AALIYAH
2 words.
Double date.
1 word to describe it.
Disaster.
Of course, nothing too bad actually happened, but something bad still happened.
Well, I wouldn't use the word bad. It just wasn't necessarily good either.
"You know this could quite possibly be one of the worst ideas you've had in your entire life."
"Oh no this isn't the worst like not even close. I have plenty more to come."
I rolled my eyes at her and went back to what I was doing. Right now Desirée and I were in my room getting ready.
She picked an outfit out for me because she thought of me as her personal model now.
It was a black crop top with some black straight-leg jeans along with a green varsity jacket.
I'll admit she does have good taste.
Sometimes.
"You know hate me all you want but I think we're gonna have a good time tonight."
"Oh no Des I don't hate you. I hate the ideas you come up with."
"Hate them all you want. I still consider myself a genius."
"Guess you're the only one then."
The doorbell rang and Desirée muttered something under her breath. "There's no way they're here already."
"I'm gonna go on a limb here and say there is a way considering that they're outside right now waiting on us."
"Hold on tell them I'm coming."
I went downstairs and opened the door and saw Lucas and Xavier standing by the car waiting.
I started walking closer and went to Xavier. "Desiree's coming she'll be out in a second."
He started to smile and then laughed a little. "She's never on time so I'm used to it."
Just then a door slammed behind us and I turned around to find Desirée rushing out. "Sorry guys. I just had to take care of a couple of things."
When I finally got a good look at Lucas I just noticed one thing.
We were matching.
He had on a black shirt along with some black pants and white sneakers.
And we can't forget the chain.
F me.
Why do people look extra good in all black?
But I guarantee you Desirée had something to do with this.
"You can thank me later," she whispered in my ear when she passed me.
"It's fine mi amor," Xavier said hugging her. She then kissed him on the cheek.
They're so cute.
"I'm assuming I look good based on the way you're staring at me."
"It's not good to assume things."
"Do I get a kiss on the cheek too?"
"Yeah, sure. Just let me know when you see a dog walking around here somewhere."
We walked to the car together and he opened my door for me. I don't even try to fight him at this point. It's become natural.
It's the bare minimum anyway.
When we got to the carnival we rode a couple of rides and stayed together for a little while. Sooner or later we split up like we always do.
I'm starting to think this is an every-time thing.
Lucas and I walked around for a little bit and then went to a stand. We stopped and then he said something. "Which one do you want?"
"What?" I said, turning to look at him.
"Which one of the animals do you want?"
I gave him a confused look.
"I'm gonna win one for you."
I slowly started to smile and then looked around at all the choices I had. "That one," I said while pointing at a huge light brown teddy bear.
After only 2 rounds of him trying he finally got me the one I wanted.
I'll admit I was impressed. It would've taken me at least 4 and the 5th one I'm pretty sure I would've just walked away.
"Thank you," I said smiling down at my teddy bear.
"Anything for you princess."
Princess
I immediately got butterflies when he said that. I shouldn't be having feelings like this again.
After hours of countless rides and me annoying Lucas. Along with even more stands where he kept on winning. We finally decided to go on the Ferris Wheel to end the night.
"Are you sure about the Ferris Wheel," Lucas said turning towards me, "You never know what might happen."
"Stop being like that. Just because the little elevator mishap happened doesn't mean something else will. Now come on." I said dragging him to the line
"Whatever you want." He said following behind me.
We waited in line until it was finally our turn to get on. Lucas got in first then he helped me on.
As the Ferris Wheel went up. I stared at the beautiful night sky and was amazed by the stars.
Nature really is beautiful.
I mean besides all the annoying bugs and mosquitoes.
When we got to the top it suddenly stopped moving.
Let me guess.
The Ferris Wheel stopped working.
Lucas turned towards me with an "I told you" look on his face.
"Go ahead," I said sighing.
"I told you," he said smiling at me, "Guess you're stuck with me again."
"Oh yay! I'm just jumping for joy right now."
"I know how much you love me, Aaliyah. There's no denying that."
"I'm not in denial you're just delusional."
"Am I delusional to think that you want me just as much as I want you?"
"Pretty much."
"We'll see."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. It just means we'll see."
After a couple of minutes of silence, Lucas cleared his throat and started talking about something again.
It felt good to just sit back and listen for a change. Usually, I'm doing all the talking, but I never realized how it felt to just listen.
Over time it felt like we had gotten closer, but it wasn't just a feeling. I looked down and noticed how close we had gotten.
Lucas had gone silent and when I looked back up he was staring at me. His eyes kept flickering from my eyes to my lips.
"You're beautiful you know that."
"Uh..."
All of a sudden he started leaning in towards me. He was so close that I could see the speckles of blue in his eyes.
Was this it?
Were we really about to kiss?
It's way too soon, isn't it?
When he got closer I leaned in a little too.
Suddenly there was a huge noise and I pulled away.
"Sorry folks the machine just had a little malfunction. It's all good now."
Lucas cleared his throat and slid away. Then the gap that was once there was even bigger.
The tension that was once between us wasn't there anymore. It wasn't awkwardness or anything. It was nothing.
When the Ferris Wheel got to the bottom Lucas got out first and he stuck his hand out for me to use and help me get out.
After I got off he still didn't let go of my hand.
After looking around we finally found Desirée and Xavier. They were sitting on a bench eating a funnel cake.
When we stopped in front of them Desirée looked down and noticed our hands intertwined.
She gave me a look then she smiled. I tried to unwrap our fingers but he held on tighter.
I wasn't complaining. His hands were the softest plus they were really warm.
"Where did you two go off to?" Xavier asked, smiling at Lucas.
"Oh, don't even get me started." Desirée and Xavier got up and locked their hands together. We all walked out together.
After we got back to the car Lucas opened my door for me and then went back to the driver's side.
The ride home was relaxing and enjoyable. Desiree told us about her and Xavier's adventures.
I guess Desirée was right.
I did have a good time.
The kiss that almost happened between me and Lucas was nothing more than a slip-up.
It won't happen again.
I have to stay strong because he can't know that I let him back in again. Part of me knows that he already knows. After tonight I'm sure he does now.
Stay strong Aaliyah. Stay strong.
•••
Another perfectly executed chapter (not really).
I'm a hopeless romantic so writing this chapter was so fun for me. It's like the words just flew from my brain to here.
I love Lucas and Aaliyah so much. If you knew what I knew then you would too.
Hope everything is going well!
- Samm