"No, No, NO," screams Sara as she throws my clothes which she doesn't approve of on the floor.
"Will you stop that?"
"You have nothing decent to wear," she says.
"Everything in my closet is decent! I've got some cute tops and jeans. Hey, how about this floral top?" Sara snatches it from my hands and throws it on the growing pile on the floor.
"Let me rephrase that, you have nothing indecent in your closet. I mean you're 17, how about some crop tops, strappy shimmery clothing."
"I might have a black dress at the black of the closet," I said quietly.
"We need to go shopping," she remarks.
"Absolutely not. I have no pocket money left. I can't even ask mom for money. What would I even say, 'I need to buy slutty clothes to go on a date with NEIL!',"
"You can start there," she says.
"You, get out of my closet. I'm going to wear my floral top and jeans. I mean he likes me for who I am right?"
"NO. He's 19 he likes you for the melons hanging on your chest and the peach you carry around," she says pointing at me which leaves me aghast.
"Neil would never."
"He's a man Gia."
I don't listen to even one bit of what Sara has to say and dress the way I want. Since I can't go outside at night. The date has been scheduled for 5pm. I will leave at around 4:30pm but the excitement got to me and I have been ready since 3pm. Asking for Sara's opinion on my clothing is of no point as she just calls me prude. She was even on call with Jay and told him not to get Neil's hopes high.
Jay is waiting for us downstairs in his car. He would drive me there with Sara accompanying us. I open the car door and settle down at the back seat. Jay looks at me from his rear view mirror and says,
"You know you still have time to change."
"Will you guys stop? You both being on my case makes me want to do the opposite of what you say."
"Then please keep wearing that. Don't even think about changing it now," says Sara sarcastically from the front seat.
We reach Pastry House in no time and I open the car to step out. I begin walking towards the entrance but Sara calls me over and says
"You look amazing. His jaw is going to be on the floor." I murmur thanks while she still continues,
"Are you going to kiss him?"
"I'm leaving. He must already be there." I walk back towards the entrance when Sara shoots at me from the car
"Just kiss him dude he's SO CUTE." Everyone starts looking over at me while I make a run for the entrance. The door closes behind laughter and a, 'so is he cuter than me?.'
I look around the row of tables trying to figure out which one is Neil when the waitress comes up to me and asks,
"Are you Gia?" I nod and she takes out a single red rose from her apron pocket and hands it over to me. Talk about romance. She then guides me towards my table which is on the first floor and even there towards the tables that have been set on the balcony. Opening the French windows, she moves to the side so I can clearly look at the scene in front of me. Neil who's sitting with his back to me turns his head. Once he notices it's me he gets up to greet me. He opens his arm for a hug while I put my right hand forward for a handshake. Awkward. With a chuckle he grasps my hand and invites me over to the seat adjacent to him. Once seated he orders coffee for the both of us.
"I hope you don't mind that I'm ordering for the both of us." I shake my head and he continues, "you look beautiful."
"No I don't. You're just being sweet. But you surely do." He does. He's wearing dark blue jeans a white t-shirt underneath a brown leather jacket. His hair is combed today and he is wearing a silver chain with rings adorning his beautiful veiny hand.
"Is there something wrong? You've been staring at my hands."
"They look really beautiful," I say honestly.
"That is the complement I am always searching for," he teases. Feeling I blew that part I try to make it up to him by blurting whatever was coming to my mind.
"Oh no. I'm just really bad at giving out compliments. Just ask Sara. You're hands, oh you're hands. If only I could feel them on me." No. NO. What did I just say? I turn completely red while Neil's mouth opens up a little bit in astonishment. I hide myself behind the menu kept on the table. I'm really thankful when coffee is brought out right that second. Once she leaves Neil takes, more like snatches the menu out of my hands and keeps it on the side. He pushes one cup of coffee towards me and says,
"I would love to put my hands on you, only when the time is right and you ask me, obviously." He sips his coffee nonchalantly, imitating him I do the same.
The date goes a little better after this. He talks about college, I tell him about school, and my future plans.
"So you don't wanna go abroad for higher studies?" he asks.
"Not interested, plus I don't wanna leave my mother alone."
"She's an adult. I'm sure she's gonna be fine."
"Will you leave your mother alone," I ask him
"Of course. Better than her living with my father."
"Aren't you being a bit dramatic when it comes to him?"
"No." He says in a tone which leaves no room for further comments.
We both take an auto ride back home. The wind coming from both of its open sides leaves my hair flying in all directions and I'm pretty sure when it stops in front of our building my hair looks like a cuckoo bird's nest. We take a lift to our respective floors. As the lift stops and opens its shafts on the third floor I abruptly turn to look at Neil. Now that Sara's earlier motivation is in my head, I so wanna act on it. Damn! He is cute. I'm sure he's getting the hint as he steps closer to me. A surge of dopamine goes through my bloodstream, making my heart beat faster. I close my eyes as I feel him really close to me. His hands come up to my arms and hold me there as he leans in to kiss my FOREHEAD.
YOU ARE READING
Sparks Fly
Storie d'amoreThe college-going Neil is the new boy in the housing building who doesn't care for anyone. Burdened by responsibilities he didn't ask for and a father he doesn't care for life is a sham for him. With a quiet yet corny behaviour Neil has never known...
