"So, uh, how about it?"
"Sure, Dave!!" chirped an excited Jade. "Where at?"
"It's a surprise," simpered the smooth voice on the other end. "You'll find out Saturday, say about 6?"
"Sounds cool!" squealed Jade.
"I'll pick you up at 5:45 then. 'Kay?"
"Yup! See ya then, Dave!"
"Okay. See you." The line clicked as Dave hung up.
Jade grinned. Another date with Dave...and a surprise. This was new. Well, she'd find out Saturday, say about 6.
Jade had been dating Dave Strider, her best friend, for a few weeks now. They got along pretty well, and their courtship had been going good thus far. She hoped it would continue, of course, and perhaps lead to something more...
Saturday came finally. Jade was ready by 5:30 that day, ready for whatever Dave might have in store today. Although excited, she was a bit nervous. Surprises were usually fun, of course, but not all surprises were what they were cracked up to be. Still, she was anticipating it.
The doorbell rang to her house. Jade ran downstairs and answered before he got to the second ring.
"Oh, hey, Jade."
"Hey, Dave!! Ready?"
"Uh, yeah." Dave took her hand and led her to his car. "Hop in."
Jade smiled and got in the car.
"So...where we going?"
"I told you, it's a surprise. You'll see, my l--" Dave stopped and blushed.
"Your what now?"
"My uh, my...uh...never mind. Later." Dave's blushing intensified and he kept his eyes on the road carefully.Don't blow this, Strider. She's probably not ready for that yet, he cautiously reminded himself.
Jade glanced curiously at him, then shrugged it off. Dave relaxed a little.
"Uh, yeah. Just wait until we get there. I think you'll like it."
"Okay."
"Keep them covered, Jade."
"I can barely see without my glasses, how am I supposed to see with my eyes covered?"
"That's the point." Dave took her other free hand and led her into the building.
Jade heard words exchanged with some guy and Dave, and then his hand leading her farther in.
"Hey, Jade, what shoe size do you wear?" asked Dave.
Jade recoiled. Strange question, even from a type like Dave. But she figured it had something to do with the date, obviously.
"Um, eights. Why?"
"Shoosh." Dave said to her, then she heard whispering between someone and Dave. More suspicion.
Finally, he led her further on, and then: "Open up, Jade."
Jade uncovered her eyes cautiously.
"Dave!"
"You like?"
"I-I can't skate, Dave!" whispered Jade. "I'm such a klutz, I'd probably..."
"Don't worry about it," Dave said, also whispering. "It's okay."
Jade stared at him in dazed disbelief, but went with him to put the skates on somewhat reluctantly.
Shakily, Jade wandered over to the main rink, assisted by Dave. Dave stepped down onto the wooden rink, then motioned for Jade to follow.
Jade took his hand and carefully stepped down to it. After reaching it, she held on to her best friend for dear life. Dave gently pulled her up until she was leaning forward just a bit, then let go of one of her hands.
Jade fumbled for a bit, then grabbed ahold of his hand again quickly. She looked up at him and blushed. "Uh..." she sputtered, trying to stand up straight.
Dave smiled kindly and helped her. "I'm not gonna let you fall. On purpose, anyway. Now just relax and lean over a bit...just like that. Yeah. That's it," he encouraged. "You got it." She gave a wavering smile.
After practicing for a bit, Dave let go of Jade and she shakily skated on for a minute. She began to relax and have more control over her movements. Dave followed her, assisting her if she needed it.
Soon, she was getting the hang of it. She was skating a lot more easily now. She had almost fallen a few times, but Dave had been there to catch her. So they skated together for about an hour or so.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed and the DJ's voice came up, announcing that it was time for Couples' Skate. Dave and Jade looked at each other.
"So, uh, Jade..."
"Yeah?"
"You...you wanna dance, or whatever?"
She giggled. "Sure."
A song began to play as the various couples began moving to the platform.
"You know, this song reminds me of someone I know," said Dave.
"Really?" Jade asked in confusion.
"Yeah. I think you might know her pretty well."
Jade caught on. "Oh, yeah?" she said, blushing and smiling.
Dave nodded. They started to dance, and Jade could have sworn she saw Dave lip-syncing to the song, if only a bit.
Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her tryin'
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Yeah
I know, I know
When I compliment her, she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say
Jade knew that Dave was truly singing now. Man, he had such a good voice...
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah
Jade blushed and grinned. She softly started to sing.
Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Dave moved his head towards Jade, aiming to kiss her, but at the last second leaning to the left and kissing her cheek.
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Oh, you know you know you know I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searchin' for then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay
You know I'll say
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
The way you are
The way you are
Girl, you're amazing just the way you are
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah
"Dave, you--" Jade's sentence was cut short by Dave's lips meeting hers as the song ended. She closed her eyes and stayed there.
He stopped finally, leaving a breathless and blushing Jade next to him. "...Well, wow. Uhh..." sputtered Jade, making her blush even more.
Dave rolled backwards a little. "Too soon?" he said, with a slightly hurt look on his face.
"No, no, not at all," she said, moving forward when he stepped back. "In fact..." She kissed him again, this time embracing him warmly.
Just the way you are
