Feel Pretty

thirty one (Odell)

The idea of a date was both thrilling and terrifying. Eli had been the one to suggest it, his eyes bright with excitement and maybe just a hint of nervousness when he asked. We'd been spending so much time together lately, and after our kiss, it felt like we were both walking on air, unsure of where our feet would land.

But a date? That made everything real. It wasn't just hanging out or passing moments together; it was a step forward, a declaration of sorts, that whatever was growing between us was serious.

I stood in front of the mirror, my heart racing as I tried to figure out what to wear. This wasn't just any other day; this was our first official date, and I wanted everything to be perfect. I settled on a simple outfit—a fitted white shirt that made my skin look just a bit brighter and a pair of jeans that I knew Eli liked on me.

"Don't overthink it, Dell," I whispered to myself, trying to shake off the nervous energy.

There was a knock on the door, and my heart skipped a beat. I took a deep breath, smoothed out my shirt, and went to open it. Eli stood there, looking effortlessly handsome in a casual button-up shirt and dark jeans. His smile was wide and warm, instantly easing some of the nerves swirling inside me.

"You ready?" he asked, his voice soft, his eyes scanning me from head to toe with an approving gleam.

I nodded, feeling my cheeks warm under his gaze. "Yeah, let's go."

Eli led me to his car, and we drove off into the evening. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the town. The sky was a mix of orange and pink, and I couldn't help but feel like the universe was painting the perfect backdrop for our night.

We arrived at a cozy little restaurant that Eli had picked out. It wasn't anything fancy, just a small place with dim lighting, wooden tables, and the soft hum of jazz music playing in the background. The atmosphere was intimate, perfect for the kind of evening we were hoping for.

As we settled into our booth, I could feel the tension in my shoulders slowly melting away. Being with Eli like this, away from the noise of our everyday lives, felt like stepping into a world that was just ours. He reached across the table, his hand finding mine, and just that simple touch sent a shiver down my spine.

"How are you feeling?" Eli asked, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand.

"A little nervous," I admitted, biting my lip. "But in a good way."

"Me too," he confessed with a smile. "But I'm really happy we're doing this."

We ordered our food, and the conversation flowed easily between us. We talked about everything and nothing—our plans for the week, silly memories from school, and even a few dreams for the future that we hadn't shared before. Every word, every laugh felt like another brick in the foundation we were building together.

When our food arrived, Eli insisted on trying a bite of everything on my plate, and I couldn't help but laugh at his eagerness. We shared our dishes, our conversations mixing with the taste of good food, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

After dinner, Eli suggested we take a walk along the nearby park. The air was cool, and the stars were just starting to peek out in the darkening sky. We walked side by side, our hands brushing occasionally until Eli finally laced his fingers through mine, holding on tightly.

As we strolled through the park, Eli suddenly stopped, turning to face me. There was a seriousness in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat.

"Odell, there's something I've been wanting to say," he began, his voice steady but soft.

I looked up at him, waiting, my breath caught in my throat.

"I really like you," he continued, squeezing my hand. "And I want us to be something more. I want to be with you, officially. If... if that's what you want too."

His words hung in the air between us, and for a moment, I felt like the world had stopped spinning. I could see the vulnerability in his eyes, the hope that I felt mirrored in my own heart.

"I want that too, Eli," I whispered, feeling a surge of warmth and certainty. "I want to be with you."

Eli's face lit up with a smile that made my heart swell. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around me, and in that moment, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. He leaned down, his lips brushing mine in a tender kiss, and I melted into him, all the doubts and fears I'd been holding onto fading away.

When we finally pulled apart, we stayed wrapped in each other's arms, the world around us quiet and peaceful. It felt like we were the only two people on the planet, and for once, that thought didn't scare me. It felt right. It felt perfect.

We spent the rest of the evening walking hand in hand, talking about the future like it was something we couldn't wait to dive into together. By the time Eli drove me home, my heart was full, and my mind was at ease.

As I stood on my porch, watching Eli drive away, I couldn't stop smiling. We were official now—something more than friends, more than just two people who liked each other. We were together, and I knew that whatever came next, we'd face it together.

I went to bed that night with the sound of Eli's laughter in my ears, the feeling of his hand in mine, and the certainty that this was just the beginning of something incredible.