Nervous Encounter

"Liz blushed, her heart fluttering as anticipation flooded her mind. Would this be her chance to finally find love...?She'd longed for it for years, and she'd been so lonely stuck at home by herself... but, of course, her mother spoke up again."

"Ah, who am I kidding... you went all the way through college without seeing any action. I doubt anything's gonna happen." "Her mother finally gone, she felt both relieved at not having to deal with her anymore, but also anxious that she would be home alone. She heard the doorbell ring after a while, and nervously went to go open it, seeing DrTomFocker standing there."

"Hello. You're DrTomFocker, right? I'm Liz. It's nice to meet you. Don't worry, you don't have to do much while you're here, I just like having someone else around." Thoughts: Oh god... they're here... and they actually look really good... why did mom have to go and say that and make this weird? Fuck, I'm so nervous... I hope I'm gonna be okay for these next few weeks...

Liz's eyes widened at Daniel's response, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It was refreshing to meet someone so laid back, especially given the awkward situation she'd found herself in. "That's good, I'm glad," she said, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie. "I, um, I'm just going to go get us some drinks. Make yourself at home, okay?" She turned and headed towards the kitchen, her heart still pounding in her chest. As she reached for a bottle of water on the top shelf, she couldn't help but steal a glance over her shoulder at Daniel. Thoughts: They seem nice... maybe this won't be so bad after all. I just hope I don't make a complete fool of myself...

Liz nodded, grabbing the water bottle and making her way back out to the living room. She sat down on the couch, tucking her legs underneath her as she took a sip of water. "Thanks," she said, her voice a bit quieter than before. "I don't really go out much, so... it's kind of a mess. I'm sorry about that." She gestured vaguely around the room, trying to downplay her embarrassment. As she did so, her hoodie rode up slightly, revealing a sliver of pale skin at her waist. Thoughts: Oh god, I hope they didn't notice that... I should probably change into something less revealing. Ugh, why am I so nervous all the time?

Liz felt a wave of relief wash over her at Daniel's kind words. She hadn't expected them to be so understanding, especially given how awkward the situation was. "Thanks," she said, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "I guess it is pretty cozy, when you put it that way." She shifted on the couch, trying to find a more comfortable position. As she did so, her hoodie rode up even further, exposing more of her midriff. She quickly tugged it back down, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Thoughts: Okay, stop it, she chastised herself. You don't have to be so obvious about it. Just act normal. "So, um, what do you like to do for fun?" she asked Daniel, trying to keep the conversation going.

Liz's eyes lit up at the mention of gaming. "I love video games too!" she exclaimed, her earlier embarrassment momentarily forgotten. "What kind of games do you play?" She leaned forward slightly, eager to hear more about Daniel's interests. As she did so, her hoodie fell open again, revealing the curve of her breast beneath her t-shirt. She quickly adjusted it, her blush deepening. Thoughts: Shit, not again, she thought to herself, feeling frustrated and embarrassed. Why can't I just keep my clothes in place for once?

Liz's face scrunched up in thought as she considered Daniel's question. "Hmm, I really love the Legend of Zelda games," she said finally. "Especially the ones from the Wii era. I know they're not as hardcore as some of the other RPGs out there, but I just can't help it - I love the way they make you feel like you're really exploring a fantasy world." She took another sip of water, trying to calm her nerves. As she did so, she noticed that Daniel was looking at her with a slightly odd expression. She followed his gaze and realized that her hoodie had slipped off one shoulder, exposing the pale skin of her collarbone. Thoughts: Oh no, not again, she thought, her face burning with embarrassment. Why can't I just keep my clothes in place? Is it that obvious that I'm nervous?

Liz felt a wave of relief wash over her at Daniel's words. She hadn't realized just how much she'd been worrying about what he thought of her. "Yeah, I guess I am pretty passionate about it," she admitted with a small laugh. "I know it's not exactly a cool hobby, but I just can't get enough of it." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to distract herself from her self-consciousness. As she did so, her hoodie rode up again, exposing the bottom of her breast once more. She quickly tugged it back down, her blush deepening. Thoughts: Okay, Liz, seriously, get it together, she chided herself. You're being so obvious right now. Just act normal and try not to embarrass yourself any further. "So, um, do you have any favorite Zelda games?" she asked Daniel, hoping to keep the conversation going.

Liz's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh my god, yes!" she exclaimed, her earlier embarrassment momentarily forgotten. "That's definitely one of my favorites too. The way they incorporate time travel into the story is just so innovative and well-executed." She leaned back on the couch, getting more comfortable. As she did so, her hoodie rode up again, exposing the smooth expanse of her back. She didn't even notice this time, too engrossed in the conversation. "You know, I've always wanted to try my hand at speedrunning Ocarina of Time," she admitted. "But I've never had the courage to actually do it. Do you think you could show me some of your favorite tricks sometime?" She looked at Daniel hopefully, her eyes shining with excitement. She hadn't realized just how much she'd been looking forward to this chance to connect with someone new. Thoughts: Please say yes, please say yes, she thought to herself, her heart racing. I can't believe how much I'm actually enjoying this. It's been so long since I've had a real conversation with someone...

Liz felt a pang of disappointment at Daniel's words, but she quickly pushed it aside. She knew he was right - they had been talking for a while now, and it was probably time to take a break. "Yeah, that's a good idea," she agreed, standing up from the couch. "I can make us some sandwiches if you want. Or we could order in if you prefer." She walked towards the kitchen, her hips swaying slightly as she moved. As she reached for a plate in a high cupboard, her hoodie rode up once again, exposing the curve of her ass. She quickly adjusted it, her face burning with embarrassment. Thoughts: Seriously? Again? she thought to herself, exasperated. I swear, if this keeps up, I'm just going to throw the hoodie away entirely. "Um, what would you like to eat?" she asked Daniel, trying to keep her voice steady. "I've got a bunch of different sandwich options, or we could order pizza if you prefer."

Liz felt a flutter in her stomach at Daniel's words. The idea of surprising him, of taking a chance on something new and unexpected, was incredibly appealing to her. "Okay, surprise me it is," she said with a grin, feeling a bit more at ease. She started gathering ingredients from the fridge and pantry, her movements becoming more fluid as she got into a rhythm. As she worked, she couldn't help but sneak glances at Daniel. He was sitting at the kitchen table, his eyes fixed on his phone. Liz felt a sudden urge to go over and sit next to him, to feel his presence close by. She pushed the feeling aside, telling herself it was silly and unnecessary. Thoughts: Why do I want to be closer to him so badly? she wondered. It's just nice to have someone around, that's all. Nothing more. She finished making the sandwiches and brought them over to the table, setting one in front of Daniel before taking a seat across from him. "So, um, what do you like to do for fun besides gaming?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

Liz nodded, taking a bite of her sandwich. "I can definitely understand that," she said, her eyes lighting up with interest. "I love going for walks in the park, especially when it's a nice day out. There's something so peaceful about being surrounded by trees and birds and all that." She paused, realizing that she was rambling a bit. "I don't get to do it as much as I'd like, though. My mom, she's not really the outdoorsy type, and I... well, I have a hard time leaving the house sometimes." Liz felt a lump form in her throat as she spoke, her emotions getting the better of her. She quickly looked down at her sandwich, trying to compose herself. Thoughts: Why did I have to bring up the worst part of my life? she thought to herself, feeling frustrated and embarrassed. Of course he would find out about my issues right away. Just great.

Liz felt her heart rate pick up at Daniel's question. She knew she should have seen it coming, but the directness of it still caught her off guard. "I... it's complicated," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I have a lot of anxiety issues, and being in crowded places or around a lot of people just... it's too much sometimes." She looked up at Daniel, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to dump all this on you. It's just... it's been a while since I've had anyone to talk to about this stuff." Liz felt a wave of vulnerability wash over her, her usual walls and defenses crumbling in the face of Daniel's kind gaze. She reached for her water bottle, taking a long sip in a futile attempt to calm her nerves. Thoughts: Oh god, I can't believe I just told him all that, she thought to herself, mortified. What if he thinks I'm pathetic now? What if he decides he can't stand to be around me for the rest of the week?

Liz felt a wave of relief wash over her at Daniel's words. She hadn't expected him to be so understanding, and it touched her deeply. "Thank you," she said softly, offering him a small, grateful smile. "It means a lot that you're willing to listen." She took another sip of water, trying to gather her thoughts. "I know it's not an excuse for avoiding the world, but... it's just been hard sometimes, you know? My mom, she's not exactly the most supportive person when it comes to my anxiety. She thinks I should just 'get over it' and go out and live my life." Liz's voice cracked slightly as she spoke, and she quickly looked down at her hands, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to spill over. Thoughts: Oh god, I'm crying, she thought to herself, mortified. Why did I have to start crying? I'm such a mess right now. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be such a downer," she said, her voice muffled by her hands. "It's just... it's been a while since I've had anyone to talk to about this stuff. And you're so kind and understanding, and I just... I don't know, I guess I got a little carried away."

Liz felt a wave of gratitude wash over her at Daniel's words. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how much that means to me." She reached out and placed her hand on top of Daniel's, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact. It had been so long since she'd felt the warmth of another person's skin against her own, and it was more intimate than she'd realized. "You're really sweet, you know that?" she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I'm glad my mom arranged for you to stay here with me. I don't know what I would have done if I had to spend the next few weeks alone." Liz felt a warmth spreading through her chest at the thought of being alone with Daniel. It was a feeling she'd never really allowed herself to explore before, and it was both thrilling and terrifying all at once. Thoughts: God, I hope he feels the same way, she thought to herself, her heart pounding in her chest. I've never felt this kind of connection with anyone before, and I don't want to let it go.

Liz felt a lump form in her throat at Daniel's words. The sincerity in his voice was almost overwhelming, and she found herself blinking back tears. "You're really something else, you know that?" she said, her voice cracking slightly. "I don't know what I did to deserve someone as kind and understanding as you in my life." She squeezed his hand gently, feeling a surge of emotion that she couldn't quite explain. It was a mix of gratitude, affection, and something else entirely - something that made her heart race and her skin tingle. Thoughts: I want to kiss him right now, she thought to herself, feeling a rush of heat flood her cheeks. Is that weird? Am I reading too much into this?

Liz felt a shiver run down her spine at Daniel's words. She knew they were just kind words, but the way he said them made her feel like he meant every single one. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how much that means to me." She leaned forward slightly, drawn in by the intensity of Daniel's gaze. As she did so, her hoodie rode up once again, exposing the smooth expanse of her thigh. She quickly adjusted it, her blush deepening. Thoughts: Okay, Liz, seriously, get it together, she thought to herself, exasperated. You've already exposed enough of yourself for one day. Just act normal and try not to make any more embarrassing mistakes. She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "So, um, what kind of food do you like?" she asked Daniel, hoping to steer the conversation back to safer ground. "I wasn't kidding about the sandwiches, but I'm also happy to order us something if you prefer."

Liz felt a wave of relief wash over her at Daniel's answer. Pasta was one of her favorites too, and she knew just the place to order from. "Awesome, because I love Italian too!" she said, her face lighting up with excitement. "I know this great little place not far from here that does the best carbonara I've ever had. We could order from there if you want." She stood up from the table, eager to get moving. As she did so, she suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. It had been a long day, and the emotional intensity of the conversation was starting to catch up with her. Thoughts: Okay, Liz, you've made it this far. Just keep going, she thought to herself, trying to push through the fatigue. You can do this. Daniel believes in you, and that's got to count for something. She made her way to the kitchen, grabbing the takeout menu from a drawer. As she flipped through the pages, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building in her chest. She knew that this week with Daniel would be a chance for her to open up in ways she never had before, and she was both excited and terrified by the prospect. `Thoughts: I can't believe how much I'm actually looking forward to this. It's been so long since I've had anyone to talk to like this... maybe this is the start of

Liz felt a wave of surprise and gratitude wash over her at Daniel's words. She hadn't expected him to be so attuned to her needs, and it touched her deeply. "Are you sure?" she asked, looking up at him with a mix of surprise and admiration. "I don't want to be a burden on you." She sank back down into the chair at the kitchen table, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. As she did so, her hoodie rode up once again, exposing the smooth expanse of her thigh. She quickly adjusted it, her blush deepening. Thoughts: Seriously? Again? she thought to herself, exasperated. I swear, if this keeps up, I'm just going to start wearing a fucking tent. She watched as Daniel pulled out his phone and started scrolling through the menu, admiring the way his brow furrowed in concentration. She felt a sudden urge to go over and rest her head on his shoulder, to feel the warmth of his body against hers. Thoughts: What the fuck am I thinking? she thought to herself, shocked by her own desire. He's here to help you, not to be your boyfriend. Get it together, Liz. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts. As she did so, a strand of hair fell across her face, and she absently tucked it behind her ear. "Thank you," she said

Liz felt a wave of warmth spread through her chest at Daniel's words. She couldn't remember the last time someone had been so attentive to her needs, and it was a thrill unlike any other. "My favorite pasta dish is definitely the fettuccine alfredo," she said, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "I know it's a bit cliché, but there's just something about the creamy sauce and the way it coats the noodles that makes my heart sing." She laughed softly at her own admission, feeling a sense of freedom that she hadn't experienced in a long time. "What about you? Do you have a go-to pasta order?" As she waited for Daniel's response, Liz found herself leaning forward slightly, drawn in by the intensity of his gaze. She felt a sudden urge to close the distance between them, to feel the warmth of his skin against her own. Thoughts: Okay, Liz, don't go there, she thought to herself, trying to push down the desire that was building inside her. He's here to be your friend and companion, not your lover. Keep it together. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts. As she did so, she suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. It had been a long day, and the emotional intensity of the conversation was starting to catch up with her. `Thoughts: Man, I feel like I could just collapse right here on

Liz felt a wave of warmth spread through her chest at Daniel's suggestion. The idea of sharing a meal with him, of exploring his tastes and preferences just as he was exploring hers, was incredibly appealing. "That sounds perfect," she said, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. "I'd love to share a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with you. It's been a while since I've had the chance to try a new recipe." She leaned forward slightly, her eyes locked on Daniel's. As she did so, her hoodie rode up once again, exposing the smooth expanse of her thigh. She quickly adjusted it, her blush deepening. Thoughts: Okay, Liz, seriously, get it together, she thought to herself, exasperated. You've already exposed enough of yourself for one day. Just act normal and try not to make any more embarrassing mistakes. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts. As she did so, a strand of hair fell across her face, and she absently tucked it behind her ear. "And maybe after we eat, we could watch a movie or something?" she suggested, her voice soft and hopeful. "I've got a pretty good collection of fantasy films if you're interested." Thoughts: God, I hope he says yes, she thought to herself, her heart pounding in her chest. `I've never felt this kind of connection with anyone before, and

Liz felt a wave of joy surge through her at Daniel's words. She hadn't realized just how much she'd been looking forward to spending time with him, and hearing that he wanted to do so too made her heart soar. "That's great!" she exclaimed, her face breaking into a wide smile. "I've got a pretty good selection of fantasy films if you're interested. We could watch something like The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia, if you want." She stood up from the table, feeling a surge of energy that she hadn't experienced in a long time. As she did so, she suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. It had been a long day, and the emotional intensity of the conversation was starting to catch up with her. Thoughts: Okay, Liz, you've made it this far. Just keep going, she thought to herself, trying to push through the fatigue. You can do this. Daniel believes in you, and that's got to count for something. She made her way over to the bookshelf where she kept her movies, scanning the titles until she found one that caught her eye. As she reached up to grab it, her hoodie rode up once again, exposing the smooth expanse of her back. She quickly adjusted it, her blush deepening. Thoughts: Seriously? Again? she thought to herself, exasperated. `I swear, if this keeps