Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Teacher-Student Romance Robert Downey Jr.)

Right Place. Right Time?

"Would youlike something to drink?"

It's the firstthing Keith says to me, when we walk inside the carnival. It's muchbigger than I expected it to be, with huge rides and a ferris wheel.Gigantic teddy bears are piled up behind the counters, only for thewinners. It smells like beer and cotton candy. The night is lit up bytwinkle and candle lights. Without hesitation, I let Keith get us twobeers and continue to walk on the muddy grass. Even though it isfreezing cold, Keith is only wearing a sweater.

"Aren't youfreezing?" I ask and he shakes his head.

"It's notthat cold. And I hate wearing jackets, they make me look weird." Heanswers and I laugh. "Where are you from?"

"California."I tell him and he nods.

"That's whyyou're so cold. It's always warm over there, isn't it?"

"Not always."I reply. "But most of the time."

I take a sip ofmy beer and as we turn a corner, a wide dance floor emerges in theback. So that's where the music came from. A band plays in the back,dressed in white country shirts and boots.

"This ischeesier than I thought it would be." Keith says and looks at me."Please, believe me that it's not always like that."

"I'm not sureI can believe you, Keith." I tease and he offers his hand.

"Would youcare to dance?"

I shrug and putmy hand in his huge palm. "Why not."

Keith pulls meon the dance floor, between the couples who are already dancing andcloser to him. My hands wander behind his neck and we sway to theslow-dance country music. He is so tall that I can rest my headagainst his chest. Immediately, my thoughts wander to Alex. What hemight be doing right now. Sleeping possibly, he always liked going tobed early. To bed early and getting up with the first rays ofsunlight. I'm dying to know if he likes his University. Georgetownlooks very nice on the internet. He is so nice, he'll probably makenew friends the minute he walks through the door. Washington is notthat far away, yet I couldn't help but wonder if we'll really takethe drive every time. If we'll Skype every two days and write emails,like we planned. Or if it will just get too hard. If we both have toomuch to do and feel like we just can't take it anymore. I'm not sureof anything right now. Of Alex, of my apartment, my job, hell, even my damn self.

I don't evenknow if I'll like my job in New York. Such a big publishing house andso many responsibilities. I was already told that this won't be acoffee making job. I will get proper work and a lot of it, so Ishould be prepared to sweat. It's not that I'm not excited, I am. ButI also feel like I'm walking on thin ice that is going to break everysecond. What if they don't like me? Or what if I'm not good enough?I've never worked in a publishing house, neither did I get anythingpublished myself.

So scared ofmessing it all up. Even though my father told me to immediately comehome if nothing works out, I want this to work. So badly. Not for myresumé or my family, but for me. I feel like I need to do this on myown. Accomplish something by myself.

"Aria?" Ihear Keith talking to me. But it's far away. So far.

Eventually, Iraise my head. "Yes?"

"Are youokay?" He has a concerned look on his face and I feel bad for beingsuch a bad date.

"Of course. Ijust zoned out for a second." I reply and smile.

"Maybe Ishouldn't have given you that beer." He says and I shake my head.

"I'm okay.Believe me." I deny. "You're a good dancer, by the way."

"Okay. NowI'm sure you're drunk." Keith jokes and a string of hair falls fromhis bun. In the moonlight his looks are soothing. His catchy greeneyes and sharp features make me feel relaxed and I continue to smileat him.