HOME | DD

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Chapter 4
Of course I would support Everett! Why wouldn’t I?! I cursed myself for even starting to doubt my disapproval of him. Whatever he was, I would support him. I could be sure of that.
I was snapped out of my thoughts by Riley’s voice. “Are you okay? You look terrified, and you’ve been off in your own world for quite some time. What’s been wrong with you lately? I’ve been worried --- really worried --- about you.” He whispered all this to me even though we had the table to ourselves. (Mitchell’s group evidently didn’t notice or need us anymore.)
I smiled gratefully at his concern. He was so caring and protective of me, which I needed in my only friend. “I’m fine. Just . . . something’s been on my mind.” I bit my lip, contemplating whether to tell him.
I fought against myself, half of me screaming “Tell him!” but the other half gently charging me to keep Everett’s secret (would that be what to call it?) just that, a secret. I didn’t know which side to obey with them both demanding at once.
I wondered briefly if I was developing a split personality.
“Well, what is it?” He leaned closer. “You can tell me.” he assured me, lowering his voice even further. His eyes searched my face, hardened in apparent concern for my state. “I’ve really been wanting to know what’s bothering you.” He scooted his chair closer, and I can’t say I completely resisted or disliked our minute proximity.
“I really can’t tell you . . . a-at this moment.” I cursed myself for tacking on those last three words. Now, I had to tell him eventually.
Crud.
A smile seemed to tug the corners of his lips slightly upward. He looked away at the window and drummed his fingers on the table, apparently in thought about something. He seemed tense, so I touched his shoulder in an effort to comfort him. He immediately turned to me, his lips now parted in a wide grin. His brunette hair was hanging over his noticeably brighter eyes, and he blew a strand of it away.
“Then, if you please, we can talk about it on our date tonight.” He was no longer tense, but eager. And his eyes were no longer hardened in concern, but brightened in anticipation.
My hand dropped from his shoulder limply. I was completely speechless. I had no idea what to say or to do. I just froze.
. . . And stopped breathing . . .
. . . And dropped my fork.
Riley and I both stared down at the fork as it clattered loudly onto the linoleum floor. Our eyes stayed there a few moments before they slowly rose and locked with each other. Oh, why’d I have to go and stare into his eyes?!
It wasn’t like I didn’t want to go on a date with Riley. It wasn’t like I didn’t feel anything more for him. I was sure I did. I had a crush, at least. But this . . . this was a moment I had not expected to ever happen, even though I had perceived the symptoms that Riley had something more than friendship in mind.
So, all I could do was stare for a moment, as the brightness gradually left his eyes --- a simple reaction to my reluctance. I finally started breathing again and at last, I managed a nod. “Yes, yes. Sure!” I was suddenly so joyful that it caught me off guard. I was knocked by a wave of happiness that was overwhelming. Maybe because it was my first date.
Or boyfriend, for that matter.
I will never be able to describe the joy that washed over Riley’s face at that moment. The widest grin I had ever seen him smile spread across his face, stretching from ear to ear. He suddenly snatched me up into a huge bear hug, and I had no choice but to comply. “Thank you!” he whispered eagerly over and over again.
And I was pleased I had finally made Riley this happy.
But soon, I realized there was this thing called breathing, and his iron grasp was restricting me from performing it. “Can’t breathe, can’t breathe, can’t breathe!” I whispered frantically, gasping for air.
“Oh, sorry.” He sighed and set me down, scratching the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. He pushed back his nappy hair and sighed in relief. “I’m just so happy you agreed. I mean, it was sort of . . . sudden and, uh . . . pushy.” He scratched his neck again, looking down regretfully.
“Oh no! Not at all, Riley!” I assured him, waving my hands for affect. I instantly perked up, cocking my head to the side optimistically. “So, what time and where?” I demanded with a flirty wink that came out like more of an eye twitch. Dang, am I horrible at this...
He was a bit baffled for a second. “I, uh, never really got that far. I didn’t really think you would even agree.” He looked down again, beating the toe of his sneaker on the ground. “I mean, me, and then . . . you . . . Well, I ---“
I cut him off before he could finish. “You thought we wouldn’t be good together.” I finished sympathetically.
He seemed nervous again. “Yeah, that.” He turned away, so I ruffled his hair.
“Aw. Don’t think that.” I comforted him in a compassionate tone. “You don’t see how alike we really are. I mean, look at us.” I turned around and began pacing back and forth. “We sit by ourselves together, we’re both completely unnoticed ---“ He interrupted me with a muffled phrase that sounded like ‘Don’t remind me . . .’ “we both have a shy nature, we both enjoy our privacy, we also both choose not to be noticed, we both think we don’t belong with others.” I looked at him and he grinned.
“You’ve just got to bring that up, don’t you?” He narrowed his eyes as he turned to face me. “You’re not going to let me forget it, are you?” He grunted. “Knew I shouldn’t have said that. Stupid leverage for you to use . . .” he grumbled.
It was entertaining to see him annoyed with the fact that we truly did work as a couple, and I actually started laughing. He glowered at me with his piercing greenish eyes, but, after a few seconds, he burst into laughter too. We couldn’t help ourselves. It was enormously amusing for some reason we couldn’t figure out.

But soon enough, lunch ended and we had to go to class. The day was suddenly much brighter than it had been before I talked to Riley. We figured out a time and place and I was extremely excited for the date. One, because, of course, it was my first (which made it incredibly remarkable anyway), and two, because it wasn’t your regular run-of-the-mill date. This was unbelievably different. Or . . . from what Riley told me it was.
And it was going to be fun.
Class blew by as usual, passing me at an extraordinary speed, and I was prepared to race home and be glamorized. The bus driver didn’t seem to travel fast enough as I sat on the edge of my seat, biting my nails in eagerness the whole way.
Mitchell stared at me, one eyebrow expertly arched, as my anxiety increased. I glanced over at least once to give him a look, but his gaze only got more questioning. I didn’t really care at this point: I was going on my first date!
I was extremely excited as I blew in through the door --- and highly relieved it was Friday. After tossing my backpack onto one of the kitchen chairs --- almost making it skid across the room ---, I bounded up the stairs, my mom yelling after me. I hastily yelled back what had happened, which made her burst into a chorus of high-pitched squeals in approval.

I was ready to be dolled up and made over. So excited I could have burst! I threw clothes from my closet in handfuls, trying to find something extraordinary and unique. Almost to the end of my mundane line of apparel, I sighed in utter disappointment. There was just nothing to wear, was there? As I was about to slam the doors in agony, I spotted a top I’d overlooked.
I hastily pulled it out of the dark reaches of my closet and gasped at the thought that I’d even bought something like this. It was a silver sort of satiny material. Falling in fold after luminous fold, it was a miracle to find any wonder like this in my usually-drab apparel. I quickly undressed, and then gently pulled it over my head. It fit like a tank top, but I was eager to spy my reflection.
After finding and hastily donning a pair of long, elegant black pants, I hurried over to my full-length vanity (We were a bit old fashioned, so our house was filled with antiques --- which I really didn’t mind.). I looked like a totally different person; now for the make-up.
I cringed.
You have to do this. I convinced myself. I didn’t necessarily need make-up, but I guess I just felt I did since it was my first date --- and serious crush. I slowly progressed to the bathroom, and then dug underneath the sink for the make-up bag filled with cosmetics my mom had bought for me. Shuddering, I raised a brush covered in blush to my cheek, but I couldn’t bear to put it on. I couldn't even begin to wonder how. I set it down, sighing. There was only one person to accomplish this task . . .
“Mom!” I hollered, bounding down the stairs speedily.
“Yes honey?” Apparently her eyes were still glued to the television, as she insinuated by her absentminded tone. I cleared the last step and ran into the living room in such a rush I almost gave her a heart attack. She shot from her chair as I dashed in through the doorway. She panted, panicked, and then stared at me, wide-eyed. I couldn’t get the words to form as she stared at me, eyes still widened in shock. I didn’t know how to phrase it; I’d never asked her anything like this before. As I pondered this, the panic dissipated from her eyes and her shocked countenance deflated.
“Well?” she probed, expecting my answer. That same “mom look” replaced the panic as she resumed her position in the chair. She finally turned off the TV after searching my eyes for the answer. Just a wisp of her maple hair slithered its way down to her nose and was fiercely swept away. Apparently, she still had the alert affects of panic.
“I-I need help getting ready for . . . um . . . my date.” I sputtered out.
Her initial reaction was the motherly “Oh! You want me to help you!” emotions and proceeding excitement. But, next --- and more terrible --- came the determination. She had a whole make-up kit! (At least it seemed like it.) I was surprised at her stash of cosmetics and her expertise of using them. And after a full eight minutes (it seemed like twenty!) I was gazing in the mirror at a wholly glamorized me.
I was utterly surprised by my appearance. It practically wasn’t even me! I hardly recognized myself, so I knew Riley wouldn’t. I could just see him now, mouth agape, at his first glimpse of me.
This would be amusing . . .
I turned to my mom with a wide grin on my face. She embraced me in one of her big bear hugs and suddenly a wave of complete excitement washed over me. Two down, one to go.

I gazed at my hair in the long vanity, trying to determine what I should do with it. I lifted up bunches of it, glaring at my reflection disgustedly. What was I supposed to do with my disheveled locks? Spotting a hairclip on my low dresser, I sprinted over and discovered an elastic hair tie beside it. Overjoyed, I jumped at the idea that had just now popped into my head. I whipped my hair into a not-too-high-but-not-very-low ponytail, and then deftly twirled it up into the clip.
Gazing at my reflection, I nodded in approval. It would do. I ran down the stairs to grab my jacket off the old-fashioned coat hanger. After shoving it on, I pulled a chair over to the doorway and plopped down, anxiously awaiting Riley’s arrival.
The whole wardrobe-makeup-hair makeover had lasted about an hour and a half. He was planning to pick me up at six o’clock, but, still, I waited, biting at my nails in complete agony of suspense. There was one huge cause of this.
I had no idea where we were going.
Sure Riley had told me it was going to be fun --- and different --- but, um, he hadn’t exactly mentioned where this fun was to ensue. I had no inkling or even guess whatsoever of what it could be.
So, there I sat, waiting by the door, chewing my fingernails in anxiety --- an hour before anything would happen.
Throughout the course of the next ten minutes, my mom kept glancing up at me, her looks getting more and more irritated every second. She leaned against the doorway from the kitchen to the living room, gazing at me with those fierce icy eyes. I glanced back at her occasionally, getting more confused at her look as my anxiety rose. Finally, after ten minutes, she blurted out, “Alright!”
I swear I jumped three feet.
“We are doing something with your hair.” She pushed herself from the doorway and traveled over to tower in front of me. “You have almost a whole hour left! And you’re spending it sitting here, waiting?!” She put her hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes, crouching down. “He’s not going to come any sooner.” She straightened up and started for the stairs. “Come along, come along.”

After brushing, screaming, curling, resisting, curling, more brushing, curling, whining, complaining, and even more curling, my hair was finally done. Staring at my reflection, I acknowledged that --- once again --- it looked nothing like me. My mom patted my back and grinned, and then left the room, sighing “Now, there’s a hairdo.”
The minute she left the room, I checked myself in the mirror again. Yeah, I indisputably did not resemble me. I had to make the person in the mirror look slightly like myself. I ran into my room and scanned the area for any help in forming an idea to make my soft, bouncy curls more . . . me.
After a few seconds, I found an elastic much like the last one. Standing in front of my vanity, I deftly looped my hair through it and smiled at the finished product.
“Now this is my hairdo.” It hung limply, just below the crown of my head. The ends flipped out, pixie-like at the bottom, with veins of corkscrew curls trailing from top to bottom. Tiny tendrils hung down around my face, framing it beautifully. At least this hairstyle was more me.
. . . A fancy me.
Once again, I smiled. The excitement was returning. Only half an hour now . . .

The second the doorbell rang, my heart sped up. As I slowly rose from my seat to open the door, the palpitating never stopped. In fact, it grew faster. In that moment, I realized I wasn’t ready, and froze two steps from the door. I turned and my mom gave me an encouraging grin. Taking a deep breath, I stepped to the door.
The angel that graced me was Riley. But it couldn’t be Riley. I just couldn’t believe his appearance.
The hair was the regular nappy brunette with his signature touch of blonde, only gelled to be a bit messier. The face was Riley’s, a huge grin spread across it. I guess what threw me off was his apparel. Riley was the usual tee-shirt ’n’ jeans kind of guy. Nothing special. But what stood before me now was something special. . He was clad in a collared green shirt that brought out his now-hazel eyes and accentuated his brunette hair. It was long-sleeved and a thinner, dressier fabric than cotton. It showed off his broad shoulders and tall figure.
His pants were black jeans, yet still matched with his shirt. Apparently, the fabric made it versatile. The first two buttons of the shirt were undone, topping it off with a casual look.
Oh, but the best thing was the cologne . . .
It emanated from his form sweetly, a fragrance of the forest, with just a touch of that natural cologne smell. I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes in the process. Somehow, it was soothing. Anxiety I didn’t know I had flowed off of me like a waterfall.
It took me awhile to start breathing again. And when I finally opened my eyes, Riley was grinning. “Ready?” he queried gently.
“Of course!” I replied excitedly --- with just a touch of timidity.
We headed off to his car --- which I had yet to see --- and, in the process, he never took his eyes off me. I started to feel a little self-conscious, so I was glad my tendrils covered my face as a blush crept across it.
I finally managed to speak once we were at his car. “You clean up quite nicely.” I commented, never glancing his direction, only staring at his old, yet nice, Ford Bronco.
His tone sounded offended. “Are you insinuating that I’m dirty?” he asked incredulously. I looked up to gaze into his mockingly insulted façade. I knew he was teasing, but I decided to play along.
“What?! I never implied such a thing!” I gasped in the same playfully sarcastic way.
“Oh. I suppose you did not, then.” His head hung in fake defeat. “My apologies, Miss.”
I chuckled at his attempt to imitate some kind of Pride and Prejudice character and he smiled. He couldn’t hold it any longer either. We both burst out laughing, leaning on his car unceremoniously. When we finally got control he eyed me sincerely, appraisingly.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” His eyes gleamed with delight when another, redder, blush spread across my features. It was just that look. It gave me the chills --- in a good way.
With his eyes still on me, we both slowly got in the car. He didn’t start it up, but I was too afraid to glance over, for fear of locking with his penetrating eyes. As I glanced up randomly once, I spied my mom peering through the window and shook my head, amused. For a few minutes we sat like this before he spoke at last.
“Really, I didn’t even recognize you when you opened the door. I was staring in shock, but I guess you were too busy staring at my fabulous self to notice that.” He chuckled.
“Stop.” I muttered playfully and slapped him across the arm. He only laughed and revved up the engine.
Soon, we were flying down my small street, and then grating to a halt at the four-way stop that ended my neighborhood. He snickered once again and I shot him an irritated look he didn’t seem to catch. Possibly intentionally.
Things were a little quiet for a few seconds, but that ended quickly. “So, you were enthralled with me, right?” He looked over at me comically as we pulled up to a stoplight. “ . . . Again.” he added.
We were at a standstill, so I had no choice but to answer him. There were no distractions I could think of. Shoot . . . “Yeah, I guess so.” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at my response. “Okay, okay! Yes, I was enthralled by you!” He grinned, apparently pleased very much by my revision of the comment. “For a minute I was debating whether it was you or not.” I looked down and blushed. “But what really got me was the cologne.” Glancing up at him, I grinned back widely. “It’s hypnotic . . .”
He seemed thrilled with that response. Once again, I was glad to make him cheerful. His happiness was somehow contagious. “Well, this cologne just seemed fitting considering where we’re going.” We started moving again as the impatient line of cars shuffled forward.
He had me baffled now. Okay, it had something to do with his cologne. Ugh, what was the smell to it again? I tried to recall the soothing aroma that I had loved to inhale those few short seconds. But, I couldn’t.
This made me mad.
“Now, I’m lost.” I confessed.
Riley grinned still wider, if that was even possible. “Good.” he replied simply. That had me steaming. Why did he not want me to know? The element of surprise must’ve been a very key factor of this first date.
That still didn’t make me any happier.
As we pulled up to another stoplight, Riley glanced over --- but kept his eyes on me. He stared at me for quite a while. So long I was shocked the light hadn’t changed yet. What was taking so long?!
“I was a bit enthralled with you.” He amended before I even had time to give him a look. “Okay, a lot. I was very enthralled with you.” I still hadn’t met his eyes yet, but when I finally did, his gaze was intense and thorough. “You look beautiful tonight.”
I tried to avoid his stare, but I couldn’t seem to unlock my eyes from his. A tomato-red blush swept across my face quickly --- and stayed, much to my dismay. His hand stretched across to stroke my face lightly.
My heart sped up.
“I shouldn’t even be able to recognize you tonight.” He chuckled. “But a little bit of Rosette still peeks through.” Suddenly, quickly, so that I had no time to react, he leaned over to plant a hasty peck on my cheek. Just as quickly, he pulled away. “Sorry, I’m sorry!” he apologized worriedly, holding his hands up in defense. “Right. Not on the first date.”
It had taken me off-guard. I tried to steady my breathing and my heart. Looking away as much as I could, I grunted pathetically in response. Things were quiet for a long while after that.
Every now and then, I stole a glance over at him. And each time, his expression seemed to be even more disconcerted. I wanted to tell him I was fine, that he had only given me a complete heart attack, and that those butterflies were just kicked slightly into overdrive, but I couldn’t get the words to leave my mouth. Frequently I would open it to force the words out --- or any sounds for that matter --- but would eventually give up on the struggle.
After a full five minutes, the silence seemed to cause lunacy. Riley turned on the radio in an attempt to throw background music into the mix. But after discovering it was a love song playing, he hastily mashed the button until it shut off. “Well, that was awkward.” he uttered frankly.
“Slightly.” was all I could force out. My throat was still tightened, and my vocal chords inert. This was getting annoying.
“Once again, sorry.” Riley apologized yet again.
That was getting annoying as well.
I finally found my voice when we paused to pull up to our apparent destination. As Riley turned off the car and was about to open his door, I spoke up. “Riley?”
He unenthusiastically halted.
I finally declared what I’d been trying to for the past fifteen minutes. “Look, I was just shocked. I wasn’t expecting it. Not refusing, stunned. You gave me a heart attack and my nervous butterflies were kicked into overdrive . . .” He snickered at that part. “. . . but other than that, I’m fine.” He grinned. “So yeah, now my heart is in super-turbo mode.” This time he snickered even harder. “. . . For lack of a better word, that is.” I added.
His snickering slowed a bit as he asked, “So, you’re fine then?” He sounded genuinely concerned even though there was still that edge of amusement in his voice. I smiled at his concern, but still managed to give him a look before I answered.
“Sure, I’m fine!” I exclaimed. “It was fine. Just . . . shocking, and . . . sudden.” I commented, scrunching my face in deep thought. I tucked one of my tendrils behind my ear.
“I have a knack for being . . . shocking, and . . . sudden, don’t I?” Riley chuckled, a grin spreading across his face again. He swiftly slipped out of the car and slammed the door shut. I glared at him through the tinted windows then struggled to unbuckle my seat-belt. By the time I got out, Riley was in the bed of the truck, leaning back against the window. I threw my leg over the side, starting to climb in. “Uh-uh,” he ordered, wagging his finger at me. “I was just waiting for you. We have a date.” The last word was dripping with implications and excitement.
I managed to flip myself over the side anyway, and he gave me a disapproving look. He scooted over to make room for me though. I made myself comfortable, and then, after making sure we weren’t too close --- I was still nervous about that ---, I asked the question that had been itching at the back of my mind. “Well, where are we having it?” I had forced a little bit of a flirty tone to it, but the truth was I was getting quite frustrated with this whole surprise concept. I tried to smile, but I was grimacing on the inside in agony of suspense.
Certainly he could tell me this time! Surely there was no surprise left, right? But the way he grinned told me he was probably going to avoid it again. He inclined his head to my surroundings, and the grin grew broader. His eyes encouraged me to look around, so I did.
I got a shock.
“Here?” It was beautiful. We were parked in a wide clearing, presumably in the midst of a forest. “Here?” I repeated, disbelief creeping up into my tone. My voice rose higher every second I took the view in.
“Sure.” Riley shrugged like he hadn’t planned any of this. Beside me in a second, he whispered in my ear, his voice oozing excitement, “C’mon!” He grabbed my hand and jumped out of the truck, dragging me with him. I got caught on the side, so he laughed then helped me climb on top of it. I hopped out, my hand still in his, and we ran to the edge of the trees.
Blurs of green and brown passed by as we ran through the forest. I briefly wondered where we were going before I saw it. Another, larger clearing loomed up before us: I could tell by the patch of light that was blinding me. In a few short minutes we’d be there. I was surprised my endurance hadn’t deflated by now, but I guessed excitement and anxiety kept me going.
“See how beautiful it is?” Riley breathed. I was staggered by that. I couldn’t even see the clearing yet, much less the beauty of it. I only knew it was ahead because of the huge patch of bright light that was massively filtering through at the edge. How could he see it? Was something wrong with my eyes? I squinted and focused again on the blinding light ahead.
Still nothing.
He’s probably just been here before. I assured myself and shook any suspicions out of my mind. I had dealt with too much lately, which must have made me alert and superstitious.
I mean, learning that your closest friend, dream guy, and prime crush is something . . . non-human is a little much. Not to mention, frequent attacks on your person take a toll on you. (I had survived a few more in the past few weeks.) And then the invisible line that linked the two was frightening.
A bit hard to swallow, don’t you think?
My mind was deep in thought, mulling over this, so I didn’t even register what was going on around me. When I did finally become aware of my surroundings, I was on the ground in the clearing, tall flowering grass swaying around me. Riley was beside me in the grass, his head leaned against a rock. He was staring up at the sky, one ankle rested on the other knee. So, there we reclined, his eyes on the sky, my eyes trained on him. I stared at him for a few more minutes, memorizing the strands of blonde in his hair, the ghost of a smile on his lips, the faint blue that glinted in his eyes. I gazed like that for some time, until he caught my eye.
“You’ve been staring at me.” he declared, stating the obvious. The faint smile was growing wider --- into the lopsided smirk he reserved only for me. Or was my mind playing tricks on me?
I waved it off like it was nothing. I hoped he’d fall for it. I mean, it wasn’t like I stared at him that intensely.
I hoped I hadn’t.
“So, how’s life?” he asked suddenly.
I was taken aback for a few seconds. “Nice diversion. Quite the conversation starter,” I commented.
“Just answer the question.” He grinned.
I pondered that for a moment, mockingly holding a finger to my chin. “Hmm . . . Can’t complain.” I replied, grinning back. Actually, I could complain, but I won’t. I folded my hands behind my head. “But I do have one question . . .” He inclined his head my way, urging me to continue. “Your truck back there, is ---?“
He cut me off before I could even ask the question. “A 1973 Ford Bronco? Why yes, yes it is.” He boasted, chuckling. “I have a thing for classic Fords.”
I laughed. “Wasn’t the question I was going to ask, but okay!” I flipped my ponytail up above my head so I could lay it flat on my arms. I don’t know why I did my hair tonight. It was going to be completely messy again by the time we were done. But I was grateful that I didn’t have the clip in my hair anymore.
“And what would that question be, my friend?” Riley inquired, folding his arms behind his head himself.
I crossed my ankles, glancing at him then gazing at the sky. “Well, the truck’s a little small, isn’t it?”
He sat up, apparently offended by my reference to any insult of his truck. “She may be small, but she’s got attitude.” He reclined himself back on the rock again, sighing dreamily.
I arched one eyebrow, stealing a glance at him. “She? Your truck’s a girl?" My tone was skeptical and disbelieving, but I was honestly curious why people had a fascination with personifying their cars.
He shrugged. “Well doesn’t every other guy dub their car a female?”
I scooted over enough to nudge him playfully. “Ah. But you’re taken.” Both our grins grew at this.
He rolled over onto his elbow to gaze at me. Oh! Why does he have to make his gaze so intense? “So, I’m already taken, huh?”
I couldn’t escape his gaze. His eyes were locked with mine. I turned onto my side to return his gaze. “For tonight you are.”
He raised his eyebrows, considering that fact. “But we haven’t even started the date yet.” he explained, sitting up fully now.
I bolted upright. “So you did plan this!” All I needed was that confirmation. Suddenly it all clicked, the cologne, the clues, this.
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “So what? But not this part of it. I just remembered this when we came across it and thought you’d like it.”
“It’s beautiful.” I breathed, surveying my surroundings once again. It expanded several miles in every direction, with red flowers popping up every now and then --- some in bunches, others in sparse patches. On the edges of the clearing were meagerly placed trees that multiplied the farther you looked. A few little hills rolled up and down the clearing --- one of which we were on ---, topping it off with a meadow-like look.
I couldn’t get over the breadth of it. It was a striking expanse of nature that rested here, awaiting someone to call it their own, but hidden from the world. And it was ours for this moment.
“Magnificently beautiful.” Riley finally sighed, once again reaching over to stroke my face. “Like you.” He held my eyes in his intense stare, but his hand never left my face. His smoldering gaze was disorienting me; he was already boggling my mind.
The moment didn’t last long enough.
“Here, I’ll show you where the real date is.” His hand dropped from my face, then entwined with mine. Before I even had time to regain my senses, we were running across the clearing toward the forest.
I really wished that one moment had lasted a little longer.
In no time, we were apparently at our destination. How did I know? Riley grinned . . .
. . . Then started scaling the tree.
I figured --- and I turned out to be right --- that Riley wanted me to follow him. So I threw my arms around the trunk and shimmied up as best as I could. I was glad I hadn’t worn heels to the date. Not that I would, but I was still comforted by that fact. I had slipped on a pair of casual black sandals before running downstairs. Not the best for tree-climbing, but better than heels.
Riley ascended up and up the tree like he’d been born for this. I’d never seen someone climb so nimbly and lithely. After him, up I . . . I guess clambered would be the right term.
I looked pathetic behind him.
When he finally reached the top --- and I managed to heave myself over a lower branch ---, Riley surveyed his surroundings then swung down to seat himself beside me. After helping me fully onto the large branch, he asked, “Having fun?” a grin in his voice. I forced a smile.
“Trying to.” My voice came out cracked and dry. I winced at it. “I’m a tad bit afraid of heights.” Suddenly the tree seemed a hundred feet tall.
I think he bounced the branch on purpose.
“Not for me.” he chuckled, bouncing the branch even more. “It comes natural for me. You know, nature and all.” He slung his arm around my shoulders and gave me a reassuring squeeze. “You’re fine. You’re not going to fall.” His arm stayed there for a few more seconds as he watched my stationary face melt to contentment.
“I do have another question, though.” I turned to face him. He cocked his head and waited. “If you knew we were going to be romping around in clearings and climbing trees, why’d you wear” I indicated his apparel with one unwavering finger. “. . . this?” I scrunched up my face in confusion.
He laughed uncontrollably. “Easy.” he declared, getting control. “To throw you off!” I gave him the look of death and the laughter started up again. I glared even harder.
“So, how are you liking it so far?” he intervened.
I kept up my glare. “Don’t divert me. You know I’m going to kill you for that.”
He snickered. “Yeah. But I figure ‘Hey! Why not divert her now, then let her kill you later?’“ Riley proposed, holding back another grin.
I shrugged. “Can’t argue with that logic.” My glare dissipating, I continued. “To answer your question, I’m loving it. But, thanks to you . . .” I elbowed him in the ribs. He winced at that and jumped sideways a bit, shaking the branch again. “. . . I’m not exactly dressed for this sort of thing.” My glare flickered in my eyes yet again just as quickly as it had before. “I’m still going to kill you for that later.”
He nodded infinitesimally. “Point made.” Changing the subject again, he looked about. “I come here a lot. Just sitting up in this tree, relaxing. It’s a great way to spend the day.” He puffed up proudly. “All of this is mine. From that clearing down to the edge of this forest.” He patted the branch, admiring the entire tree. “This particular tree is my favorite.”
I was in awe. “You come down here everyday? It must be a long way to come just to watch the sky.” I glanced up at it myself, mulling this over. I would probably do the same thing.
“Actually . . .” He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “My house is just around the corner.“ He pointed in its general direction. “Want to come?”
Since he had already jumped down and was beckoning me, I had no choice but to comply. I took a deep breath, then leapt off the branch. He caught me under the arms, and then twirled me around. I laughed hysterically until he set me down. Grabbing my hand, he started running with me down to the house as fast as we could.
We laughed all the way there, gasping and panting by the time we reached it. “Can’t . . . stay that long. Parents . . . not home. And . . . getting late.” Riley wheezed, doubling over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
I got the point, even though his sentences were broken. I was huffing and puffing myself. Great, now I sound like the Big Bad Wolf.
Once we had both calmed our breathing, Riley stood up straight and chivalrously guided me into the small two-story house. When we walked in, I immediately recognized the room as an average-sized kitchen. Riley sped over to the refrigerator. “Want a soda?”
I sighed desperately. “Yes, please!” I suddenly realized how hungry and thirsty I was. I hadn’t gotten a chance to eat anything before Riley picked me up. I had completely forgotten to. But I think we both heard my stomach growl dreadfully.
Riley stared at me for a few seconds, his eyebrow raised, before pulling two Coca-Cola’s from the fridge. He set them firmly on the table and eyed me again. “I could fix you dinner.” he proposed, shutting the refrigerator door.
“You cook?” I took a seat in front of the drinks at their long wood table. Riley took that as a yes and started pulling out ingredients. I set my chin on my palm and watched him as he scrambled about the kitchen, gathering supplies.
“I’ll make you my specialty.” A grin lit up his face as he pulled out a few more things. He was apparently enjoying this.
“Which would be?” I probed.
His grin took on a mischievous glint as he turned to me slowly. “You’ll see.” Once again, he had side-stepped my question entirely.
I hated it when he did that.
“What is it with you and making me wait?” I narrowed my eyes at him angrily as I pouted about the whole matter. I wasn’t getting out of this without whining at least a little. Maybe he’d crack.
“Oh, I assure you. It’s well worth the wait.” The mischievous glint intensified and seemed to glaze over his eyes as well. I didn’t like the look of this.
For the next ten minutes, I watched Riley stirring, then pouring, and then gathering another ingredient. I started to get a bit curious as to what he was making as he pulled a few seasonings from a shelf in the pantry. So, I waltzed over to him and peeked over his shoulder as he stirred. “What’cha making?” I inquired, interested. I stood up on my tiptoes to get a better look at what he was stirring in the huge pot.
He laughed and pushed my head down. Pouting, I crossed my arms and made my bottom lip protrude pitifully. Still laughing, he peeped over his shoulder to gaze into my eyes again. My lip slowly resumed its normal position, and my arms gradually uncrossed to lifelessly hang at my sides while his gaze intensified. “As I said, Rosette Willows, you shall see. But, if you’re really that curious.” He drawled out the word ‘that’ so appealingly that I had to come look at what he was doing when he beckoned me over.
Peering over his shoulder, I finally saw what he was making. It was a tall pot, filled with some kind of red sauce-like stuff. He looked at me and laughed again, pulling me around him to his side so I didn’t have to stretch to see. “What exactly is it?” I queried, my curiosity escalating. I stared up at his eyes as he worked. The colors hidden in them seemed to glow as brightly as he did with happiness. Apparently, his mind was in his work --- and enjoying every second of it.
“I told you I’d make you my specialty.” He swept his hand above the pot. “And that’s what I’m doing.” He grinned, gauging my reaction to distinguish if I’d caught on yet.
“A . . . sauce?” He had lost me. I was slightly boggled at this point. I don’t know why the fact that it was a sauce had confused me.
I guessed it was another one of my off moments.
He gave me a look. I think that was supposed to tell me something. But, like I said, I was having an off moment yet again. “To go on something, Rosette!” he finally huffed, exasperated.
I was the pinnacle of disappointment for everyone, wasn’t I?
“Spaghetti?!” I had finally gotten it. Took me long enough. Now, I was excited. I loved spaghetti! Was this another one of my ditzy moments? Or was I just a little too perky? Freakishly perky . . .
After he had boiled the noodles and added his own special touch to the sauce, we fixed our plates of spaghetti and seated ourselves at the table with our drinks. I had hardly touched mine; I had been preoccupied with watching and studying Riley. “No meatballs?” I questioned out of the blue.
His face was priceless. For a few seconds he just stared at me, fork in midair. Then, he abruptly stood up inquiring, “You want some?” He immediately dashed over to the cabinet and started pulling out ingredient after ingredient.
“No, no, no! I was kidding.” I held up my hands defensively. “A joke.” I stared at him sincerely, my hands still in the air.
He halted and gazed at me a few more seconds after that. “Okay. But seriously, do you want some? I can whip up a batch re---“
“No, no, no!” I reiterated, beckoning him to sit down. “Eat. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” I beckoned until he neared the table.
“Oh, it’s no trouble!” he assured me. “It’s easy. I just---“
I cut him off once again. This time with a glare. He sat down soon after.

Soon enough, after an hour of laughs and smiles --- and delightfully wonderful, delicious food! (Riley was a splendid cook.) --- it was getting too late for us to even tour the house.
“Don’t worry.” Riley had guaranteed me. “You’ll see the rest of the house next time.”
“There’s going to be a next time?” My tone had been skeptical, but I had been screaming in joy internally. Next time?!
“Well” he had posed. “we’re still friends, aren’t we? You’ll be coming over to my house as a friend anyway!” His face had grown mockingly serious before he spoke again. “Nothing’s changed. We are still friends, aren’t we?” His tone had been comically dramatic, so I knew how to answer.
“Of course not! We’re worst enemies.”
Shortly after this, we had run, hand in hand, through the forest and the clearing, tripping and laughing, all the way to the car.
I smiled on that memory as we pulled up into my driveway. The ride home had been way too short. The abrupt end to this wonderful night was disappointing. It had been remarkable.
But I knew, however amazing a day it was, the sun always had to set.
As Riley walked me to the door, I reminisced over tonight, memorizing every detail, etching it in my mind so that I would never forget. A final smile graced his lips as we reached the steps that led up to the door. “Guess this is it.” he acknowledged, looking down and shuffling his feet. “Until next time, Miss Willows.” he uttered chivalrously, gently taking my hand in his as he raised it to his lips. His eyes never released mine as he gingerly kissed my knuckles before slowly letting go.
My arm drooped down to my side as I turned to watch him trail off to his truck. My hand was still closed in a placid fist, but when I sensed something curled up in it, I lifted it to my face. My eyes searched my hand as I slowly released my clasped fingers.
Lying there on my palm was a small leather bracelet.

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Chapter 4
Of course I would support Everett! Why wouldn’t I?! I cursed myself for even starting to doubt my disapproval of him. Whatever he was, I would support him. I could be sure of that.
I was snapped out of my thoughts by Riley’s voice. “Are you okay? You look terrified, and you’ve been off in your own world for quite some time. What’s been wrong with you lately? I’ve been worried --- really worried --- about you.” He whispered all this to me even though we had the table to ourselves. (Mitchell’s group evidently didn’t notice or need us anymore.)
I smiled gratefully at his concern. He was so caring and protective of me, which I needed in my only friend. “I’m fine. Just . . . something’s been on my mind.” I bit my lip, contemplating whether to tell him.
I fought against myself, half of me screaming “Tell him!” but the other half gently charging me to keep Everett’s secret (would that be what to call it?) just that, a secret. I didn’t know which side to obey with them both demanding at once.
I wondered briefly if I was developing a split personality.
“Well, what is it?” He leaned closer. “You can tell me.” he assured me, lowering his voice even further. His eyes searched my face, hardened in apparent concern for my state. “I’ve really been wanting to know what’s bothering you.” He scooted his chair closer, and I can’t say I completely resisted or disliked our minute proximity.
“I really can’t tell you . . . a-at this moment.” I cursed myself for tacking on those last three words. Now, I had to tell him eventually.
Crud.
A smile seemed to tug the corners of his lips slightly upward. He looked away at the window and drummed his fingers on the table, apparently in thought about something. He seemed tense, so I touched his shoulder in an effort to comfort him. He immediately turned to me, his lips now parted in a wide grin. His brunette hair was hanging over his noticeably brighter eyes, and he blew a strand of it away.
“Then, if you please, we can talk about it on our date tonight.” He was no longer tense, but eager. And his eyes were no longer hardened in concern, but brightened in anticipation.
My hand dropped from his shoulder limply. I was completely speechless. I had no idea what to say or to do. I just froze.
. . . And stopped breathing . . .
. . . And dropped my fork.
Riley and I both stared down at the fork as it clattered loudly onto the linoleum floor. Our eyes stayed there a few moments before they slowly rose and locked with each other. Oh, why’d I have to go and stare into his eyes?!
It wasn’t like I didn’t want to go on a date with Riley. It wasn’t like I didn’t feel anything more for him. I was sure I did. I had a crush, at least. But this . . . this was a moment I had not expected to ever happen, even though I had perceived the symptoms that Riley had something more than friendship in mind.
So, all I could do was stare for a moment, as the brightness gradually left his eyes --- a simple reaction to my reluctance. I finally started breathing again and at last, I managed a nod. “Yes, yes. Sure!” I was suddenly so joyful that it caught me off guard. I was knocked by a wave of happiness that was overwhelming. Maybe because it was my first date.
Or boyfriend, for that matter.
I will never be able to describe the joy that washed over Riley’s face at that moment. The widest grin I had ever seen him smile spread across his face, stretching from ear to ear. He suddenly snatched me up into a huge bear hug, and I had no choice but to comply. “Thank you!” he whispered eagerly over and over again.
And I was pleased I had finally made Riley this happy.
But soon, I realized there was this thing called breathing, and his iron grasp was restricting me from performing it. “Can’t breathe, can’t breathe, can’t breathe!” I whispered frantically, gasping for air.
“Oh, sorry.” He sighed and set me down, scratching the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. He pushed back his nappy hair and sighed in relief. “I’m just so happy you agreed. I mean, it was sort of . . . sudden and, uh . . . pushy.” He scratched his neck again, looking down regretfully.
“Oh no! Not at all, Riley!” I assured him, waving my hands for affect. I instantly perked up, cocking my head to the side optimistically. “So, what time and where?” I demanded with a flirty wink that came out like more of an eye twitch. Dang, am I horrible at this...
He was a bit baffled for a second. “I, uh, never really got that far. I didn’t really think you would even agree.” He looked down again, beating the toe of his sneaker on the ground. “I mean, me, and then . . . you . . . Well, I ---“
I cut him off before he could finish. “You thought we wouldn’t be good together.” I finished sympathetically.
He seemed nervous again. “Yeah, that.” He turned away, so I ruffled his hair.
“Aw. Don’t think that.” I comforted him in a compassionate tone. “You don’t see how alike we really are. I mean, look at us.” I turned around and began pacing back and forth. “We sit by ourselves together, we’re both completely unnoticed ---“ He interrupted me with a muffled phrase that sounded like ‘Don’t remind me . . .’ “we both have a shy nature, we both enjoy our privacy, we also both choose not to be noticed, we both think we don’t belong with others.” I looked at him and he grinned.
“You’ve just got to bring that up, don’t you?” He narrowed his eyes as he turned to face me. “You’re not going to let me forget it, are you?” He grunted. “Knew I shouldn’t have said that. Stupid leverage for you to use . . .” he grumbled.
It was entertaining to see him annoyed with the fact that we truly did work as a couple, and I actually started laughing. He glowered at me with his piercing greenish eyes, but, after a few seconds, he burst into laughter too. We couldn’t help ourselves. It was enormously amusing for some reason we couldn’t figure out.

But soon enough, lunch ended and we had to go to class. The day was suddenly much brighter than it had been before I talked to Riley. We figured out a time and place and I was extremely excited for the date. One, because, of course, it was my first (which made it incredibly remarkable anyway), and two, because it wasn’t your regular run-of-the-mill date. This was unbelievably different. Or . . . from what Riley told me it was.
And it was going to be fun.
Class blew by as usual, passing me at an extraordinary speed, and I was prepared to race home and be glamorized. The bus driver didn’t seem to travel fast enough as I sat on the edge of my seat, biting my nails in eagerness the whole way.
Mitchell stared at me, one eyebrow expertly arched, as my anxiety increased. I glanced over at least once to give him a look, but his gaze only got more questioning. I didn’t really care at this point: I was going on my first date!
I was extremely excited as I blew in through the door --- and highly relieved it was Friday. After tossing my backpack onto one of the kitchen chairs --- almost making it skid across the room ---, I bounded up the stairs, my mom yelling after me. I hastily yelled back what had happened, which made her burst into a chorus of high-pitched squeals in approval.

I was ready to be dolled up and made over. So excited I could have burst! I threw clothes from my closet in handfuls, trying to find something extraordinary and unique. Almost to the end of my mundane line of apparel, I sighed in utter disappointment. There was just nothing to wear, was there? As I was about to slam the doors in agony, I spotted a top I’d overlooked.
I hastily pulled it out of the dark reaches of my closet and gasped at the thought that I’d even bought something like this. It was a silver sort of satiny material. Falling in fold after luminous fold, it was a miracle to find any wonder like this in my usually-drab apparel. I quickly undressed, and then gently pulled it over my head. It fit like a tank top, but I was eager to spy my reflection.
After finding and hastily donning a pair of long, elegant black pants, I hurried over to my full-length vanity (We were a bit old fashioned, so our house was filled with antiques --- which I really didn’t mind.). I looked like a totally different person; now for the make-up.
I cringed.
You have to do this. I convinced myself. I didn’t necessarily need make-up, but I guess I just felt I did since it was my first date --- and serious crush. I slowly progressed to the bathroom, and then dug underneath the sink for the make-up bag filled with cosmetics my mom had bought for me. Shuddering, I raised a brush covered in blush to my cheek, but I couldn’t bear to put it on. I couldn't even begin to wonder how. I set it down, sighing. There was only one person to accomplish this task . . .
“Mom!” I hollered, bounding down the stairs speedily.
“Yes honey?” Apparently her eyes were still glued to the television, as she insinuated by her absentminded tone. I cleared the last step and ran into the living room in such a rush I almost gave her a heart attack. She shot from her chair as I dashed in through the doorway. She panted, panicked, and then stared at me, wide-eyed. I couldn’t get the words to form as she stared at me, eyes still widened in shock. I didn’t know how to phrase it; I’d never asked her anything like this before. As I pondered this, the panic dissipated from her eyes and her shocked countenance deflated.
“Well?” she probed, expecting my answer. That same “mom look” replaced the panic as she resumed her position in the chair. She finally turned off the TV after searching my eyes for the answer. Just a wisp of her maple hair slithered its way down to her nose and was fiercely swept away. Apparently, she still had the alert affects of panic.
“I-I need help getting ready for . . . um . . . my date.” I sputtered out.
Her initial reaction was the motherly “Oh! You want me to help you!” emotions and proceeding excitement. But, next --- and more terrible --- came the determination. She had a whole make-up kit! (At least it seemed like it.) I was surprised at her stash of cosmetics and her expertise of using them. And after a full eight minutes (it seemed like twenty!) I was gazing in the mirror at a wholly glamorized me.
I was utterly surprised by my appearance. It practically wasn’t even me! I hardly recognized myself, so I knew Riley wouldn’t. I could just see him now, mouth agape, at his first glimpse of me.
This would be amusing . . .
I turned to my mom with a wide grin on my face. She embraced me in one of her big bear hugs and suddenly a wave of complete excitement washed over me. Two down, one to go.

I gazed at my hair in the long vanity, trying to determine what I should do with it. I lifted up bunches of it, glaring at my reflection disgustedly. What was I supposed to do with my disheveled locks? Spotting a hairclip on my low dresser, I sprinted over and discovered an elastic hair tie beside it. Overjoyed, I jumped at the idea that had just now popped into my head. I whipped my hair into a not-too-high-but-not-very-low ponytail, and then deftly twirled it up into the clip.
Gazing at my reflection, I nodded in approval. It would do. I ran down the stairs to grab my jacket off the old-fashioned coat hanger. After shoving it on, I pulled a chair over to the doorway and plopped down, anxiously awaiting Riley’s arrival.
The whole wardrobe-makeup-hair makeover had lasted about an hour and a half. He was planning to pick me up at six o’clock, but, still, I waited, biting at my nails in complete agony of suspense. There was one huge cause of this.
I had no idea where we were going.
Sure Riley had told me it was going to be fun --- and different --- but, um, he hadn’t exactly mentioned where this fun was to ensue. I had no inkling or even guess whatsoever of what it could be.
So, there I sat, waiting by the door, chewing my fingernails in anxiety --- an hour before anything would happen.
Throughout the course of the next ten minutes, my mom kept glancing up at me, her looks getting more and more irritated every second. She leaned against the doorway from the kitchen to the living room, gazing at me with those fierce icy eyes. I glanced back at her occasionally, getting more confused at her look as my anxiety rose. Finally, after ten minutes, she blurted out, “Alright!”
I swear I jumped three feet.
“We are doing something with your hair.” She pushed herself from the doorway and traveled over to tower in front of me. “You have almost a whole hour left! And you’re spending it sitting here, waiting?!” She put her hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes, crouching down. “He’s not going to come any sooner.” She straightened up and started for the stairs. “Come along, come along.”

After brushing, screaming, curling, resisting, curling, more brushing, curling, whining, complaining, and even more curling, my hair was finally done. Staring at my reflection, I acknowledged that --- once again --- it looked nothing like me. My mom patted my back and grinned, and then left the room, sighing “Now, there’s a hairdo.”
The minute she left the room, I checked myself in the mirror again. Yeah, I indisputably did not resemble me. I had to make the person in the mirror look slightly like myself. I ran into my room and scanned the area for any help in forming an idea to make my soft, bouncy curls more . . . me.
After a few seconds, I found an elastic much like the last one. Standing in front of my vanity, I deftly looped my hair through it and smiled at the finished product.
“Now this is my hairdo.” It hung limply, just below the crown of my head. The ends flipped out, pixie-like at the bottom, with veins of corkscrew curls trailing from top to bottom. Tiny tendrils hung down around my face, framing it beautifully. At least this hairstyle was more me.
. . . A fancy me.
Once again, I smiled. The excitement was returning. Only half an hour now . . .

The second the doorbell rang, my heart sped up. As I slowly rose from my seat to open the door, the palpitating never stopped. In fact, it grew faster. In that moment, I realized I wasn’t ready, and froze two steps from the door. I turned and my mom gave me an encouraging grin. Taking a deep breath, I stepped to the door.
The angel that graced me was Riley. But it couldn’t be Riley. I just couldn’t believe his appearance.
The hair was the regular nappy brunette with his signature touch of blonde, only gelled to be a bit messier. The face was Riley’s, a huge grin spread across it. I guess what threw me off was his apparel. Riley was the usual tee-shirt ’n’ jeans kind of guy. Nothing special. But what stood before me now was something special. . He was clad in a collared green shirt that brought out his now-hazel eyes and accentuated his brunette hair. It was long-sleeved and a thinner, dressier fabric than cotton. It showed off his broad shoulders and tall figure.
His pants were black jeans, yet still matched with his shirt. Apparently, the fabric made it versatile. The first two buttons of the shirt were undone, topping it off with a casual look.
Oh, but the best thing was the cologne . . .
It emanated from his form sweetly, a fragrance of the forest, with just a touch of that natural cologne smell. I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes in the process. Somehow, it was soothing. Anxiety I didn’t know I had flowed off of me like a waterfall.
It took me awhile to start breathing again. And when I finally opened my eyes, Riley was grinning. “Ready?” he queried gently.
“Of course!” I replied excitedly --- with just a touch of timidity.
We headed off to his car --- which I had yet to see --- and, in the process, he never took his eyes off me. I started to feel a little self-conscious, so I was glad my tendrils covered my face as a blush crept across it.
I finally managed to speak once we were at his car. “You clean up quite nicely.” I commented, never glancing his direction, only staring at his old, yet nice, Ford Bronco.
His tone sounded offended. “Are you insinuating that I’m dirty?” he asked incredulously. I looked up to gaze into his mockingly insulted façade. I knew he was teasing, but I decided to play along.
“What?! I never implied such a thing!” I gasped in the same playfully sarcastic way.
“Oh. I suppose you did not, then.” His head hung in fake defeat. “My apologies, Miss.”
I chuckled at his attempt to imitate some kind of Pride and Prejudice character and he smiled. He couldn’t hold it any longer either. We both burst out laughing, leaning on his car unceremoniously. When we finally got control he eyed me sincerely, appraisingly.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” His eyes gleamed with delight when another, redder, blush spread across my features. It was just that look. It gave me the chills --- in a good way.
With his eyes still on me, we both slowly got in the car. He didn’t start it up, but I was too afraid to glance over, for fear of locking with his penetrating eyes. As I glanced up randomly once, I spied my mom peering through the window and shook my head, amused. For a few minutes we sat like this before he spoke at last.
“Really, I didn’t even recognize you when you opened the door. I was staring in shock, but I guess you were too busy staring at my fabulous self to notice that.” He chuckled.
“Stop.” I muttered playfully and slapped him across the arm. He only laughed and revved up the engine.
Soon, we were flying down my small street, and then grating to a halt at the four-way stop that ended my neighborhood. He snickered once again and I shot him an irritated look he didn’t seem to catch. Possibly intentionally.
Things were a little quiet for a few seconds, but that ended quickly. “So, you were enthralled with me, right?” He looked over at me comically as we pulled up to a stoplight. “ . . . Again.” he added.
We were at a standstill, so I had no choice but to answer him. There were no distractions I could think of. Shoot . . . “Yeah, I guess so.” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at my response. “Okay, okay! Yes, I was enthralled by you!” He grinned, apparently pleased very much by my revision of the comment. “For a minute I was debating whether it was you or not.” I looked down and blushed. “But what really got me was the cologne.” Glancing up at him, I grinned back widely. “It’s hypnotic . . .”
He seemed thrilled with that response. Once again, I was glad to make him cheerful. His happiness was somehow contagious. “Well, this cologne just seemed fitting considering where we’re going.” We started moving again as the impatient line of cars shuffled forward.
He had me baffled now. Okay, it had something to do with his cologne. Ugh, what was the smell to it again? I tried to recall the soothing aroma that I had loved to inhale those few short seconds. But, I couldn’t.
This made me mad.
“Now, I’m lost.” I confessed.
Riley grinned still wider, if that was even possible. “Good.” he replied simply. That had me steaming. Why did he not want me to know? The element of surprise must’ve been a very key factor of this first date.
That still didn’t make me any happier.
As we pulled up to another stoplight, Riley glanced over --- but kept his eyes on me. He stared at me for quite a while. So long I was shocked the light hadn’t changed yet. What was taking so long?!
“I was a bit enthralled with you.” He amended before I even had time to give him a look. “Okay, a lot. I was very enthralled with you.” I still hadn’t met his eyes yet, but when I finally did, his gaze was intense and thorough. “You look beautiful tonight.”
I tried to avoid his stare, but I couldn’t seem to unlock my eyes from his. A tomato-red blush swept across my face quickly --- and stayed, much to my dismay. His hand stretched across to stroke my face lightly.
My heart sped up.
“I shouldn’t even be able to recognize you tonight.” He chuckled. “But a little bit of Rosette still peeks through.” Suddenly, quickly, so that I had no time to react, he leaned over to plant a hasty peck on my cheek. Just as quickly, he pulled away. “Sorry, I’m sorry!” he apologized worriedly, holding his hands up in defense. “Right. Not on the first date.”
It had taken me off-guard. I tried to steady my breathing and my heart. Looking away as much as I could, I grunted pathetically in response. Things were quiet for a long while after that.
Every now and then, I stole a glance over at him. And each time, his expression seemed to be even more disconcerted. I wanted to tell him I was fine, that he had only given me a complete heart attack, and that those butterflies were just kicked slightly into overdrive, but I couldn’t get the words to leave my mouth. Frequently I would open it to force the words out --- or any sounds for that matter --- but would eventually give up on the struggle.
After a full five minutes, the silence seemed to cause lunacy. Riley turned on the radio in an attempt to throw background music into the mix. But after discovering it was a love song playing, he hastily mashed the button until it shut off. “Well, that was awkward.” he uttered frankly.
“Slightly.” was all I could force out. My throat was still tightened, and my vocal chords inert. This was getting annoying.
“Once again, sorry.” Riley apologized yet again.
That was getting annoying as well.
I finally found my voice when we paused to pull up to our apparent destination. As Riley turned off the car and was about to open his door, I spoke up. “Riley?”
He unenthusiastically halted.
I finally declared what I’d been trying to for the past fifteen minutes. “Look, I was just shocked. I wasn’t expecting it. Not refusing, stunned. You gave me a heart attack and my nervous butterflies were kicked into overdrive . . .” He snickered at that part. “. . . but other than that, I’m fine.” He grinned. “So yeah, now my heart is in super-turbo mode.” This time he snickered even harder. “. . . For lack of a better word, that is.” I added.
His snickering slowed a bit as he asked, “So, you’re fine then?” He sounded genuinely concerned even though there was still that edge of amusement in his voice. I smiled at his concern, but still managed to give him a look before I answered.
“Sure, I’m fine!” I exclaimed. “It was fine. Just . . . shocking, and . . . sudden.” I commented, scrunching my face in deep thought. I tucked one of my tendrils behind my ear.
“I have a knack for being . . . shocking, and . . . sudden, don’t I?” Riley chuckled, a grin spreading across his face again. He swiftly slipped out of the car and slammed the door shut. I glared at him through the tinted windows then struggled to unbuckle my seat-belt. By the time I got out, Riley was in the bed of the truck, leaning back against the window. I threw my leg over the side, starting to climb in. “Uh-uh,” he ordered, wagging his finger at me. “I was just waiting for you. We have a date.” The last word was dripping with implications and excitement.
I managed to flip myself over the side anyway, and he gave me a disapproving look. He scooted over to make room for me though. I made myself comfortable, and then, after making sure we weren’t too close --- I was still nervous about that ---, I asked the question that had been itching at the back of my mind. “Well, where are we having it?” I had forced a little bit of a flirty tone to it, but the truth was I was getting quite frustrated with this whole surprise concept. I tried to smile, but I was grimacing on the inside in agony of suspense.
Certainly he could tell me this time! Surely there was no surprise left, right? But the way he grinned told me he was probably going to avoid it again. He inclined his head to my surroundings, and the grin grew broader. His eyes encouraged me to look around, so I did.
I got a shock.
“Here?” It was beautiful. We were parked in a wide clearing, presumably in the midst of a forest. “Here?” I repeated, disbelief creeping up into my tone. My voice rose higher every second I took the view in.
“Sure.” Riley shrugged like he hadn’t planned any of this. Beside me in a second, he whispered in my ear, his voice oozing excitement, “C’mon!” He grabbed my hand and jumped out of the truck, dragging me with him. I got caught on the side, so he laughed then helped me climb on top of it. I hopped out, my hand still in his, and we ran to the edge of the trees.
Blurs of green and brown passed by as we ran through the forest. I briefly wondered where we were going before I saw it. Another, larger clearing loomed up before us: I could tell by the patch of light that was blinding me. In a few short minutes we’d be there. I was surprised my endurance hadn’t deflated by now, but I guessed excitement and anxiety kept me going.
“See how beautiful it is?” Riley breathed. I was staggered by that. I couldn’t even see the clearing yet, much less the beauty of it. I only knew it was ahead because of the huge patch of bright light that was massively filtering through at the edge. How could he see it? Was something wrong with my eyes? I squinted and focused again on the blinding light ahead.
Still nothing.
He’s probably just been here before. I assured myself and shook any suspicions out of my mind. I had dealt with too much lately, which must have made me alert and superstitious.
I mean, learning that your closest friend, dream guy, and prime crush is something . . . non-human is a little much. Not to mention, frequent attacks on your person take a toll on you. (I had survived a few more in the past few weeks.) And then the invisible line that linked the two was frightening.
A bit hard to swallow, don’t you think?
My mind was deep in thought, mulling over this, so I didn’t even register what was going on around me. When I did finally become aware of my surroundings, I was on the ground in the clearing, tall flowering grass swaying around me. Riley was beside me in the grass, his head leaned against a rock. He was staring up at the sky, one ankle rested on the other knee. So, there we reclined, his eyes on the sky, my eyes trained on him. I stared at him for a few more minutes, memorizing the strands of blonde in his hair, the ghost of a smile on his lips, the faint blue that glinted in his eyes. I gazed like that for some time, until he caught my eye.
“You’ve been staring at me.” he declared, stating the obvious. The faint smile was growing wider --- into the lopsided smirk he reserved only for me. Or was my mind playing tricks on me?
I waved it off like it was nothing. I hoped he’d fall for it. I mean, it wasn’t like I stared at him that intensely.
I hoped I hadn’t.
“So, how’s life?” he asked suddenly.
I was taken aback for a few seconds. “Nice diversion. Quite the conversation starter,” I commented.
“Just answer the question.” He grinned.
I pondered that for a moment, mockingly holding a finger to my chin. “Hmm . . . Can’t complain.” I replied, grinning back. Actually, I could complain, but I won’t. I folded my hands behind my head. “But I do have one question . . .” He inclined his head my way, urging me to continue. “Your truck back there, is ---?“
He cut me off before I could even ask the question. “A 1973 Ford Bronco? Why yes, yes it is.” He boasted, chuckling. “I have a thing for classic Fords.”
I laughed. “Wasn’t the question I was going to ask, but okay!” I flipped my ponytail up above my head so I could lay it flat on my arms. I don’t know why I did my hair tonight. It was going to be completely messy again by the time we were done. But I was grateful that I didn’t have the clip in my hair anymore.
“And what would that question be, my friend?” Riley inquired, folding his arms behind his head himself.
I crossed my ankles, glancing at him then gazing at the sky. “Well, the truck’s a little small, isn’t it?”
He sat up, apparently offended by my reference to any insult of his truck. “She may be small, but she’s got attitude.” He reclined himself back on the rock again, sighing dreamily.
I arched one eyebrow, stealing a glance at him. “She? Your truck’s a girl?" My tone was skeptical and disbelieving, but I was honestly curious why people had a fascination with personifying their cars.
He shrugged. “Well doesn’t every other guy dub their car a female?”
I scooted over enough to nudge him playfully. “Ah. But you’re taken.” Both our grins grew at this.
He rolled over onto his elbow to gaze at me. Oh! Why does he have to make his gaze so intense? “So, I’m already taken, huh?”
I couldn’t escape his gaze. His eyes were locked with mine. I turned onto my side to return his gaze. “For tonight you are.”
He raised his eyebrows, considering that fact. “But we haven’t even started the date yet.” he explained, sitting up fully now.
I bolted upright. “So you did plan this!” All I needed was that confirmation. Suddenly it all clicked, the cologne, the clues, this.
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “So what? But not this part of it. I just remembered this when we came across it and thought you’d like it.”
“It’s beautiful.” I breathed, surveying my surroundings once again. It expanded several miles in every direction, with red flowers popping up every now and then --- some in bunches, others in sparse patches. On the edges of the clearing were meagerly placed trees that multiplied the farther you looked. A few little hills rolled up and down the clearing --- one of which we were on ---, topping it off with a meadow-like look.
I couldn’t get over the breadth of it. It was a striking expanse of nature that rested here, awaiting someone to call it their own, but hidden from the world. And it was ours for this moment.
“Magnificently beautiful.” Riley finally sighed, once again reaching over to stroke my face. “Like you.” He held my eyes in his intense stare, but his hand never left my face. His smoldering gaze was disorienting me; he was already boggling my mind.
The moment didn’t last long enough.
“Here, I’ll show you where the real date is.” His hand dropped from my face, then entwined with mine. Before I even had time to regain my senses, we were running across the clearing toward the forest.
I really wished that one moment had lasted a little longer.
In no time, we were apparently at our destination. How did I know? Riley grinned . . .
. . . Then started scaling the tree.
I figured --- and I turned out to be right --- that Riley wanted me to follow him. So I threw my arms around the trunk and shimmied up as best as I could. I was glad I hadn’t worn heels to the date. Not that I would, but I was still comforted by that fact. I had slipped on a pair of casual black sandals before running downstairs. Not the best for tree-climbing, but better than heels.
Riley ascended up and up the tree like he’d been born for this. I’d never seen someone climb so nimbly and lithely. After him, up I . . . I guess clambered would be the right term.
I looked pathetic behind him.
When he finally reached the top --- and I managed to heave myself over a lower branch ---, Riley surveyed his surroundings then swung down to seat himself beside me. After helping me fully onto the large branch, he asked, “Having fun?” a grin in his voice. I forced a smile.
“Trying to.” My voice came out cracked and dry. I winced at it. “I’m a tad bit afraid of heights.” Suddenly the tree seemed a hundred feet tall.
I think he bounced the branch on purpose.
“Not for me.” he chuckled, bouncing the branch even more. “It comes natural for me. You know, nature and all.” He slung his arm around my shoulders and gave me a reassuring squeeze. “You’re fine. You’re not going to fall.” His arm stayed there for a few more seconds as he watched my stationary face melt to contentment.
“I do have another question, though.” I turned to face him. He cocked his head and waited. “If you knew we were going to be romping around in clearings and climbing trees, why’d you wear” I indicated his apparel with one unwavering finger. “. . . this?” I scrunched up my face in confusion.
He laughed uncontrollably. “Easy.” he declared, getting control. “To throw you off!” I gave him the look of death and the laughter started up again. I glared even harder.
“So, how are you liking it so far?” he intervened.
I kept up my glare. “Don’t divert me. You know I’m going to kill you for that.”
He snickered. “Yeah. But I figure ‘Hey! Why not divert her now, then let her kill you later?’“ Riley proposed, holding back another grin.
I shrugged. “Can’t argue with that logic.” My glare dissipating, I continued. “To answer your question, I’m loving it. But, thanks to you . . .” I elbowed him in the ribs. He winced at that and jumped sideways a bit, shaking the branch again. “. . . I’m not exactly dressed for this sort of thing.” My glare flickered in my eyes yet again just as quickly as it had before. “I’m still going to kill you for that later.”
He nodded infinitesimally. “Point made.” Changing the subject again, he looked about. “I come here a lot. Just sitting up in this tree, relaxing. It’s a great way to spend the day.” He puffed up proudly. “All of this is mine. From that clearing down to the edge of this forest.” He patted the branch, admiring the entire tree. “This particular tree is my favorite.”
I was in awe. “You come down here everyday? It must be a long way to come just to watch the sky.” I glanced up at it myself, mulling this over. I would probably do the same thing.
“Actually . . .” He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “My house is just around the corner.“ He pointed in its general direction. “Want to come?”
Since he had already jumped down and was beckoning me, I had no choice but to comply. I took a deep breath, then leapt off the branch. He caught me under the arms, and then twirled me around. I laughed hysterically until he set me down. Grabbing my hand, he started running with me down to the house as fast as we could.
We laughed all the way there, gasping and panting by the time we reached it. “Can’t . . . stay that long. Parents . . . not home. And . . . getting late.” Riley wheezed, doubling over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
I got the point, even though his sentences were broken. I was huffing and puffing myself. Great, now I sound like the Big Bad Wolf.
Once we had both calmed our breathing, Riley stood up straight and chivalrously guided me into the small two-story house. When we walked in, I immediately recognized the room as an average-sized kitchen. Riley sped over to the refrigerator. “Want a soda?”
I sighed desperately. “Yes, please!” I suddenly realized how hungry and thirsty I was. I hadn’t gotten a chance to eat anything before Riley picked me up. I had completely forgotten to. But I think we both heard my stomach growl dreadfully.
Riley stared at me for a few seconds, his eyebrow raised, before pulling two Coca-Cola’s from the fridge. He set them firmly on the table and eyed me again. “I could fix you dinner.” he proposed, shutting the refrigerator door.
“You cook?” I took a seat in front of the drinks at their long wood table. Riley took that as a yes and started pulling out ingredients. I set my chin on my palm and watched him as he scrambled about the kitchen, gathering supplies.
“I’ll make you my specialty.” A grin lit up his face as he pulled out a few more things. He was apparently enjoying this.
“Which would be?” I probed.
His grin took on a mischievous glint as he turned to me slowly. “You’ll see.” Once again, he had side-stepped my question entirely.
I hated it when he did that.
“What is it with you and making me wait?” I narrowed my eyes at him angrily as I pouted about the whole matter. I wasn’t getting out of this without whining at least a little. Maybe he’d crack.
“Oh, I assure you. It’s well worth the wait.” The mischievous glint intensified and seemed to glaze over his eyes as well. I didn’t like the look of this.
For the next ten minutes, I watched Riley stirring, then pouring, and then gathering another ingredient. I started to get a bit curious as to what he was making as he pulled a few seasonings from a shelf in the pantry. So, I waltzed over to him and peeked over his shoulder as he stirred. “What’cha making?” I inquired, interested. I stood up on my tiptoes to get a better look at what he was stirring in the huge pot.
He laughed and pushed my head down. Pouting, I crossed my arms and made my bottom lip protrude pitifully. Still laughing, he peeped over his shoulder to gaze into my eyes again. My lip slowly resumed its normal position, and my arms gradually uncrossed to lifelessly hang at my sides while his gaze intensified. “As I said, Rosette Willows, you shall see. But, if you’re really that curious.” He drawled out the word ‘that’ so appealingly that I had to come look at what he was doing when he beckoned me over.
Peering over his shoulder, I finally saw what he was making. It was a tall pot, filled with some kind of red sauce-like stuff. He looked at me and laughed again, pulling me around him to his side so I didn’t have to stretch to see. “What exactly is it?” I queried, my curiosity escalating. I stared up at his eyes as he worked. The colors hidden in them seemed to glow as brightly as he did with happiness. Apparently, his mind was in his work --- and enjoying every second of it.
“I told you I’d make you my specialty.” He swept his hand above the pot. “And that’s what I’m doing.” He grinned, gauging my reaction to distinguish if I’d caught on yet.
“A . . . sauce?” He had lost me. I was slightly boggled at this point. I don’t know why the fact that it was a sauce had confused me.
I guessed it was another one of my off moments.
He gave me a look. I think that was supposed to tell me something. But, like I said, I was having an off moment yet again. “To go on something, Rosette!” he finally huffed, exasperated.
I was the pinnacle of disappointment for everyone, wasn’t I?
“Spaghetti?!” I had finally gotten it. Took me long enough. Now, I was excited. I loved spaghetti! Was this another one of my ditzy moments? Or was I just a little too perky? Freakishly perky . . .
After he had boiled the noodles and added his own special touch to the sauce, we fixed our plates of spaghetti and seated ourselves at the table with our drinks. I had hardly touched mine; I had been preoccupied with watching and studying Riley. “No meatballs?” I questioned out of the blue.
His face was priceless. For a few seconds he just stared at me, fork in midair. Then, he abruptly stood up inquiring, “You want some?” He immediately dashed over to the cabinet and started pulling out ingredient after ingredient.
“No, no, no! I was kidding.” I held up my hands defensively. “A joke.” I stared at him sincerely, my hands still in the air.
He halted and gazed at me a few more seconds after that. “Okay. But seriously, do you want some? I can whip up a batch re---“
“No, no, no!” I reiterated, beckoning him to sit down. “Eat. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” I beckoned until he neared the table.
“Oh, it’s no trouble!” he assured me. “It’s easy. I just---“
I cut him off once again. This time with a glare. He sat down soon after.

Soon enough, after an hour of laughs and smiles --- and delightfully wonderful, delicious food! (Riley was a splendid cook.) --- it was getting too late for us to even tour the house.
“Don’t worry.” Riley had guaranteed me. “You’ll see the rest of the house next time.”
“There’s going to be a next time?” My tone had been skeptical, but I had been screaming in joy internally. Next time?!
“Well” he had posed. “we’re still friends, aren’t we? You’ll be coming over to my house as a friend anyway!” His face had grown mockingly serious before he spoke again. “Nothing’s changed. We are still friends, aren’t we?” His tone had been comically dramatic, so I knew how to answer.
“Of course not! We’re worst enemies.”
Shortly after this, we had run, hand in hand, through the forest and the clearing, tripping and laughing, all the way to the car.
I smiled on that memory as we pulled up into my driveway. The ride home had been way too short. The abrupt end to this wonderful night was disappointing. It had been remarkable.
But I knew, however amazing a day it was, the sun always had to set.
As Riley walked me to the door, I reminisced over tonight, memorizing every detail, etching it in my mind so that I would never forget. A final smile graced his lips as we reached the steps that led up to the door. “Guess this is it.” he acknowledged, looking down and shuffling his feet. “Until next time, Miss Willows.” he uttered chivalrously, gently taking my hand in his as he raised it to his lips. His eyes never released mine as he gingerly kissed my knuckles before slowly letting go.
My arm drooped down to my side as I turned to watch him trail off to his truck. My hand was still closed in a placid fist, but when I sensed something curled up in it, I lifted it to my face. My eyes searched my hand as I slowly released my clasped fingers.
Lying there on my palm was a small leather bracelet.