Maybe One Day

4: You're All Mine

*This is a slightly intense chapter. Please comment and let me know what you think!* 

It's now Tuesday. On the first day of summer, two weeks ago, I met Matt/Ryan (I think I'll stick to calling him Matt) at Chinese Sensations. We talked and he told me about his family and school (he seems to be somewhat of a genius), and I talked about my sports and school and fears for college. We just had a conversation like we'd been best friends for a long time. I discovered we got along really well and I just enjoyed spending time with him.

We started hanging out more often and then one day he asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend. I said yes and we've been having a fantastic time together ever since. We decided, a week after we started dating, that he should spend time with my friends so tonight we figured we would go old-school and all go out to a nice, formal dinner at Olive Garden, to Skylar's delight. At 6:58, Matt pulled up to my house wearing a white button down with a baby blue tie. I have to say, it was pretty attractive.

He knocked on the door and, after being let in and introduced to my parents, shook hands with both of them and looked them straight in the eye, a perfect gentleman. My dad of course sized him up first and talked to him about his expectations for me and treating me right, but I wasn't worried. Matt was perfectly comfortable with my dad, but spoke with all the respect that was necessary. Eventually we got in his pickup truck and headed off to meet Maddie and Tyler (who weren't dating, but were good friends), Skylar and Dallas, and Abbe and her boyfriend, Derrick. Making it a double double date.

"So that was fun," I said, sarcastically referring to the intense conversation with my dad moments ago.

"It wasn't bad. Your parents are really nice." he answers. "You look beautiful by the way," he smiles and starts the car.

I smile, too. For all the effort girls put in to impress guys, they never seem to notice. At least not me. Or if they do, they don't comment on it, so I feel like I try to look presentable for nothing. On the way there, we listen to 80's music, because we both know what truly good music is. When Livin' On a Prayer comes on, he turns it up, rolls down the windows and sings (well, screams) along. I laughed because under than awful noise he was making, it sounded like he might have a good voice if he tried.

I caught myself staring at him singing, bobbing his head and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat, and I guess he did too. "What?" he asks.

"Nothing," I say, staring right into his gorgeous blue eyes. How did I end up with someone as perfect as him? I ask myself. I'm not that pretty, I'm a little shy, I'm short, I have no special talents, and he's...well... perfect.

"So I'm excited for Olive Garden. They have the best shrimp and the bathrooms are so clean..."

While he talked, I looked longingly at him, just wanting him to park the car right now and kiss me. Multiple times. But I restrained myself, because it wouldn't be the right time or place; he hadn't kissed me since that first night at the party in the parking lot two weeks ago. I don't mind though; our relationship thus far consists of doing something athletic together, hanging out at the park and just talking, playfully making fun of each other, and just enjoying each other's company. And for now, I was happy with the way things were.

When we got there, he quickly ran around to the other side of the car, opened the door for me, and held out his arm to help me out of the Toyota. "Chivalry is not dead," he said, grinning. I laughed, took his arm, and we walked, with my hand still on his forearm, into Olive Garden, looking like the perfect couple.

"Olivia Sophia, you look fabulous!" Abbe coos. Of course. Only my lifelong friend uses my middle name.

"Thank you! Guys, this is Ryan." I smiled at him. I wanted his real name to be a name only I knew. Maybe it was selfish of me, but I want it to be our special thing. "And Ryan, this is Abbe, Tyler, Skylar, Dallas, Maddie, and Derrick." I introduced, pointing to all of them as I said their names. "All go to our school, except Dallas who lives in Long Beach, and Derrick who goes to St. Paul High School in Wuttertown."