Hey, I'm Si and I'm guessing you're here to hear my story.

Where to begin? I guess at the start is as good a place as any.

"12:30, today" the text message had said. "15 Oxford Road. Blue Door at the side."
That was it. That's all the message said. I had been chatting to this guy called Ben on and off for a few weeks. We'd connected on a random friendship app and he had seemed a good laugh so far. Lots of friendly messages back and forth, with an occasional bit of teasing. Ben was a good-looking lad, with an athletic build suggesting that he worked out, but one that also knew how to have fun. At the time I just didn't quite know what sort of fun he was into. I had suggested meeting up, maybe for a coffee or perhaps a bike ride somewhere. He knew a few of my friends and I thought he would be a sound guy to know instead of one on a random app.
But this was the response I got.

It seemed he was keen on meeting up to. But meeting up to do what? I had no idea what I needed, what to bring. My follow up messages were just ignored.
I didn't know what to do. Should I go along and meet Ben, or maybe just stay at home, say something had come up?
Something about the message had put me on edge, but I was intrigued and part of me wondered what he could be planning.

My phone buzzed on the table next to me. It was Jake, one of my closest mates. We knew each other well, perhaps too well. We'd played together a few times, nothing serious though just a few fumbles when we'd had a little bit too much to drink, and he knew more about me and what I enjoyed more than anyone else. Jake was cute and I always enjoyed when we hung out.

"You going to Ben's today?" Jake's message read.
"Maybe" I replied, not sure to mention how short and confusing the message from Ben was.
"You should, you'll love it. Ben's always a good laugh. I was going to pop over as well. Meet you there?"
"Sounds good Jake. Would we need anything?"
"What like a gift? Nah, it's not a dinner party mate, just an afternoon chilling with the guys. I think Ben just wants to meet you and hang out for a while. Just come in something comfortable."
"Cool. I'll be there. 12:30 right?"
"Yeah"
"Thanks Jake"
And so that was it. My fate was sealed. I would go to Ben's and see what awaited me.

A couple of hours later I was stood outside Ben's blue door. When I had left the house, it was a warm summers day, but on the bus ride over the skies had darkened, threatening with rain. Rain which began to fall as I walked towards Ben's house. Typical I thought, why couldn't it have waited a few minutes. Worryingly though Jake was nowhere to be seen.

"Jake where are you?" I messaged, trying not to sound worried. Jake knew Ben, but he was still a random stranger from an app to me, albeit a friendly stranger.
"A few minutes away mate, stuck in some traffic. Be with you soon."

I guess I was relieved a little, at least Jake was on his way. The rain kept falling, getting heavier, and I was regretting not bringing a jacket. My white tee shirt that I had chosen to wear was starting to cling to my chest, beginning to go see through, and the outline of a tattoo on my shoulder was starting to become visible. I checked my watch, 12:26. Ben's message said 12:30. Not sure if I should knock early or wait, I quickly ran back to the road to see if Jake was coming. But nothing he was nowhere to be seen. The road was silent, except for a car that sped through a large puddle near where I was standing, sending water everywhere.

My khaki shorts soaked with dirty road water, I trudged back to that blue door and knocked. As I waited, I could feel the cool rain and road water drip down my back, under the shorts into my grey Bjorn boxers. This certainly wasn't how I expected the day to go, or how I wanted to meet someone for the first time.

The door opened, and there he was, somehow even better than he looked in the messages he had sent. Light brown wavy hair framed Ben's face, and his piercing blue eyes. My own eyes wandered down, taking in his toned physique, the bulging biceps and firm abs, a towel hanging loosely around his neck. A pair of grey joggers completed the look, and I was just stunned, lost for words. The pictures he had sent didn't do justice to the man standing in front of me.

"Hey mate, sorry about this" indicating his appearance, "I was just finishing up in the gym and lost track of time." I started to notice how the sweat was gleaming of his chest. Ben also noticed but he didn't say anything. Be cool Si, be cool, I reminded myself.

"Oh heck," he continued, as if noticing the weather for the first time, "you must be soaked through. Come on in."
"Yeah, just a little" I suggested sheepishly, a cheeky grin on my face.
"Well come on in then."