First Love (David & Liza)

Chapter 10

"No way! Are you serious?" David says in surprise and I shrug my shoulders.

"You already said you are going to help me, so deal with it and drive!" He smiles at my answer.

"I did said that, but I just wonder... What is the camera for?"

"Gosh, you have too many questions! You will see!"

"I can do that, but why here?" He parks the car in front of Target and turns towards me, killing off the engine.

"Because my fridge is empty and I'm alone at home. You don't want me to starve to death, do you?"

"No, I definitely don't want that. And could you please explain to me why are you alone at home?" He says, concern flashing over his face, making me want to slap myself for saying that.

"My parents are out of town for a while. They travel a lot and now that I'm 18, they can trust me enough to let me stay alone at home. It's not a big deal." I make a note to myself to call them later. "But they will be back at the end of the month." His eyes widen.

"And you will be all by yourself in that big house till the end of the month!? Liza, you should have told me that earlier. What if something happens to you?" He takes my hand and shakes his head, looking even more concerned now.

"What could possibly happen to me? I'm such a boring person. I go to school, to the library and sometimes I hang out with Gabbie. And that's it. I literally have no life." I try to brush it off with a smile, but it doesn't work.

"That's not completely true. You went to a party last Friday and everyone knows what crazy stuff tend to happen at high school parties. I bet you didn't tell your parents about that." He smirks. "But now you have me and I'll take care of you." There he goes doing it again. I look down at our intertwined hands and take a deep breath, mentally gathering all my courage for what I'm about to do.

"I want to ask you something." I say, still staring at our hands. "This morning you told me you like holding my hand, right?" I see with the corner of my eyes that he nods, but remains silent. "But I want to know why?"

"It makes me happy." He says it like it's not something important that can make me feel certain things and then also looks down. I think he is blushing and let me tell you it's way beyond cute and adorable. Way, way beyond that.

"That's not the answer I'm looking for and you know it. Try again and this time be honest." I'm surprised to see that this courage thing works, because when he looks back at me I can see how bad he wants to tell me whatever it is that's making him act the way he's acting around me.

"Liza, If you give me a little more time, you will have an answer soon. I promise and you know I keep my promises." He kisses the top of my hand again and I already know that he's done talking on that topic. "Now let's have fun at this strange place." I smile a little, surrendering under his charm. "I like your smile as well." He takes his backpack from the back seat and quickly gets out of the car before I can think of a response.

He opens the door for me, his hand reaching for mine to help me get up, but when we start walking to the store our hands are once again in a tight hold. Not that I don't like it, but I want and need to know what it means. I stop abruptly as the thought sinks in my brain, my eyes landing on David's dark ones. Wait?! Did I just admitted I like it? Does that mean I like HIM? Am I so blind or illiterate that I can't notice how I'm falling for a guy?

"Liza, are you..." His sentence is left unfinished as I pull my hand out of his, instantly missing the warmth of his touch.

"Do you hold hands with your other friends?" My question is so unbelievably rude that I'm sure if my mom was near she would drag me home by the ear and ground me for the rest of my life.

"Ummm... No, but..." David stutters, but I continue with the verbal attack.

"Do you call your other friends cute nicknames?"

"No."

"And why is that?" I have never been so aggressive. Ever. I feel good, empowered and kind of a bad ass.

"Because you are so different than all my other friends." The way the corners of his lips curl upwards makes me think that he's still hiding something from me.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I ask, but suddenly a tinge of fear spreads through me.

What if I don't like the answer? What if he's only joking with me, making me feel like I'm some sort of a special person when in reality I'm nothing to him? That will definitely and unquestionably embarrass and hurt me more than the milions of times I've been embarrassed till now throughout my whole life.

"It means that I treat you differently than the others. I'm a different, a better person when I'm with you. It means that you are my... my best friend. Why are you asking me these weird questions?" Now it's his turn to attack and that causes me to lower my head as I answer him.

"Because every time we talk you make me nervous and uncomfortable. Because you confuse me with everything you say and do. And I have to know what your words and actions mean. That's why, David." He comes closer to me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Please, Liza. Just... Be patient for a little while." He whispers, tilting my chin up so I can look at him.

"And then you will tell me?" He nods with a smile, earning a loud sigh from me. "Fine." I can be patient, I can wait. Not for very long, but I can do it, sort of. "Change of subject. Take out your camera and press the record button." David raises his eyebrows, but does as I say. I make a few steps ahead of him.

"Target freeze frame!" I shout and jump with my fist punching the air. He laughs and grabs a shopping cart. We go inside the store and as we walk through the fruits and vegetables isle, an idea pops in my head. I stop and give him a sigh to start recording again.

"This store is pretty grape, don't you think?" I say, pointing to some grapes in a basket. He widens his eyes, confused by my behavior, but I ignore him.

"I suppose so." He mutters, probably thinking that I belong in a mental institution instead of walking freely in public.

"Actually, they have everything here - food, drinks, clothes, make-up... Isn't that just bananas?!" I take a banana and he quickly covers his mouth, but I can see his shoulders moving.

"Orange you glad you came with me?" I lift an orange with my other hand and he finally bursts out laughing.

"Mission accomplished!" I smirk when he turns the camera off.

"Is this for a video?" The amusement in his eyes is so cute that it takes me a moment to force myself to not stare at them.

"I don't know yet, but maybe." I shrug my shoulders, but his excitement grows even more.

"You should totally use it. It's hilarious and you are nailing the puns! Genius!" He applauds and I smile. "You're the Pun Queen!"

"Thank you! Thank you! I will be here all week!" I take an artistic bow and he laughs again. We film for a little while and then continue with the shopping. After we are done with everything, we get back to his car.

"That was fun! I haven't laughed so hard for a long time. We should come again." He says as he sits behind the wheel. I smile and nod in agreement.

"And maybe the next time I can record you?!"

"I don't know about that. I like filming other people and I'm used to being behind the camera. Honestly, I think it will be really awkward to do the opposite. But if you insist, we can give it a try."

"So, it's a deal?" I reach out my hand.

"It's a deal, princess." He shakes my hand, but doesn't let it go.

"Do we need to have that conversation one more time, David? Do I have to say that you are doing it again or you are already aware of that?" The mischievous grin is back on his face, but he shakes his head.

"You know I won't stop and that's why I think that it's best for you to just deal with it!"

"Oh, whatever! Can we please go now? I have a lot of homework to do and I'm already exhausted."

"As you say, my princess!" He kisses my hand and I roll my eyes. As he drives off the parking lot, I can feel my eyes getting heavier.