Lost and Found

Chapter 31 | The perfect date

The sun hides behind a cloud. Julia crosses her fingers. Please, clouds, don't ruin this day and show some sun. She fills her drinking bottle with water. Butterflies keep fluttering in her stomach. Mason will pick her up to take her on a date. Their first date. A date with Mason and her. She can't stop grinning.

Is her dating again too early after Ash? Who knows? But with Mason, she feels safe. They had their ups and downs. Nothing they can't fix with better communication.

Mason told Julia she should wear her hiking shoes. She thought about putting on a dress but decided on a pair of denim shorts. Her fingers fiddle with the fabric of her yellow sunflower top as Julia secures the tied ends of her top. With quick fingers, she makes two braids starting from the side of her head.

The doorbell rings. Holding her half-braided hair in her hands, Julia stumbles to the door. Dom, dom, domoor. The door opens, almost hitting her in the face. "Julia?" Mason calls out as the door hides her away.

"Present," she says, quickly finishing her braid. Mason peaks behind the door, questions written on his face. Instead of asking his questions, he shrugs his shoulders and closes the door.

He wears jeans cut off at the knees and a black sweater. Just like her, he has his hiking boots on. "Are you ready?" he says. A nervous smile creeps up his face.

Julia tries to hold in her giggle. Mason is cute this way. To be honest, he's always cute, even when he glares. Nodding her head, she reaches for her backpack. Before she can take it, Mason grabs her bag. Of course Mason does. Julia should've curtsied for him with such chivalry.

His hand reaches for her arm, but he stops himself, scratching the back of his neck. Is the whole date going to be awkward? Hopefully not. It shouldn't be. They've hiked before. It's not a big deal, right?

A light blush covers his cheeks. Cute. Instead of taking Julia's arm, he opens the front door for her and leads her to the car. His scent greets her, and the butterflies return to her stomach. Music plays in the background as they both stay quiet, not sure what to say. His eyes keep drifting to her, watching her as she fiddles with the end of her shirt.

"Why is this awkward?" Julia questions out loud.

Mason snaps his head to her. "It's awkward?"

Julia shakes her head. "I didn't mean awkward, awkward," Julia says. What did she mean? Chewing the inside of her cheek, she searches for the right words. "Never mind. I'm being silly." Not exactly the words she had in mind. Mason taps his fingers against the steering wheel. His lips press together. "I'm sorry. I'm being difficult."

His head jerks. "What... No, you're not." His fingers rake through his hair. "I... uhh. I guess I'm nervous," Mason admits.

"Really?" She smiles up at him. "Me too."

A breath leaves his lips. "Good...Well, not good, but–"

"I know."

"It's just–" Mason takes a deep breath. "This is important."

Julia leans her head against the headrest. "It is?" The date is important to her, and so is Mason. But why for him? He has it all; the friends, the girls, the sports-movie-like things, and the energy to do what he likes. She has—not a lot. Divorced parents, confused feelings, mental breakdowns in front of people, and things she isn't ready to admit to.

"Yeah," he says as he rubs his neck. "To be honest, I have never really felt like this. It's confusing."

Guess they both have confused feelings. Julia stares out of the window. "Me too," she whispers under her breath. The houses beside the road make place for trees.