Me: Sorry?
Me: I’m excited
Max: I hate you sometimes
Me: Thanks for the confession
Jane: Really, you two?
Jane: LOL
Max: What’s the gift?
Me: Slips of quotes from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliette
Max: That is sooo romantic!
Jane: Aww, cute
Me: Yeah!
Me: But I feel weird now
Max: Why?
Me: I don’t know
Me: Not sure if I want this right now
Jane: Are you okay?
Max: Maybe he’s moving too fast?
Me: I don’t know
Me: I’m going to sleep
Me: Will talk to you tomorrow
Max: Wait!
I closed the chat before I saw any further texts from them, and collapsed on the bed. I couldn’t tell if I was feeling pain of moving on, or just feeling something else entirely. Though, I wasn’t accepting Ned’s gestures the way I hoped. I wished I could just end that pain for good, because it made me feel paralyzed. All I had to do was just survive to another day.
Chapter Twelve
I woke up that morning feeling much better, but with a little pain in my chest. I knew I hadn’t totally forgotten about Kent. The sunlight cast a natural light inside my room from the window. I stretched my arms up, and yawned, and got up from the bed and went over to the window. I opened the curtains, and saw my dad outside with his mug.
I sighed.
I walked away from the window and took my phone out to check if there were any texts from anyone. There was a text from Ned. My heart rate increased in my chest while I opened the text from Ned.
Ned: Hey :)
I took a deep breath, and remembered our kiss. Our very first kiss, and how sweet it felt. I was debating whether I should text him or not. I bit my lower lip, and opened the chat again to text him back. Here goes nothing, I thought.
Me: Hey
Ned: How are you?
Me: I’m alright
Me: You?
Ned: I feel great
Me: great
Ned: I wanted to ask you something
Me: Yes?
Ned: I thought about you, and wondered if you’d like to go out with me.
Me: Where are you taking me?
Ned: To my favourite Thai restaurant
Me: That sounds wonderful
Ned: So, you’re cool?
Me: Yeah
Ned: Shit
Ned: I mean, cool
Ned: Sorry, I’m just nervous
Me: Lol
Ned: I’ll pick you up in 15 mins
I closed the chat, and went to the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth. I took my clothes off, and looked in the mirror. I was smiling. I didn’t notice that I was smiling like a goof all that time. “Shit, this isn’t happening,” I murmured to myself. I pinned my hair in a high bun, and got in the shower.
****************************************
It took me more than fifteen minutes to get ready, and Ned was outside waiting for me. I straightened my hair, and wore a transparent sun yellow shirt, and a grey short fitted dress. I sprayed on some perfume, and took my handbag. I sprinted downstairs in a hurry, and saw dad watching me.
“Going on a date?” he asked, not really surprised.
“Yup, be back later,” I replied.
“Okay, have fun,” he said, “and don’t be late.”
“Okay, bye,” I said aloud.
I went outside and closed the door behind me. Ned was in the driver’s side, grinning at me. Ned wore a grey fitted shirt and had a recent haircut, and he smelled good. He looked different, and well groomed. “Hey, ready for the date?” He asked.
I smiled, and stared into his blue eyes, “Yeah.” I nodded.
He turned the car around, and drove away from my house. I knew the streets he drove on, and the neighborhood was filled with houses that had lawns and gardens. Kids were getting into busses, or their parents’ private cars. The moon was full and the sky was a bit cloudy. It took us a few minutes’ drive to the restaurant.
Ned parked the car. We got out and entered the restaurants’ red building. I was surprised when I saw the purple walls of the restaurant. The aroma was tempting, and I felt hungry. I haven’t had any breakfast. The waitress came in welcomed us, and showed us to our table in the corner.
At our table, Ned pulled out a chair for me. “Thank you,” I said.
Ned sat on the other side, and looked at the window on the other side of our table.
“I’m sorry this is not a fancy restaurant,” he said.
“No, it’s fine. Really,” I said.
The waitress came in with the menus, and handed them to each of us. “Let me know when you’re ready to order,” she said, and walked away.
I opened the menu and silently read the list. “Which one’s your favourite?” I asked.
“Spicy gravy and rice,” he answered, “Just make sure there’s a toilet here.”
I laughed, “I don’t think I can do it,” I said, “Is it really that spicy?”
He snickered, “It is. You should try it.”
“Okay, but if I started spitting fire, then it’s your fault.” I warned.
He chuckled, “Alright. Alright.”
I arched one of my eyebrows, “It’s a dare then,” I stated.
He raised his both eyebrows, “Really?”
“Yes, let’s see who can do it without drinking water,” I said.
He squinted his eyes behind the menu, “Alright, it’s a dare.”
He signed for the waitress, and she came in. “He both want the spicy gravy and rice,” he ordered.
She wrote down the order on a pad, “Do you want any drinks?”
“No,” I replied.
She looked at us confused, “Are you sure? The gravy is too spicy.”
We both nodded.
“Okay,” She said, and went on her way.
We both giggled.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I confessed, “This is your fault.”
He laid back, “Oh, now
