Twenty-six

I was reading a book on the bus the other day when I heard somebody say “Nice beanie.”  I looked up and saw this guy point at my neon pink hat and then point at his red matching one.  I told him thanks and said too bad his didn’t look as awesome as mine probably did under a black light (I have no idea why I say some things). He laughed and started talking to his friend, and I continued reading my book.  A few minutes had gone by when he asked, “Do you like ice cream?”  I realized he was talking to me and replied, “Yeah.  I do.” After a slight pause this was our exchange:

Me: Are we going to get some?

26: Do you want to?

Me: I’m always up for ice cream.

26: We (indicating his friend) have some at our place.

Me: Um, that’s kind of sketchy.

26: I guess it is.  I mean we can be trusted, but maybe you can't.  What neighborhood are you heading to?

Me: Inner Sunset

26: Us, too.  Do you know of an ice cream place there?

Me: Yep, Holy Gelato at 9^th & Judah.

26: Ok, then, Holy Gelato it is.

Then I went back to reading, and he and his friend continued talking.  Please note that this exchange took place on a bus with a random girl sitting between us (she was either annoyed or entertained, I couldn’t tell).  Twenty-six, his friend, and I got out a few stops later and properly introduced ourselves at the intersection.  When we walked into Holy Gelato, Twenty-six immediately told the girl working that ours were all together.  The three of us got our treats and shared random conversation (also Twenty-six had me try his flavors, which seemed slightly intimate considering we just met seven minutes earlier; luckily, I’m all for being forward).  I asked an ice-breaker question – “If you only had one karaoke song you could ever sing, what would it be?”  Twenty-six thought about it and said, “This is probably going to sound pretty douchey, but I’d choose ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’” I professed my love for Queen to him and told him in my mind that was not the least bit douchey.  The guys asked where I go for karaoke, and I told them where and that I was actually going in two days.  They said it sounded like fun and that they would try to meet me there.  We finished our gelato and said goodbye.  Like an idiot I didn’t get his number, and I didn’t see either of them at karaoke.  Maybe I’ll run into him in the neighborhood again.  Either way, I loved the complete randomness of the situation.  It just goes to show that talking to strangers isn’t always a bad thing – sometimes you might get free gelato.