For what seemed like ages, we both stared straight ahead, eyes stretched wide, blushes getting deeper by the second. Finally, my father broke the silence, slamming the door shut. We were alone again.

Takashi turned to me, the romance in the moment evaporating, but he seemed determined about something. He clenched his fist, eyes closed for a moment, then opened them again. His blush had evaporated like rain on a Texas sidewalk. He looked completely normal again. My eyes were stuck on obnoxiously wide, my blush still outrageously red. I stammered for a bit, waiting for something, and he closed the short gap between us with one step.

He was right in front of me again. I was looking up at him, frozen, my heart fluttering again.

For the second time, he leaned close to me.

My throat practically collapsed in on itself.

My eyelids were closing again. It was deja-vu. Craziness.

I felt his hand slide beneath my arm, curling around to rest on the small of my back.

And I felt his lips press against...

My forehead. My sigh of relief was like a gust of wind.

I mean, I wasn't relieved that he wasn't kissing me, I realized now that I wanted that desparately. No, I was relieved because of how incredibly awkward it would've been if he had... And to be honest, even if it was him kissing me, I didn't want my first real kiss to be so... Bad. I collapsed into myself, letting my head flop onto his chest. Without my knowing, my arms reached for him, clinging to his back, even though I realized I'd have to let go in a moment or two. We breathed in harmony for a moment, before the driver flicked the lights at us.

I sighed, letting go hesitently. "I'm... I'm sorry about that..." I forced a nervous laugh and sighed, knowing it was going to be a long night when my dad got a hold of me.

Takashi smiled, and caressed my face slightly.

"Worth it." He walked away with the cool saunter that no one else in this world has.

I watched the car pull away until it turned the corner and slid out of sight. Then, I turned to the inevitable.

I intake as much breath as I can, letting it out in a huff. This is going to suck. I think as I slip through the door, trying to avoid it.

"Rebekah." Crap.

"Yeah, dad?"

"Did you have a nice night?" He flicked the paper he was holding, but I knew he wasn't reading.

"Uh, yes. We all had a good time... His parents are really nice... And... Uh..." I shuffled my feet, embarassed, though he wasn't even facing me. "Ya know, it was actually really tiring, so I'm just gonna go... Go to bed now..." Almost clear...!

The stairs took WAY too long to get up- within two steps my dad called me back, "Bekah." Shoot...

I stopped. "Yes, daddy?"

"There's a business dinner that we'll be attending soon. Make sure you don't make any plans with Morinozuka-sama for that night. It's Wednesday, exactly a week from now. I'll be introducing you to a lot of important people. Think you can handle it?"

"S," I hesitated, "Sure, dad. I can handle that much." I nodded, even though he was still turned away from me, and headed upstairs a bit more calmly. I got into my room, dropping my purse on the bedside library, and collapsed onto the bed. "Damn, that was scary." I covered my face and let the cool of my hands seem into my burning skin. Slowly, I stood. Surveying my room, I saw what I expected would be there. A large white bulge sat on my window seat, awaiting me.

"Hm... So that's why dad opened the door so eagerly..." I walked around the bed to the long cover, noticing the plastic hanger sticking out of the top, near the zipper. I sighed and closed my eyes, wondering what gaudy dress dad wanted my to wear now.

The zipper sounded harsh against the hesitant silence. Opening my eyes, I gasped, all awkward memories from tonight forgotten.

What sat under my shaking fingers was a beautiful garment, a silk underlayer with a gauzy covering layed neatly on top of it. It would reach to the floor, with a sweeping, fluttering effect. The black underlayer was a sweetheart, strapless top, with lacy designs embroidered onto it. The gauzy one was dark gray, split at the waist, so it would blow around your legs as you walk. It had a round neck that stretched to almost the edge of my shoulders. The dress was overwhelmingly gorgeous, and I knew that I would look gorgeous in it with my hair up. It was a dress specifically made to accent your neck and clavicle... And it would definitally do just that.

I couldn't wait to wear it!