Mr. Wallis

Part 43

Tonight's the night! Tonight is the night I will hold his freaking hand! My body jolts around as I go in to hide cowardly in the shadows, then burst out into the sun saying I can do anything....then do it all over again. It was a confusing morning. The only good thing was I had Peter to be at my side till the date with Dale, which was in a couple of hours.

"Nervous, Lania?" Peter asked while I tapping my lip continuesously with all ten digits.

Pah! No, yes, no, yes, no!

I wanted to reply that I was in no mood for trick questions, but that was just my head spinning around on whether to flee or go through with being again wth Dale.

Getting the spark of confidence, I used it before it faded again. "Me? No, he's the one that should be nervous! I will hold his hand so tight that it'll bust open!"

God, that came out a little too strong. Even Peter parted his mouth in the most awkward smile as if he wasn't sure what he was looking at.

Quickly thoughts pushed away my current train of thought. "What if I go for it, then he refuse --oh, what if it's not even what he wants? My palms could be too sweaty that he'll slip right out my pathetic grasp-"

"Lania?"

"-there is almost no perfect way to hold hands, I know. Mathew did always say to just let things happen, but- argh, he always took the lead, how do I do it on my own then?"

"Lani."

I finally paused my wild eyes at Peter's soft features. We were on our way to buy a souvenir for his father, but Peter stopped right in the middle of the crossing.

"Peter?"

"Take my hand, come now, do it. I-I believe it shouldn't be difficult if you practice initiating contact first."

It made sense. I was used to having others take my hand, and now I personally wanted to be the first to show affection. What better way than to practice hours before! Okay. I told myself to go for it. Slowly my fingers curved around into his palm.

Well, I'm wet...with sweat, and it's not even mine.

Taking his hand, I didn't feel as jittery as I would holding Mathew's hand. Peter was a little, big brother to me. Far more of a quiet cat than I was. Smiling at him, I thanked him for showing up. Someone was better than no one.

My body wanted to jump on Peter's foot and to beg him to stay, but I knew that would have been childish of me. After staying longer than expected, he left me with only a hour till my mission took place. I scrambled through my closet and drawers for outfits that have not seen the light of day. There were plenty that I have worn (mainly inside my room before I quickly shoved them back into the back of my wardrobe).

"One, two, three!" I snapped my eyes open to stare at my reflection. Life smacked the air out of me. Who would think of a flimsy dress for a bar? Well...a handful of women, I am sure, but not this girl! Like She-Hulk herself I swung the clothing off me, and dove back for something a little less revealing.

I came out victorious. I found the high waisted jeans that made me feel as if I had an actual butt, and a shirt tough enough to go with my black jacket.

Shaking them in my fists I yell, "Yes!"

"Lania, keep it down!" My mother scolded.

Oh, you, I don't even want to look at you after leaving me with that creep! Ha, if only she knew I was going on a real date, one I had chosen all by myself!