Lovers and Friends

Day 2- Audience Choice

I hopped into the jeep, excited and nervous for my dates. The jeep pulled up to a small beach. I was escorted to a cute little table set up near the water. I was told to wait there for my dates to arrive.There was a bottle of champagne and some snacks on the table. Champagne really wasn't my thing, but I was so nervous that I decided to drink some to calm my nerves before the first boy arrived. I felt like I'd been waiting forever and when I looked over at the bottle of champagne I'd been drinking, It was obvious I'd been there for a while because unknowingly, I had drank half the bottle. I was a light drinker so I was definitely starting to feel more relaxed and slightly tipsy. I was looking out at the ocean when my first date arrived, I was so zoned out I didn't even notice him sit down.

"Hola, mamacita."

I quickly turned to see Camilo, sitting across from me.

I smiled at him and offered him some champagne. He lifted his glass for me to pour him some. I poured what was left of the bottle into our glasses.

He raised his glass in the air, "I propose a toast."

"Oh, what are we toasting to?"

"To our first date."

I clinked his glass and took another big gulp of champagne. "Cheers."

"So, the audience chose me for your first date. They must think we have a future together. How do you feel about them choosing me?"

"I think they made a good choice. I mean we were coupled up before Iona came in."

"True. Well let's get to know each other better...tell me..what do you like to do outside the villa?"

I finished the last of my champagne before answering. I wasn't used to talking about myself, so a little more liquid courage seemed like a good choice.
"Well, I guess I'm sort of a homebody. I don't go out much. Mainly just focus on my students and my art."

"I respect that. What about family, you close with them? I'm really close with my family, especially since I help run their shop."

"We were close, I still talk to my sister a lot but my mom can be distant at times."

"Were? Something happen?"

"I don't talk about it much.."

"Aw sorry I didn't mean to pry. If you don't want to talk about it that's cool."

He placed his hand on the table next to mine. It was like he was trying to comfort me but also letting me know I could trust him.

I took a deep breath before I spoke, "It's just hard to talk about. My dad and I were really close, so losing him took a toll on me."

"I'm sorry to hear that Tegan. If you don't mind sharing...how long ago did it happen? And how?"

I felt tears begin to roll down my cheeks. I hadn't really talked about it since the accident. I wiped my eyes..."That's the part that's so hard to talk about. It was a car accident. It happened my freshman year of college. My dad had left work in a hurry to come to an art exhibit that I was featured in. It was raining hard, and.." tears were now streaming down my face. Camilo placed his hand on top of mine...

"Tegan, you don't have to continue if you don't want to. I'm honored that you opened up to me and told me this much."

I sniffed and wiped my tears. "Thanks, Camilo. It actually felt good to talk about some of it. I don't mind talking about it another day. But this is a date..we should be smiling not crying right?"

He smiled at me and stood up from the table. He held out his hand, "You're right. How about a dance? That's a proper swanky and fun thing to do on a date."