9- A Stranger Things Fanfiction

ix

Ari
I woke up bright and early to get ready for my date with Dustin. I was so excited!!

I got out of bed and made breakfast. I took a quick shower and did my hair and a bit of makeup. After searching through my closet for what felt like forever, I found a cute outfit.

Dustin was picking me up at 12. So I had 2 hours left before I needed to be ready. I decided to call El and Max so I could get their opinion on my outfit.

They answered pretty quickly and said they would be over in ten minutes.

For some reason, I was extremely nervous. What if I make a fool of myself? Or fall and get hurt? Or make Dustin not like me? Or look like an idiot?

I didn't notice I was pacing until I heard my doorbell ring, that was probably Max and El.

"Hey, Ari! Are you excited for your date?" El asked me, with a smile on her face.

"I mean, kind of, I'm nervous. What if I look stupid? What if he doesn't like me? What if I trip or fall and mess up the entire thing? What if-" I was cut off as Max started shaking my shoulders.

"Calm down!" She said as she shook me slightly. "Dustin likes you, you like him. Everything is going to be fine! You're worrying for nothing."

"She's right, Ari. Dustin likes you for you, so just be yourself and everything will be fine." El said, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"You're right, I'm worrying over nothing. It's gonna be fine. We'll have a great time and nothing bad will happen." I told myself, nodding as I tried to make myself believe it.

"Ok, now let's work on your outfit!" El said, clapping with a smile.

After about thirty minutes of searching through my closet, Max and El found the perfect outfit. It was a white shirt with striped and jean shorts. El did my hair again, as it got messy after I changed. Max insisted on redoing my makeup to match my new outfit.

I checked the clock and noticed it was almost 12.

"Guys! He's going to be here soon!" I said as I rushed around my room to pack my small purse.

"Okay, we're going to leave and you're going to sit down, drink some water, and then go on your date, okay?" El said with her hands on my shoulders.

I took a deep breath and nodded. I sat down and got some water and said goodbye and thank you to Max and El.

I checked the clock and saw that it was 12. RIght as I noticed it, the doorbell rang.

"Okay, come on Ari, you got this," I told myself as I stood up and walked to the door.

I smiled widely as I saw Dustin was holding some flowers and was dressed in shorts and a tee-shirt.

"Um, these are for you," Dustin said, handing me the sunflowers in his hand.

"Thank you so much, Dustin! They're gorgeous!" I turned into my house and grabbed a vase and filled it with water. I placed the sunflowers into the vase.

"You look amazing," He said, smiling widely.

"Thank you, you do too," I said.

"Ready to go?" He asked. I nodded and followed him.

I spent the next few hours of my life, falling in love with the boy with curly hair and an adorable smile.

He took me to the carnival that was in town. We played a ton of games and got cotton candy. I smiled as I looked off at the sun, it was settling into a beautiful ombré of blue, purple, yellow, pink, and orange.

"Do you wanna go on the ferris wheel?" Dustin asked, squeezing my hand.

"Sure," I replied, tossing my cotton candy stick into the trash.

We got in line for the ferris wheel quickly and before I knew it, we were being loaded into a small cart.

I couldn't help the huge smile on my face as we rose toward the top. The view was gorgeous, you could see the sun setting across the skyline of the carnival.

"It's so beautiful," I whispered to Dustin.

"It really is," I turned to him and saw him staring at me.

I chuckled and nudged his shoulder with mine.

"Cheesy," I chuckled.

"Only for you," He replied, chuckling.

As we went began to stop at the top of the ride, I could feel Dustin's nervousness.

Why was he nervous?

I felt Dustin squeeze my hand. He placed his hand on my right cheek.

I slightly turned my head and saw Dustin slowly leaning towards me.

Oh my god! We're gonna kiss! Dustin is going to be my first ever kiss.

I leaned in. I felt my heart exploding as I placed my hand on his cheek.

I pulled away and felt a huge smile grow on my face.

"Ari, I really like you. Will you be my girlfriend?" Dustin said, looking into my eyes and squeezing my hands.

"I'd love to, Dustin." I said, smiling.

I rested my head on his shoulder and kept our hands interlocked.

The ride slowly moved and we eventually got off.

After wandering around for a few more minutes, Dustin saw Steve Harrington on what seemed like a date with a girl.

Dustin got Steve's attention and introduced us.

"Nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you," I said, chuckling as I finally met the Steve that Dustin was so fond of.

"Nice to meet the girl Dustin's been crazy about for a few weeks now." Steve replied.

I could see Dustin's cheeks tint a light shade of pink and that made me chuckle.

We left Steve and his date as Dustin and I decided to leave the fair.

On our way home we talked about our favorite rides we rode today and the newer things that had been recently added.

Sadly, we arrived at my house quicker than I wanted too.

"I had a lot of fun today, Dustin." I said, as I stood on my porch.

"I did too, Ari." He said, as he gave me a hug.

"I'll see you tomorrow right?" I asked as I unlocked the door.

Tomorrow the entire party was going to the mall and then to Steve's for a pool party.

"Yeah, I'll see you then." He said.

"Goodnight, Dustin." I said. I leaned in and kissed him quickly.

"Goodnight, Ari." He replied as he turned and walked off of my porch and toward his house.

I closed the door behind me and smiled widely.

God, I was completely, utterly, and madly in love with the boy with the curls and adorable smile.