Chapter Five

Can You Feel the Love Tonight

When I walked into the school he was waiting by locker. "See you later" Chris said when he saw Alex. "Hi." I said when I got close enough. He slid to the side so I had access to my locker. "So how was the rest of your dinner." He asked with a grin. "Cold" I said smiling back. "And that was my fault" he asked me. "Yes. Yes it was."

"Well I am very sorry"

"Sure that's what they all say." He gave a giggle after I said that.

"So about Dylan's party" he said.

"What about it."

"So you want me to get you at seven thirty."

"Sure that sounds reasonable."

"Or I can pick you up at six and we can maybe get something to eat first."

"Did you plan the conversation while you were blocking my locker?"

"That's not an answer."

"I hate any kind of seafood."

"My favorite is Italian."

"Then you're more than welcome to come pick me up at six."

"Can I walk you to class?"

Even though I had to go to the bathroom I accepted the offer and he took my books and led me down the hall to my homeroom. When we got there he handed me my books and left me in awe as he strolled down the hall.

The next few days continued like this. We talked when ever we had a chance to. When Friday the day of the party came I asked my mom if I could go to dinner with Alex and then go straight to the party.

"Well, who is Alex?" she had asked me.

"Just a boy that I might like……a lot"

"Well, is he good driver?"

"He did get his license and he drives himself everywhere."

"Mom just let her go." Elli said as she was finishing chopping up tomatoes.

"Ok fine but have your brother call me when you get to the party."

"Alright." I said hopeful Chris would not argue.

I went up to my room trying to find something to wear. I am no good at this stupid fashion stuff. But Elli is. I opened the door and called my sisters name. When I told her my problem she slid open my closet and threw a black pair of jeans, a black tang top and a pink sweater onto the bed. "This way" she explained "you can wear the sweater out to eat and then take it off at the party." I dressed my self as she examined the outfit she just created. "Hmm. Wait here." She commanded then dashed off to her room. She came back with a white stud belt. I put it on and covered it with sweater. "Perfect" we said at the same time.

At exactly six the door bell rang. "Bye mom" I yelled before she could come and interrogate. He was wearing a polo shirt and jeans. He smiled and took my hand. As he drove off my entire body once again was in frenzy. We took turns asking questions until we got to the restaurant.

"So" I said after we order.

"Do you like this place." He asked.

"Yeah it's one of my favorites."

"Good" Our questions continued back and forth from their. "When were you most embarrassed" He asked and I had to explain that my most embarrassing moment is telling him my most embarrassed moment. "You don't have to embarrassed around me. I like all of your cute mistakes." He answered. I just looked at him. "Correction…. I love all of your cute little mistakes." He corrected himself. I could feel my face light up. "Because" he continued, "I love you." I know it was too soon in any relationship to say it but it's true I did love him so I told him that. "I love you too."

From that moment on we were dating. The party was fun and exciting but the best part of the night was in the restaurant. At Dylan's house you could hear the music before you pulled in. His house was packed. Alex came around and opened my door for me. He took my hand and we walked up to the house side by side. I forgot about the sweater and when we were passing Casey's car I pulled it off and stuffed it into her backseat. "You came prepared now didn't you" he said as he watched my quick change in attire. "Thanks to my sister Elli." I said. We mingled a little and we both stayed clear of any drinks that might alcoholic. He said something but I could only make out the word dance so I nodded and the next thing I know I am dancing to an upbeat song in the middle of our schools quarterback's house. I was having so much fun I almost forgot what was happening. We were dancing for awhile and without realizing or thinking about what I did I leaned up and kissed him. The best part was he didn't pull away instead he pulled closer. While our lips were locked together the song changed from some up beat pop song to a slow more intimate song. He picked up his head and looked straight into my eyes. Only after a few minutes I recognized the song. It was "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John. My new favorite song. He held me tight and we rocked back in forth. I closed my eyes and rested my head against his chest. He took his hand and brushed my hair back.

When the song was over he went to go get us two bottled waters. "Hey snowflake" a nickname I was quite familiar with because of the paleness of my skin. I twisted my body around to see two football players (obviously drunk) waving at me. I just turned back around and tried to ignore it. But they came over and started to make stupid jokes. Then one asked me to dance. If it meant getting away from the other one and not getting either of them mad I was going to do it. So I said yes and let him lead me to the floor. It stared off ok because the song was upbeat but he soon began feeling his way down my back and so I pulled away. "What's wrong snowflake" he asked. Lucky for me Alex came over and stepped between us and pushed the other away. Only a few seconds later Jake, who is also on the football team, Chris, Dylan, and two of their friends came over and pulled the drunk away. "I said no booze" Dylan yelled at him. "Oh make a guy team captain and he thinks he can boss everyone around." The drunk, who's name is apparently Rick, said. Alex pulled me to his chest, then wrapped his arms around me and Chris grabbed my hand and put his body somewhat in front of my own. Jake , Dylan, and their two friends got into an argument with the two drunks. Dylan only let it get so far before each of them grabbed an arm of the drunks and threw them out. By now everyone was watching and I was a little embarrassed. Then Dylan made the music stop and said in his firm quarterback tone "if any one else has been drinking let me know and I will personally get you a cab." No one responded so the party started back up. I thanked Dylan and his friends and then let Chris give me a quick kiss on the cheek before he left. It was one of the best and worse nights of my life.