As my dog and I walk up to the park, I enjoy the whistling breeze between the tall, shady trees. It is a beautiful day—one perfect for taking photos. I clutch my camera in excitement. As I continue to enjoy the scenery, I notice a young woman in designer clothas and bright, emerald green hair. My legs nearly give out beneath me. Suddenly, I forget my entire purpose of visiting the park.

Seeing her there, I can do nothing but take this lovely woman in. She seems young, perhaps in her twenties, and yet she wears clothes of a higher status. Her curly green hair bounces just below her chin. Her eyes twinkle as she gazes down at a slice of cheesecake in her lap. She’s eating a cheesecake? I whispered to myself touching my lips, Maybe I’m being dramatic, but I feel as if my feet are cemented to the sidewalk. My eyes can’t leave this stranger’s face. Fred, my dog, tugs anxiously at the leash and whines.

I continue to stare at the girl while slightly obscured by a tall elm tree. She looks so lonely. She needs a friend. Maybe I should say hello? I think before quickly shutting the idea down. Why on earth would I do that? She doesn’t want to talk to me.

“Um, what is that weirdo doing?” I hear a girl whisper to her gaggle of friends.

“Eww I don’t know; he’s been standing there startng at people for a while.”

“His dog is pretty cute, though!” I hear them giggle, and nearly shake my head in shame. People are noticing me staring. How can I be such a creep? I should just go talk to her, my thoughts urge.

“What if she’s just waiting for a friend?” I mutter to myself and begin to walk away. Suddenly I remember the camera still clasped in my hand and whip around. As discreetly as possible, I snap a few photos of the park, the bench in the park, and the girl on the bench. She begins munching on her cheesecake and I feel my face flush. Fred just continues to sniff the grass around us.

Well, maybe I’ll stay here a while longer… I think, as another voice in my head argues stalker. Fred lets out another bark.

I can feel the minutes ticking by as I continue to admire the girl, but I have yet to muster the courage to even speak a hello. She eventually finishes her slice of cheesecake and then grabs her phone from her luxurious bag and begins texting. I internally huff as I debate what to do. I need to move—either away or towards her, but my mind refuses to release me from this reverie. Time is running out; surely she will soon be leaving. Should I let this opportunity pass me by?