Chapter 1
What to wear; what to wear I thought to myself."He's going to be here in twenty minutes Ell find something," I said as I search through the closet feeling a little panicky. My long caramel colored hair still dishoveled from last night excitement. Just the memories made my heart beat fast, and I can feel my face blush. I can't believe he's finally here for me to kiss him, hold him, and love him. It feels so surreal as my mind starts to wonder....
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It was Friday cosmic night at Rock N Bowl. Loud music, black lights, and a disco ball filled the air. I can just barely hear Paige.
"Ell, you're teaming up with Andrew, and I'm with Nick. May the best team win and loser's buying dinner," she giggled as I put on my bowling shoes.
I can't believe I let Paige set me up on a blind date, and out of all people, she sets me up with her cousin Andrew. Don't get me wrong; Andrew is your typical cute jock around 5'9 and bulk in all the right places. He's also first string quarterback of our rival varsity team, so it shouldn't be hard for him to find dates. Why choose him as my blind date? Paige knows damn well that he's not my type I thought.
"You're up first Ell," Andrew whispered into my ear making me lose my train of thought. I looked at him blankly as he handed me a number eight ball. "If you don't want to go, I can bowl for you," he flirted.
I looked over to Paige as I yanked the ball out of Andrew's hand and mouthed to her, "you owe me big time."
I made my way to the wooden floors. Ball is on my right hand while I'm facing the gutter. I can feel Andrew watching my every move.
"Go Ell, you can do it," he yelled as I looked back and smile. I pulled the ball close to my face, swung back, and let it roll right down the middle.
"Strike!" I screamed jumping up and down with excitement. I can see Paige and Nick clapping as Andrew walked up to me with another eight ball and gave me a high five. He handed me the ball as I was cheering for myself and sneakily plants a kiss on my cheek.
"Another strike, another kiss," he whispered as I looked at him in shock. He winked at me and then turned his heel to walk away.
I can't believe this fool just kissed me, and he kissed me without my permission. I growled as I resume position. Did Paige know that Andrew was going to kiss me? She knew that I'm good at bowling and the fact that I'm competitive. Maybe that's why she decided to make this a bet. Win and get kisses from Andrew or lose and pay for dinner I thought.
I felt hopeless in the position I was in. So I pulled the ball close to my face, swung back, and jerked foward when something tickled my ass letting the ball roll to the right side and into the gutter. I dug into my back pocket and pulled my phone out as it was vibrating. Who is this 949 number that keeps calling all week? I thought. I decided to answer the phone so I can get out and catch some fresh air.
"Hey guys, I'll be right back!" I yelled as I was passing Andrew, I can tell he was alittle annoyed. He looked at me with his sad blue eyes and called out my name.
"Ell," he yelled as I turned to face him. "Don't take too long."
"Don't worry. I smiled. "If I'm not back on time then bowl for me!"
When I reached to the lobby, I answered the call. "Hello," I said softly.
"Hey big sis, about time you answered the phone. I was getting worried about you. I thought maybe someone kidnapped you and threw your body in the bayou for the alligators to eat." He started laughing. "People down there are so weird. I don't know why you wanted to move to Louisiana. Time seems to move so slow, and I felt like I went back in time to the 1970's," he proclaimed.
"Ha ha ha," I said sarcastically. "Sorry to bust your bubbles, but I am not your sister. And the reason why she might want to move here is because our food is flavorful, we have great hospitality, and ..." I stopped as I heard him chuckled. Why am I getting so worked up on him? I don't even know the guy. For goodness sakes Ell, it could have been someone famous or even the president. I took a deep breath and sigh, " I'm sorry, but you have the wrong number."
"O my god, I am truly sorry. Let me start over," he said sounding apologetically.
"You're lucky you have a cute voice otherwise I would have hung up on you." I said flirtatiously.
He started laughing, "I would have hung up on myself too. Wow! I feel like a total jack ass; by the way I'm Chris."
"And that, you should feel. My name is Ell," I said softly.
"Nice to meet you," we said simultaneously as we both started laughing.
"Jinx, you owe me a soda," I cried as we both continued to laugh.
"Wow, you are too funny," he said as his voice started to deepen, and I can tell that he was now serious. "Give me a chance to explain myself. I have a gig to perform in thirty minutes, so I need to help my boys set up. How about I call you tonight?"
"What makes you think I will talk to you again? I don't even know you; plus you might be some forty years old pervert." I flirted with a smile on my face.
"I assure you I'm not, and besides what forty year old pervert has a rockin' body like mines. Plus, I know you want to talk to me," he teased. "Anyways I got to go and just to show you how sorry I am, I'm going to send you something in a few minutes. As far as tonight, if you answer the phone, then great. If not, then I won't bother you again. Kapeash?"
"Right," I said back.
We said our goodbyes and hung up. I felt like I was sitting on cloud 9. I can't even believe I flirted with a stranger. It was naughty I thought, and I liked the way it felt warm and fuzzy. I can feel the adrenaline rushing through my body as I skipped inside. I felt my hand vibrate as I knew it was a text message from Chris, but before I got a chance to check it, I shoved it in my back pocket as Paige made her way towards me.
Paige ran up to me twisting her arm around my arm and started updating me on Andrew and the game. "So Ell, we decided to end the game. Andrew is really good at bowling, and he totally surpass us by a long shot. So Nick and I forfeit the game."
I felt excited, but I didn't want my expression to show. I was giddy inside because the blind date was almost over. "So does that mean dinner's on you two." I smirked as we prepared to leave.
Dinner was awkward. Andrew did't even flirt with me once. He was actually quiet. He didn't even try to make eye contact with me or hold my hand. I felt bad. He deserves better from me, but I just didn't feel what he felt. "Andrew," I said nicely. "Are you going to bring me home or should I go with Paige?"
He looked up at me and calmly said, "I picked you up; I'll bring you back."
On the car ride home, it was too quiet. I couldn't take it anymore. Just listening to him sigh was driving me crazy. I had to break the silence. "Look Andrew I'm sorry I didn't give it my all on this date like I should. Your a great guy and very cute may I add, but I can only picture you as a friend."
He looked at my face and could tell that I was being honest. "You think I'm cute!" He smirked at me as he parked in front of my house.
"Cute as a button," I replied and smiled. "Just call me, and we can hangout sometimes ok?" Before he could answer me, I gave him a hug and ran inside.
Time was passing slowly. What was two hours felt like eternity. I lay on my bed waiting, constantly checking my phone like a love sick puppy. When is he going to call? I thought to myself when I suddenly remembered the text he sent me. I grabbed my phone off the pillow and opened the message as my mind melted away. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Blonde hair that curled at the tips, red pouty lips, and eyes that can hypnotize you. Just looking at him made my whole body tingled, my mouth watered, and before I knew it, the warm feeling was back. I closed my eyes and smiled as I held my phone to my breast and fell asleep.
