𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭

fifty one

Kaiden

I leaned against my car, waiting for Delphine to arrive. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm glow over the campus.

It was a typical evening, but tonight felt different. There was an undercurrent of anticipation thrumming beneath my skin, an eagerness I couldn't quite place. When I saw her coming towards me, all thoughts of everything else faded away.

Delphine walked toward me with a calm grace, her long hair swaying gently with each step. She wore a fitted black skirt that highlighted her curves, paired with a grey tank top that framed her silhouette perfectly.

I couldn't help but admire how effortlessly chic she looked.

Her makeup was subtle but striking, enhancing her features without overshadowing her natural beauty.

There was a simplicity to her style, yet it felt deliberate—every choice made with care.

As she approached, her expression was steady, and I could see a hint of curiosity in her green eyes. "Nice car," she said, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Thanks," I replied, trying to maintain my composure. "I thought it might suit the occasion."

"Does it now?" she replied, raising an eyebrow, a playful challenge in her tone.

"Just wait until you see where we're headed," I said, my excitement creeping into my voice.

She slid into the passenger seat, and I caught a whiff of her perfume—subtle and fresh, a hint of something floral that lingered in the air. As I settled into the driver's seat and turned the ignition, the engine purred to life, and I felt a rush of exhilaration.

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye as we pulled away from the curb. The way she sat in the passenger seat—confident but calm, her posture relaxed yet alert—was captivating. It was as if she commanded attention without trying, and I found myself drawn to her energy.

As we cruised through the familiar streets, the music softly flowed through the car, setting the mood for our evening. I turned the volume up slightly when the opening notes of "Hotel California" by the Eagles filled the space between us.

There she stood in
the doorway, I heard
the mission bell

And I was thinkin' to
myself, "This could be
heaven or this could be
hell"

Then she lit up a
candle and she showed
me the way

Delphine's expression shifted as the music played. I could see a flicker of recognition in her eyes, and then a calm smile spread across her face. "I love this song," she said, her voice steady and reflective.

"Yeah? It's a classic," I replied, my own mood lifting at her enthusiasm.

"Definitely. There's something about the melody—it's haunting yet beautiful," she said, her gaze drifting toward the window as the world outside blurred past.

"I never really thought about it that way," I admitted, glancing at her as I navigated the road. "I just like the vibe."

She nodded, her fingers tapping lightly against her thigh in time with the music. "Music can be an escape, you know? It's like a safe space where everything else fades away."

"Yeah, I get that. Hockey does that for me," I said, surprised at how easy it was to share that with her. "When I'm on the ice, nothing else matters. Just the game and the adrenaline."

"I can see that," she replied, her voice steady and calm. "It's nice to have something that makes you feel alive."

I nodded, appreciating her perspective. There was a depth to her thoughts that intrigued me, and I found myself wanting to know more. "What about you? What do you do when you need to escape?"

"Art, mostly," she said, her gaze still fixed outside. "Drawing and painting. It's therapeutic for me, a way to express things I can't always put into words."

"Really? I'd love to see some of your work," I said, genuinely interested.

"I'm not sure you'd want to," she replied, a hint of shyness creeping into her voice. "It's pretty personal."

"I'm sure it's great," I said, trying to encourage her. "You have a unique perspective. I can see it in the way you see the world."

She turned her gaze to me, her expression softening. "Thanks, Kaiden. That means a lot."

The song shifted to a softer bridge, and I let the music fill the silence between us, stealing glances at her as we drove.

Delphine had a way of making even the simplest moments feel profound, and I wanted to capture every detail. The way her lips curled slightly when she smiled, the thoughtful crease of her brow as she listened to the music—it all made my heart race a little faster.

"Do you like going to concerts?" I asked, wanting to keep the conversation flowing.

"I do, actually. There's something magical about being there, feeling the energy of the crowd," she said, her calm demeanor becoming more animated as she spoke. "It's like you're part of something bigger."

"Any favorite bands you've seen live?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Yeah, I saw the Arctic Monkeys last summer. It was incredible," she replied, her eyes lighting up. "The energy was electric, and the music was even better in person."

"Nice! They're on my list of bands to see," I said, impressed. "I've been to a few shows, but I'd love to catch them live."

"You should definitely make it happen," she encouraged, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of excitement.

The road began to narrow, and I turned toward a more secluded area as we got closer to our destination. "I hope you're ready for a surprise," I said, glancing at her with a grin.

"A surprise?" she echoed, her interest piqued. "Now I'm curious."

"Just trust me. You'll like it," I replied, feeling a rush of excitement as I navigated through the trees lining the road.

"Alright, I'll bite. What is it?" she asked, her tone a mix of skepticism and intrigue.

I chuckled. "Patience, Delphine. All good things come to those who wait."

As we approached a small clearing, I turned off the main road and onto a gravel path that led to a hidden spot by the lake. The trees parted, revealing a stunning view of the water, glistening under the fading sunlight. I parked the car and looked over at her, watching her reaction.

Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the scenery. "Wow," she breathed, clearly impressed. "This is beautiful."

"I thought you'd like it," I said, feeling a sense of satisfaction at her reaction. "There's a small dock over there. I've got some snacks, we can just hang out for a while."

"Sounds perfect," she said, her calm demeanor shifting to something more relaxed and excited.

I opened the door, and as we stepped out, the cool evening breeze wrapped around us. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the water, and I could see her smile grow wider as she took in the view.

"Thanks for bringing me here, Kaiden. This is amazing," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

"Anytime," I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me. "I wanted to show you something special."

As we walked toward the dock, I felt a sense of ease wash over me. The nerves I had felt earlier were replaced with a comfortable anticipation, the kind that promised new beginnings and deepening connections. I glanced over at Delphine, her calm beauty illuminated by the sunset, and I knew this was just the beginning.