4.29: Tongue-Tied

Oh my God!

You will never guess what happened today (well, you can’t guess, since you’re just a journal. But you know what I mean!)

Anyway, Elliot (yes, THAT Elliot) talked to me. Like, an actual conversation! Can you believe it?!

Okay. I need to calm down. I am literally cringing as I read what I just wrote. I sound like I’m 16 again!

Well… Okay, scratch that. I never wrote crap like that when I was 16. 19, maybe? When Daniel asked me out? The point is, I’m being a little ridiculous right now. I know that. And I guess it’s not quite as big a deal as I’m making it out to be… But I just can’t help it. I’m so excited!

Let me try to get it all down while it’s fresh in my mind.

It happened this afternoon, down at the library. I kind of have Mark to thank for the whole thing, actually.

He and I are always talking about authors and different book series (or old school horror movies… It’s nice to have someone besides Luc who’s into them too!). But today it was the usual – books.

I found out a few days ago that he loves Harry Potter almost as much as Clara and I do. It was kind of shocking – I’ve never met anyone his age who likes those books, let alone is an actual fan… It was a nice surprise!

But then he found out I’d never read them in English, just German. And apparently that’s a big deal? He looked at me like I’d just confessed to murder or something! And then today, he handed me a copy of the first book in English. “Let me know when you’re done so I can bring you the next one!” He said.

Mark totally cracks me up. But I do have to admit that so far, it really is better. I figured he’d taken it as a personal slight or something, since he’s British and all. But maybe he’s actually onto something…

Anyway, I started reading on my downtime and got totally sucked in – I haven’t read these books in years.

Hagrid had just showed up at the Dursleys’ cabin when I heard it – a deep voice with that funny Willow Creek accent. “Harry Potter? Sweet!” It said. “I love those books.”

It was the first time I’d ever heard him speak English before – and maybe most importantly, the first time he’d ever spoken to me directly before… in any language.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so tongue-tied. How the heck was I supposed to answer him in my own language, let alone English? So… I ended up just kind of staring at him.

Then he repeated himself – in German.

Jesus, he probably thought I was crazy! Sitting there reading a book in English, then acting like I don’t even speak it!

When I finally found my voice again, I did manage to remember how to speak English, thank God! We talked for a little bit about Harry Potter – I guess his little Schwester back home is a superfan. So then I asked him about where “home’ was, and it turns out I was right – he’s from a little town just outside Willow Creek.

And then I did something I have never done before. I name-dropped grandpa Josh.

And the worst part is, it worked! Apparently his family have been diehard Ravens fans for years.

I am so not proud. I hate doing that… The one time I name-dropped Papa to a guy, I promised myself I’d never do it again. And I guess I didn’t, technically. But still… I can’t help but feel a little ashamed of myself.

Know what though? It got us talking. So it was totally worth it.

The conversation lasted two minutes, maybe three minutes… And then just like that, it was over. He told me he had to get to class, but that it was nice talking to me.  Then he checked out a book and left.

I was on cloud nine for the rest of the afternoon.