I woke up panting. It was the night before my date with Jamie.
I dreamt that we were on the porch, staring into each others eyes. I wasnt the slightest bit embarrassed to be doing so. He ran his fingers through my hair, whilst kissing my forehead, nose, then cheek. He slid his mouth down to my lips. I stroked his face with my thumb while we shared sweet closed-mouth kisses. Then things got slightly more intense. I slid my hand down his chest and started rubbing his abs whilst he caressed my hips and back. I broke away from the kiss and hugged him tightly around his neck, whilst placing my head in the nape of it. Then suddenly he pushed me into the wall and began to kiss me hard. I gasped, which he took as an opportunity to shove his tongue down my throat. I struggled but it was obvious it was of no use. I began to cry as I realised how helpless I was. Then, he broke away. But it wasn't Jamie anymore; it was Derek.
Of course, I couldn't fool myself. I was still in love with him. I shook my head. The dream wasn't going to change anything. I still wanted to get over him and I was still going to try. I wasn't going to break down that easily, and I wasn't a quitter either.
"When are you going to start getting ready, Liz?" Casey asked. It was only after lunch and she just wouldn't shut up about my date with Jamie.
"Not sure, later." I sighed.
"Let me pick what you're going to wear."
"Casey!"
"Fine, but at least consult me after you choose an outfit?" The poor girl pleaded. I nodded in agreement.
"Hey, Liz."
"What now?" I practically cried. Edwin and Derek sniggered in amusement.
"You'll probably get your first kiss tonight!"
Edwin burst out laughing. I quickly looked up at him. Derek had just raised an eyebrow.
"It's not funny Edwin," Casey continued, "a lot of people get their first kiss a little later than usual..."
"Uh-huh." He giggled.
"Um, you know what? Maybe I will pick something to wear." I said, hurrying up the stairs.
"Kay-kay, Liz. Call me when you're done!" Casey called after me.
Gosh, I hoped Edwin would keep quiet. The thing was, I had my first kiss... Kinda. It was at the beginning of the semester, at Sally Addler's party, in a game of 'spin the bottle'. The rule was that you could only forfeit if your spin lands on someone of the same gender (unless you're okay with kissing them). So when it was my turn to spin, who does it land on? Just my luck: Edwin. We both completely refused to kiss, and most of the room supported us, but some disagreed, saying that we weren't actually related, so it wasn't a big deal - including Sally. The negotiation was that I had to kiss whoever the next spin landed on. And that's how I had my first technical kiss with a girl: cheerleader, Natasha Shimada. I had sworn Edwin to secrecy that day, and if he spilled, he would not see daylight.
It was almost time for Jamie to arrive, so I quickly looked again in the mirror before having to consult Casey, once again. I was wearing a long-sleeve black lacy top with, of course, a black vest underneath tucked into high-waisted dark denim tailored shorts. My legs were covered with translucent black tights and I had shiny black pumps on my feet. I quickly put on some lipgloss, grabbed my shoulder bag and headed towards Casey's room.
She was getting ready herself, to go out with Emily, I assumed. "Wow, you look perfect!" She said, giving me a quick thumbs up.
Now I had her approval, I mad my way downstairs. Edwin and Derek were also downstairs, they were about to leave the house too. "You look nice." Edwin smiled, being able to tell I was looking for a guy's opinion.
"Thank you, Edwin." I replied. I looked at Derek. He just stared at me. I frowned at him. He let out a little awkward cough.
"Edwin, get in the car, I'm going to talk to Lizzie before we head off." He said, chucking the keys to Edwin.
"Um, okay." Edwin replied, also frowning.
"Take a seat, Liz." Said Derek, after Edwin had left.
"Jamie's going to be here in a few." I complained.
"Exactly, so don't argue and sit down."
I reluctantly did as I was told.
"Okay, I'm sure you already know what's coming... You're going on your fist date and everything..." He said.
"Mom already told me how babies are made five years ago." I sighed.
"No, not that," he chuckled, "there are a few things you need to watch out for when you're out with a guy..."
"Alright?"
"There are two types of guys: a guy that actually just wants to take you out, and a guy that wants to take you out and then get in your pants."
"Derek!" I laughed, "Jamie's not like that, we've been friends for a long time, I know him."
"Yeah Liz, but he's changed now. You've both 'grown up'... Mentally and 'anatomically'..."
"My goodness."
"Look," he laughed, "just be careful, and follow your instincts. Don't drink too much and don't do anything you'll regret, okay?"
"Sure, I wouldn't have anyway." I said, rolling my eyes.
"Cool." He said, patting my back as he got up.
Derek opened the front door and Jamie was there. I got up to get to the door, but Derek was blocking my way.
"So, Jamie, taking Lizzie out tonight?" He enquired.
"Yeah." He replied, smiling.
"Where?"
"My uncle's restaurant."
"In town?"
"Yep."
"And then you're coming straight home?"
"Yeah, I thought so," he asked, beginning to look confused, "... should we not?"
"No, you definitely should."
"Oh, okay."
Derek turned to look at me and I warned him with my eyes. "Well, you kids have fun." He said, now patting Jamie on the shoulder. Then, he gave us a quick approving smile and got into the car. Me and Jamie watched Derek and Edwin drive off.
"Well, that was irritating." I said.
"Is it strange that I found it kind of flattering?" Jamie asked, smiling.
I smiled back, feeling slightly less nervous than I thought I would have.
"You look really pretty." He said.
"Thanks," I blushed, "should we get going?"
"Sure." He said, sticking his elbow out for me. I giggled, putting my arm through his.
"So how are we getting there?" I asked, as we walked down the porch.
"I'm driving, of course." He said, pointing towards a grey car.
"No way, you drive? Since when?"
"Five days ago," he laughed, "My dad kept his old car so he could give it to me once I got my licence. And so he wouldn't have to pay for a new one."
"Sounds like a smart guy." I laughed.
He opened the passenger seat door. "After you." He grinned.
"Thanks." I said, getting in.
We sang along to the radio on the way to the restaurant and got there in twenty minutes. The food was great, and when the waiter took our order Jamie did the whole 'ladies first' thing - could he get anymore charming?
"So - how mad would your brother be if I didn't take you directly home?" He asked, when we were done with our food.
I started to panick. What did he mean by that? "Um..."
"- Because I think it's the perfect weather for a stroll in the park?" He smiled.
"Oh," I laughed, relieved, "sounds good."
It was different than the park I usually went to, it was uptown. Really pretty though, full of statues and fountains.
"So," Jamie said, while we were walking near this huge fountain, "did you have a good time tonight?"
"Yeah," I nodded, "we should do this again."
"I don't know..."
I looked at him in disbelief.
"I don't usually go for girls with fairy-colours in their hair..." he continued, giving me a cheeky grin.
"Shut up!" I laughed, giving him a playful push.
"Aah!" Oh no, he had fallen into the fountain.
"I'm sorry, I didn't even mean to push you hard!" I said, not sure if I was worried or if I found it funny.
"Nah, you didn't." He said getting up. Suddenly, he pulled me in.
"Omigosh!" I squealed, "it's so cold!"
"I know!" He laughed, and we began to splash eachother.
"Thanks for taking me out tonight" I said to Jamie. We were back at the front porch. "And I'm sorry about your car seats getting wet."
"The pleasure was mine. And don't worry about the seats, it wasn't your fault anyway." He laughed.
"You want to come in?"
"Sorry, just incase your brother's in, I don't really want to see his reaction to you coming home soaking wet." He joked.
"Haha, good idea. Well I guess I'll see you then?"
"Wait." He said, putting his hand around the back of my neck. He pulled my face in and gave me a sweet, soft kiss that only lasted a few seconds. He pulled away and we smiled at eachother. I went on my tip-toes and gave him another short kiss.
"Um, I guess I should go in now..." I said, nervous again.
"I'll call you?"
"Yeah." I smiled.
"Bye then, Lizzie." He said, turning to his car, but still looking at me.
"Bye." I said quietly, turning to open the door.
It looked like Edwin and Derek were still out. George, Mom, Marti and the baby were watching TV.
"Lizzie!" Casey called from upstairs. "In my room now! I want to know everything!"