Chapter 7: The First Date

We played the song. The whole time I stared at Adam. He'd grin at me and keep talking to whomever. Occasionally, I'd catch myself grinning back and kick myself. After 'Centerfold,' we played the rest of our playlist. Before we knew it, our set was over.

"Thank you, Eden Hall! We had a great time. For the rest of the night, CDs will be playing. Bye." I put my guitar away and jumped off the stage.

"You were great, Lil!" Rick picked me up and twirled me around. "You two were good, too," he said to my pals.

About time he paid attention, I thought, smiling happily as I said, "Thanks, Rickie."

"Lil, we're gonna load up the van and leave. You be okay here?" Myranda asked. Meaning, was it okay to leave me here to bum a ride so the two of them could go make-out somewhere.

"Yeah, thanks," I said, chucking Nick on the shoulder.

"Bye, Lillie," they said, linking arms and walking away.

Rick was still smiling at me.

"What?" I asked, grinning back

"When are you gonna get a boyfriend?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Never."

"Yeah, ok." And still grinning, he walked over to his girlfriend.

Well, that was interesting, I thought, looking after him. Somebody cleared their throat behind me. I turned around to see Adam, grinning sheepishly.

"Hey."

"Hi."

He gestured toward the stage. "So you're in a band, too?"

"Yeah," I said quietly.

"It's too loud in here." He took my hand and led me through Cole's house to the front porch.

He sat down on the top step. Then he motioned for me to sit next to him. I did and tucked my dress underneath my legs. I sat there, looking at my hands, waiting for Adam to say something.

"So," I said after an eternity. "What's new?"

"Lilly." Adam finally turned to look at me. "I wanted to, uh, apologize for earlier. I, uh, shouldn't have kissed you." He ran a hand though his hair.

"Adam, I-"

"Wait." He held up a hand to silence me. "Hear me out. I know it was wrong, but you had kissed me last night and you looked so cute this afternoon. I couldn't help it."

"Adam, I-"

"Wait, I'm not done. I understand if you think I'm a major moron and want nothing else to do with me. But, Lillie, I would like a chance to take you out. Okay, I'm done. Go ahead." He looked at me expectantly.

Finally, you idiot, I thought.

"Adam," I started, "I would like to tell you that you are the biggest bonehead in the world."

"Uh?"

"You dummy! If I had minded you kissing me, don't you think I would've done something about it? Like slap you?"

"Well, yeah, but-"

"No buts. And if you think I'd say no to a date, you're wrong." I paused for a millisecond, looked around, then leaned in like I was telling a secret. "I really like you."

"I like you, too, Lillie." He stood up. "You wanna go get something to eat?"

"Sure." I accepted his outstretched hand and stood up. "There's this great pizza place a block away."

As we started toward the pizzeria, I looked at Adam. He was wearing a jacket and tie.

"Nice threads," I commented.

"Oh," he said, embarrassed. "My mom made me." He loosened the tie.

"Oh." Great, a Mama's boy.

"She just doesn't get how cheesy they are to wear to parties."

"Yeah, parents." Before I could stop myself, I giggled. Then I realized how cold it was and how I had no jacket. Lucky for me, we'd just made it to the pizzeria.

"Here." Adam held open the door for me.

"Thanks." I felt myself smile genuinely at his politeness.

As we waited to be seated, I silently chided myself. The plan was all messed up. He wasn't supposed to fall this fast. And neither was I.

We were seated. We ordered and sat in silence. I looked everywhere, but across the booth. That was where those cool, blue eyes sat, staring at me. They scared me.

A few minutes later, Adam took my hand. I couldn't help it; I looked up at him. He could've burned a hole in me, he was staring so hard.

"Adam." I chuckled that make-myself-comfortable chuckle again. "What's wrong?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing."

I looked away and then back again. "Something is." I tried to pull my hand away, but no dice.

"I don't think this is going to work, Lillie." He looked down at our intertwined fingers.

He knows, I thought as I said, "What?"

He let go of my hand, stood up, and stood right in front of my side of the booth. "You sitting over here and me over there." He grinned.

I let out a silent sigh of relief as I feigned giggles (I think) and scooted over in the seat.

Adam sat down. He slid over so there was barely an inch between us. He kept looking at me. I felt a little freaked so I slid over to the wall. Adam just followed. I looked at him.

There were those eyes. There was something in them. Something I'd never seen in any other guys' eyes. I don't know what it was, but for some reason, it terrified me.

Adam had picked up my hand again and was caressing it softly, as if it was delicate lace. I looked down at our hands, then back into his eyes.

"What's new?" I asked softly, for the second time that night.

"Everything."

Adam brought his hand up and began caressing my cheek.

"Adam," I said, closing my eyes, "stop."

"Why?" I felt him lean closer.

"Because the pizza's here."

"Oh."

He leaned away. We ate in silence. I tried to hurry because I longed for the safety of my dorm, away from the shivers those electrifying eyes sent down my spine.

We finished eating, and Adam paid. Then we walked out the door.

"Well, thanks. That was nice. Eden Hall's only a few blocks away, so I can walk. 'Night." I started out of the parking lot.

"Hold up! If you think I'm going to let you walk alone, in the dark, five blocks, you're crazy." Adam caught up to me and turned me around to face him. "What's up? Why the rush?"

"I, uh, I'm just tired and cold." I looked up quickly, then at the ground, shivering the whole time.

"Of course you're cold. Here." He took off his jacket and put it over my shoulders. Then he pulled me toward him. "That should be better," he whispered, his breath warming my face.

"Thanks." I breathed the word softly. I kept staring at his tie.

"No problem." He lifted my face up to look me in the eyes.

"Adam, we sh-"

"Shh." He cut me off, silencing me with a finger.

"But-"

"No buts." He leaned in and kissed me softly, uncertainly. It slowly became more confident.

I was the one who pulled away. I was gasping for air as I looked into Adam's eyes. That thing was there again and it still terrified me.

"Take me home, please." I took a step backwards as I spoke.

"Of course," he said, a little frustrated.

We walked the five blocks in silence. He walked me clear to my dorm room.

"Well, thanks for a great night," I said, feigning cheerfulness as I handed him back his jacket. Then I went to go inside my room.

"Wait! Lilly, can I see you again?"

Man, he doesn't get discouraged easily. I stopped and turned around. Adam looked pleadingly at me.

"I-well-uh, I, um," I stuttered. Then, I sighed and whispered, "Yes."

Adam's face lit up. "Great! Listen, I know tomorrow's Sunday, but will four o'clock be okay?"

"Sure." I was so tired, I'd agree to anything. At least that's what my excuse was for saying yes.

"Okay. See you then. Goodnight." He gave me a quick kiss goodbye and walked out of the building.

"Great." I banged my head against the door. "Much more of this and I'll fall for him. Then my plan would be ruined."

I turned around and went into the dorm. I stumbled to my bed. I crawled under the covers and prayed to sleep until Monday.