Beyond The Lines

As Sarah and Emily got swept away by the infectious rhythm of the music,  Shana found herself alone at the table.  She was enjoying the quiet moment,  sipping her margarita,  and watching her friends dance with carefree abandon.

But then,  a shadow fell over her,  interrupting her moment of peace.

She looked up and saw a guy standing at the edge of their table,  a nervous smile on his face.  He was tall and lanky,  with a mop of unruly hair and a pair of glasses perched precariously on his nose.  He looked like he was trying to be cool,  but he was radiating an awkward,  almost desperate energy.

“Hey,”  he said,  his voice a bit too high-pitched and a bit too eager.  “I couldn’t help but notice you sitting here by yourself.  Mind if I join you?”

Shana was taken aback.  She wasn’t looking to meet anyone,  especially not in this situation.  She didn’t want to be rude,  but she also didn’t want to encourage this interaction.

“I’m actually waiting for my friends,”  she said,  trying to be polite but firm.  “They’re just on the dance floor.”

“Oh,  right,”  he said,  his smile fading.  “Well,  I’m Matt.  It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you,  too,”  Shana said,  forcing a smile.  She took a sip of her margarita,  hoping that he’d get the hint and move along.

But Matt didn’t seem to get the hint.  He lingered at the edge of the table,  his gaze fixed on Shana,  as if he were waiting for her to invite him to sit down.

“So,”  Matt said,  clearing his throat.  “What do you do for a living?”

Shana was starting to feel uncomfortable.  She could see her friends making their way back to the table,  and she hoped that they’d arrive soon.

“I’m a marketing manager,”  she said,  trying to keep her voice neutral.  “It’s…  busy.”

“Wow,  that sounds exciting,”  Matt said.  “I’m a graphic designer.  I’m actually working on a new website for a local restaurant.  It’s a big project,  but I’m really excited about it.”

Shana could see her friends approaching,  and she felt a surge of relief.  She was about to say something,  anything,  to distract Matt,  when he leaned in closer,  his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“You know,”  he said,  “I think we’d make a great team.  You’re really beautiful,  and I’m really creative.”

Shana felt a shiver of annoyance.  She couldn’t believe this guy.  He was hitting on her,  and he was doing it in the most awkward and inappropriate way possible.

Just as Shana was about to politely but firmly dismiss Matt’s advances,  he leaned in even closer,  his eyes widening with a mixture of desperation and delusion.

“Look,”  he said,  his voice dropping to a whisper,  “I know this is probably a little forward,  but I really think we have something special.  We’re both creative,  we both have a sense of style,  we’d be perfect together.”

Shana was about to launch into a polite but firm rejection,  but then,  a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Excuse me,”  the voice said,  a bit too loud and a bit too confident.  “I think you’re talking to my friend.”

Shana looked up and saw Shawn,  standing just behind Matt,  his arms crossed,  his expression a mix of amusement and annoyance.

Matt turned around,  his smile faltering.  “I’m just talking to her,”  he said,  his voice defensive.  “We’re just…  chatting.”

“Right,”  Shawn said,  his voice dripping with sarcasm.  “I’m sure you’re having a wonderful conversation.”

Shawn stepped closer,  his gaze fixed on Matt,  his expression turning menacing.  “Look,”  he said,  his voice low and menacing,  “I’m not sure what you think you’re doing,  but you’re making my friend uncomfortable.  And that’s not cool.”

Matt looked at Shana,  then back at Shawn,  his confidence suddenly vanishing.  He realized that he’d made a mistake,  that he’d picked the wrong target.  He cleared his throat,  his eyes wide with fear.

“I’m sorry,”  he mumbled.  “I didn’t mean to bother anyone.  I’ll just…  go.”

He turned and hurried away,  disappearing into the crowd.

Shana couldn’t help but chuckle.  She’d never thought she’d be rescued by Shawn of all people,  the guy who’d been hitting on her at the gym.

Shawn looked at her,  a smirk playing on his lips.  “I hope you’re not going to sue me for assault,”  he said,  his voice teasing.  “I just couldn’t stand to see him hit on you like that.”

“Actually,”  Shana said,  her smile widening,  “I kind of owe you one.”