8. Routine Change

Monday, February 18th 2002, 8:12am, in front of the school by the unloading zone, Chris fidgets, again. I decide to head toward the door again, but slower so he catches up before we get to the door. "Hey Bella, I had a great time with you Friday."

"Hey Chris, yeah it was fun, maybe we could do it again sometime."

Plaster huge smile on his face, "So does this mean I am your boyfriend?"

"Well, I think we should have a couple dates and go from there." He opens the door for me and smiles. I bet I could guess what he is thinking 'That wasn't a no and she said she would be up for another date'. I told him bye and headed to class.

Nothing new till Wednesday toward the end of lunch when Chris came up and asked if I would go out with him this Saturday, to which I replied I would ask my mom if she had anything for me to do and let him know tomorrow. He seemed OK with that and then we chatted for a little while about a new CD he just got. The rest of the day was uneventful so I had a little more time to decide what I wanted to say to my mom.

When she picked me up I figured this could be table conversation so I would hold my tongue till we were eating dinner. After my homework was done and dinner was on the table I decided to go for it. "Mom, you remember that guy that I went out with on Friday?" She nodded giving me her full attention now that a boy was involved. "Well he asked if I would go with him to dinner and a movie this Saturday. I told him I would have to ask to see if you have any plans so you could take me and drop me off."

She thought about it, "Sure honey, I don't have anything planned. I think Phil and I could see a movie and then have dinner so you wouldn't have to have us hover and we would be there when you were finished."

"Sounds good to me." The rest of the meal was relatively silent aside from us trying to figure what was playing and what we wanted to see.

The next day I told Chris I would be able to go and gave him my number so we could figure what we wanted to see and when we would meet. Brenda, wisely, didn't say anything, but was smiling. While Susan acted like nothing new was happening, with me. With her however, it seemed that things had progressed as we were seeing less of her during the lunch hour. That night I got a call from Chris and we figured what time to meet and what we were going to see. After that I just had to wait till Saturday to see what would happen.

Friday was rather boring. Chris started sitting with us at lunch so we would talk or listen to Brenda ramble on about anything and everything. By the afternoon I was glad it was the weekend. I got my homework done that night, most of it and then fixed dinner. Afterward I got ready for bed and read until I fell asleep.

Well rested I was glad it was Saturday, not so glad that I now had to decide what to wear. I figured I would play to my strengths and go with shorts and a blouse. I wasn't going to mess with makeup myself and the hair was destined for a ponytail. We made it to the restaurant, Chris was on the bench in front and mom and Phil dropped me off and headed to the movie. Once we got our table I decided to inform him I would be paying for dinner this time and he could pick up the movie. Timidly he agreed; I am sure he was hoping for this to be a traditional date, but I didn't like not taking care of my half.

We had a nice dinner, talking about school, friends, movies, music, books and anything else we could think of then headed to the theater on the other side of the mall. Once we got there he paid for the tickets and we found a couple seats. He seemed a little bolder this time, I am guessing since there was no audience. When the movie started I had my arms crossed, but after a while I figured I might as well find out what it is like to hold hands so I placed my hand on my leg and then on the arm rest beside him. Not a minute later he took my hand in his. I guess it wasn't too bad; about half way through the movie he interlocked our fingers. We stayed like that for the rest of the movie. As we were leaving I concluded tonight was not going to be my first kiss so once I saw my mom I hugged him again, but before he could try and kiss me I pulled back.

I told him I had a good time and he said he would call me later. I got in the car with mom and Phil and headed home. Mom asked the standard questions and once home I told them good night and went to get ready for bed.

Nothing much changed for the next few weeks. I only had one other date and it wasn't any different, after the date though I had to decide if I wanted a boyfriend. I spent half an hour Sunday morning in bed and really couldn't think of a reason not to at least give it a try. He was cute, nice, a gentleman, and we had a lot in common so he was easy to carry on a conversation with. Well looks like the next time he asks I could say yes, but I would tell him I am not into kissing or anything like that.

I didn't have to wait long, he called that evening to see what I was up to and after an hour on the phone he asked if I had decided if we where boyfriend and girlfriend. I told him yes I suppose we were since we had been on three dates, but I don't think I will be ready to kiss or anything. He said that is fine, he likes holding my hand and asked me out again Friday, which I said most likely, but I would let him know tomorrow for sure.

Since my mom didn't have a problem with it I told him yes and much to my surprise there was little gossip about me and Chris. Brenda, of course, was happy and Susan was pleased for me as well. After lunch it was old news and for the rest of the week it really wasn't ever mentioned. Friday night's date, the first official boyfriend girlfriend date, went well. We walked around the mall hand in hand till it was time for the movie to start. After the movie he had gotten wise and kissed my cheek before hugging me, but we embraced for a little long this time.

I hadn't really paid much attention before as I was anticipating a kiss on the lips after the hug so I was mentally preparing to move. This time as he embraced me I could feel him. I had my arms around his waist and as I pulled him to me his body felt strong and he was warm. He also smelled kind of nice, musky, with a hint of cologne, not over done like so many boys do at school.

I have hugged other people, but not in a relationship kind of way. It was different, not like hugging a boy that is strictly in the friend category. This was more intimate, well as intimate as I was willing to go. I can't say I hated it either, it felt good, natural, but something was off. Maybe it was his body heat or I thought he would be bigger. He wasn't much taller than I was. Maybe it was the kiss on the check that was throwing me off. His lips felt hot on my skin and a little wet where he kissed. It was kind of foreign to me. My mom kisses my head, when she kisses me and Charlie usually only gives me the one arm hug and kisses my head. Not since my Gran was around had I been kissed on the cheek and never by a boy.

Never the less it wasn't a bad experience and I was happy, my mom was happy and everything seemed to be right with the world. For nearly a month things were good until Brenda's boyfriend Joel, dumped her. It turns out there was another girl he was interested in. It was Friday after school and I told her I would come over and we could do each other nails and hair. Major sacrifice on my part, but if it made her happy, so be it. She was consolable at that point, but just barely. Once I got home I packed and headed over to Brenda's. After my mom dropped me off, we talked about everything but boys. Which was fine with me, even though for the first time I would have been able to participate in the conversation, I wonder if that is a bad sign?

We watched a girl power movie and braided each other's hair. Then I painted her nails, messing up many times and she started to tell me about this other guy that was there when Joel broke up with her. Why am I not surprised. I keep my answers short as I do not like how quick she moves on. But she isn't me. I think you should be with one person forever. I guess a little of what my mom is saying about marriage being a big decision is seeping in. I can honestly say once I find the person I can truly love, I will be forever altered and never be able to love another the same way.

The next morning Brenda didn't mention me talking in my sleep again, thankfully. We decided to go to the pool. We called Susan and she come over and Mrs. Stevenson took us. We went to find some chairs, but were not at all surprised to see Gary and Chris there. I was surprised to see Ryan, the guy Brenda was telling me about last night. They were with a few other friends so I got out my 50+ and applied a second coat before settling down to read. After 45 minutes Susan goes off to, I am guessing, make out with Gary. Brenda says she is going to cool off in the pool and I was sure Chris was making his way over since the others left.

"Hey, fancy meeting you here."

I look up from my book and smiled. "I know, you wouldn't think it to look at me, but I actually come out in the sun."

He smiled and sat on Brenda's chair. "You know I have heard of a species that has skin as pale as yours."

I laughed thinking about that book I was looking at in the mall that one day. I looked at him with a straight face "Well, now that you know I have to eat you." After a little laugh he asked what I was reading and if it was any good. Well I was reading it, so I liked it, but told him I doubt he would. I peaked over his shoulder to see Brenda talking to Ryan.

A little later Brenda came back with a smile and Chris said he better get back. I told him to give me a call later if he wanted. He nodded and left. I got Brenda to reapply sun block to my back and read for a while longer before Susan made another appearance. It was obvious what she had been doing, but Brenda and I keep our mouths shut, but couldn't help the smiles.

We called my mom when we were ready and she dropped them off at Brenda's and I grabbed my things and headed home. Once home I unpacked and took a shower and put on my sweat pants and t-shirt. I liked comfy clothes and have been wearing the gray sweats and white t-shirt long enough that they were just starting to get worn in a little. Once I was dressed I headed down to fix dinner.

After we ate I decided to see what was on TV. After twenty minutes of channel surfing I told my mom goodnight and headed to bed, the sun always drained me. It was a very restful dreamless slumber. I woke Sunday ready for a new week to begin and started it by cleaning the house.