Emotional Caffeine Overload

‘If we’re planning on being friends, this has to go both ways. I don’t want it to be making all the effort’

He tried to sound as serious as he could, ignoring the naturally jovial tone his accent automatically projected. His hands started shaking in his coat pockets. A near paper cut experience reminded him of the arcade tickets. He’d have enough to get that kite soon. Allow me interrupt the story just to clarify something. You’ve heard our, let’s say “hero” using mature language and assumed he was an adult, then found out he’s collecting arcade tickets to get a kite and assumed he was a 5 year old. I’ll inform you now, he’s in his 20’s; he just doesn’t have his life together. In his defence though, it’s a pretty exceptional kite. I’ve seen it. Wish I had time to collect tickets like that.

‘I know where you’re coming from. That’s fine with me’ She answered him after a 5 second pause which seemed closer to 5 years

‘It’s easy for you to say that, if you don’t plan on actually committing to the idea, don’t bother agreeing’

‘I wouldn’t bother agreeing for the sake of it, if I didn’t want to be friends I’d tell you straight. Does this remind you of that 500 days of summer film?’

‘Don’t bring up films to try and change the subject! . But yes it does, and oh wow isn’t that a great film?’

‘It really is, I forgot how good it was until the other day’

Oh by the way, readers, you can get involved: 500 days of summer is apparently a good film, agree or disagree? Don’t answer, I’ll assume we’re all in agreement, because that’s the only acceptable response.

He continued talking, directly facing the subdued vibrations of the nearby sea

‘It did annoy me that you didn’t talk to me for a while, I can’t lie- and I don’t want that to be a regular thing .It’s not really fair’

‘I genuinely was ill’ she insisted

‘You could have responded by telling me you were ill and could talk later. Illness doesn’t make it impossible to reply to a text- unless the illness you’ve got is leprosy and all your fingers fall of’.

I admit he didn’t use that witty leprosy comment at the time. He thought of it 5 minutes after the conversation ended and realised he missed a perfect opportunity to use it. I’ve just added it in as a favour to him.

‘I’m really sorry, it won’t be a regular thing you don’t have to worry about that’

‘I. Hope. Not’

 He punctuated his words forcibly, it communicated his point as much as he wanted it to, and he didn’t need to lose his temper. Although, if anger did to him what it did to Bruce Banner, he’d happily make himself angry.

They both wanted to change the subject – but the seriousness of the conversation wouldn’t die a natural death. They weren’t their natural selves in this situation. People can seem so different in a different setting. Our hero has a friend called Helena who stops being herself whenever she’s experienced a caffeine overload. He tried to compare his situation to that: An emotional caffeine overload….by the sea….with occasional thoughts about kites and a certain film…and the hulk.

He wanted to break the tension now, so emitted a muffled laugh and forced a teeth filled smile. She smiled back, less forcibly, and laughed in a more passionate way. The ice was broken now so he extended an open palm. She shook it, but she looked like she wanted more contact than he was offering. Our hero wasn’t sure how much more confusion he could take from her, but for now he’d tolerate it.