A Series of Firsts (A Matthew Gray Gubler FanFiction)

The First Date

Alex stared at the phone that she held in her hand. The screen was brightly lit with a phone number, a number that Alex knew by heart. A number that she had called many times, a number she wasn't even sure would reach that same person.

It had been over a week since she'd had her stroll down memory lane. Over a week and she still hadn't been able to move past it. Over a week and she thought about him every minute. She was spiraling out of control. Her emotions were out of whack. She found herself crying over the smallest thought, over the smallest reminder of him. She had managed to avoid watching his show, but she couldn't keep herself from the photo album. It lay at the foot of her bed and she would flip through it every night before falling asleep, all in the hope that her dreams would take her to a time where she was happiest.

She blackened the screen, the number disappearing from her sight. She knew she wouldn't be able to call that number. It had been too long and she wasn't even sure that he would want to talk to her. She placed the phone on the table beside her bed. She stared at the album lying on her bed but for the first time in over a week, she left it alone. She reached for her book instead, opening it up to her marked spot. Her eyes began to scan the words on the pages, but she wasn't reading them. She couldn't focus. Her thoughts kept drifting.

Saturday had arrived quickly and Alex found herself standing in front of her wardrobe. She knew he was taking her to a movie, but she wasn't sure what movie, or even what type of movie. Casual. Casual was always a good way to go. She reached for her favorite pair of jeans and a tank top. It was still summer in California and the heat didn't waver much as the sun went down. She made sure to take along a light sweater, for the just in case possibilities. He had called her several hours ago, letting her know that he'd be by to pick her up at 7 and to get directions to her place. She glanced over at the clock to the right of her bed, noting that he would be arriving at any moment.

She dressed quickly, double checking her hair and makeup before grabbing her purse and heading out into her living room. She had barely sat on the plush couch when her doorbell rang. She stood, self-consciously flattening out her shirt and pants. She opened the door to reveal his handsome face.

"Hey," She smiled at him and was rewarded with his winning smile.

"Are you ready?" He leaned against the frame, his eyes searching her up and down.

"Yeah," She placed her hand on his chest, pushing slightly as she turned around to pull the door closed behind her.

He stood next to his car, the door to it opened as he waited for her to finish locking her door. Alex thanked him politely and as she was buckling her seatbelt, he shut her door, running around to the drivers-side.

"So, which movie are we going to go and see?" She watched him as he situated himself, checking his mirrors before he started his car up.

He didn't turn to look at her, "I thought it might be fun to do something a little different. There is a drive-in theater, right in L.A. and they're showing Ghostbusters tonight. We can grab some take-out and make a whole thing of it."

Alex smiled, he'd put some thought into it. "I think that it sounds like fun. What were you thinking for food, because I could go for some really good Chinese?"

"We could do Chinese. I know this great little place over in Chinatown that makes some great kung-pao chicken." He glanced over at her, waiting for a sign of approval.

"Let's do it," Alex grinned at him, pulling her leg up, her foot pressing into the seat, her arms wrapped around her knee. She leaned her chin on her knee. She studied him carefully, taking in every feature of his face. His hair was shaggy and kept falling down into his face. He'd reach up and push it away, but it would quickly fall back into his line of sight. His face was thin, his cheekbones and jawline were prominent. He had a five o'clock shadow that highlighted his upper lip and chin, and a part of her wanted to reach out and brush her fingers along the stubble.