"I knew he was going to ask you out! I totally called it I mean you can't spend everyday with someone and not end up liking them! I knew from the first day you told me about him that you guys were going to get it on! Raquel I am so happy for you!"

"Thanks Ariella, I'm really happy too. It was really cute the way he asked me too."

"Shut up then! Tell me details!"

"Ha! Ok…" I continued to give her the play-by-play on what had just happened. We talked about it for over an hour. By the time we were finished it was almost one in the morning."

"Look babe I'm so happy for you but I need to get some sleep."

"Yah, me too."

"Ok so call me after you guys have your first date ok?"

"Of course I'm gonna call you! Talk to ya later!"

"Bye love!"

I walked over to my bed and got in. even though I sad that I should get some sleep I wasn't tired at all, but I wanted some time to think. My mind was racing and so was my heart.

How could someone who started out to rude and cold-hearted make me so happy? I wonder what we will do for our first date…

I began to imagine all sorts of romantic first dates and then it dawned on me that I didn't really care what we did. I was just happy that I was on a date with him. My body felt like it was floating and I gentle touched my side. There was still a little scar from when I was thrown to the ground by Jason. It's a little ironic that a lot of pain would eventually end up in this amazing feeling that I was feeling now. I finally drifted off to sleep and dreamt about what had just happened.

The next morning

The phone rang and Alan got up from the kitchen table and walked over to the phone. It was Raquel.

"Hello?"

"Hey! It's me!"

"Oh hey what's up?" Alan's heart began to beat faster what if she was calling to say that last night was a mistake? What is she really didn't want to go out with me and didn't know how to tell me so she was calling me to say that she didn't want to go out with me.

"I was calling about last night." I knew it! I know someone as pretty and fun as her would never want to go out with me. Alan prepared himself for the worse.

"If I remember correctly you promised me a date, and I was wondering when you were planning to fulfill your promise. I think you should just know that I am free all day today, you know just incase you were wondering." So she really does want to go out with me! Alan quickly went though the day in his mind. He was also free. Alan tried to think of something really romantic and witty to say but nothing came to mind.

"So do you want to go on a date with me today? I would love to take you somewhere."

How cute! It seemed like Alan was so nervous to ask me out even though I already said yes.

"Of course! I would love to be taken by you somewhere. What did you have in mind?"

"Hmm… I don't know I didn't quite get that far. What do you want to do?"

"Oh I don't know whatever you want to do. I really don't care."

Suddenly it hit him. The zoo! He remembered Raquel telling him how much she loved the zoo one night when they were studying marine biology. He could bring her to the zoo for their first date. It was perfect! She said that she loved the animals.

"How about the zoo? You really like the Zoo don't you?"

"I love the zoo! How did you know?"

"I remember you told me that one night when we were studying. I can borrow my cousin's car and we can drive into town and go to the zoo. Then do you want to go to dinner?"

"Sure! That sounds like so much fun!"

"Great, ok what time do you want to get picked up?"
"Hmm, well I haven't showered or anything. So an hour or so? Is that ok with you?"

"Sounds great! I will come and pick you up at noon that's an hour and a half ok?"

"Ok can't wait! See you later!"

"Yup see you later."

They both hung up and went to go get ready. Raquel called some of her closest girlfriends who lived close to her and they came over to help her pick out the perfect outfit. They came up with a brown deep v-neck halter top with embroidered beads around the rib cage and light blue jeans and some new sneakers. (Raquel's outfit is on my homepage if you want to see it) The girls left and Raquel was alone waiting with excitement.

At Alan's home there was a whirlwind of nerves and excitement. He pulled on his favorite jeans and his favorite t-shirt and his white New York hat. He grabbed his wallet and looked inside. There was a twenty and two tens. Forty dollars? Alan you dumbass! That isn't going to be enough to take Raquel to the zoo and dinner. What am I going to fucking do? Shit! I guess I could ask Melissa for some cash, but then I would have to tell her I was going on a date and she would not let me hear the end of it. Fuck! Oh well Raquel is worth a few weeks of torture. Alan walked into his cousin's room and found her reading a book.

"Umm… Could I borrow some money?"

"First my car and now money? Why do you need money are you going on a date or something." She laughed at her own joke.

"Well, actually yah I do. So can I have some money please?"

"Alan? You have a date? Oh my God! Of course! So give me some details is she pretty who is she?"

"It's Raquel, were going to the Zoo and dinner and I don't have enough money. Can I please have some I am going to be late."

"Raquel? No way! I thought you guys were just friends! I knew you had a crush on her! Yah here is fifty dollars is that enough?" Alan shook his head in agreement.

"Thanks Melissa I don't know when I will be home. Thanks for the car and the money."

"Alan you treat her like a lady you understand?"

Alan grabbed the money and ran to the car and hopped inside he didn't want to be late. He sped off towards Raquel's house and called her on her cell phone to say he was coming now. When he reached Raquel's house he went and rang the doorbell and she answered it quickly. She looked so beautiful. Her hair was straightened and she was wearing jeans that fit her perfectly. They greeted each other and got in the car and set off for the Zoo.

They reached the zoo about an hour later. They spent most of the after noon looking at all the animals. Things were going well. Alan was not crazy about the zoo but it was ok. It was better when he was with Raquel. Everything was better when he was with her. So they walked around the large zoo and laughed when they got to the monkies and watched the otters swim around and were amazed when they saw the sharks getting fed live fish. The underwater tank and Alan's favorite part. They spent almost a half hour looking at all of the colorful fish and Alan would tell Raquel all about the different fish and a cool thing about each one.

"This is the cuddle fish they look kind of like a squid but they are very different. They can change genders whenever they want."

"Woah! That's so weird! Alan, if I were a fish which one would I be?

"I think you would be a dolphin, even though that's not a fish."

"How come?"

"Because they care very graceful and fun to watch, and they are my favorite marine animal to be around, and you're my favorite person to be around." Alan turned his face so Raquel could not see his face turning red.

Shit! That didn't sound so corny in my head. It just came out and now she thinks I'm stupid!

"Aww! Alan that's so sweet!" Raquel squeezed his hand lightly and moved closer to him and smiled. "I think if you were a fish you would be a sea cucumber, even though that's not a fish."

Alan sarcastically replied. "Wow! You're so sweet I'm a sea cucumber! Thanks Raquel!"

"No! You didn't let me explain. See you're special just like the sea cucumber and even the zoo doesn't have one. You're so unique it is hard to find someone like you. Just like a sea cucumber! Plus not a lot of people know a lot about you or a sea cucumber, but once they get to know you they will think you're awesome just like a sea cucumber! Once I got to know you I thought you were awesome!"

Alan smiled and kissed Raquel on the cheek and they both moved on to the lions and tigers. Soon it was almost six o'clock and they were both getting hungry so they walked out to the car and tried to decide where to go for dinner. They decided to go to Alan's favorite Italian restaurant closer to the house so they started off towards Tucci's. It wasn't lone before Raquel was dancing to one of her favorite songs Crazy in Love. She knew all of the words and was singing and dancing I the car.

"Don't you love this song? It is major quality!"

"Ha! Yah it is ok, although I must say when you sing it, it is a lot more interesting!" They both started laughing and Raquel stopped dancing because she was tired. It seemed like in no time they were at the restaurant even though it was over an hour away. Walking into the restaurant it was filled with amazing smells. They were seated at a small table set aside from the rest. There were candles on the tables and there was romantic music playing over the speakers in the ceiling.

"So what are you going to get?"

"Hmm… ravioli it's my favorite. What about you?"

"I think I'm going to get the ravioli too. It's my favorite too."

"That's so cool! Silence fell between them as they both fell into deep thought.

I wonder what he I thinking right now. I hope he is having a good time. I had a blast but you never know with guys. They could seem like they are having a good time and then not call you again. No, Alan wouldn't do that. Although he might suggest that we don't go on anymore dates. I would be so upset if he said that. I wonder if he will kiss me. Sure we have had a few pecks here and there, but I wonder if tonight he will really kiss me.

I wonder if she had a good time with me. What is she doesn't want to go out on a date with me again? Does this mean that she is my girlfriend? Should I kiss her? What is she doesn't kiss on the first date and I try to kiss her and she kicks my ass and thinks I'm a dusch bag? I don't know why I am so worried it is only Raquel, but for some reason I am really nervous.

Alan started playing with his napkin. This is something he dose when he is nervous. Trying to break the silence he started a conversation.

"So…did you have a good time at the zoo?" He looked at her and tried not to act too nervous.

"Yah! I had a great time thank you for taking me out it was a lot of fun! Did you have a good time?" Raquel started picking at her nails. (Her nervous habit.)

"Yah the zoo was fun. I'm glad you could come with me. We should do this again sometime." Alan looked down at his hands unable to look her in the eye. He did not know what she was going to say. His heart began to beat faster and faster again.

"Yah we totally should! Today was a blast!" Raquel's heart began to flutter.

He wants to go on another date! Yes! Raquel looked around there were now lovers dancing. A small group of older men playing instruments replaced the music playing over the speakers. I wonder if he will ask me to dance. Maybe he doesn't dance though who knows. Bu if he doesn't as then I won't be disappointed.

She wants to go on another date with me! Oh shit! She I looking over at the people dancing. What if she wants me to ask her to dance? I'm a horrible dancer. How do you even dance to this? Alan ran though his mind the time when he was little that he had to learn how to dance in gym class. He thought he remembered and went though the steps in his head. He remembered it was easy enough so he mustered up some courage and asked her the big question.

"Umm… Raquel would you like to dance with me?" Raquel couldn't believe her ears how could he be this perfect?

"I would love to dance with you!" they both got up walked over to the clearing where everyone was dancing and Alan placed his hand on her waist and she placed on hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand. They began to dance to the music. At first their movements were choppy and nervous. But by the second song they were flying across the dance floor with grace and rhythm. Raquel wished they could stay there forever, but they looked back and their food had just arrived at their table. So they went back and started eating their ravioli.

"Where did you learn to dance like that? You're really good!" Alan did not want to say elementary gym class so he answered trying not to lie to her.

"I dunno I don't remember. When I was little." Saying gym class was too dorky. He wished he could have this amazing story to tell her so she could be impressed but he couldn't come up with one. They finished their meal, paid and then walked back to the car they were only twenty minutes from their houses.

The headlights from the car could be seen on the garage door as the Honda pulled up into Raquel's drive way. They walked up the steps to the door and they stood there in silence.

"I had a really nice time tonight. Thank you for everything."

"It was nothing I'm glad you had fun. So I will call you tomorrow is that ok?

"Yah, that sounds fine. Talking to you is fun."

"You looked really nice today. I mean you always look nice but you look really pretty tonight." Should I kiss her? What if she gets pissed? What if she thinks I'm a bad kisser? Well she didn't just say good night and get into her house. Maybe that is a good sign. Maybe I should find out if she wants a kiss another way…

"So, uh does this mean I can call you my girlfriend?"

"Yah I guess can I call you my boyfriend?"

"If you want to it's fine with me. I'm really glad we went out today. I didn't tell you this last night but I was so mean to you because I liked you. I have liked you for a really long time."

"Really? I have liked you for a while too!"

She has liked me too? She wouldn't lie to me about things like that she must be telling me the truth! Maybe she wouldn't mind if I kissed her!"

Alan stepped a little closer to Raquel and took her hand. He started to move slowly closer to her until they were only inches away. He could hear her breathing but that was soon drowned out by the sound of her ringing cell phone. They both turned bright red and she looked at her cell phone it was a text message from Rex it read:

Hey! I heard about your date with Alan did I call it or what? Are you guys getting it on? Has he tried to bang you yet?

"Who is it?"

"Rex, he wants to know f you have banged me yet."

"Oh my God I am going to kill him next time I see him. I'm not like that I swear! I would never do that to you I promise."

"I know I trust you. I know you would never do something like that. That's one of the reason I like you. Your one of the most decent guys I have ever met."

They began to move closer to each other again until once again they were only inches away. This time nothing interrupted them and their lips met into a passionate kiss. They began to get into their kiss more until they were making out on Raquel's front porch. They kissed each other for a few minutes until they broke apart.

"I should be getting to bed. Thanks I had a great time." She pulled him in for one last passionate kiss and then she turned away and walked into her house and closed the door. She slid down the back of the door slowly until she was on the floor. She could not believe what had just happened. It felt like she was flying. She never wanted this moment to end she looked out the window and say Alan get into his car and start the engine. He saw her looking out the window and smiled and waved. She smiled back and returned the wave.

Raquel ran up to her room and jumped into her bed and squealed into her pillow. She could no longer keep her emotions in. she got up and started dancing around her room and humming the song they had danced to at the restaurant, and reliving every moment of the date. She though to herself that was the best date she had ever been on.