My courage is already wavering. Of course, it has been all along. Should I really take advice from Ella? She's 12...what does she know about dating? By the way she talks about it, a lot. More than me. Apparantly, fighting is about all I know about. I'm not even very good at that!
I get to the doorway, but pause. Should I really do this? I go over what to say in my mind. 'Do you want to go out tonight?' That's all I have to say. No more than that. I can do this. I suck in a big breath and slide in front of the door.
Eight's there, sitting on the couch, watching the tv. The tingles start in my toes and won't go away. They never do. He looks amazing, just sitting there. Handsome. I think about leaving. I could just walk out now and he would never know what I was going to do. Nobody would-except Ella, of course.
"Hey, Marina." Eight suddenly says, breaking me out of my stupor.
"Oh, umm. Hey." I'm tongue tied. I don't know what to say. I practiced this! It's too late to turn back now.
"What's up?" he asks. Trying to clear my head. Trying to get focused enough to ask you; to ask you out. That's what's up, Eight.
"Umm...not much. You?" Wow, Marina. Smooth. "Uhh...Eight?"
"Still here." He says. I can hear a smirk in his voice. The stunning smile is showing in his words and on his face. How does he do that?
"So, I was thinking. Ella was helping me think. I mean, she was giving me advice," I say, a little too fast. Don't give up now. Just go with the flow. "Do you want to go out with me tonight?" I finally blurt it out. A breath of air escapes my lungs. I didn't realize I had been holding one in. Eight's smiling, now. He's always smiling. But this time it's different. It's a genuine smile. Somehow, it's even more breathtaking then usual. Still, I can't help being worried. Did I go to far?
"Ya. Ya, of course." He responds. A giant smile breaks free from me. I can feel how big it is. Wow; I probably look like an idiot right now. And yet, it's uncontainable. "Where do you want to go?" He continues. I don't know! Where do I want to go?! We didn't plan this part out, Ella!
"I don't care. It doesn't matter. Anywhere works." As long as it's just me and you, I silently add.
"Your not pulling one of those girl things are you? You know, girls say 'I don't care where we go,' but really, they want to go one place, and they'll get angry if you don't go there?"
"Uhh, no, I don't think so," I say, laughing. Eight always knows how to lighten up the moment.
"Alrighty. I'll surprise you, then!"
"Okay. Does tonight at seven work? Six asked me to train with her for a bit until then."
"Ya, sure. See you tonight," he finishes.
"See ya." I turn away, but don't miss the twinkle in his eyes. It always shows up when he's happy or excited. It never fails.