Until I Die

Chapter 7

The next three days passed like a breeze. Nothing really happened. Today was Saturday, and I was getting ready to go on the date. I quickly texted Aaliyah to come over and help me ge ready.

"Hey Ms. Jones." She said with a smirk and a wink. That was Jaya's last name. I blushed just enough for a full smile to form on her face. 

"Um, no. At least not yet." I said, with a smirk of my own.

We both began to laugh. I told her to pick out an outfit as I showered. I used my best smelling body washes, and the softest lotions. I used a light body spray, since this was only a picnic. I put on a matching bra and pantie set, and came out of the bathroom.

"Okay, so what did you pick out?" I asked curiously.

" I picked something casual, since it's only a picnic, but I added some jewelry to outfit to make it a little cuter."

I looked down at my bed to see some loose ripped jeans, a black sleeves cropped top with a colorful flower design, a jean jacket and some casual vans. There was also a grey hoodie there, because it was starting to get cold out. It was already late November. I looked to the right of the clothes to see a simple golden chain and other necklaces to layer on top of it. I looked up smiling.

"It's basic, but it's cute."

"I'm not going to have you looking like a snack to sit in the grass." She said now laughing. I put on the clothes, had Aaliyah help me layer the necklaces, and fixed my hair. I recently installed some chest length box braids, with waves at the end. I added two gold clips to two of the braids in the front, and tied the rest in a low ponytail. I looked in the mirror and smiled. 

"Damn, you look beautiful." I twirled around to see Jaya standing in my doorway, smiling. I lightly blushed, looking at his outfit. It was really simple, but he made it look amazing. He had some cargo black pants on, with a simple t-shirt and a jacket over it. I smiled, realizing that he was looking at me too. 

"I love your outfit." I said shyly.

"Thanks. I love yours too." he replied, smirking.

"Um, y'all I'm a little uncomfy, so can you guys do this when you're actually on the date?"Aaliyah said, awkwardly laughing. We nodded and the three of us headed downstairs. I said goodbye to my mom, who obviously had something to say.

"Y'all better not try anything. Now you two have fun, and treat my baby right." she said. I blushed, embarrassed that she had to call him out like that.

"Of course ma'am." He replied smoothly. He had such a way with words. He seemed so kind to adults. I respected it.

We walked outside, departing ways with Aaliyah. We got in his car and started to drive. we laughed along the way, making jokes, talking about life. Then, he asked me a surprising question.

"Have you ever been in a relationship?"

"No. I've only ever been to the talking stage. My family moves around too much for me to actually have a relationship."

"Damn, I'm sorry." he said, coming to a stop at a red light.

"No, it's fine honestly. How about you?"

"Yeah, I have, but they didn't really last you know?" He said his headed turning away from me towards the road.

"Oh i'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." I said, stumbling over my words, thinking I had messed up. Why did I have to go asking questions everything was going so well.

All of a sudden, I felt soft hands grasp my chin, as my lips were met with his. I kissed back, his soft lips brushing against mines. He pulled back, an looked up at me with a smile. He continued to drive in silence. It was a good silence. Peaceful. I tried my best to hold back a smile as we drove. We finally got to a wooded area. There were high trees, with multiple benches and paths. He continued to drive, as the trees began to become denser, the roads becoming more and more bumpy. I began to worry until we came into a clearing. He stopped the car and I looked forward. We were at a small cliff facing both the city and the water. I don't know why I was taken so aback. He had described the date to me less than a week ago.  I got out of the car and headed towards the back. We unpacked everything and headed towards the edge of the cliff. There wasn't a barrier between the land and the open water below. I looked down to see a small patch of sand before the open river. It was honestly beautiful. We sat down close to the edge, our feet hanging off the edge. I was still light outside, so I could see almost everything around me. We unpacked the food and began to eat, talking about anything and everything. About an hour later, then sun started to set, so we put everything aside and began to look out at the amazing view.

"How the hell did you ever find this." I asked in awe. The city began to light up brightly against the dark sky.

"When I was younger, my dad and I used to come here. He would take me down there," he said pointing at the sand, "and we would go swimming. I used to look forward to it. As I got older, I began to come here alone when I needed time for myself. Instead of swimming, I would come here to watch the sunset and enjoy the view." Tears began to form in his eyes. He smiled as he looked down at me. I wrapped him in a hug.

"Your dad seems pretty cool."

" He was." He said, as the tears began to pour.

"Was?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah. When I was 13, he was killed in a shooting. It wasn't his fault, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

I looked at him in the eyes. Tears, shining against the moon light were streaming down his face. I wrapped him in a hug. We stayed in silence as the song "As the World Caves In" played, and I let him enjoy the view.