Chapter 30

"Are you ready?" Lola asked me over the phone.

I sighed, staring at myself in the mirror. I tried to go easy on the makeup, I only applied mascara, eyeliner, and lip balm but I can't help but feel like I need more. Deciding not to risk messing up not only my face but my white shirt, I quickly shoved my makeup bag to the side. I looked at myself in the mirror. I went with a simple white, long sleeve sweater and a dark jean jacket. The jean jacket matched the color of my actual jeans. My high-top converses were white and clean. My black ones, on the other hand, weren't so fortunate.

"Yeah, I guess I am." I told her, allowing an extremely minty breath to blow out of my mouth. I winced, with the minty lip balm, mints, and gum I'd been eating all day- was I overdoing it? Probably, but at least my breath will smell good. I quickly looked at my makeup, taking out my abandoned strawberry lip balm. I switched it out for the minty one. If Grayson likes strawberry, then I'm pretty sure I can handle it.

I glanced at the clock, letting out a nervous sigh. Why am I so nervous? We've already been on a date! Two if you count our trip to Trampoline Land, three if you count him helping me sneak out and taking me out for ice cream. I quickly shook my hands and grabbed my purse, deciding that I don't want lumpy pockets for whatever he has planned. He said it should be fun but that I should dress warm.

Suddenly, something hit my window. I opened it to see Grayson standing at the bottom, throwing pebbles. Talk about a Taylor Swift moment; hopefully my father won't ban him from seeing me, even though he seems close to it. "What do you want Romeo?"

He grinned at me, his eyes taking in my shiny, curled hair and my seemingly natural face. "You look beautiful."

I stared at him for a moment as my face heated up. Great, my makeup just might burn off in his presence. "Thanks."

He smiled at me before twirling around. "What? No compliment for me?"

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "So why are you standing below my window?"

"I didn't want to wake up your parents, so the doorbell wasn't an option. I'm told that I knock too loud, so that wasn't an option either." He told me.

"Texting me wasn't an option, either?" I asked, raising my cell phone. He gave me a sheepish look while I rolled my eyes. "Meet me in the front of the house."

Giving me a quick nod, he jogged towards the front of the house while I gave myself one last onceover before grabbing my purse and jacket. The sun was barely in the sky when I walked outside. I don't know why he rescheduled the date from noon all the way until 7:30 in the morning. I had to wake up at 5 AM, but I'm not complaining; I get to spend time with him and that's good enough for me. Glad I grabbed a thicker jacket; I stuffed my arms into it, shivering once the cold air nipped at my cheeks.

"Why the early commute?" I asked him when I reached the bottom of the stairs where he was waiting patiently. I began to lock the door of my house, making sure I tuck the key away in my pocket.

"What are you? The FBI?" He questioned as we walked towards the car.

A few cars were out on the road but not many people worked on Saturday mornings, or at least this early. I know my mother does but she wasn't awake when I got up. "No, I'm a girl being held hostage."

"From what I remember, you willingly walked into my arms." He told me, smirking cockily.

"I didn't walk into your arms." I reminded, zipping up my jacket. I noticed him shivering slightly. He needs to zip up his jacket.

"Oh that's right; that would be a hug- which you're too rude to give me." He told me, crossing his arms over his chest.

I snorted as my heart hammered in my chest. It's just a hug! "And why would I hug you?"

He laughed as he opened the passenger's side door, allowing my eyes to meet the McDonalds breakfast bag waiting for me in my seat. I squealed as my stomach growled in hunger. I turned towards him and allowed my arms to curl around his neck while I stood on the tips of my toes. His arms went around my waist as he hugged me to his chest. I heard his heart beating rapidly but it's probably because of the cold, his body is working pretty hard to keep him warm. Can that even be backed up scientifically? At the moment, I don't care. There is McDonalds patiently waiting in the passenger's seat.

Once I pulled away, I got into the car after lifting up the McDonalds bag and resting it on my lap. I furrowed my eyebrows and turned to him. "How'd you know I didn't eat?"

He shrugged. "I just guessed. I finished getting ready twenty minutes early and said, 'hey, why not surprise her with fatty food?' Is that the key to your heart?"

I snorted. "No, it's the key to obesity, but I'll take it."

He laughed before starting the car, allowing the warm air to encircle us. I took off my jacket, already feeling the effects of sitting in a warm car with a thick jacket on. "You look nice."

I looked down at what I was wearing, my eyes scanning his outfit too. I sighed in relief. "Thank goodness we aren't matching."

"Being that couple was fun." He frowned at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Now where are we going?" I asked him and he gave me a flat look.

"I said that I'm not telling you." He told me.

"Do I know the place?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Yes."

"Is it in Rodencia?" I asked him, referring to our town.

He shook his head. "Is it in our state?"

He smiled at me. "Well, that would give it away, wouldn't it?"

"Is it?" I asked and he just smiled. "Answer me, Grayson!"

He just laughed in response. "I like seeing you flustered."

I scowled at him before looking away.

~~~

We drove for about an hour and a half before Grayson stopped for gas. He turned to look at me. "Do you want anything?"

I began stretching my limbs before nodding. "Can you get me a Sprite and a brownie?"

He nodded, raising his eyebrows. "Is that all?"

I nodded before leaning back in my seat, watching as he ran into the gas station. A few moments later, he came out with a bag. He ran over to the side of the car and began pumping the gas. Once he finished, he entered the car and smiled at me before giving me my Sprite and my brownie.

I took a sip of the Sprite before opening my brownie. He looked at me and smiled innocently. "Oh, do you want a piece?"

He nodded, grinning. I laughed as I held the last piece up. "Tell me where we're going."

In a second, he grabbed the brownie out of my hand and stuffed it into his mouth. "Nope."

I glared at him before turning towards the window, sipping my Sprite occasionally. "Fine, be that way."

~~~

When we arrived at our destination, I couldn't help but stare in shock. We were in the middle of nowhere but at the same time, in the middle of everywhere. We were in the state I've dreamed of going ever since I was a kid, but my parents felt that there was, "nothing of interest there." My eyes scanned the crowded city as people went about their daily lives, acting as if being in Talpintine City wasn't an accomplishment itself.

This place was known for their lively nights and even livelier days. The shopping plazas were endless and several stores were scattered around the street we were on, along with restaurants and food carts. Streets were packed with people and cars were loud and honking. Hordes of people were crossing the streets, several of them dressed in business attire while a few had scarves wrapped around their necks and grins on their faces. This city just makes you want to smile.

I felt the car slowly come to a halt as he stopped it. I turned to him, my eyes widening. "Are you serious right now?"

"What? You don't like it?" He asked, looking around the busy streets.

After attempting to give him a flat look, all I could manage to do was grin and laugh. "Does this look like the face of an unsatisfied person?" I pointed to my smile and he laughed.

"Well, what do you want to do first?" He asked me.

"What do you have in mind?" I asked him, hoping that we could actually walk around the city.

He shrugged. "I was hoping we'd make it up as we go but I have plans for dinner."

I nodded, my hands going to my seatbelt as I finished off my Sprite. He watched me in amusement as I screwed the cap back on the bottle before opening the car, letting the cold yet fresh air greet me like a smack in the face. But it was a good smack in the face, if that's possible. Grayson came and joined me on the crowded sidewalk as we walked through crowds of people. "So...do you like it?"

"Didn't I just answer that question?" I asked as I stared at the stores towering above us. None of them caught my eye; most of them were just extremely expensive makeup stores.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him grinning. "Yeah, I guess."

A large crowd of businessmen and women came rushing down the street, cutting directly in-between Grayson and I. Once they passed and I couldn't find Grayson, I began to panic. We weren't even here for five minutes and we're already broken up? Not that we've ever dated, but I didn't mean it in a relationship way- I meant it in a weird 'I like you' friendship sort of way. I think he likes me, too. "Glad to know that you're just standing there thinking while I'm practically being stepped on by old people."

I noticed Grayson standing beside me and I offered him a sheepish smile. He was dusting himself off and I couldn't help but laugh. "High five for the failure that is the buddy system?"

He rolled his eyes, allowing his hand to collide with mine before he wrapped his fingers around my palm. I glanced at our entwined fingers and my face began to burn. He smirked at me, his eyes gleaming playfully. "So, you know, we won't get lost."

All I could manage to do was nod as we walked together, dodging people as they rushed down the streets. At the speeds they were going, it was practically a football match as they shoved into people who were too slow to move out of the way. Lucky enough, I found a store that I wanted to go into and Grayson and I swiftly ducked into the entrance. We were greeted by warm air, a friend during frigid times like these.

"For some reason, I expected you to want to come in here the minute I saw it." He told me, his eyes scanning the rows and rows of chocolate.

"It's a Hershey's store, what do you expect?" I asked him as my eyes widened when they landed on a Hershey kiss the size of my head.

"Do you want something or are you going to drool over everything, myself included?" He asked me, earning a glare from me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Yeah, I do want something." I snatched a bag of milk chocolate and caramel Hershey kisses off of the many shelves and walked towards the counter with Grayson in tow.

After buying the chocolates, Grayson and I exited the store. The streets were still crowded and fighting against us like the tide but our hands were entwined so we didn't have another moment like earlier. I personally wanted to stop at a place so I can start eating the chocolate and I think Grayson knows this because he keeps shooting me amused glances. "What?"

He shook his head, smiling. "Nothing...how about we go in here?"

I nearly jumped at the idea, especially when I realized that it was a bookshop. It was like Barnes and Nobles, there was even an area where people could sit and read books in the back. I tugged Grayson back there as I devoured the chocolate. I offered him some and he nodded so I handed him a few chocolate kisses. "Hey, Darling, look."

I looked over to see him tossing the chocolate into the air and catching it with his mouth, shooting me a satisfied grin once he caught it. I laughed and tried it but the chocolate kisses landed on my cheek. I quickly lifted it from my cheek and ate it, wiping at my face to get off the small smears of chocolate. Meanwhile, Grayson was laughing.

"The tip is to keep your eye on it." He told me as he repeated his actions, his eyes never leaving the chocolate kiss as it flew up into the air. Once it landed in his mouth, he smiled at me. "See? Now you try."

I actually caught it and laughed, nearly choking. Grayson was in hysterics by the time I managed to catch my breath. I was still coughing occasionally but I was okay, for the most part. "You idiot."

"Toss one at me." He encouraged, parting his lips. I tossed the chocolate kiss at him and he caught it.

I narrowed my eyes at him, shaking my head. "I hate you."

I quickly stood up, stuffing the half-filled back of chocolates into my purse. He was behind me as I walked towards the romance section of the store. I was in search of Sarah Dessen books. The lady was a Goddess when it comes to writing. As I plopped down onto the carpeted floor, I was surprised to feel a presence beside me. I turned to see Grayson kneeling beside me. He nodded as his eyes scanned the books. "So you're a romance reader, huh?"

I shrugged. "Sometimes, I usually read other things." I awkwardly replied.

"Well, choose a book." He told me.

My eyes grazed the titles, furrowing once I noticed a book that I haven't read by my favorite author. Isn't that a first? Just Listen; I grabbed the book by its spine, reading the back of it casually. It was awkward reading a romance novel with the guy you like beside you; even though it doesn't sound awkward, trust me, it is. Especially when you come off as a nonbeliever of romance, which I'm sure I do.

"So does it sound good?" Grayson asked me as I glanced up at him.

I nodded. "And even if it didn't, I'd still buy it."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Why?"

"Because the author is amazing, I have practically all of her books." I told him.

He snorted. "And I'm obsessed with football."

I hit him in the chest with the book as we walked towards the counter. "Shut up."

He rubbed the spot on his chest where I'd hit him and frowned at me. "You're so violent for a short person. It makes sense though, that pent up anger can't spread out."

He laughed at his own joke while I stared at him with a flat look on my face. "You're so hilarious. Oh my gosh, Grayson stop, I'm going to die of stomach pains because you're so funny. Someone call an ambulance, it must be unhealthy to laugh this much." I announced with a straight face and Grayson scowled. The clerk stifled a laugh.

"Fine, be a killjoy." He muttered, swinging the bag in which my book was in slightly. The cold air hit us once again as we exited the shop. "You're really mean, you know that, right?"

I shrugged. "It's what I do." I told him as we grasped hands. The familiar feel of his fingers warmed my hand, despite the fact that I didn't have gloves on and it was fully susceptible to the cold.

He rolled his eyes before he nearly screamed in my ear. I'm guessing if it were to actually exit his mouth, it'd come out as a rather girlish shriek. But instead of coming out as expected, the sound came out as a throaty cry of enthusiasm. I looked at him, watching as he stared straight ahead. In the distance, I could see a large, most likely plastic game controller extending from a techy looking building. "Come on."

He nearly yanked me until we reached the videogame building and I let out a heavy breath once we reached it. He looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed. "You're very unfit."

"Says the football player who practices football thrice a week." I said between breaths, my hands placed sturdily on my knees as I heaved, struggling to allow air to greet my lungs.

"Who says thrice anymore?" He asked. "Wait, who says thrice ever?"

"The one who reads for a living." I muttered as I stood up, pressing a hand towards my rapidly beating heart. I would never survive in an apocalypse.

"You should have said something back there." He told me.

"That's a good idea, I would have said something if I wasn't being yanked through traffic!" I snapped as we entered the cool building. I will admit, the design of the place drew you in, especially the large televisions showing game previews. I never realized that Grayson was such a... well, nerd for videogames.

I'm pretty sure I have enough money to buy him something if he wants something. When he went to get gas, I checked my purse and my paycheck from yesterday, where I worked overtime in order to compensate for not showing up today (thanks to Grayson). I set up all of the girl scouts activities so Ms. Janie wouldn't have to go through the trouble, all the while Grayson laughed at me for being such a kiss up.

I decided that I was going to spend $150.00 of my money on this trip and I'd put the other half away into my college fund, like I'd been doing for the past few years, although I'd always put $200.00 away unless I needed something that was more than $100.00, which was rare. Sometimes, I'd put the full amount into the account if I was feeling extremely generous towards myself.

When I noticed Grayson nearly making out with a glass case, I walked over and saw him staring intensely at a game, as if it could solve all of his life problems. "What are you looking at?"

I walked up beside him and he glanced at me before turning his full attention towards the game. "Is it a game about football?"

He managed to nod as he stared at the game, which had a famous football player on the front of it, intercepting a catch. "I'm guessing you don't have that game."

He shook his head. "And I'm guessing you want it."

He nodded. "I'm guessing you put all of your money from work into a bank account for college."

He nodded again. I wonder if he'll nod after everything I say. "I'm guessing your milkshake brings all the boys to the yard."

Grayson looked at me and rolled his eyes, a smile taking over his features. "Yes, it does."

I snorted in response before motioning to the game. "How much is it?"

"Seventy dollars." He told me, groaning loudly before shaking his hands. His fists rested on the case before he sighed, looking as if he wanted to kick the case. That was more than I expected it to be, but I guess I can buy it- that's if he'll use it.

I nodded, looking at the game. "What's so different about it?"

He sighed. "A lot, mostly things with the graphics and I hear the plays have improved extremely."

I nodded, my eyes looking at the game. "I have to go to the bathroom, the liter of water I drank while getting ready earlier has just hit me."

"Grayson!" I stated and he turned to look at me. "Can I get the book?"

He nodded, handing me the black bag with my book inside. I walked over towards the counter as I saw him disappear into the bathroom. "Can I buy that football game?" I pointed in the direction of the case.

The guy nodded, seeming surprised that I knew what the sport was. He walked over towards the display and unlocked it with a key that hung around his neck. Grabbing a game case, he walked back over to the counter after locking the display. "That'll be $70.00 plus tax."

I handed him a fifty and three tens, anxiously switching from foot to foot as he slowly rang up the game. Handing me my change, my receipt and the plastic bag, I stuffed it all into the bag with my book in it, trying to hide it from Grayson. I walked over towards the display, trying to remain calm. He approached me, a smile on his face. "Ready to go?"

I nodded, motioning towards the door. We exited the game shop and continued walking, entering the occasional store. Rather than stopping at a fast food restaurant for lunch, we grabbed sandwiches from a deli a few hours ago. Grayson insisted we go into a pet shop and I disagreed, already imagining not only the horrid smell, but the obnoxious sound. He gripped my hand tighter and pulled in into the revolving doors. The smell that hit me wasn't as intense as I expected it to be but the noise was louder than I predicted.

The difference between this pet shop and my town pet shop was that they had full grown, massive dogs. They had endless breeds and the place was huge. I wonder how much it costs just to run this place for a day, never mind...years. "Let's see the dogs!"

I awkwardly shook my head. "No, I, uh, I'd rather we stick to the cats."

"We can see the cats after we see the dogs." Pushing my shoulders, he led me towards the dogs. The noise was extremely loud and I felt a knot form in my stomach when I noticed only a thick layer of plastic separating us. The deli sandwich was threatening to make a guest appearance. The dogs were scratching on the plastic, urging to get out. One of them was glaring at me and baring his teeth. Someone isn't a happy camper. Grayson seemed to notice this one. "Awe, isn't he cute?"

Grayson walked towards the large dog. From the label on the plastic, it read that he was a Saint Bernard named Edgar. He began wagging his tail in anticipation as Grayson cooed at the cage behind the plastic wall. "Come over here, Darling."

I began walking towards the plastic divider but the dog stiffened up and bared his teeth yet again. "I think I'll stick with this cutie." I muttered as I walked in the direction of a black Labrador. Despite the fact that Tobias is probably at my house, breathing heavily as he tries to go upstairs to get to his food bowl, I'm sitting here feeding treats to the small dog that was in a 'meeting spot.' It was a small gated in area where people can sit and play with the dogs if they want to adopt.

I wonder who wants to adopt Cujo over there. Snorting at my witty comment, I grabbed another pet treat and handed it to the dog and he pressed his wet nose against my hand as his tail wagged speedily. I used the hand sanitizer that was nearby before wandering over towards the reptile exhibits. I found myself staring at the snakes which were sleeping, I think. They were just curled, layering on top of each other like cake. That was a bad analogy; they are nothing like cake, I promise you that. In another cage, a few lizards were scattering about, drinking the available water- and also bathing in it. There is obviously nothing wrong with that, it's completely sanitary, I swear.

"Ew." Grayson muttered as he stared at the snakes. He involuntarily shivered before turning his attention towards me. "So you like these things but not dogs?"

"I like our dogs...and small dogs, just not that dog." I pointed towards the large Saint Bernard.

He rolled his eyes. "Well, this thing is a creepy, crawly, thing." He didn't know what words to use. I snorted in response before shaking my head.

"Can we leave now?" I asked him, fidgeting as I stared at the large dog. He was practically clawing at the cage, planning my death.

Grayson nodded, walking over towards me. As we neared the door, he slipped his hand into mine and I held back a goofy smile. He's just so...Grayson. I just can't explain it. He's perfect and I'm not, but that's okay, because I think he likes me. "What are you thinking about?"

I zoned back in to see that he was leading me down a street. "Oh, it was nothing." I replied, shaking my head.

He nodded, narrowing his eyes slightly as he smiled at me. "Whatever you say, just don't think about me too hard. I can practically feel it."

I elbowed him in the rib as my cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "I hate you."

"I don't know if this is going well or not because you've said that at least five times. This is a date; you're not supposed to be here if you hate me." He teasingly replied, earning another elbow to the ribs.

I glared at him. "Well then I guess I shouldn't be here."

He snorted in response. He just snorted. How arrogant! "Are you hungry?"

I nodded, holding my stomach. We had eaten at noon, it was now nearing five. "Where are we going to eat?"

He smiled before clutching my hand tighter and bringing me down the street in silence. "Okay, ignore me."

"I'm not ignoring you." He told me. "I'm listening to every whine and complaint that's coming out of your mouth."

I was so close to biting his arm. I elbowed him in the side again and I'm pretty sure a bruise is starting to form. My suspicions were confirmed as he awkwardly pressed his arm against his side as if trying to comfort himself. I suddenly felt a shot of guilt pour through me and I pursed my lips. "Sorry about that."

"You know what they say?" He grinned before yanking me to his side. "Love is pain."

"I hate you." I muttered as I detached myself from him but maintained my grip on his hand.

~~~

"We're eating here?" I asked as I stared at the restaurant.

He nodded. "Why not? I made the reservations last week. I would have told you to dress fancier but I don't think it would have been very fun walking around in fancy clothes for the majority of the day."

"I understand that but... isn't this place a bit too..." I trailed off, not trying to say the "r" word. Romantic. I don't want to give him the wrong idea (well, right idea), even though it's probably been out there since day one. I like him, I do. I just hate the fact that it's obvious that I like him but I still struggle to pinpoint his exact feelings towards me, although I'm almost positive that he likes me- at least a little bit. I can work with that.

"What?" Grayson asked, turning to me with an amused look on his face. "Is it too what?"

"Romantic." I muttered under my breath. Grayson placed a hand behind his ear.

"What was that?"

"Romantic! Isn't this place too romantic for two friends?" I questioned, gritting my teeth in annoyance. I didn't know what to label us and I know if I cut my sentence off after 'two,' he'd make me come up with a phrase that I'm not sure about. Couple? I don't think we're a couple, he hasn't asked me out yet, as he said at Trampoline Land. As my father says, he's a complete wimp. Maybe I'll change his name to that in my phone.

Grayson gave me a flat look before grabbing my hand and leading me inside. "You technically just friend zoned yourself."

I glared at his back while he talked to a man in a suit. The man led us to a table and Grayson pulled out my chair. I was nervous that he'd yank it all the way out and I'd fall and land on my butt but he didn't do that, so I was grateful. I glanced around and couldn't help but notice that we seemed a bit out of place. Even though we'd just arrived, other couples who only walked in moments before we did were sitting beside each other, giggling and kissing each other. It's like last year's Valentine's Day; the girls and I decided to go out only to be caught in the middle of make out sessions- even at school. Do these people have no shame?

After we ordered our drinks, I noticed Grayson looking around awkwardly before he turned his attention to me. "So...are you having fun?"

I laughed. "Take a look around you, Grayson." I said and his eyes flitted across the couples surrounding us. "Still comfortable?"

"Yeah, I don't see why I wouldn't be. You like me, I like me." He swirled his hands around his face before winking.

I sucked my teeth. "These people are practically making out." I whispered, motioning to a couple at the table across from us. They didn't even have the decency to request a booth. Instead, they were feeding each other chocolate covered strawberries, a popular couple's dessert amongst the pairs, so it seems.

He looked at me. "Are you on a date with them?" I shook my head. "Then don't pay attention to them. Pay attention to the hottest thing in the room." I had the urge to take out my Tamagatchi. I turned my attention to a guy across the room, sitting next to a tall girl. He's obviously not the hottest thing in the room; I'm sure they have some hotter plates in the kitchen.

Grayson looked behind him towards the guy I was staring at before giving me a flat look. "The hottest single thing."

"Ah." I muttered, digging in my purse for a mirror. I took it out and jokingly looked at it, wiggling my eyebrows at the image of myself.

"As pretty as you are, I mean me!" He replied, ripping the mirror from my hands and tucking it into his pocket.

I shrugged, my face turning pink at his compliment. As expected, that's the only part I caught. "Why didn't you just say so?"

He let out a sigh before his eyes scanned the menu. I did the same thing, deciding to order the parmesan chicken, it sounds good enough. Once the waiter came around, Grayson and I ordered our meals. We took our drinks and slowly sipped them, trying to save them for the actual meal. That was hard to do, considering the fact that we'd just walked around the city for as long as we did.

Putting my hand on the table and tapping my fingers rhythmically, I allowed myself to stare at Grayson. Although I'd be embarrassed if he caught me, I didn't do anything to hide my staring. I didn't wait five seconds before peeking at him or do the 'over the menu' glance. I just propped my left hand on the table and rested my chin on it while my right hand continued to tap the table casually. Besides, he told me to pay attention to the hottest thing in the room.

"Yeah?" Grayson asked me as he sipped his drink.

"Nothing." I replied, sounding as if I was in a trance. I was, if you call fascination a trance. How hadn't I noticed his beauty before? He'd probably kill me for saying beauty when speaking about him but I can't care less. Not only was he perfect on the outside but he was perfect on the inside.

His hair was dark and thick, urging me to run my fingers through it. His eyes were blue and had a curious yet mischievous spark to them. His nose was straight, just like his white teeth. His smell drew me in, like a fish on a fishing hook. Being beside him made me feel so imperfect but for some reason, I always want to be beside him. I wanted to groan and slam my head on the table. Why was my brain doing this to me?

Grayson's eyebrows were furrowed as he stared at me. His long eyelashes tangled slightly as he blinked and his eyes were staring at me as if I were a puzzle. We stayed like this until the waiter came and placed our food on the table, asking us if we wanted our drinks to be refilled. We both nodded as he walked away, carrying our glasses towards the back of the restaurant to fill them up.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and looked at the chicken parmesan that looked appetizing. I pressed my fork into it and cut it with a knife, struggling to eat like a civil being when my stomach was growling louder than a lion. I just hoped Grayson couldn't hear it. The waiter came back with our drinks and set them down on the table, telling us to have a nice meal.

I would infrequently lightly kick at the bag between my feet, the one with the book and the videogame in it, just to make sure that it was there. When should I give it to him? Was it too expensive of a gift? Am I taking things too fast by buying him a seventy dollar videogame? "Are you that eager to read your book that you're kicking the bag every two seconds?"

I gave him a sheepish smile. "Yeah, I guess you can say that."

He gave me an odd look while I shrugged. He would understand sooner or later. We continued to talk while we ate, awkwardly waiting until the other person swallowed their food to respond. I don't understand why dinner dates are so popular, because they seem awkward to me.

~~~

Grayson and I were walking back towards the car with our hands entwined when I decided to bring up the videogame. "So about the videogame..."

"What about it?" Grayson asked me, eyebrows furrowed as he opened the passenger side door. He ran over towards the driver's side, swinging the door open and getting into the car, his breathing ragged.  

I pursed my lips as I dug my hand into the bag with my book. Fishing the familiar case out of the bag, I tossed it onto his lap. He looked at the game, and then at me, before repeating this short process a few times. "Darling...did you steal this?"

"Yes, Grayson, I stole it, because they obviously give receipts to thieves." I remarked sarcastically, waving the receipt around in the air.

A slow grin made its way onto his face before it faltered. I felt as if someone had stuck a knife in my heart. Maybe I was taking this too quickly. Who buys expensive gifts for guys who haven't even built up the courage to ask them to be their girlfriend yet? Oh wait, idiots who are way too patient. "I can't accept this."

"You better; I have no use for it." I replied in a joking manner. It felt like he had the strings of my heart and with every word he said, he pulled a string and a chunk of my heart ripped away, as vivid as that image may seem.

He looked up at me. "This game was expensive. You didn't have to spend that much money on it."

I shrugged. "I know, but I wanted to. And I want you to have it and keep it."

He looked at me and sighed when he realized that I wasn't taking no for an answer. The grin made its way onto his face once again, fixing my heart in an instant. "I can kiss you right now, you know that?"

My cheeks turned red as he started the car up, his laughter filling the silence. Unexpectedly, he pecked his lips against my cheek and I didn't bother hiding the goofy grin that spread across my face.

Technically, I paid seventy dollars for a kiss on the cheek.

There is no way I am settling for that.

Once he noticed me looking at him, he smiled at me but I leaned over and pressed my lips to his own. Our lips moved in sync for a moment before I pulled away. A smirk was plastered onto my face when I saw him staring at me, shocked. Grinning in satisfaction, I sat back in my seat.

Now that's more like it.