Chapter 9: The Fist Date
The weekend had arrived and Lacey was so excited about her first date with Jose. Jose was meeting up with her at the train station at noon, and she couldn't wait. Lacey had woken up two hours before they were supposed to meet. She grabbed an orange sundress that she had bought after school one day the week before out of her closet. After she changed into the dress she picked up a simple pair of stud earrings off of her dresser and slipped them into her ear. The last thing she put on was the yin yang chocker that was hanging off the side of her dresser. After everything was finished she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She slid on a pair of black flats before heading down stairs.
Lacey ran down stairs and found her mother in the kitchen fixing breakfast. Lacey had told her mother about the date the day that Jose had asked her out. Her mother was happy for her and she told her that she would do anything she could to help. Lacey put her head on her mother's shoulder and said in a cheerful voice "good morning mom." Her mother turned around and smiled and said "have a great time today sweetheart." Lacey wrapped her arms around her mother and gave her a hug and nodded in agreement. Lacey and her mother sat down for breakfast and afterwards Lacey cleaned up the kitchen and headed out the door.
Lacey ran for the train station and tripped on her shoes a few times before reaching the station. she looked at the clock above the overpass and realized she was fifteen minutes early. "I hope he doesn't feel like he's late" she thought to herself as she found a bench and sat down. Jose showed up a few minutes after she had sat down. Jose seemed to be out of breath and he put his hands on his knees and looked up to see Lacey in the sundress. "Wow, you look amazing Lacey. I'm sorry that I'm late but I overslept and it took me longer to get here than I thought" Jose said after catching his breath. Lacey laughed and said, "No, don't worry about it I got here early. I'm glad you like it. What did you have in mind for the first date?" Jose stood up and walked over to Lacey and offered his hand. Lacey took it and stood up walking with him onto the platform "I thought I would keep that a secret" he said with a smile.
Lacey and Jose boarded a train that was headed to just outside the city. "what are we doing here" she asked curiously. Jose smiled and said, "You'll find out soon enough." The two exited the train once they reached outside of the city and they started walking. Suddenly, Lacey heard music, the ringing of bells and the sound of people laughing and talking. She had no idea where it was coming from or what it was about. Jose said, "We're here now." After he said that a giant sign came into view that read "County Fair" Lacey had never been but she was excited to see what it was about. They both walked under the arch and Jose smiled. "What do you want to do first" he asked? Lacey looked around and noticed that people were playing different games and eating foods she had never seen before. She pointed to a booth that said, "Catch a Goldfish" in colorful letters and a little orange fish with a hand net off to the side. Jose smiled and they walked over to the booth and Lacey received a net and tried to catch a goldfish. Lacey looked in the tank and noticed that it was full of fish. She waited patiently for one fish to get away from the crowed and scooped it up with the net. "Congratulations young lady you got one. That little fella is yours now take care of him" the vendor said as he grabbed a plastic back and filled it with water. Lacey smiled as she was handed the plastic bag and Jose and her walked around the fairgrounds for a while. Lacey noticed a photo booth and grabbed Jose by the hand and ran towards it. Jose's face became red when Lacey grabbed him by the hand. Lacey got into the booth with Jose and they took four pictures. The first two were the two of them making silly faces and the last two were two that Lacey loved. The first was where Jose had his arm around her smiling. The last one was with the fish between the two of them smiling. After the photo booth Lacey tried some cotton candy and she thought it tasted strange. After they ate the sun was starting to set and Jose said, "Let's go on the Ferris wheel." They stood in line for their turn and Jose gathered all the courage he had as the car lowered itself and the attendant said, "Next two please." Lacey and Jose climbed into the car and they gradually got higher and higher. The car stopped at the top and Lacey was stunned by the view and she couldn't believe the it. The human world was wonderful to her. Jose had been waiting for this moment and placed his hand on Lacey's shoulder. "So, what do you think?" "I think it's amazing" she replied still smiling. "I'm glad. Um, he stammered would you like to go out with me again sometime" he asked? Lacey spun around smiling and nodded as the car started moving again. Jose smiled and sat down next to her grabbing her hand. "I'm so happy" he said.
On the way back to the city Lacey and Jose stayed close to each other and holding hands. At the train station Jose grabbed his coat and placed it around Lacey's shoulder as he walked her to her house. The two hugged each other good night and Jose released her hand slowly and before he left he handed her a tiny fishbowl. "I picked this up at the fair when you weren't looking I can't wait to hear what you name him" he said smiling as he walked backwards out of the yard. Lacey said, "Thank you so much for everything today." She unlocked her front door and walked inside. Her mom was already asleep on the couch in the living room. Lacey grabbed a blanket and placed it over her mother. "She must have waited up for me. I'll have to tell her tomorrow" she thought to herself as she walked up the stairs to her room.
