I'm sitting outside a small but reasonable café nearby as I waited for Adrian. It was one of my common places to be. They really do make decent coffees and good lunches. Not too expensive but not bad quality either. It's just on the edge before all the shops. When they built this area, they wanted to add a shopping area for new businesses and to bring in people faster. All about money but they know how to attract people. The nearest mall is about thirty minutes away and the city forty-five by car. A bit annoying when you want to find a good shop.

"Sophia!" My head snaps towards the called and I smiled as Adrian walks towards me.

"Hey." I greeted causally as he sits down. What I noticed was that he looked fresher. Must have cleaned himself up after setting down.

"I hope I wasn't keeping you waiting." He is really a kind guy. I believe it is rare to find a man who thinks for others instead of being a rouge type.

"No, I got here a few minutes ago." I answered, "Hope you didn't have any trouble. I thought of this place because it was close by."

He waves his hand, "It's fine, thanks." Before grabbing the laminated menu and directing his eyes away from mine. I did the same. But my mind keeps on thinking that this is a date. I have been on dates before, but I quickly remind myself that this isn't a date. Just a friendly lunch, though it is kind of quick, as in we just only met once.

Come on, I shouldn't be worrying about that. Just focus on the present and keep things at a friendship level. They say that those who have a fast a friendship ended up having a short relationship. That's what I've learnt in the past. Moments later, we ordered our meals before once ago become lost in our conversations and our twenty questions.

"So, how long have you been in the area?" he asked.

"A few years. I came here a year or so after this area was built." I answered, "I wanted to find a fresh new quiet place but somewhere I can afford."

"It is a nice area but..." he looks at the houses across from us, "...the all look the same. The houses. They seem to put in less thought in making a house unique in style."

"True but I guess they want to avoid having the odd ones standing out. It's like with the old areas, you know, you've got a street with old homes then suddenly you get this modern one standing out." It's what I hate about it. That they demolish this beautiful old home that is reasonable to live in and put up this large modern home. No gardens, no uniqueness.

I told him more about the areas, all the important places and routes before we went back to talking about ourselves. It was great, really great. I was really happy to find a guy is so respective and understanding. He didn't bring the topic of snakes though I had a feeling he wanted to but knows that I rather not. But I decided to, just for his sake.

"So, have you snakes settled?" I asked hesitantly. He almost looked surprised when I asked him that. "I can talk or read about them it's just seeing them in person."

"They are settling in just fine." He answered, "It took a few days though due to the moving around and the setting of their tanks." Just like him or rather anybody when they move into a new place that is different.

"But they were also a bit picky because it was feeding time." He said before letting out a huge sign, "Takes a lot of work. Feeding snakes are different from feeding a dog or a cat." I bet it would be. We quickly dropped the topic before soon deciding to leave the café and walk around.

It took about an hour before we returned to our street, to our homes. Adrian turns and smiles warmly at me as we stopped in front of my house. "Thank you for taking me out and showing me around."

"No problem." I answered, returning the smiles, "I was glad that I could help." I felt my heart pounding. Despite that, as long it is silence I can handle it.

"Sophia!" a woman's voice cried out from across the street. An older woman approached, waving her hand as her dirty blonde hair flies with the wind and brown eyes look at us.

"Lydia." I said her name as she soon got to us, "It's good to see you. How's your family?" Lydia is a mother to two children who are in primary school now and her husband works in the city.

"Busy but all in good health." She answered happily. Her attention went to Adrian. "And who is this young man? Is he your boyfriend?"

God, I hate it when people assume that. Adrian and I looked at each other nervously before laughing a bit. "No, he is not." I answered but then Adrian took over.

"My name is Adrian Van Cok." He extended his hand out for a handshake, "I'm the new neighbour. Just moved in next door to Sophia."

Lydia quickly took his hand, "Oh, do forgive me. I didn't know." She said surprisingly, "I see you are just friends. How foolish of me to judge from a distance." Lydia is a nice woman though sometimes she can put on a bit of a drama.

"I'm so glad, to meet you. I'm Lydia Mellow. I just live across the street with my family." She pointed to her house. "It so good to finally have a sensible man living in that house. The other man who lived there before you was dreadful. I could barely let my children out to play with me watching over just in case he comes out."

"Really?" Adrian spoke curiously, "Well, I was aware of this man before I bought the house. Drugs I believe were involved. Had to make sure that the house was clean before I allowed my pets to live there."

"Yes of course indeed. What sort of pets do you have?" Lydia asked.

Adrian paused for a moment before answering, "Snakes."

But Lydia wasn't disappointed unlike me. She was the complete opposite. "Really? You know, both of my boys love snakes." She told him happily which lighten him up.

"I would be happy to welcome them over to see them." He offered. Such generosity.

Lydia placed her hand over her heart, "Oh you are just a kind person." But then her eyes darted to her watch. "I've got to go now. Things to do before picking up the boys. Bye." We waved her back as she left us.

"She can be a bit of a drama sometimes." I commented.

"She's nice but I guess I can agree with you there." We both laughed for a moment. I couldn't feel happier than ever. I'm really glad to meet a man like him. Hope this friendship can continue.

"Well, I got to get back to work. See you around, Adrian."

"S-see ya, Sophia." He said as I headed towards my front door. When I touched the door handle, something came to mind. I turned to watch bewildered as Adrian when inside to his home.

Did he just...hiss?