Elijah had no idea about what high schools were like today, or colleges for that matter. He'd grown up when a sixth-grade education was deemed sufficient, and after that, farming. He did, however, understand what it was like to feel alienated and alone. He'd been twenty-five when he'd been sired and abandoned when he'd refused to fall in line with his sire's plans, and he'd spent years after that watching his family and his fiancee from a distance. Nobody seemed to stick with him for very long for whatever the reason.
He smiled when Dave recognized him, still keeping his lips close. It was a natural habit, one he'd picked up many years ago. Sometimes it wasn't an advantage for people to know what you were. Now, of course, it was different since the reveal. He didn't feel as wary about it.
"It's somewhere on the website," Elijah said, waving one hand self-depreciatingly. He was aware that he was considered handsome, and while he wasn't above using it to his advantage on occasion, when he felt the need to, he didn't make a habit of it. He wouldn't be one to brag about his image on the restaurant's web page, for instance.
He didn't comment on the young man saying he wasn't a stranger to rejection, aware that he was likely trying to smooth the situation over and move on. Elijah was fine with that. He would have probably done the same thing if it had been him, and he'd lament bitterly later in private. It was a thing.
Elijah's expression shifted to one of mild amusement when he noticed Dave putting together the pieces and realizing what he must be; at least he didn't seem frightened. He allowed his smile to be wider and more natural, not being so careful to hide the pointy ends of his fangs. "It's all right, really," he said. "I am going to think you're rude if you don't tell me your name, though." He could easily get it from the reservations book, if it had been made in his name and not his date's, but that was too much stealth for his liking.