Page 3 of Love, In Balance

There’s something about being somewhere new that refreshes and rejuvenates my soul. Far away from the pressures of everyday life, with like-minded friends who deeply understand the need to escape. This is the perfect way to end the year and begin a new one.

I call to order my drink at the bar at the same time as a man further down does. We look at each other and laugh briefly before he signals for the bar tender to serve me first.I didn’t realise Gentlemen still existed. Or in fact, just kind people. Chivalry isn’t in fact dead!

After thanking him silently with a nod and smile, I order my drink and pay. He does so after me.

“It might take me a few minutes folks. I’m a little backed up with orders. Please bear with me” the middle-aged bar woman says.

“Please take your time. There’s no rush” I reassure her.

I’ve realised during life that everyone is just trying to get by, so having patience and showing kindness is the least I can do to make someone’s day that bit easier or brighter.

Unless they’re being a shithead. Simple.

The bar is swarming with cheerful older men and women talking loudly to one another and laughing.

It’s overwhelming for my sensitive ears, but I can see how joyful they are, and it helps me through it. Plus, I have my handy loop ear plugs in, so that makes things easier.

I think they’re locals based on their accents, so I focus onthe rhythm of their speech to help my mind concentrate on one thing instead of the cluster of noises and visual distractions.

You see, since the car accident during my childhood, I become easily overwhelmed and off balance due to my head injury. And my senses are… well, sensitive. If I get too overwhelmed or stressed, the vertigo is triggered, and when that happens, it’s kind of game over for my productivity or fun. And let’s face it. My quiz team need me. So prevention is vital for me.

I’m lost in thought, subconsciously eavesdropping on the local’s chatter, when I get plucked out of my head and brought back to the real world.

“Sorry but have we met?”, a deep male voice to my right says. I look up and see it’s the man from down the bar, talking to me.

My heart begins racing. I’ve forgotten how to speak.

“Erm, I’m not sure”.

It’s not every day that a strikingly handsome man sparks up conversation with me, so I’m a little taken by surprise. But it hits me that upon closer inspection, I do feel like I’ve seen him before. Then again, it would be hard not to see him with his short black ruffled hair, dark eyes, and tall stature. His sharp jaw line, stubble and defined cheek bones make him impossibly handsome, but not too clean cut and model like. Still a hint of rugged, geekiness(Is that a word? Yes. It is. I googled it)

“Actually, I do feel like I’ve seen you somewhere. I’m not from around here though” I say, for some reason, disappointed.

“Oh, neither am I. I’m Just here for New Year’s Eve with some mates” he says. His voice is smooth, deep and elegant. I’m intrigued. I’m also pleased to know he’salsonot local.

Maybe wehavebumped into each other before.

“Ha snap!” I say as I point over to the group of hyped-up men, who appear to be very passionately discussing somethingI can’t make out from here. I do love them.Before either of us could say anything, my very considerate quiz team, which we collectively decided to call ‘Five mountains’ (as always) demand me to return to the table.Five mountainsis our friends group name.Longstory. I came along post name discovery, so, not my doing.

“Lista! Come back over. The quiz is about to start back up”. I signal to them that I’m still waiting for my drink, which brings a collective sigh to my entire table.

They take pub quizzes very seriously. Being academics takes its toll on us, I think. A loud voice comes through the speakers, and I jump a little.

“This next round is a little trickier folks so get your thinking caps on” the quiz master announces.

I get multiple sets of glares from the table of impatient men I call my friends. I mime that I’ll be there as soon as possible, with a hint of aggression to my face and body language.If you’d actually remembered my drink I wouldn’t be up here now, would I?

“Question one. Who was the first woman to earn a degree in MIT’s electrical engineering department in 1918, who also invented the graphical calculator?”.

Before I even have time to process what is happening, myself and the man I’ve had minimal conversation with both shout out the answer simultaneously “Edith Clarke”.

“Correct”.

Yeah, no shit. We both look at each other with raised eyebrows, until the next question comes along.

“Question two, what “D” word refers to the weight per unit volume of any given substance? Back to the futures film character George McFly tells Lorraine that she is his…”.Another easy one.

“Density” We both shout out again.

---