Goodbye, I love you

My first date

It's been a graceful couple of weeks. A new relationship, surviving a lethal encounter, and less fights with mom and Stan. Could I be anymore ecstatic? We gave thanks after my recovery then I told my parents about Peter and I, and my mom was happy. I was seeing him today for our very first date because he had to leave to help his dad on his business trip. He was just waiting for me to get better; how sweet is he?

"So, where are you guys gonna go?" Bethel asked.

"I don't know. I don't care, honestly, anywhere is fine." I swung my closet door. "I just want to see him."

"Aw," she sniffled. I shook my head. "You guys are just so cute."

"I thought you said I should be careful."

"Of his friends." She raised her brow. "I mean he's saved now but he still hangs out with them."

"Mh," I winced. "He is saved, right?" She asked. "Yes, maybe. He wanted to know how I dealt with my past, and we pray together and go to the studies." I replied. "That's good. But it's not all." She said. "I know. I really think he is. They're his friends, you know? He can't just up and leave suddenly, right?"

"Well, just be careful." She said. "I gotta go."

"Bye, love." She said and we hugged.

DING! I grabbed my phone and saw a text from Peter; I smiled. I grabbed my jacket and went outside. "Why couldn't you come in?" I asked. "Meh, we're late anyways." He smiled.

He wouldn't tell me where we were going even though it doesn't matter at all to me. I just liked being aware. "We're here." He said. "What?" I gazed around. "But, its the carnival." I said and he nodded and got out of the car. "Why couldn't you just tell me?" I followed him. "I'd lose the element of surprise." He replied.

"Huh?"

"Look, this is the first place that we hung out, and you were really happy." He held my hands.

I couldn't help but smile then we kissed. "Come on." He said.

We had so much fun going on the rides as we did the first time we came here. This was the best first date ever because it meant a lot to both of us. It might have been more fun now because we couldn't do stuff like, sharing a milkshake or piggy back rides around the tent of mirrors to the hot dog shack and back.

"Again, again, again!" I exclaimed, and Peter groaned.

"No, no, no!"

I chuckled. "Come on, that was fun."

"Yeah, for you." He said. "Oh, I gotta go anyways."

"What? No!" I cried.

"My dad needs me. We'll hang out tomorrow." He said. "Alright." I said.

As we drove home, I thought of the situation between Peter and his dad. We never actually talked about it. I wondered if I should bring it up; I was just worried about him, and I wanted to be there for him. "Hey," I started.

"What's the deal with your dad?"

"It's too complicated. I don't want to get into it right now, okay?"

"Okay, but just know I'm here for you." I said. "I know." He smiled switching gazes between me and the road.

Maybe he'll tell me when he's comfortable with it. The car screeched to a halt, and I saw our driveway. I smiled at Peter who kissed me goodbye before I got out of the car. "Goodnight." I said.

"Night." He smiled.

***

"How did you ask him?" Bethel slurped her coffee.

"I said that what was the deal with dad?"

"It's not too bad." Mick said. "Well, I think you should've waited." She said.

"For what? It's not like we're strangers." I said.

"I'm with her on this one, babe." He said. "No, I mean the right moment. Maybe he was pissed that he had to cut the day short. I'm just sayin'." She said.

"It was past seven; the 'day' was practically over." I said. Bethel shrugged. "Alright, guys, I gotta get back to work." Mick said and kissed Beth on the cheek.

"I wouldn't stress about it. Just don't be pushy." Mick told me. "Thanks, Mick."

"Speaking of Peter, isn't he supposed to meet us here?" She asked.

"Yeah, I wonder where he is. It's almost brunch."

"Ooh," Beth rubbed her hands together.

After about an hour, I saw Peter pull up the parking lot through the window. He was with someone but I couldn't see who it was. "Hey, isn't that Steve?" Beth asked. "Who's Steve?" I asked. "Oh, he was in the Basketball team. I guess he's friends with Peter." She said. They hugged before Steve left, and Peter came inside.

"Hey babe, Bethel." He kissed my cheek. I wrinkled my nose. "Are you—" I sniffed him. "Drunk?"

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

"You smell like alcohol." I said. "You're so pretty when you're mad." He smiled.

"I'll go get him some water." Beth said.

"Peter?" I snapped my fingers at him.

"Here." Beth came back with the water. Peter poured the glass on himself. "What the heck are you doing?!" I yelled. "I didn't shower this morning." He said.

"I can't believe you." My eyes glistened. "Peter, what has gotten into you?" Beth asked.

"What?" He asked. "I gotta go." I said. "Oh, come on, where are you going?" I heard him say as I stormed out.