Re: [Diner: Atticus & Hazel]
Atticus had never thought of himself as odd or lumbering, but wouldn't be offended. Assumed his students thought a lot worse about him. Knew it actually had nothing to do with him. Couldn't be easily offended and teach teenagers at the same time. The girl in the booth looked somewhere past teenager, but still young adult. Close enough to a teenager, at least to the teacher in Atticus, who changed the song with blissful lack of awareness. As for Nirvana being dated, Atticus liked things a lot more dated than Nirvana. For him, Nirvana was downright modern. But this wasn't 1999.
Slouched lazily in the booth. Comfortably. Let her talk. Didn't know the waitress. Was his first experience with this place, this pie, this coffee. Wasn't great, but Atticus didn't look bothered by any of it. His expression was one of mild entertainment. Wasn't pensive. Wasn't contemplating pie. "Food in New York is amazing. Was in Chicago for a while too, and also recommend the place. Amazing pizza. Great hotdogs. Don't think Repose is going to make its mark on the culinary map any time soon." Smiled. Again, lazily. Slow. Even his speech was lazy, taking its time to get from one word to the next. But for all that laziness, he was a young guy. Maybe not young for this town, at 27, but not old yet.
She mentioned the sharpie mark, and he predictably rubbed his neck. Didn't look chagrined. "Trying out a new look." The words came easy. "People who eat alone usually read, don't they?" Had always taken a book with him to eat before, but maybe things were different in 2020. Should have a Kindle, but still liked the feel of an actual book. And then her move with the sugar made him quirk a lazy brow. "Not that good? Doesn't mean it's too bad to drink. Big leap," he said, entertained by the dramatics of the conclusion. Told him something about her, even though he didn't even know her name. "Atticus," he offered.