Sara and Joe Wildin

Date Night

Joe can't stop messing with his hair. It has to be perfect for Sara. It has to be. This is their first date after all. Of course they've been friends for as long as either of them can remember but this is different: a memorable event. Would it be better if it were parted differently or gelled back? His phone goes off with the message alert for the third time. He decides to respond hoping it's not Sara but luck isn't on his side today. Over the past 40 minutes, he's been getting texts asking where he is. By this time Joe's almost late. He tells her that he's on the way.

It's not the walk there is long either. Sara only lives a few blocks away from his house. He readjusts his tie in the mirror before leaving, almost forgetting his wallet. There's an extra pep in his step as he walks down the road to Sara's house. When he gets to her blocky grey house he sees that the light hasn't turned on yet. They planned for this to take place at a later time but not too late. Her parents were out on a short trip but they'd gotten permission to have this little date.

He takes a deep breath before walking up the steps. The block of wood looms in his view before he gets the courage to knock. It'll be like old times when they hung out with each other. There hasn't been as much change as he thinks.

After he make himself known the door swings open to reveal Sara in a thigh length black dress. It was the same one she'd worn to one their school dances.

"Sorry it was the only nice one I had." She says before inviting him in.

He takes one step onto her wooden floors leaving the cool outdoors behind. She closes the doors behind him and the odor of burned food fills his nostrils. From the stove is where the smell originates. Joe looks to Sara with a raised brow.

She gives back a weak chuckle fiddling with the hem of her dress, "I might've burned the casserole, just a little."

"Just a little." He repeats with a joking tone.

"If you're gonna make fun of me I'll make fun of your hair." She whines. Her face contorts into a frown as she looks down at the ground. He tries to save it by repeating that he was only kidding.

"Why don't we go to that new restaurant in town?" He suggests.

"Oh I heard of that place. The reviews were amazing."

He helps her put her coat on since it was slightly chilly outside. Neither of them could drive yet but the restaurant wasn't too far away. They hold hands on the way there. Obviously Sara was the one to engage. Joe wanted to but his anxiety got the best of him. Sara is the one to request the table and the two sit down waiting on their simple order.

"How do you think you did on that math test?" He stares at her from across the table, a certain gleam in his eyes.

"We studied together so I'm hoping we both did well."

"I wish. Mrs. Pendall hates my guts. Gave me an F last semester for no reason."

"You didn't study the whole year."

"Like I said no reason!" He laughs and one of the waiters comes around with their food.

They share a meal with a candle in the middle of the table. It accents the definition of Sara's lips and Joe's brain wanders thinking of what it would be like to kiss them. Soft and plump like rip fruit. It made him smile just imagining it. Their hand intertwine on the table as they forget about their food. He continues to tell those wholesome jokes that no one else gets but her and of course she laughs. They were made for her after all. It takes longer than usual since they were too concerned with talking to finish their food. They stand at the exit as rain pours down onto the street. Sara has forgot her jacket inside and the restaurant was already closed.

He offers his blazer jacket. She reluctantly takes it. His suspender straps show on his white shirt. She looks over him and smiles.

"I like them." She whispers.

He smiles back blushing a little, "Don't get your hair wet, silly."

He holds it over her head as they race under buildings for cover. Joe turns it into a fun game and eventually they're splashing each other. He doesn't aim for her hair though knowing how long it took.

She unlocks the door and the two come in soaked. Sara shivers in her silky dress. Joe's about to offer his coat before remembering how soaked it is.

"I'll start the fire. It's faster than the heater." She throws some wood into the fire and lights it snuggling up. Joe wraps on of the spare blankets around the two of them. 

Her shoulder bumps against his until she lays her head on it. His body goes stiff and he blushes.

"C-comfy?"

She shakes her head.

He wraps his arm around her and asks again. She nods this time. They make eye contact and she puts her hand on his cheek.

"You look really warm." She says leaning closer.

He doesn't move and stutters some incoherent words. When she asks to kiss him he's not hesitant to give a little nod. She leans a little closer and their lips connect.

They kiss for a few seconds before Joe pins her to the ground. The blanket moving with them. He hovers over her as she smiles. She sits up and kisses him again.

"I'll make some hot cocoa for us. How's that sound?" She slips from his grasp and goes to the kitchen.

"O-oh. Sounds good Sara." He's red as a tomato. No it wasn't their first kiss but he's excited that it won't be their last.