Chapter 5: First Date
The week passed by slowly, much to my dismay. My Dad thawed out a little bit and let me go out Friday. I apologized for what I said to him, but I could tell that the damage was done. No taking it back now.
Brandon and I texted each other every night since Sunday. It would be little goofy comments, but they seemed to make my day. By the time Friday arrived though, I was a wreck. I had no idea where the date was therefore I had no idea what to wear. It's already 7:00 and I am still in my bathrobe.
I'm not exactly rich, but my family is definitely upper middle class. My Dad may be a cop, but he is a genius to me. His investments in the stock market always seem to pay off. That's why my mother decided to trap him into a marriage by getting knocked up with me.
I walk into my closet and decide to wear a simple orange cotton dress. It comes down an inch below my knees. I hear the familiar ring of the house's doorbell. What? He said he would be here at 7:30. My Dad answers the door, but I can't hear his greeting.
I slip on my heels and carefully walk down the steps. No matter how much I wear them, I cannot for the life of me run in them.
"Stella. Your…. friend is here." He stated obviously. Brandon had his back to me until he turned with a bright smile on his face. It faltered slightly when he saw what I was wearing. Did he not like it?
"I'll see you kids by 11:00. Understand?" My Dad said to me but stared at Brandon with a pointed look.
I grabbed Brandon's arm and pulled him out of the door before my Dad could embarrass me any further. "Understood, Dad. Bye!" Brandon shouted a goodbye over his shoulder as well. We kind of stood in front of his car together.
He flashed my favorite smile "Stell, you look… Stunning."
I blushed. "Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself." And he didn't. He was wearing black slacks and a button up white shirt with a black suit jacket. So I guess we're going somewhere fancy, I giggled inside my head.
He opened the door and ushered me in. When we started on the road, he turned on some type of rock music. I laughed out loud at the banging music. It sounded ridiculous to me.
"What's so funny?" Brandon asked, glancing at me for a quick second.
"It's just… do you really like this stuff?" I point at the offending radio system.
"Yeah. Classic rock is the best. What's wrong with it?" He playfully pouted.
"Nothing, Nothing! It's just not my cup of tea."
"Okay, then what is? Hannah Montana? Taylor swift? Justin Bieber?" He teased.
I giggled. "Maybe. I mean, Taylor Swift isn't that bad. I tend to listen to pop and R&B music though."
"Interesting. I'll have to get you into some rock soon though."
"I don't think that's going to happen, sweet cheeks."
"We'll see, Gorgeous," He smiled and stopped the car. I hadn't noticed that we reached our destination. Guess I was too wrapped up in Brandon to realize it.
"Why do you call me that?"
"Because your gorgeous." He stated like it was an obvious fact. I smiled and finally looked at the restaurant in front of us.
"You brought me to Me Gusta?" I asked, slightly shocked and highly impressed. Me Gusta is probably the most expensive restaurant in town. It is always booked and you always need a special reservation. I went here with Sky so I know the prices are hefty.
"I wanted the best for you. So, why not?" He said with a smirk. Grasping my hand, he led me to the front door. I couldn't ignore the jolt of pleasure I felt with his hand in mine.
We walked into the restaurant and were immediately greeted by a woman at the podium.
"Hello. How may I help you today?" she asked. I looked at Brandon who stated, "Table for two please."
"Okay. What is the name of your reservation?" Brandon looked a little stunned and then blushed slightly.
"Would you excuse us for a second?" he told the lady and steered me to the far right wall of the restaurant.
"What's wrong?" I inquired, holding my breath. He couldn't possibly be sick of me yet.
"I.. uh… I forgot to make a reservation. I'm sorry." He confessed. I blew out a sigh of relief and laughed slightly.
"That's okay. Let's just go somewhere else."
As we walked back to the car he mumbled, "God, I can't get anything right lately." What does he mean?
I stopped him before he opened my car door. "To tell you the truth, I didn't really want to go anyway." I said honestly. "I've been here with…my ex before."
He relaxed a little, but not much, and gave me a small smile. I grabbed his hand, "I'm pretty sure where ever we go will be great. As long as I'm with you, I'll be happy." I whispered. He gave me a full out grin then and I grinned back.
"Well then I think I have the perfect place." He said ushering me into the car once more. We teased each other some more about his choice in music, when we arrived at Sally's Ice Cream Parlor. I laughed a little at his choice. It was exactly where I was thinking too.
"Might as well finish part 2 of our date where we finished part 1." Brandon said as he guided me into the parlor. There are actually a few people here tonight.
"I think that's a great idea." I stated as we sat down in 'our booth'.
"So… you have a nice car." I laughed nervously, trying to start the conversation. I'm such a geek. I almost started to bit my nails again when Brandon grabbed my hand again.
"You okay? You seem a little jittery." he observed. Stop being so damn perceptive.
Before I could respond, our waitress came to get our order. The only waitress I know who would actually care enough to do it was Flora.
"Hello and welcome to- Stella!" she said surprised. "How's it going?"
"Fine. How's your summer going?"
"As good as it can I guess." she laughed a little, then glanced at Brandon. "Oh, are you on a date?"
I giggled. "Yeah. Flora this is Brandon. Brandon, Flora."
He shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Flora."
"Likewise." she said brightly, then winked at me. She pulled out her notepad. "What would you like?"
I ordered my hotdog and Brandon ordered his cheeseburger, then Flora took off.
"Old friend of yours?" he asked referring to Flora.
"Yeah. We kind of grew apart this year, but she's still a friend." I responded.
"My brother and I grew apart last year too. I could blame it on him going off to college, but it's a lot more than that."
"What did you say your brother's name was?"
"Helia. He'll be a college sophomore next year. You should meet him."
"I would love to." I'd love to meet any of his family members.
"We're actually having a cookout tomorrow afternoon. Would you like to come with me?" He asked.
"Sure." I said without hesitation.
He smiled. "Great." Damn, that smile should be considered a deadly weapon.
Flora came back with our meals and went into the back room. I took a bit out of my hotdog. "The food actually tastes good tonight." I thought I said it in my head but apparently I didn't. Brandon laughed.
"I think so too. You've got a little something…" Before I could register what he was doing, he reached across the table and swiped the side of my lips softly. "There. All gone." he said smirking.
I took a shaky breath and thanked him. What is this boy doing to me?
We finished eating in comfortable silence and Brandon paid for the meal. As we were walking out, Brandon checked his watch. "It's only 10 o'clock. Wanna take a small walk?" He asked hopefully.
I nodded and we started down the sidewalk. It was kind of windy outside but when our arms brushed each others, I was shivering for a whole different reason. Brandon apparently thought I was cold, because he took off his jacket and put it over my shoulders. I smiled gratefully and secretly inhaled his scent.
"So, who's going to be at your cookout?" I asked.
"Just Helia and his friends, me, my Dad, and our… extended family." He said sourly.
"You really don't like them, do you?"
"It's not that. Layla's mom, Karen, is a great woman. I just can't get used to the whole 'big happy family' picture yet. My Dad seems to have no problem though."
"Well, you said it's been five years since your mother's death right?" I said softly. "Maybe your father is just trying to move on."
"Yeah, I know." He said. We walked in silence for a little bit. "What about your mom?"
I hesitated. I've never told anyone personally about what exactly went down with my mother. I didn't really trust anyone with that information. Brandon noticed my hesitation and said, "You don't have to tell me. Didn't mean to pry."
"No it's fine." For some reason, I felt like I could trust him. "She kind of ditched my Dad and I when I was nine. This small town obviously didn't satisfy her large dreams." I laughed humorlessly.
"That sucks."
"Yeah. I haven't spoken to her since then. I don't want to either. How could someone just up and leave there husband a child like that? She only wanted my Dad for money, but he foolishly fell in love with her."
"Sometimes love blinds you like that." He said. "Or crushes…" he trailed off looking at me sideways. I blushed and looked at the ground.
"Will your dog be there?" I asked effectively changing the subject.
"Of course. She's practically part of the family too. We had her ever since mom first got sick. Cancer." he said lowly. "She fought it off the first time, but then it came back vigorously."
I covered my mouth with my hand. "That's terrible." Then I did something directly off impulse. I hugged him around the neck. He was a bit surprised but relaxed into the hug with ease. His arms around me felt so natural and safe. Like nothing could harm me if I was in his arms.
We stood there for a while, just hugging. I ran my fingers through the hair at the nape of his head and he buried his face in my neck.
"I should probably be getting you home now," he mumbled against my neck. His breath tingled my skin. I hummed in agreement, but we still didn't let go. He pulled away first, but not before his lips brushed my cheek.
"Come on." He grabbed my hand and pulled me back in the direction we came in. I was still swooning over the kiss on the cheek.
The walk to the car and the drive home were quiet. He held my hand the whole time though. When we arrived at my house he walked me to my front door. We kind of just stood there like we did the first time he walked me to my door.
"So… The cookout starts at 4. We won't stay that long if you don't want to." Brandon says.
"That's cool. I'll see you tomorrow." I grabbed the doornob.
He leaned forward and kissed my cheek, dangerously close to my lips. He kind of lingered there before he leaned in further and whispered in my ear. "See ya then, gorgeous." He turns around and walks to his car.
I walk into the house and slide down the closed door with a stupid smile on my face that won't go away.
See ya then, gorgeous.
I'm starting to love my new nickname.
A/N: Sorry I didn't update sooner. I didn't get back until 7 last night and I was soooo tired.
So, How did you like the first date? Hope it's not too cheesy and I hope you liked this fluff chapter, because it won't be like this forever! Review please and tell me what you like.