It felt like forever, waiting for her first date with Zeke.
Technically Harper didn't know what "forever" felt like, and she was often teaching the importance of patience to Alex when the wizard wanted a quick and easy fix, but dang it, Harper was tired of waiting!
When Zeke had called her after work, just as he said he was going to, the two had discussed a number of things. The most important, of course, had come after Zeke cleared his throat and stuttered a few minutes before finally asking when they should officially go out.
After going back and forth suggesting days and times (they both had a lot of various activities and clubs in their lives, and Harper briefly considered making color-coded schedules so they could more accurately plan dates in the future), the two had settled on a Saturday day-date.
A "dayte," Alex said through a mouthful of pizza when Harper told her at dinner. Nobody laughed, even after Alex tried to explain that it was funny because it was the same word but not really. ("You guys just don't understand comedy.")
Harper had managed to push all of her worries to the side until Saturday morning. That was when everything she had ever read in the relationship advice section of teen magazines came flooding back into her brain.
"Is it bad that we're going on a date in the afternoon? It's a lunch date. They say it's not a 'real' date if it's just lunch, don't they? That's like 'just friends' stuff, isn't it?"
Alex grunted at Harper's freakout. It was before noon. Alex was not all there. In fact, she couldn't even remember coming down to the basement, but apparently she had. She had also, at some point, crawled into Harper's bed, burrowing under the covers and cuddling against Harper's pillow. It smelled like waterfalls.
"Alex, are you even listening? I need help here!" Harper had rollers in her hair as she nervously applied lip gloss, only to wipe it off and choose a different shade. That one was trashy - she didn't want to come off as some streetwalker!
"Harper," Alex mumbled, slowly pushing herself into an almost-upright position. "This is the second time in less than a week that I've been awake before noon because of your relationship with Zeke. Yes, I said 'relationship' because it is. You've kissed. He gave you cards. You've walked home holding hands the past couple of days and he looks at you the same way he looks at robots and his VHS copies of 'Star Wars.'"
"He likes them better because the remastered ones changed things," Harper mumbled to herself, knowing Alex did not care about Zeke's movie habits.
And Alex just grumbled, resuming her comfortable position and quickly falling back asleep. She was done being helpful.
It was, surprisingly, enough to get Harper through. She just needed to hear that things were going to be all right. Now that she felt calmer, she could finish getting ready.
Zeke felt...sweaty.
It was really the only adjective the senior could think of if, for some reason, someone had asked how he was feeling at that exact moment. He supposed "nervous" was a better choice, but "sweaty" felt more mysterious. If someone texted him saying, "Hey, how are you?" and he replied with "sweaty" it could be for a number of reasons.
Maybe he had just returned from his after-breakfast jog and hadn't yet showered.
Maybe the air conditioner was broken and his mom hadn't been able to fix it yet.
Maybe he'd eaten something spicy.
None of those, however, were the reason for Zeke Beekerman's sweatiness. At least not this time.
It was just nerves, especially after he'd knocked on the door to the Russo loft, only to be greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Russo.
"I'm here to pick up Harper," he said, clearing his throat and giving his most innocent and hopeful smile. Theresa smiled back, but Jerry just narrowed his eyes.
"Why don't you have a seat," he said, completely monotone. Theresa jumped into the conversation quickly, trying to ease the young man's nerves.
"Make yourself comfortable," she corrected. Her voice was much more pleasant than Jerry's robotics. "I'll let Harper know you're here."
Maybe it wasn't the best idea to leave Jerry alone with Zeke. It was, after all, what caused him to feel sweaty. It was just his forehead, though. He kept checking to make sure he wasn't sweating through his light blue button up shirt, and his striped dark blue tie was great for gently dabbing his forehead.
When Harper and Theresa came into the living room, they found Jerry grilling Zeke. Not literally, of course, though Harper knew anything was possible with this family.
"So, Zack..."
Zeke wasn't sure if he should correct Mr. Russo. No one called him Zack anymore. Did Mr. Russo even know that was his name? Or was he just messing with him like TV dads always did to make their daughter's dates more nervous? It was working, if that's what it was.
"It's Zeke."
Zeke didn't say those words. Harper had spoken up as she entered the living room, exchanging a smile with Theresa before walking over to the couch.
"It's the same thing," Jerry insisted.
Zeke quickly stood up as Harper approached, holding out a small bouquet of daisies. He gave her a nervous grin, only to feel Jerry's hand upon his shoulder. He didn't even have time to tell Harper she looked beautiful, though Zeke did let his eyes linger upon her long red curls before turning to face Mr. Russo.
"I'm not done asking you questions yet."
So far he had only asked him his name and what he does for a living. They were very normal questions, so when Jerry next asked him "How do you feel about the moon?" Zeke was kind of surprised.
"I..."
Harper, who had given the flowers to Theresa to put in a vase, brought her hand to her forehead. How embarrassing. Jerry had clearly landed back on the werewolf thing, and would probably base his opinion of Zeke on his answer. In theory, of course, as long as Zeke didn't say "I love howling at it" they should be good.
"I'm a pretty big fan, I guess," Zeke said, though he knew he needed to expand upon his answer. Clearly the moon was really important to Mr. Russo, and Zeke had to make a good impression. "I don't think it's actually made out of cheese, but I love the concept of it. I mean, I love cheese, and it brought that really great cracker commercial which, in my opinion, was a very effective marketing campaign."
"The one with the crackers sliding around on the moon? I love those!" Jerry looked excited as he shouted happily in response, and for the first time Zeke felt comfortable. Who knew bonding over cheese could make things less awkward? Zeke made a mental note to save that one for future situations.
"Mr. Russo?" Harper had circled the couch, coming up behind her pseudo-father and tapping him on the shoulder nervously. Certainly he had finished questioning Zeke and would approve of the duo's date. "Is it all right if we go now? I assume you have nothing else to ask him." Her eyes were wide as she tried to hint that she really wanted to leave, and Jerry finally gave in.
"Fine, you can take Harper out," he said as he turned to Zeke. "But have her home by...well, it's like noon now so...just don't stay out late and next time don't bring flowers. Bring something the whole family can enjoy. Like a cake!"
"Yes sir," Zeke said, and he stuck his hand out. Jerry gladly accepted it, giving it a firm shake.
"I'm serious about the cake."
Harper just covered her face with one hand, reaching for Zeke's hand and dragging him toward the door. She called out her 'see you laters!' as she went, refusing to look back.
"I told you he's a good kid," Theresa said knowingly, a smile pulling upon her lips as she watched the door close behind them.
Jerry had to agree, though he would have agreed more if Zeke had been smart enough to bring cake without being told.
Zeke Beekerman was a gentleman.
When they got to the restaurant, he held open the door for her. He linked arms with her as they walked to the table. He planned on pulling out her chair for her, but unfortunately they were seated at a booth. Instead he dusted off the seat with a napkin before letting her know it was clear to sit down. This earned strange looks from the other patrons of the fancy-but-not-bank-breaking restaurant, but Zeke didn't care.
In fact, he didn't think their looks were strange. He just knew they were looking, and he assumed it was because he had the most beautiful date in the place.
Harper blushed when he told her this, giggling quietly to herself as she tried to contain her excitement.
"Oh, Zeke," she said with another laugh, her hand resting upon her chest as she grinned. "You're just saying that."
"No, no, I mean it," he insisted, taking a sip of water before continuing. "I mean, there are plenty of other girls here but are any of them wearing handmade D20 earrings? I don't think so. And that, Harper Finkle, is beautiful."
Harper blushed again, her hands raising to touch the earrings she had made to go along with the dress from Mrs. Russo. She knew how into roleplaying games Zeke was, and loved the shape of the 20-sided die, so finding dice to match the dress had seemed fitting for their first date. She'd wrapped the dice in wire, and while they weren't totally original (she had seen some online, though she liked to believe hers were made better), she was still excited about the project.
In fact, Zeke inspired her to consider making a line of 'geek chic' outfits and accessories. It was amazing how simple it was to include things he liked into her wardrobe. She'd be making robot-themed outfits in no time to sell to all of the girlfriends of self-proclaimed geeks everywhere.
Alex, however, had shot this idea down. ("What girlfriends? Save your time and effort, Harper. Make the collection imaginary to go with their imaginary girlfriends, you know what I'm saying?...I'm saying they don't have girlfriends, Harper, keep up!"
Harper took off an earring, excitedly showing Zeke the piece of jewelry.
"And look, the dice come out if you need them for something," she told him, popping the die out and holding it up happily. "Like, let's say we're out somewhere, and you need to make a skill check but, for whatever reason, you don't have your dice bag with you."
Zeke gasped loudly, covering his mouth quickly. He couldn't imagine such a thing ever happening, and Harper seemed to be on the same page.
"I know, that's just crazy-talk! But, should the situation come up, I've got your back." She paused, wide eyes innocently looking up at him. Suddenly nervous, she whispered her words, as if they were only meant for him and not the older couple at the table nearby or the waiter who brought them fresh rolls. "I mean, if you keep me around."
Zeke reached across the table, his hand encompassing Harper's smaller hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "You just made a Dungeons and Gargoyles reference and offered to let me use your D20. I'm pretty sure I'd be an idiot to not keep you around."
The two enjoyed a moment of silence, simply gazing in each other's eyes, unable to stop smiling. The moment was only interrupted by Zeke's own brain, convinced he had the most wonderful idea in the world.
"You should totally play sometime! You'd be so good at it."
While Harper wanted to share Zeke's hobbies with him, just as he had expressed interest in hers, she wasn't so sure she understood this one enough to join in.
"I don't know..."
"It's just like playing pretend," he insisted, his thumb gently rubbing her hand as he spoke. It wasn't an act he was doing on purpose, but rather one that just felt natural and comforting. It was comforting, Harper thought, glancing down quickly and smiling as she realized how nice and normal it felt. "It's like when you were a kid. It's using your imagination, but without the dolls and stuff. Didn't you and Alex play with dolls?"
Harper nodded, her free hand raising to brush a curl behind her ear as she spoke. "Well, of course, but it's not like our dolls went on these epic adventures. I was always more into the fashion aspect of them. I'd make them cute little outfits and decorate the house. And Alex...well, her dolls were always on the run from the cops after robbing a bank or burning down a car dealership."
Harper and Zeke locked eyes for a moment, sharing a look of amusement. That was Alex Russo, all right.
"You know, I usually try to repress the stories like that, 'cause I'm afraid I'm going to have to retell them one day while under oath in the court of law."
"A very logical fear," Zeke agreed. He'd heard enough stories about Alex's antics and witnessed enough pranks around school to know that she'd probably make headlines for something illegal one day.
Rather than dwell on her best friend's schemes and her own childhood anecdotes - she'd hate to start rambling about her dolls always had parents who fought like her own parents did - she decided to shift the topic back to Zeke.
"Why'd you ask about dolls, anyway? Did you have a doll, Zeke?" Harper grinned, shaking his hand gently back and forth as she teased him. Zeke, however, turned pink.
"Spock wasn't a doll, he was an action figure." Rather than even try to change the subject, Zeke accepted that he played with his Spock toy more than any others and he wasn't embarrassed to share stories of his great adventures. "The girl who lived across the hall from me, Mindy, used to always want to pair her Barbie up with my Spock. Like, romantically. Her Barbie was cute or whatever, if you're into that weirdly proportionate type, but it didn't work out. She didn't understand the Vulcan mating process. I mean, you understand pon farr, right?"
Harper didn't. She knew enough about nerd culture to know he was referring to Star Trek, but that was it. She didn't want to admit that, but before she could mutter anything more than an "I..." Zeke continued to talk.
"I'm sorry. It's probably really inappropriate to talk about Vulcan mating rituals on a first date." Zeke started to pull his hand away, ready to cover his face in shame. How could he be so foolish? He was clearly moving way too fast.
Harper, however, gave his hand a gentle tug to keep his grip, and when his eyes caught hers, she gave him a reassuring smile.
"Maybe save it for the second date?" she suggested.
Zeke would be lying if he said he wasn't a shellshocked for a moment. She was being way cooler about his dork blunder than he was, and it made him like her more, which he didn't even think was possible.
"You'd want to go on a second date?"
"Of course," Harper answered. "Wouldn't you?"
But before Zeke could answer, Harper's cell phone rang and she was forced to end the record-breaking handholding session they were currently engaging in. Whoever was on the other end of the line had better be having an emergency of some sort, Harper thought to herself as she dug in her purse, because that was the only way she wasn't going to unleash her wrath upon them for interrupting what was, so far, a perfect date.