Stronger

The First Date

When I got to Ma's Kitchen, I looked at my phone to ensure that Life 360 was tracking my location. After that, I opened Instagram to text Darius to let him know I was here, but I felt a tap on my shoulder before I could do that. I turned around to see who it was, and it was Darius. He greeted me with a hug. After the hug, he took a step back and looked at me up and down and smiled, and I was able to notice his dimples. 

He then proceeded to say, "You look beautiful like always. I feel fortunate to have met you."

I smiled so wide that my face started to hurt. I couldn't stop myself. He reached for my hand, but he looked at me for permission first; before he grabbed my hand, I permitted him to do so now, he's holding my hand, his fingers intertwined with mine. We walked inside the restaurant and sat we talked a little before a waiter came over to take our orders, and after she leaves, we talk a little more about what we did over Christmas break. Darius told me that he got to go snowboarding with his family over the break and got a chance to meet his nephews for the first time. I told him that my parents and I had a Christmas party, and we also went to feed the homeless on Christmas Day. He also told me some interesting things about himself, such as he loves to sing, play the guitar, and paint. Just as he finished telling me that the waiter had come back with our food and drinks. We continued talking and getting to know each other. When we finished, Darius insisted that he would pay for us both, and he wouldn't take no for an answer, so I gave in and let him pay. 

When we walked out, he grabbed my hand and held it tightly as our fingers intertwined. He looked me in my eyes and asked me if I wanted to go to an arcade with him, so of course, I said yes, I couldn't resist. We went to his truck, and he opened the door for me. When I got in, he closed it for me, then went to get in on the drivers' side and started the truck so we could go. As we were driving to the arcade, he asked me some questions about myself, such as where are you from, what is your major, and what is your favorite thing to do. I answered with I'm from Brooklyn, NY, my major is film, and I love to read. I also asked him the same questions, which he responded with he's from New Orleans, LA, his major, is biology, and he loves spending time with friends and family. Just as he finished telling me that, we pulled into the parking lot of the arcade. 

We got out of the truck to head inside. Darius opened the door for me and paid for us to get coins for us to play. We played Guitar Hero together; first, we played two songs together, and Darius beat me both times, but it was a lot of fun. We continued to play games until we were out of coins. We had many tickets to get prizes with Darius asked me what I wanted; there was a blue teddy bear, and I pointed at it, and he got it for me. He didn't want anything, so he just got me that. We left, and Darius took me next door to get ice cream; we both had a caramel sundae. We walked out and got in his truck to drive back to campus.

On the way back, he took one of his hands off the steering wheel and held my hand as we rode back. I was smiling very noticeable now, and I believe he saw me because he started smiling too. He moved his thumb so that it would rub my hand as he held it. Once we got back to campus, he walked me back to my dorm.

He stopped outside my door and looked at me, and said, "I really had fun tonight; you are gorgeous. I know this might be a bit forward, but can I please kiss you? I have wanted to the entire night, but I didn't know if you would have wanted it."

 I looked at him and moved closer to him and tilted my head to the side, and I kissed him. Not just a regular peck on the lips but a kiss filled with passion. His lips were very soft, and he kissed me back so gentle he wasn't rough with me at all. He pulled me closer to him, putting his arms around my waist, and I dropped the teddy bear and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my body against him. When we finally came up for air, he looked at me, amazed. 

He then said, "That was the best kiss I've ever had in my life."

I thanked him for that, then we gave each other one last kiss before letting go of each other, and we said our goodbyes. I picked up my bear and walked into my room, and laid on my bed. I was amazed about how well the date had gone that I could barely fall asleep, but I eventually dozed off.