Disclaimer: I don't own the story or it's characters, I just meshed the two.

September 6th, 3:34 pm

I decided that the only way I can possibly calm my nerves before Jacob is supposed to pick me up in three hours, twenty-five minutes, and seventeen seconds is to work on my sketchbook. So I fill a glass with water, grab my colored pencils and watercolors, and go sit on the front porch. Everything else I need is already sitting on the wicker couch- glitter, glue, scissors, Jane magazines, CD player, and Creative Visualization. I'm at the part where I have to make a treasure map of my ideal relationship. The concept is that if I physically create a descriptionof the boy I want, if I can see him that clearly in my heart and in my mind, then I'll be more open to him coming into my life. Of course, I already think this guy is Jacob, so I'm imagining how I want him to be from the little I already know about him. When he's my boyfriend, I can show him this later, and we'll laugh about how I knew him even before I knew him.

With my favorite James Taylor CD playing, I use yellow to paint a border around the page, which makes the whole page look like it's lit up. So far my treasure map is a collage of words I cut out of magazines and glues at all different angles around the page. Words like "romantic" and "smart" and "cute" and "introspective". I shade around some of the words with a pink colored pencil. I smudge the pink into light blue.

I spread glitter over the border. Then I write about the way I want to feel when I'm with this awesome boy. Like I'm the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. Like I'm the most important thing in his life.

I flip through this month's Jane, looking for more words and images to describe him. I cut out a couple sitting on a hill, watching the sunset. I cut out "irresistible" and "funny". I cut out a yin-yang symbol. James sings how the secret of love is all about opening up your heart. And then I imagine an absolutely perfect date happening tonight, with romance and excitement and the euphoria that happens when you connect with the person your meant to be with. Not that I've ever experienced that feeling. But I can imagine how intense it is.

At dinner, I'm feeling really confident. Jacob told me I looked great when he picked me up, and he held my hand for half the movie. He even said how he'd been looking forward to tonight all week. So I ask the thing I've been dying to know all summer.

"Why didn't you call me this summer?"

"I was staying with my uncle at my old reservation in Boulder. I had a summer job set up there before I moved, so it was just easier for me to go back than trying to find something here."

Knowing that there was an actual reason he didn't call me is the best part of the night. "If I'd been here," Jacob says, leaning toward me and reaching for my hand across the table, "I would have definitely called you."

I am insanely happy.

But I'm still nervous about the inevitable kiss later. I wish that I wasn't nervous so I could be hungry, When I'm telling the waitress what I want, I'm all weirded out about Jacob watching me. For some reason, I always feel self-conscious about ordering food.

"So," I say.

Jacob smiles at me.

I smile at him.

And I can't think of one single thing to say.

"I'm so glad we had a little sunshine yesterday," Jacob says. "All the rain is killing me."

"Does it rain in Colorado?"

"Not really. It's too dry and hot for it to rain." He says. "But, that's okay. You don't really feel the heat."

"Oh, yeah! I remember that from earth science. It's like… when the air is dry, it has less water vapor, so there's room for your sweat to evaporate."

"So why don't you feel as hot?"

"Because when your sweat evaporates, that's how you cool off."

"I knew that." He smiles at me. "I was just seeing if you did."

Then Jacob talks about basketball, explaining the rules and special techniques and stuff. I'm so not into sports, but I let him go on because he's gorgeous. Then the food arrives. And the worst thing happens. When I reach for the mustard, I knock over his soda. Jacob jumps out of the booth before it pours all over his lap. But his sleeve is soaked.

"Oh!" I yell. "I'm sorry!"

"It's okay," Jacob says.

I pull a bunch of napkins out of the napkin holder. "Here, let me-"

"No, it's okay. I got it."

When he comes back from the bathroom, I still can't think of anything interesting to say.

Then Jacob's like, "What are you thinking about?"

"I like that photo," I tell him. It's of an old cobblestone street somewhere that feels like Europe. With lots of plants hanging out of the windows.

"Oh." He points behind me. "I like that one."

When I turn around to see it, I'm like, He has to be joking. It's a loud, annoying painting of a boring landscape. Totally impersonal and with stupid colors. It reminds me of the guy on PBS who does these really gross paintings and you're supposed to paint along with him. As if you would want to.

"Yeah, right," I laugh.

"No," Jacob says. "I'm serious."

"Oh!" I look at it again. "Well, yeah. It's nice." It is not nice. It is horrendous. But everyone knows that people in a relationship should have different interests. You can't expect someone to like all the same things you do.

"You know," He says chewing, "I didn't think you would go out with me."

"Why not?"

"Like, you went out with Eric, and he's…really…smart."

"So then why'd you ask for my number?"

"I always thought you were cute. Remember when I sat next to you at the junior meeting?"

I nod. If only he knew how many details I remember.

"I was hoping you liked me. But I didn't know if I was smart enough for you."

"But your smart!"

"Yeah." He squeezes my hand. "But you are absolutely brilliant." He lets my hand go and touches my cheek. "And really cute, too."

I am insanely happy.

When the check comes, I remember what Alice said to do. She said since Jacob asked me out, he should be the one to pay. And that I shouldn't offer to pay for my half the way I usually do.

I bite my lip. My lips are dry and crackly. And of course I didn't bring any Chap Stick. So I have to think of a way to lick them without Jacob noticing before we kiss later.

Jacob pays. I exhale.

I kind of blank out during the ride to my house. Neither one of us is talking much. I'm way too nervous about the kiss. He must be, too.

We hold hands walking to the porch. Then we're standing on the porch. The light is on. I look over at my neighbors' yard to see if anyone's watching.

"Thanks for dinner. And the movie. I had a good time."

"Your welcome," Jacob says. "I had a good time, too."

I look up at him. His dark eyes look black in the night. I can't tell what he's thinking.

I wait for the rest to happen.

Jacob leans toward me. I lean toward him.

And then he kisses me.

On the cheek.

Jacob says, "So…..see you Monday."

"Yeah," I say. "See you."

Even after he's gone, I'm still standing there. Still waiting for my real kiss.

Author's Note: Sorry about the wait guys. My band got a last minute gig, and I was gone all Saturday night. But I plan on updating within the next two days so watch out! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

Love ya,

Ami