Zane

My first date with PIXAL.

Oh the elation I felt. I was surprised that she agreed to go with me. I was also surprised that her father let me take her. He was so worried for her safety but I would never let anything harm her.

Not ever.

I opted for something simple. Just a nice dinner date, and nowhere extravagant, I didn't want her to be overwhelmed.

She sat across from me in the booth, tapping the tip of her straw with a finger. She did not seem bored, but then again her emotional state was not in the most optimal of conditions.

"Do you think you are ready to order your food?" I asked, not wanting her to feel at all pressured.

She hummed nonchalantly. "I suppose I could be...I am not very hungry, though."

"Oh." I breathed. "Well we do not have to eat. We can do whatever you wish to do."

I personally was hungry, but I would hate to disappoint her on a first date.

I could go home and eat something any time.

"It is fine." She said. "Your body language indicates that you need sustenance. We may stay."

I blushed, feeling awful for making her feel obligated to stay with me here.

"Thank you." I said graciously. "But are you sure there is not something you want?"

She did not get a menu, which was strange to me until she mentioned she wasn't hungry.

She looked at me, tilting her head. "Maybe...something sweet?" She asked, almost seeming timid to ask.

"Of course." I assured with a chuckle. "They do have a menu for desserts here." I shifted in my seat so there could be space for her potential presence. "You may come over here if you like and we can pick one to share, unless you want one for yourself?"

She shook her head, slipping from her side of the booth and into the empty space of mine.

"Sugar should be eaten in moderation, I know this. So we can share."

My heart felt as though it was going to burst.

She was so close to me.

I could hardly contain the urge to wrap her in a tight hug and keep her there.

"So they have a small assortment of things here. Most of them cheesecake-"

She shook her head. "That is very dense, and they serve large portions here. That would not be good for either of us."

I nodded. "Alright...then what about mousse? They have chocolate and cherry and I think this says caramel but the ink is smudged..."

"Mousse sounds fine." She said. "Thank you."

I loved the sound of her voice.

I loved how polite she was.

I loved everything about her and I swelled with pride every time I looked at her.

"You're very welcome."

So in a short span of time after that the waiter came and took my menu. I ordered just a simple steak and some broccoli and asked for the mousse to be served after and soon we had our food.

Or...I had mine.

"Can..." She began, seeming timid once more. "Can I try some?" She finally asked, as though she thought I would deny her.

"Of course you can." I told her. "The steak or the vegetables?"

She shrugged. "It does not matter. I simply require sustenance more than I anticipated..."

I smiled. "Alright then." I cut the steak in half and divided the broccoli on the plate, then gave her the extra silverware wrap.

"We can share this too."

For a split second I thought I could see her smile.

Just a little.

It was precious.

We ate in silence, but I was fine with it. That meant there was less to distract me from her perfection.

"Your cheeks are pink." She said out of nowhere, pressing the back of one cool hand to my forehead. "Do you have a fever?"

"N-no." I stammered nervously, grasping her hand and lowering it. "I'm just flustered. I'm fine."

"We don't have to continue the date of you don't feel well..."

"No!" I said perhaps a little too loudly; my heart shriveled when she flinched.

"I-I'm sorry I...I don't want to go." I told her. "I'm perfectly fine. Even if not, I wouldn't end this for anything."

I thought I saw her smile again, just barely, but it was enough, and I was about to offer a compliment but she interrupted my potential words with a brief and surprising kiss.

She also managed to interrupt my heartbeat.

"P-PIXAL...?" I stuttered, choking subtly on my words. "What was that for?"

She cast her eyes down to her lap. "I have done research on dating...and what I have found is that...men who actively pursue a woman want to have them for sex or rights to brag."

She glanced at me, each word she spoke shattering me to my core. "You are pursuing me, I believe, so I assume that is what you want from me?"

I was too horrified to speak. Did she really think I only wanted to use her?

"N-n-no! No I don't..." I cleared my throat. "No I wouldn't ever I..." I was not one for tears, but one stubborn drop trailed lazily down my cheek. "I love you, I could never use you like that."

The waiter brought our dessert to us at the worst possible moment, but left us swiftly.

PIXAL reached out and brushed my dampened cheek. "I..." Her face almost indicated worry, but I couldn't quite tell. "I believe you. Do not be saddened." She pushed the fancy bowl of mousse to me. "Sugar will help to release endorphins. It will make you feel better."

I laughed, I was such a fool, but I was going to make this work. Somehow.

"Alright." I said. "Thank you."

She took her own spoon and we both partook of the mousse, it gone quickly, and when I looked to PIXAL's face I almost laughed again.

She had a smudge of mousse on her cheek near the corner of her lip.

"What is it?" She asked. "Is something wrong?"

I shook my head. "Not at all, you are just too precious." I took a napkin and wiped the stain away. "You made a small mess."

"Oh." She breathed, giving the palest of blushes. "I'm sorry."

I smiled. "It is no matter." I took her hand. "It is time to go, let me take you home..."