Angel Of A Morning

Chapter Eighteen: Dress To Impress

The car stopped at a red light just as (Y/n) said this, so when he heard Kate laugh and noticed her smile, his stare lingered long enough to make Kate feel awkward until he explained how nice it was to see her happy. The compliment made her blush, causing her to shy away yet hid her appreciation knowing that thus far, their spending time together was going well. Upon arrival outside the Two Whales Diner, (Y/n) managed to steal a decent parking spot outside the diner. 

(Y/n) got out of the driver's seat and went around to let Kate out. Much to her surprise at his courtesy, he continued to impress her as he opened the front door to the diner and allowed her to enter first before he followed right behind her. The first thing that greeted them was the smell of cooked bacon and indistinct chatter. They proceeded to occupy the third booth down on the right and sat opposite each other as they waited to be served. 

There was a jukebox on their side of the diner that had been playing casual songs to suit the mood. The waitress approached the two, holding a coffee jug that she offered to the two eighteen year-olds before she followed up with what they wanted to order. (Y/n) and Kate kept it simple with scrambled eggs with bacon and jelly toast before they conversed about themselves more openly. 

The two youngsters on their date reprised the days when the waitress herself went on dates when she was no older than they. It even brought tears to her eyes upon recalling the happiest moments in her life before she tragically lost her husband and only just recently, her daughter. She was aware that Kate was to attend her daughter's funeral the next day, so she kept distant but sent a few reassuring smiles if anybody asked how she was. 

"How's your meal?" (Y/n) asked. 

Kate nodded her head and finished eating the rest of her eggs. "It's very delicious. Yours?" 

"Mmm. Scrum-diddily-umptious." 

Kate chuckled. It warmed his heart to see her smile, to hear her laugh, to know that he was making her life worth living; to know that he was making a difference. The dirty-haired blonde finally managed to compose herself and met (Y/n)'s gaze. 

"W-What? Is there something on my face?" Kate asked with a worried expression. 

Mesmerised by her looks and her personality, (Y/n) stared at her with heartfelt eyes and let out a slow, light exhale. 

"You're perfect the way you are, Kate." (Y/n) stated with a dreamy voice. 

Her face became even redder as (Y/n) boldly leaned across the table and grabbed Kate's chin with his index finger and his thumb. The physical contact and the close proximity of his face and hers made their hearts race in equivalency to that of a hummingbird's wings flapping. Through (Y/n)'s eyes, everything acted in slow motion as their faces inched closer together. By a sudden act of courage, Kate took the initiative right before (Y/n) could and pressed her lips against his. 

(Y/n) let out a muffled groan when the girl threw herself at him first; the taste of bliss spruced throughout their bodies as the kiss lasted a few seconds before they pulled away. (Y/n) was still shocked at Kate's mystifying effort to flirt with him. When they pulled away, a string of saliva was left behind as the two sat down properly in their seats and stared gazed profoundly at one another until one of them decided to speak. 

Speechlessly, (Y/n) stared mesmerisingly at the dirty-haired blonde. "Th-That w-was... incredible. K-Kate, I-I-I-I hope I didn't pressure you into doing it. It's just that I've been so--" 

Coyly, Kate tucked strands of hair behind her ear as her cheeks flushed red. "Don't worry about it. I've been... meaning to do that for a while. In fact, I've actually had a crush on you for a little while now. I hope I didn't upset you or anything." 

"Upset me? How could you have if I wanted to do that this whole time!?" 

"Really? I-I was so worried that you wouldn't like our kiss - well, my first proper kiss - I'm... thank you for taking me so seriously, (Y/n). It really means a lot to see that you care about me." 

(Y/n) reached his hand across and took ahold of hers. He gave her a gentle smile for comfort when they finished up their breakfast and walked out of the diner. Once again, (Y/n) continued to impress her when he opened the door of his car for her and let her in before he let himself in. Kate felt ready to head back to campus to her dorm but she had a feeling there was much more to do that day now that they were both out and about. 

The engine of the car revved as (Y/n) drove them out of the parking lot and cruised along the main road that took them to the beach. The view was quite breathtaking when (Y/n) realised he could get a decent capture of the beach when they pulled up before taking their shoes and socks off and walked barefoot along the cold sand. Drawing his phone, (Y/n) crouched down and laid on the sand on his stomach in order to take photos satisfactorily to each angle. 

Kate didn't notice what (Y/n) was doing when she noticed his lack of absence by her side when she turned her head to look over her shoulder, only to find the long, brown-haired boy laid prone on the sand with herself well in frame of his camera. Sheepishly, Kate struck a few poses when (Y/n) poked his head up and smiled brightly at her. (Y/n) got up to his feet and tucked his phone away before he approached her, kicking sand with his bare feet as he did. 

"Beautiful, isn't it? I never go to the beach, but I do drive past here every now and again with my family after church or going to our religious study groups." Kate spoke up when they stood side by side. 

"Oh, this certainly count for tranquillity and some family time, but... I've seen far greater spectacles." (Y/n) commented. 

Kate whipped her head around as a blush crept up on her face. His flirting with her work a charm as it seemed to do the trick to make her forget about her worries and her strife. 

"Y-You think I'm pretty?" 

"That's an understatement - it shadows in comparison to your beauty. But let me make it specifically clear that I adore you not just for your looks, but also your personality, and your deep commitment to your faith and your friends and your family. You've helped me in more ways than you can comprehend. And I would be relived of this tension if I could ask... would you consider going on another date with me?"

"This one has been nice. I've enjoyed being with you, (Y/n). So yes. I would love to go on another date with you. I just wish moments like this could last forever, and I'd love it you stuck around with me through them."

"Miss Marsh, it would be my genuine pleasure."

The two sat on the sand and stared at the waves flowing in and out as the strong smell of seawater pierced their nostrils. Kate sat closely beside (Y/n) and daringly laid her head on his shoulder. What splendour they found in watching the water crash as they sat on the beach, enjoying life.