Nobody Said Life Was Going to be Easy. And I, Should Have Known Better

13: First Official Date

I woke up and got ready. I bounded lightly down the stairs and into the kitchen to fix myself a bowl of cereal. Mrs. Jones was sitting at the table reading the paper, looking up when she noticed my presence.

"You seem happy."

"Mmhmm" I replied happily.

"That's good, I really like Todd, and it's so nice to see you finally cheerful."

I blushed which caused her to form a grin.

"It looks like you really like him too."

"Speaking of Todd, he wanted to take me to dinner tonight, is that okay? And I'm going with Kathy shopping this morning."

"My little girl is growing up so fast." She fake cried, putting a hand to her heart and dabbing her imaginary tears with a napkin. I laughed.

"I'm serious!" She exclaimed. "But, it's fine dear, go have fun! You're 17, live a little." She smiled and sipped her coffee. I heard a car horn outside.

"That must be Kathy! See you later."

She waved as I jogged out of the room. I saw Kathy in her mother's Chevy Cruze.

"Sup girl? Ready for some shopping?" Kathy beamed.

"You're way too excited, but yes." I spoke as I climbed in and shut the door. She pulled out of my driveway and drove the short distance to the mall. As we walked in we looked at the map kiosk.

"I need a new outfit for tonight."

"Why what's going on?"

"Jerred is taking me to the movies tonight." She smiled.

"That sounds good, I should get a new outfit too!"

"Ohh, got a date with Todd?"

I blushed immediately when the images of last night popped in my head.

"Yeah."

"Really? That's so great! What are you two doing?"

"He's taking me out to dinner."

"Aww! Okay let's go!"

She grabbed my hand and dragged me to forever 21. She picked out a cute, floral skirt and a shirt while I found a simple dress with a pair of sandals. We grabbed lunch at the food court.

"So where's Todd taking you?"

"I'm not sure actually."

"Aww well, let's hope it's not McDonalds! That's where Jerred first took me out to dinner."

I made a disgusted face.

"Ouch. Did he make you order from the dollar menu too?"

She laughed. "No, of course not."

We finished eating and headed back to the mall exit. I felt as if someone was watching me. I looked around but saw no one.

"What's up?" Kath stopped and asked

"Uhh, nothing I guess. I had that feeling that someone was watching me, but I don't see anyone."

She looked around wearily.

"Neither do I, let's go."

We continued to walk to her car, putting our bags in the back and getting in. She dropped me off at home and waved as she pulled away. As soon as I got into the house I was bombarded with questions from Jennifer.

"Anna! Were you with your boyfriend? What did you do? Did he kiss you? He seemed close to kissing you last night in your room. Did you-"

"Jennifer! Calm with the interrogation. Todd is not my boyfriend and no I wasn't with him. I was shopping with my friend Kathy, remember her?"