Chasing Possibilities

10 - Of Roller Skates and Ice Cream Date

Sev parked his pickup at a space in the office building's parking lot beside a black car. We both got off the car and walked towards the building entrance.

"Thanks for the ride Sev. And for the pizza." I told him as we reached the foot of the steps going up to the building's entrance.

"You're welcome." Sev said pinching my cheek affectionately.

I bid him goodbye and I was already about to ascend the steps when he reached for my arm and spun me around. "Haeley, I'd like to take you out for ice cream tomorrow."

It wasn't a question or a request. It was a pronouncement. I had never been asked for a date this bluntly before. Actually, I had never been asked on a date before, period. I was shocked but at the same time giddily excited. Our first attempt at a date didn't go well so I decided I'd give the both of us a chance. I nodded and smiled as I saw him grin at my agreement.

I was still recovering from the shock of his invitation when he moved closer and kissed my cheek. "Bye Haeley. See you tomorrow." He said and left me shocked and out of breath. That guy and his moves. It just made me speechless.

I recovered after what seemed like forever. I had only met Sev for a total of three times and a couple of our previous meetings were very brief and short. A small smile crept its way on my lips and I was both excited and nervous.

I turned around wearing this small silly smile and came face to face with Bryce. Did he see what happened earlier between me and Sev? I looked at him and with that stern look on his face, I instantly knew he witnessed everything.

I knew I couldn't ignore him forever especially that we worked in the same company, so I gave him a curt nod and walked past him. I didn't want to be late. Especially not because of him.

Sydney caught up with my cheery mood later during our shift and was on her inquisitive persona again. "Is all these –" she began, motioning her hands at me – "because of your mom's home cooked meal or entirely something else?"

"What exactly do you mean Sydney?" I asked, pretended having no clue what she was talking about.

"Don't play innocent on me Haeley. I am so aware of this kind of vibe. Tell me, have you and Bryce, you know, kissed and made up?"

"No we haven't. Apart from seeing him downstairs earlier, I hadn't seen him again or spoken to him." I told her matter of factly.

"Okay. So this –" again with her hand gestures – "it's because of someone else, then?"

"Why do you always assume that whatever is making me happy is a guy? Can't I just be happy because I am? Period." I said, trying so hard to keep my face straight.

I didn't want to keep secrets from my best friend but I wanted to keep whatever I had with Sev all to myself for a while. I didn't want to share anything about him yet. Was I being selfish? I didn't think so. I guessed it was called privacy.

"Fine! If you won't say anything then neither am I." Sydney said and went back to her work. She was such a brat sometimes especially when she couldn't get what she wanted.

Her annoyance at me didn't rob me of my happiness at what Sev told me earlier. I was so happy at the idea of going out with him. It would be my first real date, if that was indeed his plan. I didn't want to assume anything yet but I just couldn't help myself. I continued with my workload for the whole day with a small smile plastered on my face.

Sydney must have forgotten about her annoyance because she was so excited to grab breakfast with me. I was really thankful to whatever was making her this cheery. We went to our favorite café and got ourselves a seat at our usual spot at the corner window.