[Sierra's POV]
It was 6 o'clock and Sierra was supposed to be ready by 7 for Ramin to come over. Although she wasn't sure if they were staying at her place or going out somewhere. Wait... Was this a date? Suddenly she became flustered and had to rethink her whole outfit.
30 minutes later she finally decided on a casual pair of nice navy blue jeans and a tight, but not too tight, white shirt along with some converse. It was casual and if they went out for a walk she'd be fine and if they stayed inside she would also be fine.
After putting her hair up into a somewhat messy bun, she checked over her make up and everything. Oh gosh she was so anxious. Finally the time came, her doorbell rang and she took a deep breath while staring into the mirror. "Just relax, it's not a date. You're going as friends, you've known each other for one day Sierra. Just calm down and be yourself." She whispered the words to herself before leaving the bathroom and bounding to the door.
As she flung the door open, she instantly noticed Ramin's hair was nicely combed and he was wearing a white shirt, dark blue jeans and converse with a leather jacket. Besides the jacket they were matching clothes exactly.
"Really? A white shirt, dark jeans and converse for our nice night out, Sierra?" Ramin teased with a crooked smile. She rolled her eyes and slapped him hard on the shoulder.
"Ow! Hey, you didn't have to hit me so hard!" He chuckled and Sierra couldn't suppress her laughter. Composing himself, Ramin held his arm out into the hallway and held his other arm out to Sierra. "Shall we go?"
Sierra looped her arm through his and closed the door behind her, making sure it was locked before they left her apartment building.
Why wouldn't her heart stop beating so much? This wasn't a date... Well, it sort of is a date. They were matching, they were linking arms, he was taking her out somewhere. Of course this is a date!
Sierra looked up at Ramin's still smiling face and the perfect dimples he had as they walked out onto the street. Instantly the late fall air smacked into her like a brick wall. A shiver went up her spine and she could feel the hairs on her neck stand on end. No wonder Ramin was wearing that leather jacket.
"Are you alright? You can't have my jacket if you want it." Ramin started to pull his arm away to take off his jacket but Sierra didn't want that. It'd inconvenience him and he would be cold and then they couldn't keep their arms that way while he took off the jacket.
"No no no! It's fine! Keep your jacket! I'm fine, really!" Her arm tightened around his a bit and she could see his eyebrows furrow. They stayed in place and Ramin shook his head and scoffed.
"Sierra, I'm not letting you freeze out here. Just take my jacket, it's ok." He tried to move his arm away again but Sierra insistently kept hers looped in his and gave him a pleading look.
"Ramin, please. I'm really fine. I'll warm up once we get to-" she stopped and realized she had no idea where they were even going. "Um, where are we headed?"
A smile tugged at the corner of Ramin's lips in a mischievous way. "You'll see once we're there." Sierra started to walk again but Ramin pulled her back. "Which is why you should wear my coat."
"Ramin, even if you give it to me I won't wear it! Keep your jacket, I'm fine. I live in New York and go out in the winter all the time, I'll be perfectly fine." Sierra tried giving Ramin a convincing look, although it probably came off more sassy and weak than it meant to.
"But-"
"No buts! Keep walking Karimloo!" She used his last name jokingly, holding it out and pointing forward. Ramin rolled his eyes and reluctantly kept walking with his leather jacket still on his shoulders.
"You're going to have to wear my jacket at some point. Trust me, you'll want to, Bojjess." His lips ever so slightly curled at the ends as he said her last name very incorrectly. Sierra shot a glare at him for a second before raising an eyebrow and giving him a "threatening look."
"Do you want to try pronouncing my name again?" Her tone and facial expression essentially screamed at him to say her name correctly. Although it was all in good fun, not that she would actually get mad at anyone for mispronouncing her name... Ok maybe she would.
"Oh sorry, you're right it's Sierra BO-jjess." The way he said it and with his accent caused Sierra to playfully but still kind of forcefully hit his shoulder again and laugh. "Nailed it." That only made Sierra laugh more, in turn making Ramin break from his poker face and crack up.
They continued talking throughout their walk to who knows where, laughing all along the way. As they walked through the London streets, Sierra looked over to see what appeared to be a giant Ferris wheel with plenty of lights on it that illuminate beautifully in the newly set night sky.
"Look Ramin, isn't that so pretty?" She pointed to the previously mentioned ride in the distance, which Ramin only glanced at for a second before looking to Sierra. "I can't even imagine how much it would cost to go on that... I bet the view is great though."
Ramin remained silent for a moment before looking out again to the object which had caught Sierra's attention so much. "It's called the London Eye. It's sort of like a Ferris wheel in case you were wondering. Maybe I'll show it to you another time." He smiled and Sierra finally turned her gaze back onto him, tightening her arms grip on his and snuggling a bit closer. The cold was slowly getting to her, but she felt just perfect the way they were. His warmth was enough to keep her hanging on.
After many more minutes of walking and talking and laughing and admiring different things around them, Sierra noticed they were pretty much at the London Eye. It really dawned on her when they went to the ticket booth. A little late to finally recognize what was happening right?
"I thought you said you'd show me another time." Sierra was confused and pleased and reluctant. Surely it wasn't cheap and he had just said they'd do it another time.
"Yes, I did say I would show you another time. And right now is another time since the time I said that. You see, you're not so smart for a New York girl." Of course he was teasing her, he always was when he spoke like that.
"I'm actually from Denver, Colorado, born and raised. So it looks like you're mistaken." Sierra smiled at him but not a sweet smile, it was more like "ha you're wrong" smile.
"Really? So did I!" His voice perked up and Sierra felt herself grow extremely excited.
"What! Really! Why didn't you say so! What school did you-" She stopped immediately when Ramin burst out laughing, which caused people to look at them strangely. Suddenly she realized that he was messing with her again and her excitement turned to annoyance and frustration. Except she wasn't actually annoyed or angry, it was more like a playful mix of the two.
"Ramen Caramel, stop teasing me!" Once again Ramin received a smack on the shoulder and a cute little pout that quickly turned to a smile. After saying his name like that how could anyone keep a straight face?
"I can't believe you actually believed me! The great Siruh Bojjess seriously believed that I had an accent like this from living in Denver, Colorado." He too couldn't help but laugh at her gullibility and the way he said her name. Like a couple of idiots they laughed on until they were pretty much at the front of the ticket line.
Ramin ordered their tickets, which was £37 each, so about £74 which was somewhere near $100. When Ramin pulled out his wallet and started to hand the man the said amount of money, Sierra spoke up. "Ramin I can't let you pay for this!"
"Sure you can. You just let me be a gentleman and pay for it." She rolled her eyes at him and pulled out her own wallet, starting to grab enough for her ticket when Ramin pushed her hand away and handed the man holding their tickets the due money.
"Ramin-"
"You wouldn't wear my jacket here so you're going to let me pay for our tickets. You owe me." Sierra's eyebrows furrowed at his strange yet logical reasoning. Her not wearing his jacket did not seem to mean she owed him.
"You don't owe me anything, I chose not to wear your jacket."
"And I'm choosing to pay for your ticket." Ramin gave her a "sorry not sorry" look as he grabbed their tickets and went into the small line waiting.
Again and again Sierra tried to reimburse Ramin for her ticket cost but he denied her money every time. Finally it was their turn to load onto what looked like a decorative train car with a load of other people, but luckily there weren't many so they didn't have to sit next to others or pack in.
"Ramin, just take my money! I feel bad now!" Sierra pretty much pleaded with him once they took their seats in the back. Ramin shook his head again and groaned.
"Sierra, I'm not going to take your money! It's really ok. I've got plenty to spare." Sierra was not ok with that though. The guilt would resurface every time she saw him, she just knew it, she had to do something in return.
"Fine, then we're going out to get ice cream after this and I'm paying." Sierra stated matter of factly rather than seeking his approval. She saw his mouth start to open but she interjected again. "It's happening whether you like it or not!"
Ramin stopped and sighed, running a hand through his black hair before smirking and looking at Sierra strangely all of a sudden. "Alright, then this is happening whether you like it or not." In no time at all she felt laughter burst out of her as his big, warm hands tickled her stomach.
Sierra was pinned, struck between Ramin and the window. Her body contorted and she tried to fight back against him, mostly just lifting her legs up and kicking him though. Thankfully he stopped and Sierra hit Ramin in the chest this time. "Ramin! We're in public, what the heck!"
Ramin looked at Sierra and then glanced over towards the other direction and nudged his head that way. She was confused at first, but things added up when she saw an older woman smiling at the two of them. She could feel the blood rise in her cheeks and cause a blush to appear. Someone was watching them throughout that... That was so weird.
Then the woman got up and stood next to Ramin. "I'm sorry for staring, you two are just such a cute couple and I couldn't help but adore you." The "couple" liked at each other and they were both blushing quite a bit before they turned to the woman.
"We're not a couple." They said in unison but the woman had already sat down somewhere else and they didn't know where, although Sierra couldn't care less about where she went.
Rather than being awkward, they both laughed hysterically but tried to contain themselves and be quieter so the woman wouldn't hear if she was still around.
"That was so awkward! Oh my gosh I think I'm gonna die! Ramin stop laughing, you're making me laugh too!" Her hand landed on his, but the one that was on his chest. As her hand grazed over his left, she felt cool metal on one finger. The laughter died out for her and instead she found new interest in his hand.
Grabbing his hand, Sierra stared at the golden wedding band on his ring finger. Oh my gosh... This wasn't a date. It was definitely not a date. How could She be so stupid! "Oh, you're married?" The words came out in more shock and shaky than she meant for them to.
"I didn't mention it before? I thought I did..." Ramin paused for a while with a very strange expression Sierra couldn't decipher before a small smile curled up his lips. "Her names Mandy. She's... She's one of the most beautiful women I've seen in my life. We actually got married not too long ago, about a year or so maybe. It feels like longer because we were dating long before that. But she's just perfect... Her smile, her love, her support. I don't think I could be in theatre at all if she weren't so supportive. I couldn't have asked for anyone better..."
Sierra felt a pang of pain in her chest, like somebody had just taken a needle and pierced all the way through her chest and into her heart. He was taken. And madly in love from the way he talked. Oh gosh, how could she have been so stupid! Of course someone as great as him wouldn't be single! But why was she so worked up and hurt... She only knew him for a day. Somehow that day felt so much longer.
"Oh..." There was disappointment in her voice before she realized she couldn't let her stupid little crush she developed ruin their night. Even if they couldn't be together like that, being friends could suffice. She just had to hide her feelings. It was probably just infatuation, not even real feelings. She put on a smile and lifted her voice again. "Well she's the luckiest woman in the world! That's so great for you two!"
Ramin stared at her for a moment before smiling and slipping his fingers between hers. Now he was holding her hand? Man, did he know how much this was killing her now? It shouldn't have though and she should have only seen it as a caring, friendly gesture.
[Ramin's POV]
Ramin recalled all the things he could at that small moment about Mandy. Not to gloat to Sierra, but to remind himself of all the good things and reasons he married her and loved her. Because recently he'd been feeling things he shouldn't have been feeling. He was so focused on keeping his thoughts off of Sierra in a certain way and only thinking of her as a friend.
But he couldn't just sit there, his hand nearly moved on its own and he clasped his fingers in hers. He stared into her green eyes, glad to see a smile on her face that inspired him to smile himself. Ramin was relieved she was supportive. Her enthusiasm also ruled out something he hoped for deep down inside. Her enthusiasm about him and Mandy meant she didn't feel whatever strange feelings he had for her.
They remained silent for a while, staring out the window in silence as they saw the lights of the city below them and stretch as far as they could see. Sierra's head leaned against his shoulder and rested there, making his heart flutter and his mind scream out in agony and spewing logic to the illogical heart of his.
"It's beautiful..." Sierra whispered, but loud enough for him to hear. Ramin simply hummed in agreement and rested his head on top of Sierra's. "I wish we could stay like this forever..." They were just descending from the top as she spoke, and it pained him. He longed to stay this way, her hand in his and her head on his shoulder while looking out on the beautiful city of London.
"I do too..." Ramin mumbled, breathing in through his nose and catching scent of her wonderful hair. He let go of her hand, which made her move to look at him, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder instead. Going along with it, Sierra's arms wrapped around his torso and she rested her head on his chest.
An irrational fear that she could heart how fast his heart was beating rose in him, which only made his heart beat faster. This moment was so perfect though, he closed his eyes and slowly calmed down. It felt so right yet so wrong to hold her.
They didn't move until their carousel stopped at the bottom, the door opening and the others leaving. Ramin pulled his arm away from Sierra, sighing as he did. He didn't want to, but they had to get off and that meant he could no longer hold her like that. Not only then, but he probably couldn't hold her like that ever again.
He stood and Sierra followed, stepping out into the cool, autumn London night. He instantly could feel and see her shiver, her arms moving to her sides and rubbing them before they went back down. It seemed as though she was pretending it wasn't cold again.
[Sierra's POV]
Holy crap, it was so much colder than when they arrived! Sierra had to physically hold her hands down together to keep from warming her arms. Her shoulders lifted up and shifted forward to try and shield herself with her back. Her head instantly recoiled and she looked down to try and keep the night breeze from hitting her.
Miraculously warm and comfort was all around her arms and back. She felt leather on her skin and instantly turned to Ramin who was now jacket-less. "Ramin, you'll be cold!" She exclaimed, starting to take it off but his hands planted on her shoulders and kept the jacket on her. Then his arm was around her shoulder, also keeping the jacket down on her but also bringing warmth.
"I wore it the whole time here, now you wear it the whole time back." Ramin stuffed his hand into his pocket and Sierra just stared at him in disbelief and concern. It wasn't safe for anybody to be in the cold without a jacket. "Put your arms in the sleeves, it'll be warmer."
Sierra wanted to badly, but she also wanted Ramin to be warm. She slipped her right arm into the correct sleeve but then shrugged off Ramin's arm and pulled him closer. Obviously he was confused, but she simply draped the left side for he jacket over him and their bodies overlapped each other. Without his consent she pulled the sleeve over his arm, then let her arm stay behind whatever part of the jacket she could.
It came as a surprise when Ramin's free, right arm was wrapped around her waist and pulled her even closer. She was practically standing right in front of him, barely staggered off to the side. She turned her head and their faces were nearly touching, their breath mingling. They locked eyes and remained silent, unmoving and slowly warming up together. He was so much warmer than she expected and she didn't want to move at all.
"We should get going, it's late." He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose before starting to walk, Sierra obviously moving with him. They got a few strange looks but who cared, she was comfortable and she could still feel his soft lips on her nose. Sierra felt something warm deep inside her, not from their exchanging body heat or his jacket, but something she was still trying to suppress.
They walked in silence and finally made it back to Sierra's flat. She didn't want to leave the confines of his arms, but she knew she had to. Slowly slipping out of his jacket and his arm, she unlocked her apartment door and opened it. She turned around with a smile plastered on her face.
"Well... I guess this is goodnight." Sierra was glad to see Ramin smile back, his dimples showing again. His eyes seemed to have a little twinkle in them and her heart started to melt the longer she stared into them.
"I guess it is." Ramin put his jacket on properly and reached out towards Sierra's face. She felt his hand brush against her skin and it gave her a tingling sensation. Then his fingers neatly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, caressing right behind her ear before pulling away and starting to take his leave. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Sierra longed to see his eyes again as he turned, something popping into her mind and her mouth opening without warning. "Ice cream!" Suddenly she realized what was going on and rolled with it. "I forgot I said I'd buy you ice cream after we went to the London Eye."
Ramin turned and his brown hues stared into hers, the dimples she loved appeared, and he sweetly smiled back in a way that made her spirit start to soar. "I'll meet you here again at 7 o'clock tomorrow. Don't forget a jacket." And with that he left, but Sierra didn't close her door until he was out of sight and in the elevator.
A heavy sigh left her body and she pressed her back against the door. Her hand landed on her stomach before slowly gliding up to her chest, over her beating heart and curling into a light fist that caught some of her shirt.
"Why him..."