CHAPTER 3: FIRST WINS AND FIRST DATES
Abby, Rebecca, Chelsea, Sarah and I all head into the stadium, which is full but it's divided. The blacks are sitting on one side and the whites on the other.
"Where are we going to sit?" Abby asks quietly.
"There's room up at the top," suggested Chelsea.
"Not quiet, Kirsten has to sit where Sunshine can see her," said Abby.
"Then why ask Abby?' said Chelsea annoyed.
"I don't have to sit where Sunshine can see me. I don't think that he's going to play anyway." I said as we head up the stands to find a free bench, "Look at the crowd. It's good to see everyone out to watch the Titans play." I said, sitting down smiling.
"It's a great sign," said Chelsea, "did I tell y'all about what Matt said?"
"What did Matt say?" Abby asks dramatically. Abby's the world's biggest romantic.
"He asked me out," replies Chelsea smiling.
"Oh my God!" I said as I hugged her. Chelsea has had the biggest crush on Matt forever. Matt plays defense with Gerry and is pretty good, or so Gerry says.
"Congrats, Chels. So when are you two going to go out? Where are you going to go out? What are you going to wear?"
"Tonight after the game. We're going out for ice cream."
"Don't get chocolate," Abby said as I sighed. Here goes Abby's dating advice.
"Why not? I love chocolate," Chelsea said defensively.
"I know that but what if you spill some on your clothes?"
"Then Matt can wipe it off," said Chelsea grinning.
I laughed and turned back to the game. The Titans had the ball and Rev was calling plays. It seemed like yesterday that Gerry and I were tossing a football around in the backyard. Now, Gerry's an All-American and I'm going out with the cutest guy on the team.
***
"Alright, defense, let's get out there." Yoast yells as the defense goes onto the field.
I look up into the stands to look for Kirsten. I'm not playing tonight, not with Rev playing. He's a better QB than me, but I would love to play none the less. But it's the coaches' decision and I can't mess with that.
Finally finding Kirsten, I smile brightly. Her long blond hair is loose tonight and she's laughing with her friends. She looks beautiful.
"Hey Sunshine," Petey said as he sat down next to me.
"Petey. Nice job out there."
"Thanks man. Have fun warming the bench?"
"Certainly."
"You're thinking about Kirsten, are you?"
"Of course."
"Good. I hope that you have fun on your date tonight."
"Thanks Petey," I said as Boone called the offense back on the field.
An hour later, the game was finished, and we won the game, 42-30. I headed back into the locker room with everyone else, taking a shower and changing into normal clothes. Boone talked to us about the game and we left shortly. Kirsten and I had agreed to meet each other at the locker room door after the game had finished. When I go out, she was waiting for my, talking to Gerry and Blue.
"Hey Kirsten," I said as I approached her.
Her face light up as she turned around, "Hey Sunshine. Congratulations on the win."
"Thank you. You ready to go?"
"Yeah. Gerry, I'll see you at home. Mom knows that I'm going out. Blue, congrats on the win," she said as we left.
Dad gave me the car tonight so that Kirsten and I didn't have to walk in to town. I opened the door of the Charger for Kirsten, who got in and then I close the door. I quickly get in on my side and started the car.
"So where are we going?" she asks as I pull out of the parking lot.
"Fisher Street. Petey's grandmother owns a restaurant there."
"I know I've heard of it, Louisa's Diner. I love that place."
"Really? I haven't been there yet."
"They have really great food there. Anyway, do you know how to get there?" Kirsten asks.
"I think so. If not, I have you to help me out," I said as a smirk appeared on her face.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the restaurant. I looked up at the building, which had a variety of wonderful smells coming from it. I follow Kirsten in, my right hand on the small of her back. The inside of the restaurant looked like a diner, complete with the counter.
A young black woman came over to us smiling brightly. "How many?"
"Two please," I said happily.
"Kirsten! How nice to see you again! You haven't been here in a while," the woman said adds to Kirsten.
"I know, I'm sorry but I've been busy, with school being in and all. Oh, how rude of me, Sunshine, this is Petey's mother, Elaine. Elaine, this is Ronnie Bass. He and Petey are on the football team together."
"Yes, Petey's mentioned him. It's nice to meet you, Sunshine," she said shaking his hand.
"It's nice to meet you too, ma'am."
"There are no ma'ams around here, just first names. I'm Elaine. Come on, I'll show you to your booth." Elaine said as she grabbed two menus and lead us back to a secluded back booth. Kirsten took of her sweater.
I sat down eager to get some food to eat, "So what's good to eat here?"
"If you like hamburgers, try one of them. If not, I would recommend the pasta," Kirsten said, not even bothering to look at the menu.
"I think that I'll try the pasta. What are you having?"
"Cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake."
"Where do you put it all?" I ask, referring to her petite frame.
"Gerry and I run every morning before school. That and playing volleyball keeps me in shape."
"That's cool. My dad and I run every morning too. Maybe we should hook up and run together."
"That would be great. Although, I'll have to warn you, Mr. Bass, that I'm not what I appear to be I am a pretty good runner," she said in a southern accent.
"We'll have to see about that," I said as smiled at her.
Elaine come back over t our both 5 minutes later, "What'll it be tonight guys?"
"Cheeseburger, fries, and a giant chocolate milkshake. You know how I like it, Elaine."
"That I do honey. Sunshine?"
"Pasta with the sauce on the side and bread to go with that."
"I'll put that right in," she said leaving.
"So what do you think of Mr. Anderson's English project?" asked Kirsten.
"Well, despite the fact that we have Louisa May Alcott for an author, I think that it's a pretty good."
"I like it but I have to agree that I would've liked a better author," She said, taking a sip of her water.
An hour later we were heading back outside to the car. It was still early and I didn't want the date to end and I am pretty sure that Kirsten did want it to end as well.
"So what do you want to do?" I ask her as we arrive at the car.
"Let's go get some ice cream. There's a really nice ice cream parlor on Fifth Street."
I smile at her, "Sounds like a plan. Do you want to walk or take the car?"
"How about if we take the car there and then go to the park and eat our ice cream?"
"Sounds like a plan, let's go."
At the parlor, Kirsten orders a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream while I order a pint of vanilla swirl.
"Come on, I'll show you the park." She says.
As we walk along, I take her hand in mine. She doesn't resist, which surprises me. Her hand fits perfectly in mine; it reminds me so much of her, soft but strong, rough but not to rough. Finding a bench, we sat down and began to eat our ice cream. It was nice to just sit and not have to worry about anything, no football or volleyball games or whether or not your friends are white or black.
"It's so peaceful," Kirsten whispers breathing in deeply.
"It reminds me of sitting on the beach in California."
"What's it like?"
"Where, California?"
"Yeah."
"It's hot but not too hot. It's so much fun swimming in the ocean and hearing the waves crashing on the beach as you sit there, it sounds amazing."
"Sounds heavenly."
"You've never been there?" I ask as she shook her head, "Tell you what, you and I will go there someday. We'll walk along the beach and watch the sunset over the ocean."
"That would be fun."
"That it would be." I smile at her and lean down and kiss her cheek. She looks at me in surprise, "Was that okay?"
"More than okay," she said looking over at me.
I look into her beautiful brown eyes and then gently kiss her on the lips. She wraps her arms around my neck and I pull her closer, my hands lost in her silky hair.
"Hey Sunshine."
I break the kiss and turn around and look to see Petey standing there, an amused grin on his face, with Blue and Julius behind him.
"Hey guys," I said sighing, going slightly red with embarrassment.
"Sunshine. Hey beautiful," Petey said smiling.
"Hi guys. Do you know where Gerry is?" Kirsten asks.
"He and Alan went home. We had a fight over at Hal's," Julius said sighing.
"I told you, he doesn't like black brothers," Petey said, "so, how was the date?"
"It was pretty good until you came along," I said taking Kirsten's hand, as if to leave.
"Okay, okay, I can tell that you're not digging us being here," Petey says smirking, "let's go. We'll leave the two lovebirds alone." Said Petey as he, Julius, and Blue turned and headed back out of the park.
"Sorry about that," I said as I sat back down and pulled Kirsten towards me.
"That's okay. I know how Petey is."
"Let's not talk about that right now. Look at the stars," I said looking up at the stars as Kirsten leans her head on my shoulder, I wrapped my arm around her. It felt so natural to sit here, with Kirsten, looking at the stars. Tonight was perfect.
***
Kirsten's POVAn hour later, Sunshine pulled into my driveway. Gerry's car was in the driveway and there was a light on in the living room and upstairs.
"Good night, Sunshine," I said as I leant over and quickly kiss him on the lips.
"Good night Kirsten," he said, "I'll see you tomorrow around noon at the library, right?"
"That's correct. Now, I've got to make curfew."
"Oh god, Kirsten, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Mom expects me home on time because I'm the good twin, Gerry usually pulls in around midnight," I said, glancing down at the clock to see that it is 10:57.
"I'll let you go. I'll see you tomorrow," he said, kissing me on the cheek.
"Night Sunshine," I said as I got out of the car.
I wave to him as I got to the door.
"Kirsten, that you?" mom called as I entered the house.
"Yeah. Is Gerry home?"
"He's up in his room. How was your date?"
"Wonderful. I'm going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow, Ma," I said as I kissed her cheek and headed upstairs.
"Good night, Kristen." I heard her call as I got into my room.
I quickly change into my pajamas and pull out my journal and started to write.
It's been a great night and I can't wait to see Sunshine again tomorrow.
"Hey," I heard Gerry's light knock on the door.
"Hey Gerry," I said as I turned around and lay down on the bed, "Congratulations on the win but aren't you home early a bit early?"
"I know. Emma and I had a fight," he said, coming in and sitting on my bed.
Knowing how much Gerry loved Emma; this has to be something bad, "What happened, big brother?" I said laying my head on his stomach.
"She, Ray, Cindy, and Cindy's boyfriend were going up the Hill and they wanted me to go with them. But I was hanging out with Petey, Blue, Alan and Julius. We were going to do something downtown. So I asked Emma to stay down with us but she didn't want to. She told me I had my priorities mixed up."
"That hurt. I assumed that you stayed downtown."
"Yeah. Kirsten, you know how much I love Emma. I can't bear the thought of losing her."
"But you want to be friends with Julius and the rest of guys, don't you?"
"Yeah."
"Gerry, I can't tell you what to do. These things will work out on there own accord."
"Thanks Kirsten. Say, how was your date with Sunshine?"
"Good. We went to Louisa's and then out for ice cream and then hung out the park."
"He didn't take you to the Hill or anything?"
"No. He was a complete gentleman, Gerry. Stop worrying."
"I just don't want my little sister to get hurt."
"Your little sister can take care of herself. Good night, Gerry." I said turning back to my journal.
"Good night, Kirsten." He says and closes the door behind him.
Tonight has been the best night of my life. The Titans won their first game and Sunshine and I had our first date. And I can't wait to see him tomorrow.
END OF CHAPTER 3!
So what did you think? Good? Bad? Please let me know. I'll try to update soon. Sorry that has taken so long to get out. Thank you to all who have reviewed. I may be reworking the first couple of chapters so that they flow better. If anyone has an ideas, please let me know. Thanks!