Life With Trent Harmon

Part Two: First Date

You pull up to the Longhorn, and park next to Clay's truck. You look in your rear view mirror and check your make up for only the thirteenth time, and then put on more lipstick. Clay gets out and comes around to your window. You roll it down and he smiles his big teethy grin at you.
"You think you're so clever, don't you??"
"Yeah I really do. You're here aren't you?" He smirks.
"Shut up Clayton. Yeah I am, but he isn't." You snap, mocking him.
"All in good time, dear." He smiles at you again and leans down to see you better.. "Seriously (y/n) he really thinks you're gorgeous. Just be yourself. And I think it'll go really well.." He whispers.
Before you can say anything, another vehicle turns into the parking lot and Clay looks at you again. "Good luck" he says and goes to his truck to talk to his girlfriend, Ashley.
The vehicle pulls up beside you and you look over, casually, to see Trent looking at you. When he sees you look at him, he smiles and drops his head, trying to keep you from seeing his cheeks turning red. Clay walks over to Trent's window and talks for a second and then comes over to your window.
"We are all gonna ride together in Trent's car since he has the most room..." He says lightly. He must see the look of panic on your face because he says "I'm gonna ride shotgun with him and you can sit in the back next to Ash. Don't worry. I'm gonna take care of you."
Relief floods your veins and you say "thanks a ton, Clayton."
"You're welcome, but you know how much I hate being called that. Please don't in front of Trent. He will never let me live it down." He pleads.
"I'll do my best." You smile and then climb out of your car. Ashley comes up and hugs you, as the guys talk.
"You excited??" She asks with her eyes sparkling.
"Yeah a little excited. A lot nervous. I just met him last night once and we've sent a few messages back and forth. But like that's it.." You admit quietly.
She looks at the guys and then back at you. "Between us.. Trent must really like you because he doesn't do stuff like this... Ever."
Your lungs try to fill with air as you climb into his vehicle, and he starts backing out. The guys talk in the front seat and you and Ashley sit in the back as she reminds you to breathe. There's a lull in the talking and the radio is the only noise. You look from the road to the radio to see what is playing.
"Chris Stapleton" you think "nice choice." As you look back at the road, you notice Trent looking at you through the rear view mirror. You smile at him and you see a smile try to take shape on his face as he focuses on the road again.
You all ride in the quietness for a few minutes and then Clay and Trent start singing quietly to the song on the radio. You have always loved to hear Clay sing, but he is being shown up by the guy in the drivers seat. You look over at Ashley and mouth the word "wow" and she mouths back "I KNOW."
When y'all get to the restaurant, you go in and are seated at a booth in the back of the room. You end up sitting across from Ashley and next to Trent.
There is an easy conversation going around the table.
"So, (y/n) where are you in school at?" Trent asks as he looks at you. You have to remember how to breathe before you answer him. This leads into another conversation, and y'all are lost in the Ole Miss vs. Mississippi state debate when your waitress walks up.
"What can I get y'all to drink?" She asks and then stares at Trent a little longer than was necessary and you feel yourself getting jealous.
Stop it (y/n). It's too soon for all that. You tell yourself.
Before she gets your food order she says "will this all be separate tickets?"
Clay smiles at her, points at Ashley and himself and says "we will be together."
You start "and ours are going to be"
"Together." Trent says matter of factly. You look at him in shock and then to Clay and Ashley. He looks at you and smiles and then you all order. Your food comes and you all talk and laugh and enjoy each other's company. Once everyone is done eating, the guys pay and you all walk to the car. Before you can get in the back seat, Clay climbs in the back next to Ashley and shuts the door in your face. As you get to the front door, you notice Trent and he opens the door. You smile at him and say thank you but as you get in,  you look in the back and say "thanks Clayton." And then Trent shuts the door behind you. When he climbs in the driver side he says "so, Clayton. What time does this move start?"
You try your hardest to not laugh but in the end you laugh harder than you mean to, and almost snort.
Trent looks at you as he cranks the car and says "thanks for finally telling me his real name... He's always told me it was just Clay." And then backs out of the parking lot and heads to the theater. You turn around in your seat and say "sorry Clay." as he glares at you. You turn back around and put on your seat belt and giggle again.. Then you turn towards Trent and see that he's laughing too. Y'all talk quietly as Ashley tries to make Clay stop acting like a baby.
You get to the theater and all decide on the same movie. You start into the theater and you follow Trent in. As you enter, you trip over your own two feet and catch yourself by grabbing Trent's arm. Trent looks at you worried as you just try to laugh it off but you can hear Clay behind you laughing so hard that he can't breathe.
The guys go and get popcorn and drinks and leave you and Ashley in the theater to save the seats.
"Do you think it's going okay?" You ask Ashley as the guys walk away.
"Are you serious?" She asks, looking at you like you just asked if the sky was blue.
"Yeah?" You reply, confused.
"I haven't heard Trent talk that much in such a long time. And he hasn't laughed like that since I can't tell you when. It's going great." You get lost in conversation until the guys get back.
When they get seated, the lights go dim and the previews start.
To your left, Trent claims that he wants to see every movie that has a preview shown. And to your right, Ashley is as close to Clay's seat as she can get without moving the arm rest. He already has his arm around her and they are looking all lovey dovey. "What's new?" You think to yourself.
The movie starts and Trent stops talking.. You have your feet on the seat in front of you, and your arms on both arm rest, just Chillin. You are lost in the movie and barely notice Trent reposition himself but you aren't able to ignore him sliding his arm around yours and taking ahold of your hand. You forget how to breathe, for only the 7th time of the night. The eighth comes when the characters on the screen are on a first date with each other and Trent squeezes your hand and then intertwines his fingers with yours. You look at him out of the corner of your eye and can see him smiling at you. You feel the heat rush to your face and suddenly you are thankful for the dim lighting. When the movie is over and the lights come up, you all stand up and stretch. Trent let's go of your hand as he stands up and you start walking out. you feel a little bit of disappointment run through you. As you leave the theater, you feel Trent come up beside you and slide his fingers between yours, once again. And suddenly, despite the chill that his touch gives you, you can breathe even better than before. You walk out to the car and Clay pretends that he is going to climb in the front seat. Trent stands looking at him, with an amused look on his face. He still has ahold of your hand as he opens the door and you climb in. He shuts the door behind you and then walks around to the drivers side. He pulls out of the parking lot, turns up the radio and reaches for your hand again. The ride back was full of easy conversation. Once you pull back up to the Longhorn, you all get out of the vehicle. You stand around and talk for a few minutes and the Clay and Ashley leave. You stand and talk to Trent for a few more minutes and the conversation turns to coffee.
"I know the best place around here for some good coffee on a cold day like this." He looks at his watch and then back at you. "I don't have to be back here to get ready for work for another hour. You wanna go get some with me??"
You can't help but smile.. "Sure! Of course."
You get into the car again and Trent closes the door and climbs in the other side. He pulls onto the road and takes your hand.
Once you arrive at the little coffee shop, you let him pick out your coffee, and you pick out his. You order for each other, and then go sit at the booth farthest from the door. He pulls out his phone and you hear the camera noise.
"You didn't." You tease, with a fake angry look.
"Oh. But I did." He smiles and winks at you. A few more taps on his phone, and then he says. Hey what's your snapchat. You tell him and then he says "okay. I added you."
The conversation becomes a series of "ask as many questions as you can".
"Favorite ice cream flavor?" You ask him
"Any kind of fro yo." He says, taking a big sip of coffee, and then makes a face because it burns his tongue.
"Uh Trent. That's not ice cream" you look at him confused.
"It's basically the same thing." You ask him a few more questions and the he says "oh I have a question."
"Okay, ask." You tell him.
"Do you watch American idol?" He looks at you as he asks.
"Haha yeah.! I never miss an episode.. Do you?."
"Oh yeah!!" He says. He pauses and then says "I'm going to tell you something but you can't tell anyone. Because not even Clay and Ashley know this. Only my family."
You put down your coffee and say "uh.. Okay.."
"I auditioned for American idol this season... My audition is supposed to air Thursday night."
"THIS THURSDAY??" You ask louder than you should have.
He nods and looks down.
"Do you get the golden ticket??" You ask, eyes wide.
"I can't tell you that. You'll have to watch it and see.. My family is having a viewing party.. If you wanna come.. You forreal don't have to but, if you wanna,"  he rambles nervously..
"Trent. I wouldn't miss it..." You say as you make eye contact with him and smile.
He drops his head with a smile and says "good" but when he lifts his head, you can still see the red on his cheeks.
He asks you another question and you finish your coffees and head back to your car.
When you get back to the Longhorn, he cuts off the car and you both get out. You walk to your car door and turn to face him. He comes up and wraps you in his arms, you stay that way for a minute, and then he pulls away. He looks at you and for half a second you think he might kiss you but then he breaks eye contact and smiles.
"I had a great time with you today." He says quietly.
"Me too, Trent."
He hugs you again and says "I have to work tonight, but I'll text you every chance I get."
You climb in your car and before you shut the door, you hear him say "text me when you get home."
The whole drive home, all you can do is smile. When you get home, you text him and put your phone in your purse and tell your mom where you have been. She seems skeptical, and asks 10000 questions, but you don't mind because you're getting to relive the most perfect afternoon all over again.
Finally, you go to your room and pull your phone out of your purse and see that You have a text from Trent.
"Glad you made it home safe. I have about half an hour before work. So here's my first chance to talk."
You smile and text him back
"thank you for today, T. Seriously."
"No. Thank you. I told my mom that you are coming Thursday." He texted right back "and she said she can't wait to meet you.."
"'I told my mom about today too, and she said she can't wait to meet you on Thursday... (Sorry). But I didn't tell her about your secret. Just that y'all were having an idol viewing party." You sent back quickly.
"No need to be sorry. Can't wait to meet her. I'm sorry. I've gotta go down the the restaurant and get it ready for opening. I'll talk to you every chance that I get. Byeee!" Your breath catches in your throat and you type "byeee" and send it before letting out a squeal.
You lay down on your bed and check your social media. When you open your snapchat, you are reminded that he added you. You add him back and just a moment later you see that he posted a moment to his story two hours before.
You click on it and a picture of you looking down at your coffee cup appears before you. The caption said "first of many with this pretty girl.😻"
Your heart skips a beat or two before returning to a normal pattern.
Clay texts you at that moment and the message has a screenshot of Trent's snapchat story and a message that says "looks like it went pretty well, hmm?? Coffee after y'all ditched us? Classy. Just kidding. Glad you had fun. Can't wait to hear all about it. PS. How was the kiss?? Oh and you're welcome..."
"Thanks so much Clay. You're the greatest. Oh and ps. You may never know... 😏😂can't wait to tell you all about it. Have fun at work!! Don't worry. There was no kiss. He was a perfect gentleman." You hit send and smile.

You spend the rest of the night catching up on Netflix and reliving the afternoon, between texts from Trent. You fall asleep that night with blue eyes and a great big smile in your mind a smile on your face.