Floating by

Chapter 17: Definitely A Date Date.

They had finished their dinner and were now walking around the main deck of the cruise ship. Watching families and couples enjoy the night time breeze.

"I can't believe your moms actually helped you with that!" Kayla says, referring to their dinner set up.

"Yeah. They're huge romantics like that."

"How did they even get the room?"

"You know, I'm not entirely sure. You'll have to ask them when you see them next."

"Hmm. I think I will. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you a huge romantic Zachary Jones?

"I can be. I would've planned something better for our first date if I had more time."

Kayla's heart starts to race when Zach mentions the word date. They had both stoped walking and were now facing each other.

"Is this a date date Zach? Or is this a friend date?" Kayla asks leaning in a little

"It's definitely-"
Zach is interrupted by a screaming baby nearby and pulls away.

"Do you wanna go somewhere else? Maybe somewhere quieter?"

"Yeah. Come on. I know a place." Kayla says as she grabs Zach's hand and leads him back inside to the elevators.

As they ride the elevator up to the 6th floor, their hands still intertwined, they both can't help but think of what would've happened if that baby didn't start screaming.

The elevator dings and the doors open. Still holding onto his hand, Kayla leads Zach down the corridor to the small open deck, where she and Margaret usually spend their time together.

When they step out all Zach can say is, "Wow." As they stand leaning against the railing, he looks out at the stars in the sky and down below at the crowd they were apart of moments ago. 

"I didn't even know this was here." Zach says still mesmerized.

"Yeah. I found it on the first day and I've been coming here with Margaret ever since."

"Oh. Am I ruining this for you? I don't want to intrude on your private space."

"No! No. I-I think this place was meant to be shared." Kayla says with a small smile.

"Oh. Thanks." Zach says with an easy smile on his face and his head titled to one side looking at Kayla.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Kayla says letting go of his hand and spreading out her arms to feel the cool breeze, not looking at Zach.

"You are." Zach says still looking at Kayla, which makes Kayla turn to him and realise that he was talking about her, making her blush.

"What were you going to say earlier? Before the baby started screaming." Kayla asks looking down at her feet.

Taking all the courage he had stored up, he uses his index finger to gently push Kayla's chin up so that she was looking at him and he leans in so that their lips are inches apart.
"I was going to say, that it-this- is definitely a date date." He whispers softly enough so she could hear and then kisses her lightly on the cheek. He pulls away and sees the deep blush that has taken over her cheeks. Kayla turns back to look down at the bright lights and people mingling below. Zach does the same, neither of them saying anything, just enjoying the faint sounds of music and laughter.

They spent the rest of their date out on that small deck, just talking about anything and everything. When it was getting late, hand in hand they walked back in, rode the elevator down to their level and walked to their doors. They stopped at Kayla's door and she thanked Zach for the wonderful night, telling him how much fun she had. She promised to see him tomorrow and that they should do this again. She leans in, gives him a kiss on the cheek, says goodnight and they part ways.

That night, they both slept with wide smiles on their faces.