ELLE
"Are you serious? This is amazing!" Olivia's jaw dropped. "I've been waiting for this to happen forever!" She exclaimed. My cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink, and I couldn't help but hide my face with my hands.
"I can't believe it either."
Grace chuckled. "Finally, our little Elle is making waves with the bad boy. Who would've thought?" She teased.
I playfully swatted Grace's arms, grinning. "Hey, you two aren't helping with the nerves here. But I can't deny that I'm pretty excited." Olivia jumped up, clapping her hands together. "You need a killer outfit for your date with Cameron."
"She's right, we can't let you go out wearing that." Grace said as she threw a friendly arm around my shoulders.
"Hey! My outfit choices are way better than your taste in-"
"Guys! Focus!" Olivia cut me off.
"Yes, Elle, don't get your virgin panties in a twist." Grace let out a giggle.
The room fell into an awkward silence.
"Oh my god, you are a virgin!"
"Hey, there's nothing bad in that." Olivia chimed in.
Grace clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh, this is going to be amazing! We're going to make sure you have the best outfit, the best experience." She ended with a wink. And just like that, we hopped into Olivia's car and headed to the mall. Time flew by in a blur of dresses, shoes and endless exclamations of "You have to wear this!" or "That color is so perfect for you!" The boutique turned into a runway.
We browsed through several racks of clothes, trying on dresses and tops, modeling for each other and giggling like schoolgirls. Grace held up a vibrant red dress. "Elle, how about this one?" Olivia nodded in agreement. "Definitely. Red is your color."
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack? That dress is way too bold for me!"
Grace chuckled. "Maybe next time then."
Couple hours and countless outfit changes later, I stood in front of the mirror, my heart fluttering as I admired myself in a knee-length light pink dress. The color perfectly complimented my eyes, and the design of the dress was simple yet elegant.
Olivia complimented. "You look stunning in that dress."
Grace added. "You are going to knock him off his feet."
The idea of spending the evening with Cam got me excited. I bought the dress and some accessories, then we all drove back. I was seated in the backseat, with my shopping bag stacked on the seat beside me. The sun was starting to go down.
When we arrived at my house, I grabbed my stuff and got out of the car. Olivia said. "Have a great time tonight!" Grace added. "Text us the details!" She winked, I smiled and made my way into the house.
I hurried upstairs, eagerly jumped into the shower and started preparing for the date. The hot water cascaded over me, washing away the stress of the day and leaving me refreshed. Once I finished drying off, I put on the light pink dress I bought before. I glanced at the mirror, fixed my blonde hair, and let it flow smoothly over my shoulders. I chose a subtle makeup look that matched my outfit.
A notification popped on my phone screen.
It was a text from Cam. "Hey!" With a smile, I typed a quick response, but just as I was about to press send, I heard a knock on my door. It was Liam.
"Hey, Elle, what are you up to tonight?" Liam asked, leaning against the doorway, suspicion etched on his face. Startled, I quickly hid my phone and stood up straight, appearing nonchalant. "Oh, just going out for dinner with some friends. Probably a late night, so don't wait up."
Liam crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "Really? You just got out of shower. And you're wearing that dress? It seems a bit much for casual dinner."
My mind raced as I tried to come up with a believable excuse. "Um, yeah, it's kind of special occasion. We're celebrating my friend's birthday." Liam eyed me suspiciously, but after a moment, he sighed and stepped back. "Fine, just be safe and come back on time."
I quickly grabbed my bag, hugged my brother and made my way downstairs, trying to put distance between me and him before he starts bombarding me with more questions. While I made up the story, I felt a sudden burst of adrenaline and a hint of guilt for betraying my brother's trust. I worried about how he would react. Deep down, I hoped he would understand why I chose to do what I did, even if he didn't agree with it.
Outside, the cool air greeted me. A few minutes passed and I was starting to get impatient. I spotted his car approaching, his sleek black car gliding to a stop in front of me. With a smile that could light up the darkest nights, he leaned over and popped open the passenger door. "Hey." He greeted. "You look stunning in that dress."
Blushing, I replied. "Thanks. I wanted to dress up a little tonight."
His eye's crinkled with a mischievous smile. "I'm glad you did. I have a surprise for you tonight."
I raised an eyebrow. "A surprise? I can't wait."
I settled into the passenger seat and closed the door behind me. I turned towards him and I could see a huge grin on his face. "It's something I know you'll love." He faced me and winked, causing a stray strand of hair to fall onto his forehead. My eyes were practically glued on it as I saw him brush it away with his fingers.
He appeared effortlessly attractive, and I couldn't help but appreciate the attention he paid to his look for the evening. Dressed in a sharp white shirt that highlighted his broad shoulders, along with snug dark jeans that fit him perfectly, his attire radiated confidence mixed with a touch of relaxed charm.
"What?"
He caught me staring at him. My cheeks flushed, and I quickly looked away. "Umm, nothing." I wonder if he thinks I'm weird or if he's flattered by my attention.
"I wonder what have you planned. Give me a hint?" I said, in an attempt to change the subject.
He chuckled softly, shaking his head sideways. "No hints. It's a surprise."
I widened my eyes with innocence, and I gave him a gentle pout, hoping to melt him. With a soft voice and a pleading look, I nudged him with the question.
"Just a tiny detail? Please?"
I could see him glance at me, his expression softening as he meets my gaze. I noticed a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks, accompanied by a shy smile.
"Alright! We talked about it recently."
I furrowed my brow, thinking hard. Then, realization hit me, making my eyes widen in surprise. "Italian?" I screamed. "Oh, I love Italian food."
He smirked, nodding his head. "You are getting close." His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, glancing at me occasionally.
"Is it a fancy one? With candlelit tables and all?"
"It's a surprise, remember?"
"I get very impatient when it comes to surprises. God, this is torture."
"You are going to like it very much."
The car continued down the road and my excitement grew. My mind raced with all the possibilities. I couldn't help but imagine all the delicious food I might enjoy. Pasta is my ultimate comfort food, it never fails to soothe my soul. There's something about the warmth of a bowl of spaghetti or the creaminess of a cheesy baked ziti that makes everything feel right in the world.
Finally, the car came to a stop in front of a building adorned with brightly lit signboard that spelled out La pasta-bar. This place was not just any Italian restaurant, it was an open pasta bar, with over fifty different pasta flavors. I was about to step into heaven.
"I've always wanted to come here."
He opened the car door and stepped out, then swiftly made his way around the car and opened my door, extending his hand. I felt my cheeks flush and a smile spread across my face when he gently held my hands in his. "Very gentleman like."
He grinned. "Only for you, belle."
CAMERON
We walked together towards the entrance, the tempting aroma of Italian spices filled the air. La pasta-bar was a vibrant and lively place. It showcased an array of pasta stations, each managed by expert chefs who were busy cooking up mouthwatering food. Displayed before us were the rows upon rows of pasta – classic favorites like spaghetti and penne, as well as more unique varieties like squid ink linguine and truffle-infused ravioli.
I led her to our reserved table, pulled out a chair for her, ensured she was comfortable, and then took my seat beside her. The waiter approached our table. I greeted him with a warm smile. "Good evening, we are ready to place our orders."
The waiter nodded, taking out his notepad. "Of course, sir. What can I get for you tonight?"
"I'll go for the classic spaghetti Bolognese, and a side of garlic bread, please."
"I'll have the Penne Arrabiata, please." Elle placed her order.
As the waiter left, I turned attention to the girl sitting beside me. "So, you've always wanted to come here, huh?"
Her face lit up and she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I've seen these amazing pictures on social media, and I've always wanted to try their delicious dishes."
The background music kept playing, creating an intimate atmosphere. I enjoyed how our conversation flowed so naturally. I wanted to discover more about her, her likes and dislikes. I felt an urge to know more about the captivating women beside me.
I couldn't help but smile as I thought about ways to strengthen our bond. I was eager to uncover the depths of her mind and interests, to discover what shaped her as a person. An idea struck me. "You know, Elle," I began, "I've been thinking. I want to get to know you better. How about we play a little game to break the ice?"
"A game? What kind of game?"
"How about twenty-one questions? We take turns asking each other a question, and we have to answer truthfully. It's a great way to learn more about each other."
Her smile widened. "I love that idea. Let's play!"
"Alright, then, let's start with something simple.' I suggested. 'What's your favorite movie?"
She paused for a moment. "Hmm... that's a tough one, but I have to say Ten things I hate about you. It's a such a beautiful movie."
"Oh, I remember watching this movie with my Cousin Layne."
"Is it that cousin you purchased the book for?"
"Yeah. Her name is Layne."
"I hope she enjoyed the book."
"She went crazy when she saw the book."
"That's good to hear."