DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything. This disclaimer applies to all chapters.
Kirsten was nervous. She hadn't been on a date in almost a year and a half, and it wasn't like this was just any old date. This was a date with Sandy. Although they had known each other for a while, that didn't make it any easier. It made it harder because she wanted to impress him and she knew she hadn't always been the nicest person to him. She regretted all those times that she declined to hang out with him. But, that was in the past and she had a chance with him now. She just hoped that he would see her for who she was today because she already had feelings for him.
Kirsten wore a simple, spaghetti-strapped, black dress. She accessorized the dress with some cheap costume jewelry she had recently bought. Her makeup was heavier than usual, but not excessive. What stood out most was the pink lip-gloss she had on. Her hair was down and curled. She sprayed on some fruit-scented spray and anxiously waited for Sandy to come.
Sandy, too, was nervous. Up until two nights ago he didn't think he had a chance with her. Within one night he went from Kirsten's study partner to having her as his date for the party. While he was very happy about what happened that night, he thought about it the next day and truthfully, felt a bit more awkward now because Kirsten's past. He had no idea she came from such a rich family and hoped that since he wasn't rich, she would give him a chance in the long run. He was excited about seeing her tonight and hoped to make a good impression on her, one that was good enough to last till next semester, when he hoped they could continue dating. He knew it was early to think that far ahead, but he knew he wanted to date Kirsten. He knew that for a long time. He just hoped that their two very different backgrounds wouldn't get in the way.
Sandy wore a nice, fancy, black suit. He wanted to impress Kirsten, especially after hearing about how much money her family had. She said she didn't care about money but he still wanted to look his best for her. He freshly shaved, put gel in his hair, and purposely messed it up the way that Kirsten liked it. He put his fancy cologne on. He arrived at her door, flowers in hand.
"Hi Sandy."
"Kirsten, hi, you look beautiful!"
Quietly she said "Thanks," and then a little louder, "You look very handsome."
"Thank you. Oh, I almost forgot, these are for you." He smiled and handed her a colorful, variety bouquet of flowers. "I umm…didn't know what kind of flowers were your favorite, so I umm…decided on a bouquet that had all different kinds."
"You are too sweet. Thank you."
"So…what is your favorite flower?"
Looking at the bouquet she said, "Actually it's a flower in this beautiful bouquet. The sunflower…here let me use a flower and make you a boutonniere."
"Aww Kirsten you don't need to do that. It's not necessary…" By the time he said this she had already gone to grab a pin and some scissors to cut the flower. This wasn't the type of event that required corsages and boutonnieres. He figured she was used to going to a lot of events back home that required these and was just trying to be nice, so he went along with it.
She put the boutonniere on his lapel, picked up another flower, cut it, put a pin through it, and handed it to him. He guessed that she wanted him to put what was now a corsage on her dress. He was only used to doing this for proms and semi-formal dances back in high school, but did it anyway, trying not to look like he didn't know what he was doing.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Yes." He reached out his arm for her to grab, and they headed out the door.
They walked into the hall that was rented out for the party. Sandy introduced Kirsten to everyone and vice-versa. She immediately noticed that nobody else had corsages or boutonnieres on. Embarrassed, she said, "Oh, umm…we could take these off," looking at the corsage and boutonniere, "I thought that…umm…I didn't know…I'm sorry I-"
"Kirsten," he cut her off. "Its okay, we can leave them on. You didn't know that nobody else would have them on. I didn't know either." He lied. He didn't want to make her feel bad, but this was just a casual party-not a wedding. They weren't necessary. Most people's attire was nice sweaters and khakis. Thankfully, he thought to himself, some people did have suits on, so he didn't stand out too much. He just felt a bit awkward about dressing like this because his friends knew he never liked to wear suits. In fact, they often joked with him about how he was ever going to become a lawyer when he hated suits so much. He was afraid they would mention that in front of Kirsten. He was also a bit nervous about what she would think of the party. He knew she had come to Berkeley to run away from what life was like for her at home, but he was worried about what she would think of the party since he knew she used to go to fancier events back home.
Sandy and Kirsten sat down and started socializing with everyone. The conversation revolved around school and holiday break plans. Sandy was thankful that nobody had commented on his wearing a suit to this event, which he hadn't done any other year to this annual party, and also thankful for how smooth the conversation was flowing between his friends and Kirsten. The evening was going wonderfully.
After eating, the dj encouraged everyone to start dancing. Sandy wasn't much of a dancer but he hadn't spent a lot time alone with Kirsten tonight so he asked her if she wanted to dance.
"Would you like to dance?"
"Dance? To this? It's fast music Sandy."
There it was again. That sarcastic, defensive side of her.
"So…its still danceable…"
"I'm not really into dancing."
"You're not?" he asked sounding a bit disappointed.
"No, I'm not big on dancing."
"Why not?"
"It's just not something I like to do. I'm really not into dancing, drinking…anything you know…"
"Fun? Kirsten ever since I've known you, you haven't done anything fun."
"Who are you to say that?"
"Well it's true…look at yourself…you declined my invitations to the movies, restaurants, and school events all semester…"
"I'm here now aren't I?"
"Yes…but I'm just saying…loosen up a little and have some fun."
"Sandy I am having fun. I don't have to be dancing or drinking or doing anything like that to have fun."
"I know. I'm just asking you to dance with me this one time."
She made a face, but allowed him to pull her out onto the dance floor. She was uncomfortable dancing. She would have preferred to sit at the table and continue chatting with Sandy and everyone else still sitting at the table.
He held her hand and swung her around in circles. He knew she wasn't enjoying herself dancing, so after that song, he led her back to the table. They went back to chatting while eating dessert. Quickly after dessert, Sandy nudged Kirsten's leg underneath the table. She looked over at him and he quietly said "Are you ready to go?"
A bit surprised, she agreed. She was enjoying herself with everyone at the table and wasn't quite ready to leave, but stood up with Sandy when he announced to everyone that they were leaving. Once they got outside, he said, "So…what do you want to do now?"
"The date's not over? I thought that it was…that's why you wanted to leave so quickly. I thought I embarrassed you or something."
"No, it is quite the opposite. I was hoping we could have some alone time together, considering that I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Oh, okay…because I felt so embarrassed about these." She again looked at the corsage and boutonniere and continued, "I just never went to any parties up here and I thought that was the standard. I guess that was just the standard at my father's parties. I'm sorry…I don't want you to think that I'm still just a rich girl who is trying to make everyone else feel awkward. Everything I told you the other night was the truth. I really don't agree with all the fancy attire parties and luxury living style that my father likes."
"Kirsten. It's okay. You are getting upset for no reason. Making me this boutonniere was very sweet. So…do you want to go to the beach?"
"The beach? Isn't it a little late?"
"No, its romantic out there on the sand," he said smiling while dreamily gazing at her.
She couldn't help but agree when he said that so sweetly and energetically while giving her that smile. He made everything sound exciting and fun.
Smiling she said, "As long as it doesn't involve dancing or anything like that."
While driving, Sandy brought up the dancing.
"About the dancing…I'm sorry I forced you into dancing…I could tell you were uncomfortable out there."
"I tried not to be. I'm just…uh…rather reserved. I may have sounded very boring before when I said I wasn't into dancing, but I just don't like to dance. As far as the other stuff, it's just that I don't see a need to get drunk in order to have a good time at some party."
"I understand. So…I guess you're lucky I didn't make you do some fast swinging on the dance floor," he said looking over at her smiling.
She couldn't help but laugh. He knew how to make a joke at the perfect time.
They made their way to the beach and walked down the boardwalk, her arm linked around his.
"Did you have fun tonight?"
"Yes. I had a great time. In fact I was mad when you said let's leave since I was having a lot of fun with everyone, but now I'm glad we did…this is really nice," she said looking out at the water.
"I know."
"Let's go out on the beach…"
"Now?"
"Come on…" he pleaded, smiling widely.
She found herself acting more carefree with him. She hadn't gone out in a long time. This was fun. They took off their shoes and left them at the entrance to the beach by a bench. They walked along the beach. She pulled away when they got close to the water.
"Sandy, I'm sorry, I don't want to get wet."
"Not a fan of water?"
"No, not ocean water."
"Aww, why not?"
"It's a really stupid reason. Quite embarrassing. One time when I was young, dad took the family to the ocean. I went in the water and was having a great time until…" she laughed, then continued "I got out of the water and noticed a jellyfish in my bathing suit."
"In your bathing suit?" he confirmed, laughing.
"Yes it was in my bathing suit. I got very scared and ever since then, have a fear of having that happen again." She replied laughing with him but lightly pushing him for laughing at her. He playfully pushed her back and then brought her in close to him.
"Come on, conquer your fear and just dip your toe in. I'm right here if anything happens, and besides, you're not going swimming. Just standing in the water."
She thought he was joking, but he pushed her toward the water. She grabbed his hand and slowly walked with him through the water, parallel to the beach. They walked silently for a while, hand in hand, both enjoying each other's company.
"See, that wasn't so bad? Right?" he asked after they started walking back on the sand.
"Right, thanks to you." She smiled.
They headed back toward the car. They sat down on the bench where they had left their shoes earlier, and she leaned her head on his shoulder, while they still held hands. He was nervous again. He knew their date was going to be over soon and he wanted to talk to her about what he had in mind.
"Kirsten?"
"Yeah?" she lifted her head off his shoulder and looked him in the eyes.
"I had a wonderful time with you tonight. I was wondering…umm…would you umm…go out with me again?"
"Of course," she smiled and nudged him in the arm, "I thought you already knew." She turned serious again and said softly, "I had a wonderful time too. It may have been only recently that I realized that I like you more than a friend…that I have feelings for you…but I definitely do and am glad that I do."
They both smiled at one another. He gently put his hand on her cheek and leaned in to kiss her. She put her hand on his cheek and leaned in. They slowly began to kiss. When they broke the kiss he took her hand as they headed toward the car. He opened the car door for her, smiling as he walked around to open his door.
They both anxiously thought about how the night would end. Neither wanted it to end. It had just gotten good and was about to be cut short. Both were worried about the young relationship, considering they had just started dating and most relationships are vulnerable in their early stages.
They were now standing in Kirsten's apartment. Kirsten signaled for Sandy to come in, as she clearly wanted to continue where they left off at the beach. Sandy, however, knew that he had to say good-bye now, for if he continued, he may very well not go home for the break and would cause more hurt in his relationship with his mother. Picking up on his hesitance, she said sadly, "You don't want to come in?"
"I can't. I want to, but it will just make it that much harder to leave. Kirsten let's talk about what's going to happen after break."
"Sure."
"I don't want this to end just because it started at the end of the semester."
"Me either," she replied.
"So I guess we'll just have to wait this out until January."
"Yeah. Although we could still talk on the phone, it's not the same as being together in person, but its something."
"You're right. I'll take that. Here let me give you my phone number."
He scribbled his home phone number down on a piece of paper. She wrote her home phone number down too and noted to him that it's her own line so he could call whenever he wants.
"So let me just say that I had a great semester studying with you. I truly enjoyed hanging out with you on Tuesday and I enjoyed our date tonight…and I look forward to our next date.
"I enjoyed studying and hanging out with you too. I wasn't looking forward to break…you know having to go home and visit everyone…and now you just made me look forward to it even less because I won't be seeing you…but it gives me something to really look forward to…when we see each other again in January."
"Yes I will be looking forward to that. So…this is it…"
"Yeah. Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year."
"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. So I'll call you when I get to New York, okay?"
"I'll be looking forward to it."
They leaned in and briefly kissed, followed by a long hug. As they broke apart, Kirsten nearly yelled "Sandy wait! Let me give you something of mine so you won't forget me." She ran into her bedroom.
"How could I forget you?" he responded.
She came back with the tan sweater she had worn the other night.
"Here…its…"
"The sweater you wore the other night. You want me to take it with me?" he asked a bit confused.
"Yeah. Okay…umm I don't have anything to give to you."
"That's okay, one more kiss will do."
They kissed one more time. And that was it. The semester was over. Both wondered what would happen when they returned to school in January…
TBC
Let me know what you think.
Thoughts to think about for the next chapter:
Have Sandy and Kirsten kept in touch over break? Have they told their parents about the other person, and if so, what was the family's reaction? What happens when they return to school? Do they stay together and continue what started out as a wonderful relationship? Find out in the next chapter.