Jordan shows up at 12 precisely, leaping out his car to meet me at the door. I glance back into the kitchen as Allison holds the door open for me, a coffee mug in the other hand. "Here she is. I shouted you twice," she laughs, ending her small talk with him.
I take a deep, hitched breath before walking towards the door, now in Jordan's sight. I was so afraid that he might find out about Connor staying the night here that I'd spent the last half hour cleaning my room all over to get rid of any possible evidence. I mean, he might get the wrong idea, especially since we slept in the same bed. Simply saying that sends shivers up my spine.
I look up at him, his jaw is dropped as he looks at me with wide eyes. "Wow," he says, breathing out. "You look gorgeous." He smiles as he says this, showing me he genuinely means it.
"T-Thank you," I say. I'm still half asleep and I'm surprised I can even string a sentence together.
"Have you got everything you need?" Jordan asks me. I nod at him but I'm focusing on Connor's house across the road as memories from last night come back in a flash. I wonder how his mother reacted to him not returning home last night and what story he spilled to her. "Great, let's get going."
"Be careful and don't stay out too late. Have fun." Allison says.
"I'll have her back by ten."
"Bye." I call as we advance outside and down the path, throwing an eye roll at her as she grins like she's just watched me make my first friend. "I'm sorry, she's pretty embarrassing."
"Don't worry, so are my parents," he laughs lightly.
"Yeah. So, where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"I can't even get a hint?"
"Nope," he says, teasingly. I pause for four seconds to run my eyes over his outfit. He's wearing maroon skinny jeans, a red shirt and he's specially styled his hair, his fringe to the side and I'd be lying if I said he didn't look attractive.
"You look handsome," I say, inhaling his cologne as we walk down the path to his car.
He stops suddenly, turning to look at me. "Excuse me?"
He sounds surprised, astounded by what I said and I have no idea why. "What? I said you looked handsome."
"I know. Sorry, I've just never been called that before." He looks down at his feet.
"What do you mean?" I question, stepping closer to him. His head props up to look at me again. I'm surprised by our closeness and by the looks of things, so is he.
"I've never been called handsome off a girl. It's usually cute or something but never handsome. Thank you." he smiles, pulling me into his embrace. I was surprised by this but I rub his back soothingly nonetheless.
"Let's get going, we have a date to attend," he says, letting me go.
"It's not a date," I mumble, walking by his side.
"Okay, an outing to attend." he laughs a little. "Better?"
"Slightly."
Despite being with Jordan, I can't help thinking about Connor. The way he was last night, what if he was like that right now and it was all down to me.
Jordan's car is parked out front. Opening my door for me, he waits until I'm seated for him to shut it then afterwards jogs round to his side and hops in infront of the wheel.
"You're such a gentleman," I laugh and he laughs back in sync.
Yawning, he leans back in his seat and starts up the engine as we make our way out of my street. We drive for about ten minutes before he pulls up outside a small, local Italian restaurant on the Marina. I bite my lip and close the sun visor to get a better look.
We take our seats in a small booth up the back of the restaurant and a waitress comes waltzing over to serve us.
She has bleach blond hair. Her face is literally orange due to the amount of make-up that has been applied to her face and her eyebrows are a little too deeply filled in. She's also wearing bright red lipstick and a uniform that looks fit for a five year old child because it's that small, too small for her as she's only half covered, the rest of her body is on show. I think I can truthfully say, she is far from presentable in a work establishment.
I couldn't help but cringe at her, especially when she was trying so hard to flirt with Jordan and either Jordan was oblivious or he was choosing to ignore her.
"I'm supposed to be asking you what you want but instead, I'll tell you what I want... you."
"I appreciate it, but I have eyes for this girl right here. Two menu's please," he says, looking disgusted.
She looks shocked. She looks at me, finally realising I was actually sitting at the table. She shoots me a glare before storming off and a waiter in his thirties replaces her, asking us for our drink orders as well as handing us menus.
"Order whatever you like," Jordan says, taking a hold of my hand, staring into my eyes as a wide smile appears on his face. "You really are beautiful, Caitlin. You should remember that."
"Thanks." I hide my face behind the menu, pretending I'm looking at the different food options. I already know what I'm ordering though.
I order chicken goujons whilst Jordan orders cod and we talk whilst waiting on our meals.
"So tell me about yourself," he says and I'm surprised that he's even intrested in getting to know more about me.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything, but let's start with basics. When's your birthday?"
"July 13, 1998. Yours?"
"September 9, 1997."
"So you're in Connor's year at school?"
"I was. He dropped out but his choice, I have no say," he says, scrunching up his nose due to his hatred for Connor.
I'm about to ask him the reasons behind Connor dropping out but our meals arrive and I decide to avoid questioning him.
Jordan politely looks away so he isn't watching me eat and as I finish off my portion, I stand up, holding my stomach.
"Full, huh?" Jordan laughs and I nod.
Once we're finished, we walk out together and I turn to the right to leave even though I actually don't have any idea where I'm going. It is pretty late and dark already but I was some what certain that this was the way to where Jordan had parked.
He moves closer to me, his shoulder rubbing off my arm and he lifts my arm, linking my hand in his. "There's still one more stop."
"Great," I say and I smile at him as he unlocks his doors and I slide into his car.
We drive for a few minutes before we pass the pier, the bright lights of it illuminating it's every edge.
Despite it being late, Brighton pier isn't isolated though it isn't as busy as it tends to be.
As we walk near it's entrance, Jordan stops suddenly and grabs a hold of my wrist, pulling me closer to him. My head is now settled on his shoulder and my body is resting against his chest due to the closeness of us both. I look up at him and see his eyes shine bright amongst the lights of the pier.
Our breaths act in a sort of imperfect synchronization as we gaze upon each other intently, being completely inaudible.
"You really are perfect in my eyes, Caitlin and I proved it. You shine brighter than every light on this pier." His lips attach to mine in that silent moment, his eyes burning deep into my own.
But did I want more?
