Sylar Captured
Chapter 7: First Date
"Sure. Sounds Great." That was her answer and the beginning of something wonderful. Or at least so she hoped. She spent an hour getting ready. Thirty minutes alone on hair and make-up. She was nervous as Hell. Her stomach was still turning slightly as her shoes click-clacked on the sidewalk. She didn't know where they were going and she didn't care. All Claire Bennett could think was she was on a date with Peter. Wonderful, cute, sweet Peter.
Waiting an hour on her was well worth it. Claire' little white dress took Peter's breathe away. It fit her body well. The scoop neck teasingly, hinted at cleavage. She looked like an angel. He needed an angel tonight. In fact she looked so beautiful that Peter couldn't take his eyes off her.
The Italian restaurant was quaint. There were a dozen tables covered in red and white checkered tablecloths. Couples were huddled together lost in soft conversation. Candles and Italian music set the romantic mood. The two were seated quickly at a table in the corner. Claire was impressed when Peter pulled the chair out for her. Wow, this is a REAL date!
"Micah really looks up to you. You were all he talked about last week." She sipped on her Diet Coke.
"Yeah. He's a great kid. A little messy when he eats ice cream. But a good kid" Peter smiled when he talked about Micah.
"It's adorable how you talk about him," she smiled. Claire picked up a piece of bread from the bread bowel and tore it into smaller pieces.
"Hmm…yeah I guess." Peter pushed the last of his pasta around on his plate.
"Do you think we will ever have kids?" Claire asked as she placed a piece of bread into her mouth.
"Us?"
"Well, not necessarily US," Her face got warm and red, "as in you and me. But like, do you think we will actually live long enough to have kids." She leaned in and whispered, "You know, save the city from exploding?"
"Yeah of course we will" he quickly answered as he waved down the waiter for their bill.
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Out side the temperature had dropped ten degrees. Claire shivered as they walked toward the subway. Peter wrapped his arm around her, "sorry I didn't bring a coat".
Claire giggled, "its ok. I should've brought a coat. I guess, I'm still use to Texas weather. I think we walked past a coffee shop. It would be on our way back to the apartment".
"Coffee sounds great." Peter rubbed her shoulders in a futile attempt to warm her up.
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The coffee shop was packed with young, trendy people. Claire fit it well. Peter, however, just felt old among the twenty-somethings. Most were turned a stage filled with instruments. A group of guys sitting at a table close to the enterance let out a slow whistle as Claire walked. Peter threw them a dirty look over his shoulder. They approach the counter where a sign hung announcing live music night.
They were greeted by a plump, young girl wearing all black. Her stubby fingers pulled back her black hair with purple streaks. Barely interested in them, she asked, "What'll have?"
"I'll have a tall skinny latte, please" Claire expertly ordered her favorite drink. She grinned, displaying her dimples. Peter raised his eyebrows with admiration. She was pleased with her new found ability to order coffee like an adult. Of course, she had no intention of telling Peter this. She didn't want him to think of her as a child.
"I will take a tall coffee with cream and two sugars" Peter ordered holding up two fingers when he said two.
Claire smiled. He's such a kid sometimes.
"What?" He paid for their drinks. Peter knew she was watching him without looking.
"Nothing" she held up two fingers, "We have two coffees".
He chuckled. "Yeah. That was probably unnecessary. I am obviously not use to such high society. Unlike you." He hoped Claire would realize he was trying to flirt with her.
Loud music filled the coffee shop as a local band began to play. "Good-timing," Claire smiled and began swaying with the music. "They're not too bad".
Peter pointed to the only empty table. The band played music from the 70s and 80s. Surprisingly, Claire knew most of the songs. She sang out loud to Bruce Springsteen and begged Peter to dance with her to Journey. She even bobbed her head to Smoking in the Boys Room. She managed to pull Peter out of his shell. By the end of the night, he was on his feet dancing and cheering the band on. As the band finished their last set, she was up on a chair holding the you rock symbol.
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They stood at the entrance of the apartment. Peter's hands rested on Claire's bare shoulders. "I had a good time," they said in unison.
Claire giggled, "Great minds think alike."
"You should go in. You're freezing."
"I know. It's late and cold" A blonde piece of hair hung on her eyelash. Peter brushed the hair from the lash and placed it behind her ear. His hand slowly ran down her blonde locks. Once again, his hand found its place on her shoulder. Peter's soft touch created butterflies in Claire's stomach. Silence filled the air for several minutes.
"I'd better go." She turned to go, Peter didn't release her hand. She turned around and found his face inches from her face. His hands cupped her face. Her heart stopped. He gently kissed her forehead. "Thanks. I really needed this tonight." He whispered and released her face.
Smiling, "Anytime." Claire leaned up and let her lips brush his. She turned and went into the apartment. She put her back against the wall. Sighing, she slid to the floor. "Wow". She sat on the floor next to the door for several minutes.
Peter stood outside the apartment. He couldn't believe what happened had just happened. Her satin lips kissed him. Her perfume lingered in the air. It created a permanent place in his memory. She had officially turned his world upside down. He slowly turned and walked down the stairs.
Finally, Claire was able to gain enough knee strength to stand and begin the slow ascend to the apartment. She didn't notice Peter slowly walking down the stairs.
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Peter couldn't sleep. His mind was stuck on one topic. Claire Bennett. He picked up his cell phone and contemplated calling her. How could a girl from Texas manage to take his mind off the potential end of the world? He knew he should feel guilty about the feelings he had for her. She was after all, only 17. Deciding it was too late to call, he put the phone down.
He laid down and placed his hands over his eyes. "What am I going to do?"
His phone beeped. Absently he reached over and looked at it. He had a text message from Claire. Grinning, he sat straight up and read I miss you. Have a goodnight! Smiling he laid down, closed his eyes, and dreamt of Claire.
Author Note: Thanks everyone for reading. If you do review I will respond. Thanks again for taking the time to read.
