DATE: FEB. 3 (FRIDAY)
TIME: 07:02 PM
STARK'S POND
THE DATE
COUNTDOWN: 11 DAYS

Kyle and Charlie sit on a picnic blanket at Stark's Pond, finishing their dinner.

Kyle: So, uh… now what?

Charlie: We could talk about our feelings.

She smiles. Kyle stares at her with a stony expression.

Charlie: Or we could play "throw stuff in the pond."

Kyle: Okay.

The kids stand up. After a few minutes of collecting rocks, sticks, and other debris, they stand at the dock.

Charlie: Ready?

Kyle: Yep.

Charlie: Start chuckin' stuff!

They begin to throw the collection of items into the pond, one by one. After Kyle throws one stone particularly far, Charlie pauses to express her admiration.

Charlie: Whoa, that was a good one, dude.

Kyle: Thanks.

Charlie You're really strong, huh?

Kyle shrugs, but he beams with pride as he continues to hurl objects into the pond.

This activity continues for fifteen or twenty minutes until the sun begins to fade (and they run out of objects to throw).

Charlie: I guess it's getting late.

Kyle: Yep.

Charlie: So we ought to finish up.

Kyle: Yeah…

Charlie: So should we walk to my house and, uh, do that thing that happens at the end of the date?

Kyle: Uh, I dunno…

Charlie (worried and disappointed): Why not?

Kyle: It's just… you know. [He shrugs and looks at her apprehensively.] Stan.

Charlie (nodding in agreement): Oh, yeah… Stan. It'd be pretty embarrassing if he saw, huh?

Kyle: Yeah.

Charlie: Plus, he's bein' a real dick about this whole thing, if you ask me.

Kyle: So… yeah. We should get it over with here instead.

Charlie: Yeah.

There's an awkward pause as the two stare at each other.

Charlie: Okay, so… go ahead.

Kyle: Go ahead what?

Charlie: Go ahead and kiss me.

Kyle: Go ahead and-? I thought you were going to kiss me!

Charlie: Oh, shit. We didn't even figure this part out. [She slaps her forehead in frustration, then sighs.] Okay. Who should do what?

Kyle: Um, you can decide.

Charlie: Well… well I kissed you last time, so I think it's only fair that I get to be kissed this time around.

Kyle: What if I make a mistake?

Charlie: You'll do fine. Just sort of lean forward and close your eyes.

Kyle starts to lean in.

Charlie: And make sure you don't bash our noses together.

Kyle stops and looks at her suspiciously.

Kyle: How'd you get to know so much about kissing?

Charlie: I read about it online last night. I even saw this one story about some kids who broke their noses when they kissed 'cause they hit them together so hard. [Kyle looks nervous. Charlie moves on to other things.]There was some stuff about putting our tongues in each other's mouths, but that sounds kind of gross, so let's not do that.

Kyle starts to lean in again. Charlie starts grinning and giggling.

Kyle: What's so funny?

Charlie: I'm sorry. I'm just really excited. I've never been kissed before.

Kyle: Alright, alright! Just hold still.

Finally, Charlie manages to put on a straight face. She closes her eyes expectantly. Kyle leans in, closes his eyes, peeks one last time to make sure their noses aren't about hit, and kisses her. The total duration of the kiss is one, maybe two seconds. Then Kyle leans back again. They look at each other. Then Charlie cracks a smile.

Charlie: That… was awesome. You're an awesome kisser, Kyle.

Kyle: Really?

Charlie: Totally. And now… now it's official! We're boyfriend and girlfriend!

She gives him a hug, then turns around to start packing up the picnic.

Kyle: So now is it my turn?

Charlie: [She stops and looks back at him, confused.] …For what?

Kyle: For getting a kiss.

Charlie: …I don't think we're supposed to kiss again…

Kyle: Aw, come on.

Charlie: Fine.

She walks up to him and leans forward. But before they actually kiss again, they hit their noses together. They each take a step back with their hands over their faces.

Kyle: Ow!

Charlie: Ouch! Crap!

Kyle lifts his hands off his face; his nose is bleeding. Charlie is mortified.

Charlie: Oh, shit! I'm so sorry, Kyle!

Kyle pinches his nose, trying to stem the flow.

Kyle (in a nasally tone): It's okay… It was an accident.

Charlie: Oh, fuck, no! [She looks extremely distressed.] It's ruined! Our whole date is ruined! Shit! Motherfucking shit!

Kyle stoops over the picnic blanket and grabs some napkins, which he holds under his nose.

Kyle: No it isn't.

Charlie (tearing up): Yes it is! You only get one shot at a first date, and I just fucked it up! Son-of-a-bitch! Ass-ramming son-of-a-bitch!

She sits down and starts crying. Kyle tries to console her.

Kyle (through his bloody nose): Come on, don't be a baby, Charlie. It isn't a big deal.

Charlie: It is a big deal! I really, really like you, Kyle! I've liked you for a long time! And now that we finally got to go on a date I had to go and fuck it up! Everything is ruined! All because I had to go and close my goddamn eyes too soon! [She continues crying and begins to hiccup.]

Kyle: Well, I thought we had fun. And I still like you.

Charlie (sniffling): You do? Even though I [hiccup] broke your nose?

Kyle: You didn't break my nose, Charlie. It's just the dry air; it makes my nose bleed real easily. [He pulls away the napkins. The bleeding isn't as heavy.] See? It's already getting better.

Charlie (still sniffling a little): Oh… Oh, good. [She wipes her nose on the back of her sleeve.] I'm still [hiccup] really sorry. I can't believe I did that.

Kyle: It's okay.

In between changing napkins, he quickly leans over and kisses her on the cheek, leaving a small bloody smear behind. This cheers her up substantially.

Kyle: Now you owe me two.

Charlie smiles, still somewhat embarrassed, and hiccups.