Chapter 1: Date with Naari Noelani

Chestnut Valley was a gateway town between two major cities. It was a very down-to-earth home for those wanting to leave the city life.

Sven Reiner, age twenty-five, was one of those who wanted to escape a busy life of his own. He worked as a graphic designer and even had his own little office. Today, he had finished work and was heading to the public library. But his aim wasn’t for books.

Entering the library, those he passed shot him unnerve. Sven failed socially because of his odd eyes. His peepers were yellow, and his pupils were pale like a star with thin points. A creepy gaze that diverted many relationships. But he did have a strong one with the librarian at the front desk.

“Do you need help finding a book, sir?” the woman asked sweetly.

Sven grinned. “I’ll be fine, dork. How’s your day going, Naari?”

Naari smiled sweetly. “It’s been going okay. A bit dull midday. A Sizable group in the morning.” Naari’s orange eyes sparkled with genuine interest as she leaned forward. “What has your noon been filled with?”

Naari Noelani was a twenty-three-year-old librarian with whom Sven had been friends for five years. She had black glasses, dark olive skin, full lips, white hair in a ponytail, eyes like tangerines, and she always had cleavage no matter what she wore. It was like a curse. Her voice was sultry, but she spoke oddly, like she was constantly reading from a dictionary, which could irritate some.

“Headaches, mostly,” Sven answered.

Naari smiled coyly. “My shift will finish in an hour’s time. We could meet up after if you want. I find a bite to eat and some company splendid escapism.”

Sven stood aside momentarily to let some people ask for help before continuing their conversation. “Are you asking me out?”

Naari’s dark cheeks reddened. “Well.” She cleared her throat. “I suppose you can call it that in a way. Only if it’s alright, of course.”

“I’ll meet you at your favorite café, dork.” Sven walked off, leaving Naari flustered.

The soft streetlight glow gave Sven a welcoming gaze of Naari outside her favorite café. When Sven approached, Naari’s face lit up with a radiant smile, and her heart skipped several beats. Over the past year, the frequency of Naari’s heart bumps at the sight of Sven had increased, and recently she’s been ready to explode.

Naari approached Sven. “I admire the quality of your coat,” she said quickly. “Is it new?”

“I’ve had it for three years,” Sven answered, a brow raised. “I think it was you who bought it for me. Your face has been red a lot. Are you catching a cold?”

Naari nodded. “Mhm. Yes. That’s my predicament. A cold. Let’s go inside.”

The pair sat down and chatted for a bit about their jobs. Sven was sipping some orange juice while Naari slammed three cups of coffee.

“You should slow down with that stuff,” Sven pointed with concern. “You keep crashing hard.”

Naari shook her head. “I love coffee. It is the nectar of the gods.” Naari raised her cup like a chalice.

Sven checked the time. “Don’t blow up my phone when you can’t sleep.”

They finished their drinks and returned to the streets. It had gotten even colder.

“Want to check out the park?” Naari suddenly said, a glimmer in her eye.

“This late? I have to wake up early—” Sven muted when Naari clung to him.

She frowned. “Maybe you’re right. It’s super chilly. Brrr.”

Has she been hitting on me? Sven thought. Can’t be. It’s just cold out. “I suppose I have time.” Sven scratched his cheek.

Naari brought a Styrofoam cup with. “It is decaf, I promise.” She placed a palm above her breast as they walked. “I, uh.” Naari tried to force some words of romance but failed.

They reached Chestnut Valley Park, and a gust nearly froze their bones. Sven found a great spot to view the moon, and Naari fidgeted the whole time. Sven peered down at Naari’s white hair, and saw her lip quivering.

Sven opened his mouth, but before words leaked out, Naari squeaked, turned to Sven, and kissed him with coffee-enriched lips. It was only moments, but it seemed forever. Afterward, she stumbled backward and panicked.

“I am sorry. I did not mean to. I mean, I did. But if you did not like it.” Naari calmed after meeting Sven’s piercing eyes, then closed her own. “I enjoy your presence a lot and wish to show my gratitude as females do to males. I hope you enjoyed the lip contact. If you did not, I will never attempt it again.” Naari opened her eyes again. Sven’s expression was blank.

“You’re spilling your coffee, dork,” Sven pointed.

“Ah!” Her fuzzy coat was drenched with sticky, dark coffee. She wiped it, then began to tear up. “I’m sorry. I’m incompetent. I’m going home then...” Naari turned to escape her situation, but her soft hand was grabbed.

Sven asked sincerely, “Do you want to go on a date this Saturday? A proper date.”

Naari’s heart nearly exploded. She nodded quickly, unable to speak.

“It’s settled then. We’ll make it a double with Lucian and Farara. I imagine you would prefer that?”

Naari nodded again.

“I admire your bravery. I know that was hard for you. I like you, too,” Sven smiled and said cheerily. A proper smile from Sven was rare, and his dull voice being enthusiastic was rarer. “Let’s go. It’s cold.”

Sven walked away, and Naari stayed behind, still nodding. He had to double back and shove Naari to get her going.

The crashing of pins didn’t come from Sven whenever he tossed the ball down the lane. He was a creature that lived in the gutter, and the gutter he stayed.