d a t e {LUKE}

[willow]

Willow stood outside of the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for Luke. She couldn't deny the nerves that had been gradually building up in her stomach ever since practice that morning with the team. The girls had been able to weasle the fact that she had a date set up for that evening out of her, leaving her wondering if she were that easily read. Willow, however, was perfectly fine if Luke was able to understand her as easily as her teammates did- they would probably be able to avoid awkward conversations that way.

She looked down at her nails, which she had gotten painted just for the occasion, in an effort to calm her nerves. Yes, Willow was excited to meet Luke again, talk to him, get to know him better, but she was still incredibly nervous. Willow took in a deep breath, waiting for her date to arrive.

[notabadguy]

Luke fingered his shirt nervously as he approached Willow, sneaking out of the Leaky Cauldron into the warm London air. For a moment, she didn't notice him. He took the moment to steady himself, then walked into her line of view. "Hello Willow," Luke said with a charming smile, feeling better now that he was in her presence again.

[willow]

"Hi Luke," said Willow, returning her date's smile. Her nerves quieted a bit, she need only remind herself that this was just Luke, nothing bad would happen. At least she hoped nothing would. "How are you?" Willow asked, at the very least starting some conversation. She was hoping they wouldn't hang around here too long, though. The last thing she wanted was for this to be publicly exposed.

[notabadguy]

Luke smiled, already feeling less nervous. "I'm good," he said, the first time he had decided he was well in a long while. "How about yourself?" Luke asked in turn, feeling it was only polite. Besides, he was genuinely curious. He hoped Willow was doing well; he didn't want things to be getting slightly better for him if they were getting worse for someone else.

[willow]

"I'm well," said Willow with a smile, unable to help the smile that came to her full lips. Something about Luke just made her happy, perhaps it was the attitude he carried about him. She gestured for Luke to follow her, and set a comfortable pace for walking and talking at the same time. Willow just hoped she wouldn't be recognized, that never failed to ruin an evening.

[notabadguy]

"Good," Luke said, then fell into pace along with Willow as they began to walk. "Did you decide on a place to go?" he asked out of curiosity. Really, Luke was fine with eating just about anywhere. He wasn't particularly hungry that evening either, just about as much as he usually was around dinnertime.

[willow]

"Not exactly," said Willow with a shrug. She had just thought they would walk around for a while until they found a small place without much of a crowd. She liked to frequent a family-owned Thai place on this side of town, not many people knew about it, but the food was fantastic. Maybe they might go there, but Willow was fine with wherever Luke wanted to go.