Finding Tristan ✓

10: First Date

"Everything we judge in others is something within ourselves we don't want to face."

Kylie

I broke down into hysterics and crumpled all of the soft white petals in my hands. I threw everything into the trash bin beside my work desk. I tried to regulate my breathing as I placed my face into my hands. He wanted to come after me, and I knew that. But the problem was that I really wasn't sure of was when he was going to snatch me away from everyone I loved.

I heard my phone vibrate on my bed and I quickly reached for it. My hands shaking slightly, I opened up the message from Ashley and carefully read over it.

Ashley: Hey Kylie! Are you ready for that date?

Me: I'm starting to reconsider this decision.

Ashley: Why?

Me: Because I just received another message from my stalker.

Ashley: You mean he started sending you those creepy text messages again?!

Me: No! I took a nap and had the window open because it was too hot outside, and next thing I knew, I woke up with a white rose on my nightstand! There was like a red ribbon and chocolate tied to it, and he had a written message on all of the petals as well..

Ashley: Please tell me he didn't threaten to come after you.

Me: It didn't sound like a threat to me, but it implied that he was going to come kidnap me.

Ashley: What exactly was the message?

Me: "A man cannot destroy the savage in him by denying its impulses. The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield it."

Ashley: This is slowly going to end up one hell of a huge nightmare for you. Kylie, you can't just cancel the date like you did last time! You have like half an hour before Tristan come picks you up!

Me: I know I can't goddamnit, but what else can I do? I can't even defend myself, and I will probably end up dead.

Ashley: Don't you dare say that again missy.

I rolled my eyes and glanced out the window. I saw a flash of black rounding the corner of my neighbor's garden. I shivered and slammed the window shut, and closing off the blinds. I let myself sit in the darkness for several minutes before I started becoming paranoid and having to switch the lamp on.

Me: Has Luke even went up to the police station like he said he would?

Ashley: Now that you mention that.. I haven't heard back from him in a while.

Me: Have you seen him around school or anything?

Ashley: No, not at all. Ace told me that Luke had caught the stomach flu. So far, he's only been absent for two days.

Me: Well, I mean he should still have been able to head down to the police station in his condition. This sounds awfully suspicious to me.

Suddenly the doorbell rang with a ding down by the front door. I shot up out of my swivel chair and quickly grabbed my purse. I slipped my feet into a pair of black Converse shoes. I double checked myself in the long mirror leaning against the wall of my bedroom. My dark brown hair was in perfectly good shape according to the neat bun that was still intact, especially after the long nap that I had taken only just several hours ago.

Me: Hey, Tristan is already at my doorstep. What I want you to do is contact Lynn and Ace. I need you guys to try and get ahold of Luke again. Call him or something, send him a text, do whatever it takes. I'm starting to have a bad feeling about this.

Ashley: Sure thing! Have fun on your date okay? Don't stress yourself and just enjoy your time. Ace and I got you covered.

Me: Thank you so much, Ashley. Talk to you later!

I sent my mom a text telling her that I was leaving the house. She was currently in the shower, so she would be able to see it right after when she was done. I hurriedly shuffled down the stairs and answered the door. I felt my heart do a joyful flip in my chest as I saw Tristan standing there. I sucked in a deep breath as we met eyes.

He wore a white collar button up shirt with a gray blazer and a black tie, along with black dress pants that made him look very professional and fitting for the occasion. I found it insanely charming when he held out his hand to me. I entwined my fingers with his and gave him a shy smile. "You look very beautiful, princess," He murmured softly as he guided me to the car. I blushed at his comment and felt pleasurable chills glide down my back when he called me his princess.

I plopped myself into his red Audi A4, and he shut the door for me. He quickly got in as well and revved up the engine. The smell of peppermint filled my nostrils as I sighed. I made myself comfortable by loosening up my posture and leaning back into the gray leather seating. He backed out of the driveway and drove us away from my neighborhood, further out into town.

"Did you have an idea of where we could go out to eat?" I turned to him and admired the way his tousled black hair glowed underneath the sun. He opened up the windows, letting the cold air rush into the car as he made a left turn towards the highway. His ice blue orbs were locked onto the road in front of us. I noticed that he had this special gray ring around his iris and that was the one thing that made me completely get lost in his eyes.

"I feel like I'm in the mood for Italian cuisine today," I said in a dream-like tone. He caught me staring at him directly through the review mirror. Tristan chuckled and pulled to a break in front of red stop light, and gently grabbed my chin with his free hand. Knowing what he was going to do, I relaxed against his soft touch and closed my eyes for a brief moment. Tristan brushed his lips along mine and kissed me tenderly.

Now as cliché as it sounded, I felt my cheeks flush and my whole body tingled when he let go of me. The light turned green and he placed his foot back on the accelerator. We moved forward, the cars in front of us starting to speed away. Tristan took a glance at me through the review mirror and smiled. "You have no idea how adorable you are right now."

I rubbed a hand over my face and leaned against the window. "D-Don't tease me like that," I stuttered and kept my gaze focused outside of the window. He let out a laugh, causing me to grin widely. His semi-deep voice was simply music to my ears. Tristan brought me relief and happiness, along with a touch of humor during the rest of the car ride.

I felt as if I were on top of the world, like no one would be able to stop me from doing anything I wanted. Being with the person that you truly admire and love is like a rush of euphoria; it felt like surfing on a cloud up to heaven. For once, I felt free from the harsh reality that was bound to be waiting for me. But in the very back of my mind, I knew that as soon as I returned home tonight, things wouldn't return back to normal because my stalker was still on the loose. I was still going to end up crawling back to my nightmares and insecurities as a whole no matter what.