Date Night-
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I soon learn what our surprise date is. About 2 months ago, I told Ezra that I think boat rides are romantic. So, he prepared a romantic boat dinner in Lake Erie. I love it how he remembers the things I tell him. I could never even imagine a better boyfriend. He is funny, smart, handsome, thoughtful, and just amazing. I'm so overwhelmed by these thoughts that I pull Ezra towards me and kiss him hard and passionately on the lips.
I pull his away for just a second so I can whisper, "I love you," and then send my lips crashing back to his. When we finally pull apart, he takes my hand and leads me to the dock.
The inside of the boat is beautiful. There is a band playing in one corner, a waitress waiting to greet us in another, and a sole round table for two in the center.
"Wow," I say. I turn to him and whisper in his ear "You are truly amazing."
"Anything." He whispers in my ear but then stops to peck me on the cheek, "For my Aria." Did I mention how much I love the man beside me?
Just then, the waitress comes up to us. "I'm Sandra," She says. "And I'll be your server this evening. Your meal will be served here, in the main dining room, but afterward you are free to roam around on the deck. Please be seated and I will be with you in a moment." She then walked away towards the kitchen.
As soon as we're seated, Ezra takes my hand in his and I say, "I can't believe you remembered how much I love boats."
"How could I forget? When someone important to me says something, I tend to remember," He smiles at me and my stomach does a back flip.
The waitress returns 5 minutes later with salad. It's my favorite kind, with the Orange dressing that you get at Sushi places. That's another thing Ezra remembered. How much did this cost? I wonder. I have to get him an amazing present to make up for this.
When the waitress cleans up our salad bowls and brings out the main course, Thai food, Ezra and I are still holding hands across the table. That's funny, I think, first we have Asian food and now Thai cuisine. What type of food is next?
As I'm having these thoughts, I squeeze Ezra's hand and say, "I'm having fun. Thanks for this."
"You're welcome," He says and his eyes meet mine.
"The food is really good," I say. "Did you pick the menu?"
"Yeah, I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure if you would."
"I would love anything you prepared," I say and then look at him. Ezra catches my gaze and we stay like that for a long time, neither one of us wanting to break the trance.
Our eye- lock isn't even broken when Sandra comes back to collect our plates. Although, we aren't even halfway done with the food, not one of us stops her. I was too engaged in Ezra's soft brown eyes. Maybe I should write a poem about him… He would like that a lot. Plus, he already wrote me one. B-26…
Sandra comes back again and breaks the eye- contact as well as my train of thought, "Would you two like to have dessert on the deck? It is quite a gorgeous night under the stars."
Ezra looks at me and I nod.
When we are finally out on the deck, I look around and see nothing but a single table lit by candlelight near the door that leads back inside. When I look up, I start to wonder if my eyes deceive me.
What I see is this: A clear night sky, with hundreds of thousands of shimmering, bright stars. "It's beautiful," I whisper while still looking up.
"Not as beautiful as you," He whispers back. I turn to smile at him and wrap my arms around his neck. Unlike the car, this time I have no trouble. But, like before, Ezra has no trouble slipping his arms around my waist. As he pulls me in, I tilt my head and lean in to kiss him. We kiss feverishly until I'm gasping for air. When we pull away, I realize that the band repositioned itself outside too and started to play. My cheeks turn pink at the realization that someone was watching us. I still haven't grown used to the idea that Ezra and I can be together now.
"Care to dance, my lady?" Ezra asks in a fake English accent.
"I'd be honored," I say as I slip my arms around his neck and sway to the music. We dance, and laugh, and whisper in each other's ears until Sandra returns with dessert. It's Italian gelato.
"Ok, I'm confused," I say when we are seated. "First, we have Asian food, then Thai, and now Italian. Is there a reason you've prepared such a multicultural meal?"
"I have never really been able to take you to nice restaurants, and eat new foods with you, so I wanted to fit in as much as possible on this date. But soon, I don't think dinner dates will be such a problem."
"Yeah," I say. "I know."
"I can't wait for the day when I can just pick you up from school, and take you out for lunch. Or hold your hand in public. I can't hide our love anymore."
Even though I want to be able to do all of these things too, I'm also afraid. What will everyone think of me? I know the girls will support me, but what about my parents? Mike? Teachers at school? This whole affair gives me the butterflies. I just want to get past the awkward stage, and get straight to the love part.
"Yeah," I finally answer. "Me too."
I'm probably not the best liar because Ezra catches my gaze and asks, "Is something wrong?"
"No," I lie. "Everything's perfect. I'm having a great time." I give him a smile.
"Then what's bothering you?" He asks.
I give in and tell him all about my doubts. I know that I shouldn't worry because the people who love me will eventually get used to the idea that I'm dating a man 6 years older than me, but still. I just can't shake the feeling that my whole life will change. I feel like everyone will start to look at me differently. Oh my god! What about Emily? How can I sit here, dreading what is to come, when Emily had it ten- times worse. Everything worked out for her, so maybe what's to come won't be so bad after all.
"Aria," Ezra soothes. "Remember when we came back from that bar, at the beginning of the year. After you met Hardy?"
"Yes."
"And do you remember that I was having doubts about our relationship?"
"Yes," I say looking at him and giving him a tiny smile. I know where he's going with this.
"You told me, that yeah, sometimes people might look at us funny. But, you also told me that we should not care, together. Ever since that day, whenever I have doubts, I think about what you said, and I feel much better. Aria, I think it's time, you follow your own advice."
"You're right, Ezra." I say, "Thank you."
"Come here." He says as he points to his lap.
I get up and sit on it. As I tuck my head into his shoulder, he says "Anytime."
This is my fav chapter so far. COMMENT. They are what motivate me to update…
XOOXOXOO,
Danni
