Just Like Magic

By: Lara

Stephanie nervously paced in front of the movie theater, checking her watch every fifteen minutes. She couldn’t believe she had actually done this, actually agreed to go on a blind date. And not just any blind date…a blind date set up by a COMPUTER. She hadn’t even talked to the person. They were both so busy that they kept exchanging voicemails and e-mails. His name was James, and he was in the music industry…some sort of management. They had decided to meet at the theater and see “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Not exactly Stef’s first choice, but at least she knew she wouldn’t be embarrassed by any kind of sex or violence.

It was five minutes before the movie was supposed to start, and Stef was this close to crying. He wasn’t going to show. He had set her up. How embarrassing. How annoying. How frustrating. She turned around and squared her shoulders, heading for the box office. She had come here to see a movie, and she was going to see a movie.

She bought her ticket and settled into her seat, munching on nachos with cheese. She would never have ordered them on the date; it didn’t make you look very good if you had cheese breath. But he hadn’t shown. To hell with him. Stef sighed and waited for the previews.

Someone sat down two seats away. From what she could see in the dim light, he was handsome. Blond hair, short and spiked. A nice sweater and jeans. He looked vaguely familiar. Stef took a nervous slurp of her soda, wondering if James would have been this good looking. The man turned and caught her looking. She blushed. “Is this seat taken?” He asked. She shook her head.

“No. I’m…I’m here alone.”

“Really? Me too. I was supposed to meet someone…but they didn’t show,” the man said.

“Me too,” she said softly. His eyes widened.

“I find that hard to believe.” Stef blushed and smiled shyly. “Popcorn?” The man offered his small bucket to her, and even the word “popcorn” sounded sexy in his low voice.

“You don’t sound like you’re from around here,” she said finally. He smiled.

“I’m not. Just in town on business. I come here a lot. I needed a break…so I thought I’d see a movie.” He nodded to the screen. “Have you read the books?”

“Not yet. But the effects are supposed to be good,” she said. He nodded.

“Would you mind if I moved over? I feel weird talking to you across an empty seat.” Stef giggled and nodded, and the man moved over. Before she could say anything else, however, the previews started. He waved the popcorn at her again and she silently took some. As he leaned toward her, Stef could smell his cologne and she sighed, suddenly glad James hadn’t shown up. There was no way in hell he would have been this sexy, handsome or nice.

She enjoyed the movie. It was long, but funny, and it seemed like the man next to her enjoyed it as well. For more reasons than one, she was very sorry to see it end. The lights came up and he stood and stretched. “Did you notice that Harry Potter didn’t really do magic in this? Everyone else did, but his was minimal,” he pointed out. She thought for a moment.

“No, I didn’t realize that. You’re right.”

“Um…do you need to go right away?” He asked suddenly. He seemed nervous. “I…I was wondering if you’d want to get dinner? I was late getting here and I never got to eat.”

“I’d like that,” she said softly, and he smiled. He held her coat out for her to slip into, and he carried her empty containers to the trash for her.

“Where to?” He asked. “There’s a really cute deli down the street…”

“I know it,” Stef interrupted. “It’s one of my favorites.”

He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm as they walked. “Do you believe in magic?” He asked. She shrugged.

“Not like wizards and things…but I believe things can seem magical.”

“Nice way of putting it,” he said. He stopped walking. “I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Lance, and I’m really glad your date and mine didn’t show.”

“Me too. I’m Stephanie.”

Lance’s face turned pale. “Did you say Stephanie?”

“Yes. Stephanie…well…Stef. Why?”

“And you work doing public relations for Parkview Hospital, right?”

It was Stef’s turn to freeze. “How did you know that?”

“Oh, GOD.” Lance groaned and smacked himself in the forehead. “I am SO sorry. I got caught up at the studio and next thing I knew it was late and…” She stared at him in confusion. “Stef, I’M James. The dumbass you thought stood you up.”

“You?” Stef gasped. Lance pulled out his driver’s license.

“See? James Lance Bass. James is my given name. I go by Lance.”

“No wonder you looked familiar,” she whispered. “Why the hell does a member of NSYNC need to go on a computer date?”

“Would you have acted the same if you had known who I was?” He asked gently, and she had to shake her head. “Will you still have dinner with me?” Lance asked softly, and she nodded, smiling. He took her hand again and they started to walk. Stef thought that maybe magical things DID happen.

The End

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