Hannah McCoy
My first day in Brindleton Bay I visited the dog park near my house in Sable Square with Buttercup. There were a lot of people gathered by the chess table watching a game. I had no idea so many people were into chess! But I figured, new town, new people. I better join in.
I wandered over and introduced myself. As a cheerful and outgoing person, I have never had trouble making conversation with perfect strangers.
“Hi, I’m Hannah!” I waved excitedly to everyone.
A kind looking man around my age with sandy blonde hair was playing chess. He put his piece down and looked at me and smiled.
“It’s nice to meet you Hannah. I’m Travis.”
I smiled back at him and we started casually talking. He didn’t live in Brindleton Bay. It turns out he and his friends had recently moved into a home in Foundry Cove, a more modest neighborhood in Willow Creek. I never spent much time there, as my parents did their best to keep me amongst high society and away from the “wrong side of the tracks” – their words, not mine. But Brent and I would sometimes sneak out of our homes after our parents were asleep, and go to the old Foundry Cove railroad behind his house. I can’t remember anymore everything we did there but sometimes, Brent would bring a tent and the two of us would camp out, and lie in the tent for hours, giggling about our crushes on the exact same boys. It became a bit of a running joke between us because almost every boy I liked, ended up being completely into Brent instead.
I asked Travis if he lived near the old railroad. He laughed.
“You really didn’t spend much time in Foundry Cove, did you?” he laughed, shaking his head. “I don’t think there’s a single house that isn’t near that railroad. I don’t even need an alarm clock to wake me up in the morning because that train is always whistling at 5 AM.” He paused. “I like it though. Keeps me spritely,” he said with a playful smile.
I scrunched my face as I embarrassingly admitted, “My parents weren’t really the adventurous type. They were far more interested in going to as many charity benefits and black and white parties as they could muster.”
He playfully smiled at me. “If you ever find yourself back in Willow Creek, I’d love to show you around the cove sometime.”
I was just about to respond — when I saw him.
The man of my dreams. He had brown tight curly hair and wore silver glasses that framed his brown eyes beautifully. He had light brown skin with just enough stubble around his face to make a woman swoon. He looked super fit but didn’t flaunt it. He wore an unzipped red hoodie, with slacks, and casual black loafers; the perfect combination of polished and relaxed. I felt an overwhelming attraction to him and I knew I had to meet him.
“It was nice to meet you Travis,” I said, as I walked off to introduce myself to this handsome stranger. My blonde hair bobbed beside my cheeks as I nearly tripped rushing to introduce myself.
“Hi, I’m Hannah.”
“Justin,” he said, as he shook my hand.
I played it casual and cool as I held his hand in mine. But in my body, my heart was beating out of my chest.
I took a deep breath in as I asked, “Justin. Do you live around here?”
He smiled coyly at me. “I do,” he said. “I live on the far side of Cavalier Cove, just by the ocean.”
My lips parted, ready to respond when his phone chimed. He looked at the message and looked at me.
“I’m so sorry, Hannah. I have to run, but maybe if you give me your number, I can call you sometime?”
My cheeks were burning, I was so flushed with excitement. “Yes! Absolutely!” I exclaimed trying to hold back my glee. I gave him my number and as his masculine fingers jotted it into his phone, I was practically trembling I was so nervous.
“I’ll call you, Hannah,” he said, with a nod and a crooked smile forming across his lips. His voice had a low rumble to it that made him even more irresistible.
“Bye,” I gulped as I smiled and waved.
I looked at my watch when I realized the time. It was almost 5pm and I needed to get home for dinner. Buttercup was already bored to tears at the park and sleeping in the grass, right next to Travis and the chess table. She’s a bit of a couch potato but I love her to bits.
I walked over to scoop her up and smiled at Travis.
“I’m sorry. I’d love to stay and chat more but I have an early morning tomorrow. It’s not a fancy job but I just started working part time as a shelf stocker at a retail shop and I want to make sure I make my best impression.”
He smiled, “I’m sure that won’t be a problem for you.” As I smiled back and turned to walk away, he gently put his hand on my arm.
“Hannah! It was wonderful talking to you. If you ever find yourself in Willow Creek, I’d love to show you around Foundry Cove sometime!” He handed me his business card.
“It was so nice meeting you, Travis.” I smiled and headed home with Buttercup fast asleep in my arms.
