgers and curly fries."

He watched her, and she almost chocked from his intimidating stare. "I told you, I stay indoors ninety nine percent of the time."

"Wow!" He exclaimed, leaning back on the bench. "I didn't know it was that serious." 

"Oh come on, don't judge me." She cried, giving him puppy eyes.

"I promise not to." He raised both his hands, as if to surrender and again, they laughed. 

They continued to chat after they finished the food and drinks, stretching into night. 

"How long do you think that's gonna go on for?" Celia asked looking in the direction of the concert crowd. The chants were still there, thousands singing along. They could feel the ground shake from under their feet whenever the attendees would jump up and down. 

"I wouldn't be surprised if it goes on till dusk. I don't see anything stopping that crowd." He paused and waited for her to turn to him. "Why? Tired of waiting it out already?"

"Honestly yes. I don't know how much longer I can sit out here." She quickly realized what she had said and how it sounded.

"I didn't know my company was that horrible." He teased, staring right into her eyes.

"No, no. That's not what I meant. Your company is great Achilles, I just meant that-" He cut in.

"Relax, I'm just messing with you."

She responded with a nervous chuckle. 

"You could always go back inside." He suggested.

"I'd sooner jump off a cliff." She cried and he laughed. "I think I'll just head home and call it a night."

He was silent for a second, seeming to be in thought. "What about your sister and your friend?"

"What about them? They are big girls, they'll be fine, besides, they are in there having the time of their lives while I'm out here miserable as hell. I'm sure they won't miss me." 

He looked at her thoughtfully. "Let me walk you home Celia. I wouldn't want you to go alone." 

She hesitated for a moment, processing what he had just said. That was generous of him but she wasn't too sure if she should let a stranger walk her home. Another thought crossed her mind, they had spend a couple of hours together and had a good time, shared a meal even, surely he didn't have any ill intentions.

"I really appreciate that Achilles but I'd hate to inconvenience you."

"Nonsense. You wouldn't be, I'll just be here on this bench waiting for my friends."

"Okay," she finally agreed, giving him a tentative smile. "I'd appreciate that Achilles." 

They got up from the bench, and she grabbed her phone and he made quicksteps to a trash can where he disposed the trash from their meal. "Let's go." He urged when he got back. 

They started walking, out of the concert grounds and into the main road where they were surprised to find quite a number of people walking. "Maybe they too got tired of the concert and are going home." Achilles suggested and she gave a nod.