First Love

Chapter Five

     When he pushed the start button, the car came to life. The engine was quiet. He asked for my address and when I said it, the computer in the car heard it and opened the navigation portal with detailed directions. It was fascinating!

     James turned on the radio with his voice command and laughed at the look on my face. He explained that all he had to do was talk and the car understood his commands. He could change the radio station, adjust the temperature control, or open the windows in the car. The seats had a feature where it gave the passenger a full body massage with a hot and cold feature. My mind was spinning at the amazing features in one car. 

     He handed me his phone and asked if I wanted to choose some music to play. I selected a song on YouTube that I liked before returning his phone to him. He pressed a button on his phone and the song started to play through the speakers. I was surprised that you could do that nowadays without a wire connection.

     "I love this song, too," James smiled and nodded along to the beat. The song I selected was Halsey's newest hit, "Without Me." "I felt pleased because we have something else in common.

     "What other types of music do you like to listen to?" I asked.

     "I like all kinds of music, except for heavy metal. How about you?" he smiled.

     "Same! What are your other interests?" I asked. I looked out the window as we drove through Midtown Tunnel. The traffic was lighter in this area due to the toll road.

     "I like bowling, mini golf, and billiards. Movies, too. But let's talk about what your interests are," he cooed.

     "I love all those things, too. But most of the time I'm watching Netflix in my room or reading a book," I admitted.

     "What's your favorite movie? Don't you hang out with friends?" he grilled me.

     "I usually hang out with my best friend, Megan. We have known each other since high school and we attended NYU together. If she goes out with her boyfriend, Stephen, I don't want to be the third wheel. I do have more friends in school. We're like this little group of three boys and three girls. Their names are Hayden, Christopher, Stephen, Juliette, Megan, and me. I think Hayden likes me, but he hasn't said anything. I don't have a favorite movie. I do like Avatar, Pretty Woman, Titanic, except for the ending," I laughed. "I love the music though! I mostly watch a lot of romantic movies. How about you? You a smart guy. How many friends do you have?"

     "I have friends from college, but we all work in different areas. I hang with them once in a while, but I work all the time. Now, I'll have to rethink that because I've met you. I really like spending time with you. Would you like to go on a date with me? Maybe a quite dinner and go to see a movie?" he asked.

     I suddenly got nervous and happy at the same time. He really liked me after all. I didn't really know what to say.

     "I like talking to you, too. Can I give you an answer by tonight? I promise you'll have my answer," I whispered. I didn't know why I was so hesitant. I really liked him, but this was all happening so fast. My hands were sweating.

     "Please don't think that I'm rushing you. I just like to get to know you better. I understand we just met, but I'm really glad for that too. So, what's your friend's major? Is she working yet?" James asked.

     I could tell that he was deflecting because my hesitation had wounded him. I wanted to get to know him better before entering into some kind of rushed commitment.

     "My friend Megan studies English Literature and is currently waiting for an answer from her interviews," I said.

     "If you don't mind, I can call in a favor and get her appointed. She can work in the same company, but probably on the fifth floor," he offered.