Life Without the Selection

Chapter 9

I decided to put on a sunflower shirt with some shorts, totally unlike me. Flowers weren't really my thing. I grabbed my shoes and combed my hair. Wait, why was I doing this? I'm just going out with Maxon. I'm going out with Maxon. This is my first actual date with Maxon.

Maxon knocked on the door.

"I got this!" I yelled as I came running out of my bedroom and across the living room to get to the door. I brushed my hair and took a deep breath before opening the door.

"Hello, my dear."

My dear. He's been saying that for quite a while. It's very annoying. I smirked at him.

"I'm not your dear," I said with a small smile.

"You can be," he said with a wink and took my hand.

"Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Singer!"

I totally forgot Mom and Dad were here in the living room this whole time.

"Bye Mom! Bye Dad!" I said with a smile. Mom smiled at me and Dad did too.

"You kids don't be out too late alright?" Mom said with a serious face.

"Of course, Mrs. Singer, I wouldn't want anything happening to your beautiful daughter." I think I was blushing at his words.

"I think we're in good hands," Dad said to Mom. I smiled at them and they smiled back at me.

"Let's go Maxon," I said and pulled him away, closing the house door behind us.

Maxon took me to a beautiful place. I've lived in this providence for all of my life but I never knew this place. It was a small forest opening that faced where the sun set. It looked like if you walked farther into the field, you could touch the sun. He brought a little basket filled with many goods. We set a blanket and took off our shoes and sat down. Maxon took out mini sandwiches, a  box of  strawberry tarts, and some water.

"Did you make all of this?" I asked, taking a sandwich and biting into it. I could taste its strong flavor.

"Yes, my mother taught me how to cook. She said a good man should know how to cook at least," he said smiling as he took a sandwich.

"This is amazing," I said with a mouthful.

"I'm glad you like it. Don't forget to try the strawberry tarts."

When I finished the sandwich, I took a strawberry tart and bit into it.

"This is even better. Can I - nevermind," I said looking down into my lap.

He took his hand and put it on my shoulder making me look up at him.

"It's okay, what did you want to say?" he said looking at me.

"Er, can I take the rest of these tarts home? I think May would love these, she hardly has sweets," I said quietly, not sure if he heard or not.

"Of course! I can make more if you'd like," he said smiling.

"No it's fine!"

"Are you sure? You can take these home, but I can make more for your family," he said, taking both his hands and holding mine. His face was oddly very close to mine.

"It's okay Maxon, Thank you very much for this though," I said reaching my hands to touch his cheek. I think that triggered something. He leaned down and his lips were just centimeters away. I think he was about to kiss me.

"Maxon, I think it's getting really late." I said, and he was surprised and woke up from his daze. He cleared his throat. Why did I say that?

"Alright let's go home."

He took my hand and we got up. He helped me pack up everything. We walked home and when I went into my house and closed the door, I realized, my heart was beating really fast and I had a box of strawberry tarts.