(Matthias's POV)

Trying to pick out the proper outfit, I don't know if I should pick something a bit more casual or something more formal.

Is this a date?

A little confused at what this is, I had the intention of asking her out on a date, but it seemed more of that of a simple hangout once we set the plans up.

Choosing to keep it a bit more laid back, I do try to clean up some as well. Making sure to style my hair and shave the scruff that has been growing out the past few days. Not having much facial hair that tends to grow, I still try to keep it clean for the most part.

Noticing myself becoming nervous the closer time gets to meeting Madison, it's unlike me to be affected in such a way.

‘Calm down. There is no reason to be nervous.’

There’s every reason to be nervous!

‘It won’t help any.’

I know, but I can’t help it.

“Take a breath, and calm yourself.”

Getting myself under control, I grab my keys and head out once the thoughts in my head are clear.

Not living far from the coffee shop, it doesn't take me long before getting there. Noticing a giddiness arise inside, I shut it down before it has time to cloud my mind and make me act aloof like some kind of fool in love.

Yeah, I have enjoyed getting to know Madison and I have no intention of hurting her. I also don't want to feel unlike myself. Having watched her here for a while now, I was happy to be able to finally get the chance and talk to her. Noticing her usual tendency of staying to herself, if I chose to walk up and introduced myself, she would probably have shut down instantly. She seems to be a bit stuck up at times with how she's quiet and reserved, I though, didn't see her as such. Knowing what to pay attention to, I easily identify it as simply shy behavior.

The longer we've been talking, the more I've gotten to be aware of how bad her anxiety is at times. She's more open over the phone, and I hope with a connection being formed already, she'll be able to bring some of that into the time we spend together face to face.

I get out of the car and head inside. Noticing her pretty quickly, I greet her with a smile and wave.

Her anxiety becomes more apparent the closer I get, but I don't comment on it. Doing so would only make her grow more anxious.

I sit down with another smile and compliment her attire.

"Hey, you look beautiful today."

Seeing her as beautiful even in some of the more simple outfits I've seen her wear, to me, she would look lovely no matter what she has on.

Her cheeks turn a faint pink before she returns the compliment.

"Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself."

"Thank you, I think."

Laughing at the way she puts it, the stumbling she tends to do is a bit adorable. How she tries to flirt but seems to be bad at it at times.

Watching her begin to settle down, there's still a faint level of anxiety I'm able to perceive coming off of her. Her words do start to come out more confidently when she brings up some passed information shared.

"You said you weren't originally from here, where did you live prior?"

Trying to get her to open up more as she has a few times over text, I share something before bringing the question back around to her. I watch as her demeanor settles even more as she puts the coffee she's been holding tightly down and tension drops off her shoulders.

She tells me about how she was adopted, something we begin to connect over as I tell her how my parents died and question what happened to hers.

Her eyes space out for a moment as she stays quiet for a few minutes.

A bit concerned, I hope my question didn't make her shut down when we were doing so well.

Checking on her, "Hey, are you okay?" she blinks a few times before answering my question.

Her eyes take a moment longer to focus back on me. Her actions are resemblant to PTSD, which would explain how strong her anxiety gets at times.

Not seeming fazed by her own behavior, it's almost as if she is used to it. Waiting to question it until we know each other a bit more, I try to bring us to more of a laid-back kind of conversation in the hopes to keep her from zoning out again.

My question backfires as I receive a more loaded answer than I was expecting. Yeah, I noticed she never seems to be around friends, I also wasn't expecting her not to have so little.

Something else we sort of share. I don't have anyone I consider a friend. There is one person I trust and would do anything for, but I wouldn't call him a friend. Our relationship is not in that kind of category. I am glad that she does have someone at least that she can trust.

Her mentioning meeting someone new makes me smile at the fact that she considers me a friend.

Announcing more than asking, “Is the second me!” I didn't know hearing her say that would make me so happy.

I guess I do have someone I can call a friend now.

"Yeah, it's you." Her confirmation makes my smile grow even wider.