Setting Ourselves Up

Date night

                                      Jade

"So ,Operation Cupid starts tonight"-James announced ,his voice a low rumble  that vibrated in the small resturant.We were together on a shift tonight.

He leaned back ,stretching his long legs out ,nearly kicking the table .Across from him ,i ,a tangled ball of red hair and nervous energy,fidgeted with my straw.

"Right "-I squeaked .
"And we're going on a ..date ?"

James ,all tan and sarcastic charm rolled his eyes and said "Duh Cherry ,we have to convince Xander and Av we're in love or at least mildly like each other .They'll never get together on their own ,this is the only way"

I sigh .
I am so dreading this.

We still had a few hours until the evening so we spend it serving customers,making fun of each other's service skills and talking about the books I've forced him read .

At one point James started reanacting a scene from the book he was reading and I let out a laugh .A real ,sincere laugh.That had caught James off guard cause right after he heard me laugh ,he stopped what he was doing and just stared at me for a good minute .Then of course being the jerk he is ,he started playing with my hair,making them all messy and tangled up .

After we closed the shop ,anxiety crippled everywhere on my body .

James had walked me home ,because according to him it was too late to walk by myself .At six pm.But I know it was just because we had the same way home .

I walked in my house ,dropping my bag on the floor .
"Dad !""-Mom!"-I got no answer .

I walked into the kitchen and poured myself some orange juice and i noticed a note on the fridge.

"Date night!"
"It's our anniversary tonight honey so we'll be out for a few hours ,don't wait up for us ,love you endlessly,Mom and Dad :)"

I laughed .An image of my parents in bed appeared on my mind and I cringed .

It's very funny that my parents anniversary is on the same night as my first date with James .Fake date ,i remind myself.

Looking at the fridge  I finally noticed all the pictures sticked up there .I never paid any attention to them until now .There's pictures of me and James on our first day in kindergarten,James's arm is stringed on my shoulder ,both of us with  huge smiles on our faces .

There's pictures of us two every year up until eighth grade .That's when our pictures stopped.Then there's pictures of me and Av from freshman's year Halloween party .I had dressed up as Ariel and she had put on a fish costume .I had told her we can change them because it didn't matter but she insisted that I went as Ariel because of my red hair .I laugh at the memory .

I pause at the newest picture of all four of us together ,at Avery's birthday .James had said something funny so in the picture ,im looking up at him smiling.Xander is on my right and in the middle between me and James ,Avery is standing with her arms spread out just like in her family picture.

~<33~

The dazte was at an Italian place downtown .Just the thought of it sent my anxiety levels soaring .I already pictured myself  spilling pasta everywhere ,getting tounge-tied while ordering and saying all the wrong things .

James on the other hand is perfectly calm .
He arrived in my front porch in a black button down and jeans .The buttons of the shirt were open and exsposed his chest .His hair was muffled in a perfect way and i could tell he put gel on them .

I was wearing a tight black tank top with my short mid thigh denim skirt and high white converse .I had done my makeup like i usually do it at school only adding eyeliner .

He walks torwards me and hands me a helmet .
"You look nice "-he says ,helping me put on the helmet .

"I can't even get on that wearing this skirt "-i scoff

"Don't worry Springs ,I won't look "-he winks at me .Ew.

Before we walked in ,James held my hand tightly.
"Relax Cherry ,it's just dinner ,we'll be in and out before you know it "-he said noticing my disstres.

We purposely chose this place cause it's where Av and James decided to study together .When they see us having fun on our date they'll realise that there's nothing wrong in dating in the friend group.

We sat on the window seats ,being perfectly close enough for Av and Xander to casually "observe ".
When it was time to order James ordered confidentiality while I stumbled on something about water .

"So "-he began ,leaning in ,a glint in his eyes
"What are you're dreams ,hobbies?"

"We'll you know I love reading "
He feigned a gasp.
"Wow reading ?""How original ,I'm devastated "
I laughed surprised by the sound .It was a short shaky laugh but it was real .He had made me laugh .Again.

Throughout the meal ,James kept up the charade.He told stories ,made jokes and effectively played the part of an attentive boyfriend,i on the other hand found myself loosening up and laughing at his jokes and even catching glimpses of him when he wasn't looking .

As we left I spotted Av and Xander seated next to each other ,discussing something about their studies .They were laughing and when Av spotted me she winked at me and started typing on her phone .

When we walked out I read the text
"Helloo?? U guys went on a date ?? I need to know all the deets 😏"

I laugh .

"Well "-James said ,a smirk playing on his lips.
"Mission accomplished "

As he walked me to my door I found myself feeling ..oddly disappointed the date was over .I actually had a lot fun .

"Thanks for tonight James ,I had fun "-i smiled at him

Anytime Cherry"-he flashed me his famous grin and added"I had fun too ,suprisingly "

I rolled my eyes .
"Way to ruin the moment "

"We were having a moment ?"-he smirks
"Woah this is moving a little to fast for my liking Springs ,I don't think I'm ready yet"-he puts a hand on his heart ,a playful look on his eyes .

"Shut it "-i push him away.

"Go!"
"Your carriage awaits "-i point at his bike.

"Yep "
"We should do this again sometime "-he saod ,walking to his bike ,leaving me speechless.The thought of another date sent a warmth feeling up my neck but i chose to ignore it .

"Oh please "-i scoffed
"We bearly made it out alive from this one "

"I thought someone said she had fun "-he put his fingers on his forhead as saltute and rode off on his bike.