Was I Dreaming or Just Blind?

Chapter 6: Musical Festivities and Then Some

The day of, I scrambled and tried talking myself and Becca out of it.
"You need to go on this date, I don't know what you're so worked up about anyways?" Becca asked,
"See that's it right there... a DATE! The last time I went on a date was with Josh Bentley in 8th grade it was a group date with three other couples and all they did was make out at the movie theater, I have no idea what I'm doing here Bec!" Becca sighed and gave me a look, "You've gotten this far, haven't you? I mean you guys sat on this very couch a few weeks ago talking about American Horror Story, what's so different?"
I thought about it... "The difference is I was watching a TV show, my mind was distracted! But I'm going on a date where I have to talk, about myself, I'm the most boring person in the world."
"Oh you know that's not true," Becca snapped back, "You have lots to talk about, and you'll be at a musical festival, so there'll be a lot of music, people, food, ya know stuff to talk about." I eased at the thought of this, "Can't you come with us?"
"I am going but I'm going with Matt, you need to have a one-on-one date, group dates are fun, yes, but I know you and you're shy so you'll be connected to me at the hip, which won't be good for either one of our dates. Just drink a bottle of water and you'll be fine." I sighed in annoyance at her comment, mainly because she was right.
"Ok, I'll try my best."
And with that, I changed, Becca did my hair and makeup. And a few minutes after 7pm Hayes knocked on the door. "Now remember," Becca said, "smile, have fun and most importantly be yourself." "Thanks, Mom, I'll be sure—" "No time go answer the door."
I opened the door and his blue eyes struck me again, he was wearing a white t-shirt with jeans, and sneakers, with a silver watch and he smelled amazing. A mixture between a fresh shower and cologne that you could melt into, Was I really about to go out on a date with this guy? I thought, I couldn't believe it, yet here I am. I am so happy there is blush on my face because even though I can't see it, I'm burning up. "Hey," he said, I was in a bit of a daze when he asked, "Are you ready?"
"Yes," I say a little too quickly, "I just need to grab my purse," I walked towards the counter where my purse was and Becca gave me the most obvious obnoxious you are getting some, look I've ever seen. I walked towards the door, and Becca yelled, "Don't stay out too late you crazy kids!" Oh my goodness lord strike me with lightning as if that wasn't embarrassing enough.
"She's a little excited," I explain, "And why is that?" He asked back, I stopped not knowing what to say, Oh you know I haven't been on a date in 6 years, ok, spread the truth a little bit. "Oh I just have been working a lot and haven't gotten out much since we moved in," which wasn't a total lie, I have been working 6 days a week, today was my day off and I traded with someone tomorrow so I could sleep in.
"Well, I bet tonight is going to be a lot of fun, I have a lot planned." He smiles, I'm at a loss for words again so I reply, "Me too."

We took an Uber to the festival because parking was going to be such a hassle but he was a gentleman once again. He opened the door for me when I got in the Uber and when we arrived. And he bought my ticket to the festival beforehand which I thought you could only get at the gate.

"So how did you get these, I thought they were only selling them at the door?"
"Ah well, I know somebody, he owed me a favor."
"Well, that's an amazing favor then."
We both exchanged glances and walked in, they had a lot of people performing tonight, some new and local artists, a few upcoming artists like Trevor Daniel, and some well-known artists like the Jonas Brothers, Post Malone, and Billie Eilish. They weren't starting the concerts until around 9 so we decided to walk around and see people performing on random spots of the festival.
"So what kind of music are you into?" He asked to break the semi-awkward tension between us. "I'm into just about everything, rap, hip hop, R&B, country—" "Wait," he cuts me off, "You listen to country music?" Don't freak, just be cool, and yourself. "Well ya, I wasn't a fan of it at first, but when I became friends with Becca, we always had listened to it. For years, I've tried resenting it, but it's grown on me, and I've loved it ever since."
"That's pretty cool, actually," he responds, "I love music and I love coming to festivals like this one because there's always positivity flowing through music and through people... that sounded kinda dorky didn't it?" "No, that's pretty cool as well,"