Cliché Beginnings

Thomas Weiss

I purposely declined Nic when he offered me to have coffee last night even if my mind keeps telling me otherwise. There's something bigger I have to focus on; my second date with him. I've already planned the whole thing, have been thinking about it since I asked him out. The first date is just like a pretext. I want something that's more meaningful, something different and will surely get to him. I consider it as the crucial part on my personal operation I entitled: 'Making Nic Pearson Reconsider His Sexuality and Fall in Love With Me' or simply 'Nicolas and Thomas Forever'.  Viv, Carol and Josh voluntarily helped me out and are already at my house to settle the last course of action of the operation. 

"No! He should just kiss him!" 

"Nope, it'll be better if he get down on his knees and give a ring."

"No Josh, it's too early to propose."

"Then he can just give a promise ring."

"They aren't even going out yet."

"Babe! Come on, my idea is the best."

"No Viv, it'll just scare Nic."

I wasn't even inside the house yet I can already hear their voices arguing about what I can guess as something that has to do with how I'll wonderfully end the second date tomorrow. Even I has no idea how I'll do it but I'm sure enough that it will not be one of those scenarios they're arguing about. I quietly enter the house and see the three of them seating at the middle of the family room in a circle with serious look on their faces. "You know, you don't really have to make this so complicated." They all turn to me but with different expressions on their faces. Viv gave me a disapproving frown while Josh crossed his arms and shook his head. Carol, Carol on the other hand just shrugged like usual. "Don't look at me like that. Carol is right. Nic and I aren't even going out yet. I just said I like him. This is not an American Teen Drama where we go out right after confessing my admiration to him. Confessing to him doesn't mean he'll suddenly like me too." Viv and Josh pouts but say nothing back. 

We went over the plan three times until we're satisfied and was assured that nothing will go wrong. I'm excited and nervous, more anxious than I was earlier when I bought the bouquet and gave it to Nic. I didn't even know if it was the best gesture considering the fact that Nic is straight. He might've thought it was weird to receive flowers from a guy. I wanted to save it for tomorrow but I figured the first day wouldn't turn out special if I simply bring him to the cinema and eat out. It'll just be like hanging out with him and that's something I wanted to avoid. I have to get across Nic that I like him in a way that I want to kiss him, hug him, touch him and even build a future with him. I want him to know that I'm not just satisfied with us being nothing but friends, I want something more, I want to be Nic's. 

The next day came so fast that I felt like I'm not prepared for it. My mind's going off on different line of thoughts and I'm extremely scared that today will not turn out as I planned it to be. What if Nic has other plans and he's not at home? What if he got sick or worse, decided that he doesn't like me and doesn't want to do anything with me anymore? I don't think I can live with that. I'll be heartbroken to the point that I'll just give up going to school to save myself from shame and avoid seeing him. It wouldn't be like that, would it? 

I was pulled back to reality by Viv's message telling me to get a hold of myself and goodluck. She also said that they're already on the way to the location of today's date to get things fixed. What's left is for me to get ready then drive to Nic's place to commence the surprise. It's now or never.

I'm dressed up in a similar button down shirt as yesterday but in white and topped with suit jacket and paired with formal pants. I look fancy but I'm not really planning on bringing him to a five-star hotel or a fancy restaurant. I just went with it for the look. After fixing my hair a little bit, I made sure that my parents and sister are already gone for the Sunday neighborhood activity before rushing to my car to leave for Nic's place. 

My heart began thumping so loudly against my chest as I round the corner of the street of Nic's apartment. "Please be there. Please let me do this right. Please make this day positively memorable for both of us." I keep repeating on my mind. I park my car in front of his place but I don't call him. I make my way to the entrance and go up to his room. 

I'm chanting random prayers on my head until I reached his door and raised my knuckles against it to knock. His door has a peephole so I cover it with my hands. He might not open it because of that but I can just call out to him. I wait for a few seconds but I heard nothing so I knock again but louder. Please Nic, open up. "Yes?" His voice echoes from the other side of the door. My heart begins beating louder again. "It's me." There was silence for about ten seconds then rustles for a minute before the door swayed open and I was greeted with a blushing Nic. "H-Hi." He's not looking at me so he hasn't really caught up yet. "Nic." I shift my footing and he notices my black shoes. He finally looks up and his eyes adorably widens as he notices my appearance. "May I take you to another date, Nicholas?"

Nic insisted to wash up and change his clothes first before going to the date with me. He was so shocked that we remained staring at each other for three minutes before he was able to comprehend the situation and mumble a yes. He opted for a semi-casual shirt since he left his suit with his parents. It didn't really matter but I don't want him to feel too intimidated just because I decided to look more mature and dignified. 

"We already went on a date yesterday." Nic has his hands clasped on his lap and his eyes on the road while saying it. He is clearly shaken with how things are going but he tries to hide it by sounding nonchalant. I don't really know if it's a good thing but I decided to be as honest as possible with him but vague enough so he wouldn't find out what I'm planning for the date. "Yeah, so this is the second date." He smiles a little. That's a good sign.

We didn't talk the rest of the drive. Me because of the nerves and Nic probably because of the shock. I would be too if I was in his place. It's not always that you get your suitor to surprise you early in the morning in a suit then drag you to a spontaneous trip to the other side of the town. 

I decided to bring Nic to Carol's Family Villa at the southern part of the town near the lake. It's just one of the many ones they own but this is our favorite place to be. We go here every summer for vacation and  I enjoy it every time so I want to share this place with him. Well it was Viv who suggested it but I was the one who decided so yeah, that's the same thing. When we arrived, Nic was amazed at how beautiful the place is. The front of the house has a beautiful garden with an arch covered with red roses that leads to the porch. "It's beautiful." I look at Nic and was awed at how perfect he looks against the flowers. No matter how cheesy it sounds, he looks more beautiful than any other flowers at this garden. I just can't help but mumble, "I like you Nic and I want to show you how much I do."