C5 "But I'm Liam Griffith?!"

LIAM

It’s been 2weeks since Christmas break ended, we just had our first game that we won so coach is treating the entire to team to dinner to celebrate.

“A diner? Coach really is cheap,” John B scoffs as we walk into Mickey’s to find most of the team filling out half the place.

“I like it,” I look around the 90’s themed diner with checked floors and neon lights.

“Over here,” Tommy raises his hand by the booth in the corner where he is sitting with Jonathan.

“Do you guys know what’s good here?” I shrug off my jacket as we sit down.

“Diners have good burgers, maybe we should get those?” Jonathan picks up the laminated menu.

“Screw that, I’m getting a pizza and root beer” Tommy signals for the waiter.

“Get both, coach is buying” John B and I laugh.

“Hey, welcome to Mickey’s. May I take your order?” Our waitress says as I look at the menu, they order first and John B takes his own advice and gets both.

“And what about you?” She asks so I lift my head to find Vecker staring back at me.

“Holy sh*t,” I curse as my eyes move to the name clipped to her baby pink uniform and it says Odessa.

Did I say sh*t? Because sh*t, its Vecker!

Her dark raven hair is held back in a messy ponytail to show her bright blue eyes and the small gold studs on her ears.

I knew she was thin but she’s smaller and taller than I expected, she’s wearing flats but we’re all looking up at her and she’s even more gorgeous in person.

“Ahm? Can I get your order?” Her full pink lips curve as she speaks.

“He’ll get a beef burger, medium fries with a side of wings.” I hear John B say as I stare at her, I can’t believe she works here.

I never even knew that.

“Okay and drink?” She’s writing on her little notepad.

“Coke, large.” Tommy adds so she walks away. “Dude what’s your deal? I mean she’s hot but did you have to blank out?” He kicks me under the table.

“Hold on,” I stand and follow her to the counter where she’s pouring our drink orders and coach is enjoying a coffee with his wife.

“Ahm hey,” I push my hair back in attempt to fix it.

I did not expect to meet her like this, fresh from a game with wet hair and an outfit that I put on last minute but it’ll have to do.

“Hi, did you want to add to your order?” Vecker’s smile nearly cripples me as I realize she doesn’t recognize me.

“No ahm…” I lean in as I feel my housemates’ eyes on me. “I’m Liam Griffith.”

“Cool,” she puts the drinks on a tray. “I’m Odessa,” she points at her nametag.

The way she pronounces it, is different from the way I’ve said it so I get why she has people call her something else but I still say “no, you’re Vecker as in my friend—”

“—I’m sorry I think you have me confused. My name is Odessa Vecker but I have never seen you before,” she adds straws.

But I’m Liam Griffith?

“My mistake,” I push a smile. “Are these for our table?” I point at the tray of drinks and she nods so I pick it up and walk back to my booth.

“What’s with you?” Jonathan grabs his root beer off the tray.

“I thought I saw someone I knew,” I remove my straw from its wrapper as I try to keep calm.

I’m not sure if Vecker really doesn’t know me or if she’s pretending but as I watch her bring our food then clear the table before bringing dessert, it actually looks like she doesn’t know me.

Which could only mean, I’ve been catfished? I stare at her behind the counter as we all prepare to leave.

I try to let it go but when we get home and her cell starts going to voicemail, my calmness begins to chip away.

Normally I wouldn’t text or call her at this time because she’s usually busy till 10pm and I’m never this irrational but this can’t wait.

So I call and call till eventually I start getting her voicemail then next I’m in my car driving back to the diner.

“Hey, did you leave something behind?” Vecker greets when I sit at the counter, there’s only one customer left so they must be closing.

“No, I—I” I stutter as the other customer calls for her.

“How about I give you time to decide as I get his bill,” she smiles politely.

Four months

I’ve been talking to this girl, thinking about her for 4 months now there’s a possibility she might be a catfish?

“So, Liam right?” She pours coffee in a mug and pushes it to me, “what can I do for you?”

“I’m not sure” I tap the handle. “Can you answer a few questions?”

I must sound desperate because she walks around the counter and sits next to me after pouring herself a cup, “sure.”

“Do you attend Oakwood University?”

“I do, I’m a junior.” She crosses her legs and sips.

“Are you Russian? I can’t help but catch the way you pronounce certain things like your name,” I point at her name tag.

“I am, lived there till I was 8” my heart sinks.

“Do you have a twin? And are you a music major?” I push my cup away as my body begins to heat up on its own.

“Yes, to both.” Her voice shakes a little, “may I ask why you’re asking me all this?”

“I’m trying to figure something out,” I clear my throat. “Are you sure you’ve never talked to me? Not even on black book?” I ask the dreaded questions.

“No,” a ringing sound fills my head. “I’m sorry but I have seen your face around campus,” she tries to reassure me but it does nothing.

“So you were not in Montana for the holidays with your family and roommate?” Her brow arches, “please Odessa.”

“I was but I don’t—”

“—oh my God,” I bury my face in my hands.

“Is everything okay? Did I say something wrong? Do you need me to get someone?” I can’t even look at her.

“Just the bill for the coffee,” I stand up and pull out my wallet.

“It’s on me, it looks like you’re having a bad day so it’s the least I can do.” She stands up.

The least she can I do?

“Then take this as a tip,” I put the bill on the counter.

“You really don’t have to, you didn’t even order or touch it” she picks up the $20 and puts in my hand making me freeze.

Her tiny hands are warm and soft but all they do is turn my blood cold.

“Well, we won our game tonight so I was having a great night till I walked in here and realized I have been catfished so” I let go of her hand abruptly.

“I don’t—I don’t understand?” Neither do I.

“Someone has been using your pictures to con me” I couldn’t keep the malice off my voice even if I wanted to.

“Oh,” Oh? That’s all she can say.

“Anyway keep the tip and thanks for the coffee, it was nice to finally meet you I guess.” I storm out.

Someone owns me an explanation and since the real Vecker couldn’t give it up, the one on my phone has to because nobody makes a fool out of Liam Griffith.

Especially not a catfish.