There's Something About You

I waited till I was around the corner and out of sight of Pedro before I dipped my hand into my bag to retrieve my phone. A wave of nausea hit.

Pedro: You have the prettiest eyes I've ever seen.

Pedro: It's Pedro, by the way. As in Pascal. I mean, you know who I am, who doesn't?

He was quoting my tragic introduction earlier, where I completely embarrassed myself.

Me: Thank you. I think yours are quite pretty, too. Even if they don't work very well. And sorry, Pedro who? Can't really remember who you are?

Within seconds, my phone buzzed:

Pedro: That's no way to speak to an old man!? You don't remember me? I'm the guy you literally fell for just now....?

Slick, Pascal.

Me: Which one? There's been quite a few guys I've fell for today?

Instantly...

Pedro: I really hope not

Pedro: Are you free tomorrow evening?

Me: Let me just look at my empty diary now, I can be free for the right person?

Pedro: Would you like to go out with me?

My breath got caught in my chest. Maybe he was just being nice, and didn't want me to feel lonely in the middle of L.A? Maybe I was reading too far into this. I needed to call Olivia.

"Are you OK? What happened!?" Olivia answered on the second ring of my FaceTime.

"You are not going to believe what happened. I literally fell into Starbucks, face first, and hit Pedro Pascal in the back of his legs and nearly took him out!" I was walking the road to my apartment, still a bit giddy from my Pedro encounter.

"Literally could only happen to you! Was he annoyed?"

"Not in the slightest. He is the nicest guy! Helped me up and made me feel better for being so clumsy. I brought his coffee. Then he came and sat with me for a bit."

"Shut up! You had coffee with The Mandalorian?!"

"I did. He's very charming..." I smirked at her, the smirk turning into a giggle when her eyes widened.

"Wait what happened?! Elle, please tell me you got his number?!" I nodded and watched as her jaw dropped. "I am so jealous! Are you going to go out?!"

"That's why I called you! I just-"

"No, no Elle. If he's asking you out, the only answer you can give is YES!"

"But I don't know if I'm reading too much into this?! We talked for a little bit. This man is a stranger and I told him about how depressed I'd been and about mom. Like why would I do that? I never tell anyone about that?"

"He made you feel comforted that's why, Elle." Fuck, she's right.

"I told him I felt lonely but was generally enjoying L.A. Sam posted to Instagram in the middle of our encounter and I accidentally clicked on it... don't worry, I unfollowed him. But Pedro asked me if it was "Boyfriend trouble" and I said it was a boyfriend that wasn't ever a boyfriend and he was like "That's not gonna help me out, I wanna know if I can get your number" and then he text me before we left each other. I didn't check till now, but he text me saying "you have the prettiest eyes I've ever seen"".

"Oh my god, Eleanor! This is something out of a fanfic!! He's not wrong though, you do have the prettiest eyes. And face." I had my mom's eyes. I was moms twin; everyone told me. I had her long dark hair, her olive skin, her bright green eyes. I was blessed with her long lashes. It was my favourite thing about myself. Something that kept her close to me. Every time I looked in the mirror, I saw her. It helped with the grieving.

"He's just asked me if he can take me out tomorrow night!"

"STOPPPPP! You are living the dream. And you are going."

"What if I'm reading into this? I told him I'd been feeling lonely. Maybe he wants to just make me feel less lonely?"

"Absolutely not the case. But even still, would that hurt?"

"I guess not. What do I say?"

"Say yes. I'm going to hang up so you can text him back! Keep me updated. Love ya!" Olivia ended the call before I could even speak. God I missed her.

I opened the text conversation and typed,

Me: yeah, I'd love to. Where are you thinking?

A few moments passed and still nothing. Shit. I was walking through the lobby of my apartment reception, collecting my post in the process. I had just put the key into the door when my phone started to ring. Pedro calling.

"Hey?"

"You took your time replying to me asking you out didn't you?"

"I was talking to my best friend from home on FaceTime. She called. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I thought you realised you wasn't interested in me and left me on read."

"As if I'd ever do that to Pedro Pascal."

"Are you happy for me to plan where we go? Or is there anything you'd like to do in particular?" A guy, making the effort. This was new to me.

"Surprise me!"

"Text me your address. I'll tell you what time to be ready for tomorrow." His voice was smooth and airy. Was he smiling?

"Will do. Thank you."

"My pleasure, Eleanor." The way he said my full name made me swoon. What was happening!? There was a moment of silence between us. "I'm going to a friends house tonight."

"Ah, that sounds fun."

"They're back home for a few days before they fly out again. There's going to be a few people I've not seen for a while. Should be fun. You know, you can still text me if you want?"

"I mean, I wouldn't want to disturb you when you're with friends you've not seen for a while..."

"I don't remember saying you were a disturbance? More of a welcoming distraction." My breath caught in my throat.

"Soft words for a man I met 54 minutes ago."

"I think you're interesting."

"I'm actually kinda boring when you get to know me."

"I hope I get the chance. Look, Eleanor. I gotta go. Text me, please."

"I will. Enjoy your party, Pedro."

"Thanks Elle. See ya." The line went dead.

It was 11:04pm, and I was settling into bed. I'd just finished my skin care and grabbed a book off my shelf to took into. I put my TV on for background noise. I checked my phone for a response from Pedro. He had text me last at 9:56pm, saying he would pick me up at 7pm tomorrow. I placed my phone on the charging stand and picked up my book.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

My eyes adjusted to the surroundings of my bedroom. My lamp was still on, I'd fallen asleep reading.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

My phone was ringing. I squinted through my eyelids to adjust them to the light of the lamp, before seeing my phone screen up. Pedro was calling. No, FaceTiming me. Shit. Do I answer? Does he want to cancel tomorrow? I slid to accept.

"Hey Eleanor." His smiled, the corners of his eyes creasing when he saw me. I could that Pedro's eyes were slightly red, he'd been drinking.

"Hey Pedro. Is everything OK?" Why was he calling me?

"Yeah, everything is gooooood. Are you in bed?"

"Yes I am. Are you drunk?"

"Shit, did I wake you?" His face dropped, but my focus was on a random curl that had fallen on his forehead. I was a sucker for dark curly haired men, and of course Pedro fit the bill.

"Yeah, but it's fine. Are you sure you're OK? Are you drunk? Are you safe?"

"I'm merry. Not drunk. I didn't want to feel like shit when we go out tomorrow so I didn't drink a lot. A couple beers. I'm behaving myself." My heart squeezed at the thought of him not wanting to meet me with an hangover.

"Are you having a good time?"

"I was. I'm home now." My eyes started to search the background into his home. I wanted to see what Pedro's space looked like. "I told you, I didn't want to feel like shit tomorrow. Water and bed for me."

"Gotta get that beauty sleep?"

"Ouch, do you not think I'm beautiful already?" He clutched his chest, mocking hurt. My eyes went from the curl, to his fingers gripping the material. Hot.

"The most beautiful."

"Now you're lying." Tipsy Pedro was charming. Pedro in general, was also charming.

"Well, maybe after Harry Styles. But you're-"

"You think Harry Styles is more beautiful than me!?"

"You're a close second."

"I can't compete. He's a beautiful human."

"So are you." His whole face lit up at my words. Fuck, he really was hot. "What shall I wear tomorrow?"

"Whatever you want. As long as you feel comfortable."

"But I need to know so I can dress appropriately!"

"It'll be fairly relaxed. Wear what you want. You look pretty without make up." He said the words so nonchalantly that it took a moment to process what he'd said. Pedro Pascal thinks I'm pretty.

"Put your glasses on, Pedro. I look like a potato." He erupted into laughter. There was something magnetic, soothing and exhilarating about seeing him laugh.

"Nothing about you is potato like. I should let you sleep. Right?"

"If that's what you want. You've had a busy night. You've been partying. I've just been ploughing through a book."

"What book?"

"Klara and the Sun. It's great so far. A bit weird. But in a good way."

"Can I borrow it after you've finished it?"

"If you'd like. Maybe you can give me one of your favourite reads. We can do a book swap, start a reading club."

"Deal. I love books."

"Me too. I think you'd like my reading corner. It's the cosiest spot. My favourite part of my apartment."

"Maybe I'll be lucky enough to see it one day." He smiled lightly, his eyes glistening even through the pixelated screen.

"You're picking me up tomorrow, aren't you? If you're good, I'll show you round." I'd noticed he hadn't moved in the past 5 seconds. "Have you frozen?"

"You're fucking pretty, gosh. Like so fucking pretty." I felt my cheeks heat under his words and hope he didn't pick up on it. "Are you blushing?"

"A little. First you wake me up, then you embarrass me." I scorned, but being rewarded by a Pedro chuckle.

"Do you think it's weird I'm calling you at almost 12 o'clock to tell you you're pretty, having met you 10 hours ago?"

"You're counting the hours?"

"Rough guess. Do you think it's weird?"

"Well not until you mentioned it. Maybe not weird. I don't know, I feel like I should think it's a bit much. But I don't. You're easy to talk to."

"I feel the same. And I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Hope you enjoy what I have in store."

"I'll just be happy and grateful for you showing me round L.A in a way I've not seen yet."

"Go get some sleep."

"Yes sir." If I wasn't mistaken, a dark glaze fleeted his face. Did he like that? Noted.

"Good girl. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Eleanor."

"Goodnight Pedro. Sweet dreams." The camera dropped from in front of his face but he hadn't ended the call instantly. I saw his ceiling on the screen and heard him mumble, "There's something about you, Eleanor."

Same, Pedro.