Make believe

Chapter 5

Slow music played softly in the background as I got ready for my date. It was soothing and beautiful; an attempt to calm my nerves. I was nervous. So nervous. So terribly, horribly worried, that I felt sick to my stomach. I had imagined elaborate scenarios of this night happening, and now that it actually was, those ideas seemed so distant and ridiculous I turn red thinking of them.

I guess I probably should've been worried about being able to keep a conversation with him. About talking with him, and playing the part. Trying to make a good first- or I guess, second, impression on him.

But as dorky and cliche as it sounds, I was terrified of seeing him. Visually. Of seeing those crystal eyes again, and keeping my cool. What if he laughed, and I completely melted? I'd probably blush, just at the sight of him.

God, I'm such a dork.

That night, I wore a plain black dress that could easily be considered casual, but was also quite nice. I had no idea where we were going, or what we were doing, so I had to be prepared, right? My wavy hair was up in a high ponytail, and I applied very little makeup, just mascara.

I felt ready. Or as ready as I could, considering the circumstances. Aubree had been over just minutes earlier, fussing over my hair, makeup, dress; making sure everything was absolutely perfect.

"I'm doing this for you." Se kept saying. "All of this hard work. It's all for you."

I had rolled my eyes and contently let her fix my appearance to please her expectations...or Luke's, according to her. Then that got me thinking of his expectations of me. We barley knew each other and what if he had this perfect idea of this perfect girl that he thought I was?

I had definitely wondered what he was really like... And that's when I became nervous. What if I didn't live up to his expectations? Pushing the thoughts from my mind, I bid Aubree goodbye and sat patiently in my foyer until it was time to meet Luke.

We were meeting at the Cafe, but that wasn't where we were eating, he had said. We were walking somewhere from there.

When the clock struck six, I grabbed my purse and did a last minute check in the mirror, then took off out the door.

It was a hot, summer night. Very humid and already quite dark, considering it was only six 'o clock. The streets were empty as I walked, nothing but the sound of crickets and far away cars filling the hot air. My heels clicked on the pavement and my dress swung around me.

Ten minutes later, I had neared town. I passed the bus stop, the post office, the park, and eventually past the grocery store where I met Luke. I blushed at the embarrassing memory and continued walking.

Anna's Cafe was closed when I stopped in front of it's great window. I glanced side to side, and out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a figure. A tall, lean form striding towards me. My grip on my purse tightened as I watched him near me, them come in to the light of the street lamp. His light hair seemed to glow under the lamp, and he clasped his hands together, a small grin on his face.

"Hi Laraine." He said, and I could hear the nervousness in his voice, which comforted me.

"Hey." I smiled, swaying back and forth absentmindedly.

In any other situation, this scene might've looked terribly romantic. Two people, surrounded by darkness except for a great street lamp, the hot damp air of a summer night surrounding the two...

But it wasn't.

I was nervous as Hell, we barley knew each other, and the time lasted but a moment, and then we were walking.

I'll spare you the long details of that night. What happened was, we walked a little ways to find a little pizza place nestled in the corner of Aubrees street, actually. We made small talk during dinner, and slightly, ever so slightly, I felt him become more comfortable around me. I remember not being able to look away from his eyes. Those eyes. Good god, he was beautiful. He really was.

His voice was deep as he talked to me. He talked on and on about bands and his taste in music, which was very good, I might add. It was kind of amazing, actually. The night started off quiet and uneasy. Holding a conversation wasn't the easiest. But slowly, we talked more. We smiled more. We laughed more. And what was once a hesitant air over us was now something light. Happy. Relaxed.

We were walking home when it started raining.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed, spinning in the down pour. I looked over to see Luke, fled to the sidewalk, and standing underneath an umbrella attached to an outside eating table. I ran over to him.

"LUKE." I yelled.

"LARAINE." He yelled back.

"What are you doing?!" I asked. He stood still and swayed on his feet, then looked at me.

"Me?" He replied. "You're the one acting like a patient who just escaped a mental institution."

I raised my eyebrows and smirking, I said, "Excuse me?"

"You're dancing." He stated.

"Uh, yeah?"

"In the rain. In the street.." He smiled. "I-it's unsafe. You could get hit...o-or sick or-"

"Luke." I interrupted.

"Yes?" He asked curiously, shooting me a cheeky, out of character grin.

I hesitantly took a step forward, hand extended.

Blushing, I said, "Dance with me?" He gave me this look. This great look that made me laugh out loud. He had looked at me like I was crazy.

Then I grabbed his hand and danced like I was.