Jasmine

5. 'The Date?'

On Wednesday, Jasmine takes time to decide on an outfit to wear, settling on some black tight fitted jeans, an elegant turquoise top, elongated at the back, a black blazer since it's chilly outside, and white pumps as they're her most comfortable shoes.

At minutes to 10 Jasmine decides to go the computer labs for half an hour. She goes to the first floor undergraduate one, at the standing stations to boycott the line. The students at the postgrad labs never leave. One could stand for hours in the line, no exaggerations.

At 10h30 Jasmine receives a text from Brandon querying of her whereabouts. She picks her head up from the phone and spots him at the robot crossing looking impatient. "I'm sorry," she says as she comes to a halt next to him. "I was here by 10 but I wanted to pass time at the labs".

"Not a problem" he says stifling his vexation. "We could've met about 40 minutes ago. Class was dismissed early".

"Oh? Well that's too bad. I didn't think to call you," she apologizes and he, loosening up answers "I'm the one who erred, I should've been the one to call but I doubted you'd be idle waiting around for me". Jasmine smiles lightly and Brandon turns walking down towards the first year parking area. Jasmine follows right beside him.

"You look lovely today, if I may say," utters Brandon, as they reach his car.

"Thanks. I didn't think you'd notice."

"There's a lot  I notice about you, Jasmine: like your light dimple on your upper left cheek, your tooth gap, and that chicken pox mark right below your eyebrow."

"That's vigilance," Jasmine says with an uncomfortable giggle. He throws in a "promise not to gape too long in future," - although only half meaning it. Jasmine smiles taking him at face value.

Put on your seatbelt Brandon gently directs holding the buckler out for Jasmine. His fingers lightly graze the back of her hand and Jasmine's cheeks are cherried red. It was hard to get used to a man's touch. She had never dated before Brandon. Well are they even dating? Jasmine finds herself asking. But she does not have the guts to voice this out to him. And so she sighs flopping her hands to the sides of her lap lackadaisical.

"Tired already?" Brandon inquires.

"Oh no. I'm just thinking to myself."

"A-bout?" Brandon teases.

"Well you and I, if you must know".

"What about us?"

She wants to do it. She wants to come clean and ask if they're in fact dating or not, but what if he shoots her down?

"You can tell me, I've heard it all," Brandon prods.

"Well... Are we dating now?" Jasmine finally gains the courage to say. "Not that you need to give me an answer right now, I mean... I probably should not have asked. I get that you're not sure-"

"Not sure?"

"Well, I guess you're not certain. You still have to get to know me. And I'm rushing things, aren't I?"

"You are," he places delicately, afraid to hurt her feelings any further. "But I'll have an answer for you by the end of this evening."

"Meaning it's dependant on me doing or not doing something today?"

"I guess you can say that. I'd like to ask you a few things...to see if we're compatible or not."

"You're scaring me."