We Go Both Ways

Alex

Alex exuded an air of confidence. He used his sharp wit and sarcastic demeanor as armor against uncertainties. He had long resigned himself to the practicalities of life, dismissing the notion of love altogether.

Yet, one day, worn down by his friend’s persistent matchmaking attempts, Alex begrudgingly agreed to a blind date.

Alex felt no urgency to arrive on time; he lingered at home, not bothering to leave until the agreed-upon meeting time. He saw little value in trying to impress someone he likely wouldn’t see again. If anything, he entertained the idea that she might grow impatient and leave. If he was that fortunate, he would think of an excuse to tell his friend later.

Alex was disappointed when he finally entered the restaurant and saw Megan smiling and waving him down. There was no impatience in her demeanor, catching him off guard.

Alex greeted Megan with a polite nod and a smile, then sat across from her.

He continued to think about how blind dates are terrible and how irritated he was at his friend for talking him into this—more like forcing him into it, as he saw it.

As Megan shared her dreams and her faith in humanity’s goodness, Alex kept a guarded expression. Despite Megan’s idealism, marked by her radiant smile and belief in the world’s wonders, she spoke openly about her feelings and the beauty she found in every moment, all to Alex’s dismay. He couldn’t help but perceive her optimism as naive and her perspective on love as unrealistic.

“You believe all that?” Alex interjected, skepticism lacing his words.

Megan’s smile remained undiminished. “Absolutely. Everyone has the capacity for kindness; we just need to look for it.”

Raising an eyebrow, Alex remained unconvinced. “You make it sound so easy. But life isn’t a fairy tale, you know.”

As the date unfolded, Alex found himself growing increasingly impatient. He had little tolerance for what he perceived as wasted time, whether his own or someone else’s.

“Maybe we should just pay and head our separate ways; this obviously isn’t going to work out,” Alex said, starting to lift his hand to signal for the check when Megan gently stopped him by lowering his hand with hers.

“Why do you think it won’t work out?” Megan asked.

“I’ve seen too much disappointment and betrayal. Love isn’t what people make it out to be. It is messy, complicated, and rarely ends well.” Alex said.

Megan’s eyes met his. “But isn’t that all the more reason to keep believing? To keep searching for something real, something meaningful?”

“It’s not that simple, Megan. Life isn’t a fairy tale. It’s not about happy endings.”

“That’s the second time you said life isn’t a fairytale. Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” Megan asked.

Alex sat in silence, Megan’s words echoing in his mind. Was he trying to convince her or himself? It was a question he hadn’t dared to ask himself until now.

Alex felt a flicker of vulnerability stir as he met Megan’s gaze. For so long, he had prided himself on his cynicism and ability to see the world for what it was. But that armor seemed to crack in Megan’s presence, revealing the fragile heart beneath.

“I don’t know,” Alex admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe a little bit of both.”

Megan’s smile softened, her eyes filled with understanding. “That’s okay, Alex. We all have our doubts and fears.”

“You don’t seem to have any,” Alex said.

“Sure, I do,” Megan responded.

“You do? Alex’s disbelief was evident in his voice. “But you seem so... sure of yourself.”

Megan shrugged, a hint of sadness flickering across her features. “Appearances can be deceiving, Alex. Just because I believe in the goodness of people doesn’t mean I’m immune to fear or doubt.”

Alex frowned, suddenly feeling a sense of kinship with Megan.

“What are you afraid of, exactly?”

Megan hesitated, “I’m afraid of ending up alone. Of being seen as too naive or optimistic to be taken seriously. I’m afraid that no matter how hard I try, I’ll never find someone who understands me.”

For the first time that night, Alex saw Megan’s smile fade.

He attempted to reassure her but could tell she was lost in thought. As was the case in most uncomfortable moments, he tried to lighten things with a joke.

“You’re not alone, Megan; after all, you had a friend who cared about you enough to set you up with me, and I’m a catch,” Alex said sarcastically.

Megan looked up, her eyes locked on his. He waited for her to get it. When she finally did, he began laughing uncontrollably.

“It’s a beautiful night. Would you like to go for a walk?” Alex asked.

“That sounds great,” Megan said.

After paying, they walked out onto the sidewalk lit by perfect streetlights. The town seemed more enchanted to Alex than when he entered the restaurant.

He smiled as she put her arm around his.

“Life still isn’t a fairytale, you know,” he said.

“Maybe not, but I think I found my Prince Charming,” Megan said. 

Megan

Megan possessed a beauty and intelligence that could intimidate those who didn’t know her. However, to those familiar with her, she was known as the kindest, most optimistic, and caring person. Far from being intimidating, she was approachable and accepting.

After an eternity, Megan’s friend finally set her up on a blind date with her boyfriend’s friend. Megan couldn’t have been more excited. She had always loved meeting new people and believed that good things came out of every encounter.

Unable to contain her excitement, Megan arrived 10 minutes before their agreed-upon meeting time at the restaurant. She chose a table and settled in, eagerly anticipating Alex’s arrival. As the minutes ticked by and Alex appeared to be running late, Megan remained unperturbed. She continued to wait, unfazed by the delay.

Finally, after Alex arrived, she flagged him down with a bright smile. Right away, she could tell that he felt uneasy about this entire evening.

Undeterred by Alex’s apprehension, Megan welcomed him warmly and invited him to join her at the table.

She still kept thinking about how blind dates are exciting and how grateful she was to her friend for setting this up. She would make sure to thank her again.

As Alex shared his doubts and skepticism about the world, Megan's expression remained unchanged. Despite Alex's cynicism, marked by his guarded demeanor and disbelief in the goodness of humanity, he spoke earnestly about his disillusionment and the harsh realities he had witnessed, all to Megan's indifference. Still, being the person she was, she couldn’t help but think behind it all, Alex just needed something, or someone in his life to help him see things more positively.

“That’s silly, you don’t believe all that,” Megan said. Trying to lighten things.

“No question. The world and the people in it will only disappoint you,” Alex said, his tone resolute.

Megan leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with conviction.

“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean we can’t strive for a better world.”

As their attempts at a conversation went on, she sensed his discomfort but made a concerted effort to put him at ease, engaging him in light-hearted conversation and sharing anecdotes about her life. Even with their differences, she still felt he was worth her time.

Megan saw Alex lift his hand to call for the check, stating that he didn’t think it would work out. Not one to give up on someone easily, Megan decided she would take his hand and see exactly what he thought.

As he slowly began to open up about his experiences and perspectives, Megan listened intently, empathizing with his doubts and fears while gently challenging his cynicism with her unwavering optimism. She offered words of encouragement and support, sharing her insights and beliefs in the inherent goodness of humanity.

She admired his honesty and vulnerability, recognizing that a heart capable of profound depth and compassion lay beneath his tough exterior. After hearing him talk about life, and repeating the same pessimistic beliefs, she wondered if he were as honest with himself as he was with others.

She waited politely while Alex was lost in thought. She wondered if he ever wanted to see the world in a better light but had convinced himself there was no other way.

Alex looked into her eyes, and Megan felt she began to break down the wall that he built up. Maybe she was that someone he needed in his life to help him see things a different way. And maybe she needed to see things more realistically at times. It goes both ways.

After Alex answered, Megan was taken aback when he remarked that she had no fears or doubts. She wondered if everyone thought that about her.

Megan hesitated, uncertain whether she wanted to reveal the depths of her fears or if she even fully understood them herself. Nevertheless, she found herself answering honestly, and with her voice tinged with vulnerability.

As Alex attempted to offer reassurance, Megan’s mind drifted into introspection. She was lost in thought, her attention drifting away from his words. If she was honest with herself, she wasn’t entirely present, her mind grappling with her uncertainties.

It was only when Megan caught sight of a genuine smile from Alex that she snapped back to the present moment. It was the first time that night she had seen such a genuine expression on Alex’s face.

She quickly dismissed her melancholy thoughts as she realized what Alex had said. When she did, her laughter bubbled up uncontrollably.

Finally, after patiently waiting for him to ask, Megan agreed to go out for a walk, feeling renewed excitement about the future.

As they walked out onto the sidewalk, illuminated by perfect streetlights, despite her brief moments of personal doubt earlier, Megan felt like the town was just as charming as it was when she stepped into the restaurant earlier.

With her arms resting in his, she couldn’t help but notice how charming Alex looked when he smiled. She told him as such, even if he still had doubts about true love and happy endings.

She couldn't help but feel that perhaps, despite his skepticism, there was a glimmer of belief in him.

The thought stayed with her as he said, "And I think I found my Cinderella."