Until Death Do Us Part

1

*Athena's POV*

Darian was what Gen-Z would call an E-Girl, with the split-dyed hair, and the chains around her neck, and her general appearance. But her personality didn't match her look.

She was kind and funny, she made you feel at ease instantly, and she had a smile that could light up New York City, just like a fairy tale.

She wasn't particularly different looking, but there was something so unique and gorgeous about her. Her caramel brown eyes sparkled when she smiled, her blonde and green half and half hair was straight and long,  her lips were naturally perfect, and her smile was so stunning.

I guess that's one of the things I found most attractive about her. Her smile was beautiful and infectious, and made me want to smile, even at my worst times.

We met through a friend, and at first sight, I was awed by her. I smiled shyly and said my hello, keeping my eyes to the floor self-consciously. I didn't say anything to her except a few passing comments here and there, but I couldn't keep myself from sneaking looks at her, catching her unaware and in her most naturally beautiful moments. 

The evening ended, and Garrett took me home in his car, meaning Darian went home too. I was aware she didn't live in my area, she lived in the next county over, about an hour away. I didn't know if I was ever going to see her again, but I desperately wanted to, and I hoped I had some way of finding her. 

A week went by before I saw her again, with the only contact being me liking her instagram. When I saw her again, she looked even better than before, and I realised I liked her a lot. She was miles out of my league, but I couldn't help but like her. She had the cool girl vibe, with her piercings, tattoos and her car, but she had a softer side, I could tell. 

I was sneaking looks at her, never making eye contact, nervous in case she caught me, but then I caught her. She was sneaking glances at me, her eyes darting away the second I caught them. I smiled to myself as she looked away sheepishly. She was so cute, the little smile she did as I saw her, the way she was nervous around me, but nervous why? 

This was the part when normal people would've realised she wasn't straight, and maybe even interested in me, but no, I was oblivious. *eyeroll*

I needed an opportunity to talk to her, or get her alone for a minute without being weird. The group would be watching us, and I didn't have anything immediately obvious in common with her, so I was at a loss. My chances were getting lower and lower. 

"Hey, Athena, can I talk to you quick please? Just about some photography stuff." Darian turned to me, beckoning towards her car. I followed. This was my chance. We broke off from the group, and sat in her car, the silence very awkward. 

"So, what's up?" I asked.

"Well, I do have some photography stuff I want to talk to you about, if that's okay, but I wanted to find a way to talk to you, because, well... I think you're cute." At this point, the penny dropped, and I realised Darian was saying she liked me too. 

I breathed out slowly. 

"Really, you like me?"

"Yeah, I do, Athena." 

I smiled back at her, not quite believing, but being so happy at the same time. 

"Well, I like you too, Darian."

We sat there for a minute, smiling to ourselves, neither sure what to say. She reached out and out her hand on my knee.

"I'd really like to get to know you. But slowly, like maybe go on some dates or something?"

"I'd like that. But I don't have a car, how are we going to meet?"

"Well, I have a car, I'll drive to you."

"Okay, I'd really like to get to know you properly, I didn't know you felt the same."

"Well I do. Now, lets get on with this photography talk so they don't get suspicious."

~~~

The rest of the car meet went by, with Darian and I acting seemingly unchanged from before our talk. I still snuck little looks at her, but my mind was filled with anxiety now. I had never dated much, and so I didn't know how to do this, but more than that, I had never even had a chance with some one like her and I didn't want to mess it up before it even began. 

She left earlier than some of us but before she did, she handed me a slip of paper.

"That's my number. Text me."

I smiled. How could someone make me so giddy inside, when I had known her for all of a week? It was crazy, but somehow she did, and I loved that feeling. 

I waited a little while before texting her, because I knew she would be driving, but when I did, her reply was almost instant. 

Hi its Athena

Yo its Darian

How's it going?

Good thanks ! How's you?

We spoke that night for hours, about the most random stuff, but I felt like I knew her so well. Darian had a way of making you feel so comfortable whenever you spoke to her, and it was as if we had known each other years. I smiled whenever I got a message from her, and I waited avidly for her to reply. 

We were organising our first date already, and I couldn't have been more excited and nervous at the same time. This was the beginning of what would hopefully be something more. And I couldn't wait for it.

~~~

The next week went by with Darian and I continuing to talk as much as we could. She worked full time in Worthing and I had college and work in Gosport, but we talked before, during and after work. We meticulously planned our first date for Saturday, and I was beginning to stress. 

I went through my clothes over and over, trying to find the perfect thing to wear for you. I was still very undecided, and this only added to my stress. I really didn't want to mess this up, but I had a habit of doing that back then. 

Thursday and Friday dragged on for what seemed like a lifetime, teasing your ever-nearing arrival on Saturday. The clock ticked on, and I grew more and more excited. I just wanted to see her again. 

And then there she was, pulling up in her Mini on my driveway. She took her time getting out, teasing me even more. But when she did, I was breath-taken. Darian looked stunning, and that casual smile melted my heart. 

"Hey, gorgeous," she said, as her smile widened and her eyes creased up with happiness. 

"Well, hello," I replied, with a smirk on my face. I couldn't believe I had a chance with this girl, who was about 100x out of my league, and yet she wanted to talk to me. 

I had finally decided what to wear, and she looked me up and down with a knowing smile on her lips, and a hunger in her eyes. I was hungry for her too, but we had to take things slow, to get things right between us. 

My mum stood on the door step, looking at us knowingly as we got into her car, and nodded her head as I caught her eye. I laughed to myself, and pushed her out of my mind. Tonight was about Darian. And nothing was going to ruin it for us.