Dedicating my favorite chapter to y'all.
QUINN
On my first date, my father scared my crush so much that the guy pissed in his pants. I decided to spare him and not go for the date.
But this, this was amazing.
Immediately Demetri told me it was a first date, I got butterflies. We went on different rides and played different games. I did beat him at most of the shooting games.
"I almost forgot. You have to learn how to drive now," he said while pulling me to another ride.
"You're a terrible driver! Stop hitting other people's cars," he criticized.
"How am I not supposed to, they are called bumber cars," I responded the hit into his bumber car and laughed.
At the end of the date, we came to a conclusion that I hated cotton candy.
"That was fun," he said as we sat down in his Jeep. He'd taken my prize and claimed it as his when I lost a match of rock-paper-scissors.
"I hate you. But thanks for taking me out," I said.
"You're welcome," He responded while reaching over and buckling my seatbelt,
"Let me take you home now before your father kills me."
We both laughed while looking at each other. Even when the laughter died down. It was like something natural and automatic, we kissed.
It was such a sweet and innocent kiss, like one that could give a teenage girl butterflies and turn her knees into jelly.
I was grinning when we pulled back.
"Hope it wasn't bad for a first kiss," he said and smiled.
It did feel like a first kiss.
"Nah, it was terrible," I teased before leaning in and kissing him again.
He then drove us to a nearby high-school around three.
"Oh no, high school, the worst," I said with a groan.
"Why are you even complaining. You very much look like you'd be some Queen Bee or something," he teased me.
The school was empty as we went around it. We sat in the stands of the football field and the classes, chatted in the cafeteria and even made out in the Boys' locker room.
"If only my high school life was like this," I said as we walked through the halls.
"It would be amazing," he said while putting an arm around me, "I mean look, you'd be dating the popular basketball player."
He even smirked. Sitting on a high horse I see.
"Hmm, sadly I prefer football players," I said while walking away.
"Really?" he said before lifting me off the ground. I laughed as he asked me to take that back.
He then put me down and kissed me against the lockers. I responded quickly to the kiss.
"Who's there?!" Someone yelled.
"Busted," he whispered, "We either get detention or we-" he started but I cut him off by pulling him and we ran towards the back exit.
It was so fun. The person seemed to be chasing us, possibly the guard. We finally made it out and hid.
"Silly kids!" he yelled.
Turns out we weren't the only ones sneaking around. We spotted a few teenagers too, couples mainly.
We laughed as we got to his car and drove off. The adrenaline pumping through my veins... I really had fun.
"Okay so, I'll pick you up at Five. You have one hour to get ready," he said when we arrived at my house.
He didn't tell me why, just to hurry. He also said to pack a bag with comfortable clothes like jeans.
So I showered quickly and picked a dress among the dresses he'd sent.
They were so beautiful, fit for a princess. I picked a baby blue one that had beautiful jewel and flower detail. It was sleeveless with a pole neck.
I did my makeup quickly. And styled my hair in a messy updo. Was this prom?
"People just like prom because it's an excuse to lose their virginity afterwards," Rosalina's voice rang in my mind.
I, however, didn't lose it during my teen years. It was two years ago.
Demetri texted me that he had arrived and I went downstairs to meet him.
He looked so unrealistically handsome in his perfectly fitted black tux. His hair was in twisted braids which he let loose. He didn't have the specs on.
I kinda liked them though.
As we drove to the venue, I couldn't help but notice that he kept om stealing glances at me.
"Why do you keep doing that?" I said when I caught him again.
"Because you're beautiful," he said without hesitation, "I never believed in fairytale-like life, so I'm kinda scared you'll disappear."
The more and more time I spent with Demetri, the harder I fell for him. I know this is not just a crush anymore.
I tried not to blush.
We arrived at a private place which had been decorated so beautifully. Fairy lights and the like, it was wonderful.
"Welcome to Prom X Sweet 16 and since you're Hispanic-Latina, X Quinceanera," he said while putting a crown on my head.
"Surprise!" Lorr and Josiah yelled from the entrance.
"You're late," Demetri said.
"Fashionably," Lorr said while fixing his bow tie.
I laughed. The both wished me a happy belated birthday.
They all made my evening memorable. They even set a throne for me. Josiah was the one who performed the changing of the shoe and gave me the first dance.
Of course Lorr and Demetri both wanted to cut in. I did dance with both of them.
"Those salsa lessons did pay off," Demetri joked as we neared the end of our slow dance.
My hands played with the baby hairs on his neck as I grinned.
"Okay everyone, it's time to announce prom King and queen," Lorr said.
"Oh no, it's already rigged," Josiah said while shaking his head and laughing as he had some cake.
"This year's Prom King and Queen are....." Lorr said dramatically, "Quinn and I."
His cousins booed at him while I laughed.
"Yah, keep booing you jealous wankers," Lorr said as he walked to me, "our dance, mamacita."
He led me to the dance floor and we danced.
I really had fun. At seven we left after I thanked Lorr and Josiah for being there and gave the both big hugs.
"Thank you for Prom and the important birthdays," I told him as he drove.
"You're welcome Dee," he responded,
"Well it's a bit too early for us to find a good college party so I guess we'll skip a few years.
So congratulations, you're 21 now."
"It's okay, I never liked them either way," I said the laughed,
"Hey, I'm your age now."
"Very funny," he responded, "Okay, outfit change, you look like a high schooler."
I rolled my eyes.
We finally reached his house and he directed me to a guest bedroom. On the bed, clothes were laid out.
It's how the sizes were correct.
I chose a black long sleeve bodycon dress that reached mid thigh. I tied my hair in a neat low pony tail and retouched my makeup. I put on some hoop earrings.
I put on the graduation cap and gown he had left as well then walked downstairs where Demetri was waiting.
He'd changed into a navy blue tailored Armani suit with a black turtle neck inside. His twist-outs were tied back with a two of them falling across his face.
I don't know why but he keeps getting hotter.
I stood before his tall frame.
"Congratulations graduate, looking mature," he teased.
I reached out and pinched his nose then poked his forehead.
He laughed then directed me to his backyard were we had a mini graduation ceremony before he took me out for a drink.
"Not more than three cups, you just turned 21," he warned as we walked into the bar.
"Fine," I said in a bored tone as we sat down and ordered.
Everything was great till girls started flirting with him. In my face.
I know he looked handsome and had a cool composure and appearance and all. But was I invisible to them?
"Can you please leave now," I told one girl as calmly as possible.
"Hey, relax bi**h," She replied
Composure my girl, composure
So I cussed at her in Italian.
She walked to me as I drank down my last drink.
"What did you say?" she asked.
"Nothing you can understand, since you can't understand simple things like an uninterested guy," I told her.
"You're just unnoticeable," she said the poured her drink on me, "Oops, didn't see you there."
All composure I had went down the drain. I was about to take a step forward when I felt Demetri's firm grip on my waist pulling me back against him.
"Don't do it, relax," he whispered in my ear.
The girl walked away, not before winking at Demetri. I cussed.
I turned to find Demetri with an amused grin.
"What?" I asked defensively.
"You almost got into a fight. You're really cute when you're jealous and possessive," he said and laughed, "as entertaining as that would be, we have to leave."
He said while paying for the drinks. He ushered us out of the bar.
"You have to look for a job now," he told me as we walked down the street. He put on his disguise specs. He still looked hot. I followed suit.
"But it's like 9pm," I said.
"And you're 22 years old, you need a job," he said, "And you will hustle to find someone hiring."
He must have been kidding right. Nope, he was dead serious.
"That bag with your much more comfortable clothing is in the car, you can get in and get changed," he stated.
I was still wondering were I'd find a job. I got into the car and changed.
I went round looking for a place that could let me do something for even an hour with no pay. Places were closed. Others didn't believe I didn't want to get paid. Others weren't hiring. But someone directed me to a gas station.
Eventually I found a job offer at the gas station a bit out of town. The guy who was supposed to cover the night shift was supposedly running late.
"Can you change a tire?" the man asked.
"Yes."
"Can you fill up a car?"
"Yes."
"You're hired," he said while handling me a cap.
I ran outside to Demetri, who was sitting in the jeep.
"I got the job," I told him and ran to the other workers.
The station was not really in the city so it wasn't as busy.
"You're doing great," Demetri cheered while leaning on his car as I helped change a car's tire.
The workers were very supportive. Some truck drivers stopped by to refuel their trucks and take a break. They were so fun and friendly and had southern accents.
One of them blasted music from his truck and made everyone dance along.
"If it's meant to be, it will be, it will be. Baby just let it be,"
We all sang and danced along to Meant to be by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia line.
I looked at at Demetri who was looking at me, a smile on his face as he sat on the hood of his car, still in his suit.
He waved at me and I waved back then one of the truck drivers pulled me to dance.
"So won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes! If it's meant to be, it will be! It will be!"
Demetri and I then made eye contact again.
"Baby if it's meant to be."
****
We left the gas station at around 11 and had a quiet and comfortable drive back.
I scrolled through the pictures I took of the days events; the children, the amusement park, high-school, the party, the job. I couldn't help but smile.
"Why don't your dimples show most of the time?" he asked suddenly.
"You mean like this one," I said while poking his dimple making him chuckle.
"I don't know. I wasn't born with them and they are very shallow. Mamma always said they come with genuine emotion like joy," I said while mimicking my mother.
"Well the mission complete then," he stated.
The drive went on smoothly, my hand in his, until we arrived at my place. He carried my bag in and set it on the couch.
"I had a great time today, Thank you so much," I said while hugging him.
"You're welcome," he responded and we stayed in each other's embrace.
I looked up at him and went on my tiptoes. He leaned down and we kissed. The chime from my wall clock broke us apart.
"It's midnight," he said and smiled.
"Yah?" I said/asked.
"You're finally 24, happy birthday," he said and I couldn't help but grin.
This gesture of his? I would never forget.