Dream Date

by Ivan Kendrick

  “I know. I had a lot of fun writing her.”

  After they finished their food, Nathan prepared to tell Kayla what he’d asked her on the date for.

  “Kayla, there’s something I want to tell you.”

  She looked at him with eyebrows furrowed.

  “Tell me.”

  Nathan had rehearsed the words in his mind for the past couple of days. Unfortunately, that didn’t mean saying them would be so easy.

  “You should know about…” Nathan began, gauging Kayla’s expression. To his surprise, she smiled.

  “They got back to you, haven’t they?”

  Nathan frowned.

  “Who?”

  “You told me that you had told the school you were moving out of your dorm. Have they approved it yet?”

  “Um…yeah. I might move today.”

  “Great. That way we can start packing.”

  “What?”

  “It’s great news, right? I’ve already packed a couple of boxes. It’s just some of my clothes. If you want, I can stop by your dorm to help you with yours.”

  “You don’t have to, Kayla. I’ll stop by your dorm and help you pack. I don’t have much stuff.”

  “Okay. Just call me to make sure I’m not away.”

  “Sure,” Nathan said, looking at Kayla. She was still so damn happy. He could tell that Kayla wouldn’t give him a chance to tell her the truth. Nathan would have to wait for another time.

  Ashton spotted Grecia walking through a hallway in the opposite direction to him. As soon as she noticed he was there, Grecia flinched and turned right into a different hallway. Ashton frowned, wondering what he’d done to her. He decided to follow.

  Grecia continued walking until she exited the building. Ashton came out after her and looked around. He saw she was already about thirty feet away from him, heading nowhere in particular. Her fiery red hair was easy to spot. At one point, Grecia surreptitiously looked over her shoulder. She didn’t see Ashton, who took a shortcut to intercept her.

  Before Grecia reached the northwest corner of the Johnson Museum of Art, Ashton appeared in front of her. She stopped in her tracks, staring daggers at him.

  “What’s wrong with you, baby?” Ashton asked. When he got close enough, Grecia slapped him. He put his hand on the side of his face, looking at her with wide eyes.

  “I don’t want to see your sorry ass ever again!”

  “Grecia, what the hell? What’s gotten into you?”

  “And you still ask? Get away before I kick you in the balls next.”

  Ashton instinctively took a subtle step back.

  “Why are you acting like this? I haven’t done anything to you!”

  Grecia snorted.

  “Go. Away. Now!”

  Grecia started to walk in the direction she had been going. Ashton blocked her way. She moved to kick him in the groin, but Ashton deflected her kick with the side of his hand and then grabbed her by the arms.

  “Explain what the hell this is all about.”

  “Let go of me!”

  Grecia struggled in Ashton’s grip, trying to get free. She tried kicking him, but he avoided all her blows. One of Ashton’s movements made his head vulnerable, and Grecia took the opening to head-butt him. He flinched, but didn’t budge. Grecia groaned.

  “Ow.”

  Ashton resisted laughing.

  “Why all this hostility? I have no idea what is going through that freakin’ head of yours right now.”

  “Let go or I’ll scream.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  Grecia shot Ashton a look that made him reconsider. He let go of her arms. She rubbed them, and then put a hand on her forehead.

  “Aim for a softer target next time,” Ashton suggested.

  “The hell I will.”

  Grecia turned around and stormed away.

  “Grecia! Wait. What’s going on with you?”

  Ashton hurried forward, but when he spotted Grecia’s red mane, she was too far away, running aimlessly away from him. He rubbed his chin, wondering what had possessed Grecia to attack him.

  After classes ended, Nathan decided to confess his feelings to Amanda. It was time that she knew. He walked outside the building where he knew Amanda had her last class. Nathan checked his watch. According to the time, she was due to leave at any minute.

  As he stood outside the building, Nathan got an idea. He knew what Amanda’s car looked like, so he had parked his close to it. Nathan walked the short way to the parking lot, getting into his car and waiting.

  A minute later, Amanda got to the lot. Behind her was Kellan. Nathan chuckled. With his youth, he was perfect for his job. He easily passed for a college student. Nathan wondered why Kellan didn’t go all the way and start taking courses. He could make his schedule coincide with Amanda’s.

  Kellan opened the door for Amanda. When she was in, he got to the driver’s side. Once the car pulled out and headed away, Nathan followed after them.

  Amanda’s car left the campus through the west via University Avenue. Shortly ahead, the car took Highway 13 to the north. Before Nathan knew it, the car took a couple of right turns, stopping outside an apartment complex.

  So this is where you’re staying, Nathan thought once he got to the building. He had followed Amanda’s car from far enough away that Kellan wouldn’t notice that someone was following them. The whole drive took five minutes, anyway.

  Kellan drove through Savannah Park road and bypassed the first parking lot. He turned right again at the next intersection. Up ahead, there was a second lot. Kellan found a space and parked the car. Nathan drove past that lot and turned left, parking in the first empty space that he found. He killed the engine and looked in the direction of the other lot.

  Kellan was now leading Amanda, walking in Nathan’s direction. They appeared to be heading to the building in front of where he had parked. Nathan watched them, hoping Kellan’s eagle sight wouldn’t spot him.

  Once Amanda and Kellan were out of sight, Nathan got out of the car and locked it. He followed them to the building where they entered. Nathan peered around a wall and saw them taking the elevator. When they were inside, Nathan walked up to it. By the lights on top, he saw that they were exiting at the third floor. Nathan took the stairs up there. When he got to the top, he was out of breath. Thankfully, no one had seen him. He peeked into the hall and saw Amanda and Kellan entering a room.

  Bingo. Now I can go see her.

  Nathan waited for a little while until he was no longer winded. He walked up to Amanda’s door and rang the bell. Then he turned his back on the door. Nathan heard a voice from inside.

  “It’s okay, Kellan. I’ll answer the door.”

  Nathan thought that was great. He wasn’t keen on having her bodyguard answer the door. There was the sound of the door opening, and then a gasp. Nathan turned around and faced Amanda.

  “Hi.”

  Amanda blinked, speechless.

  “How…how did you get here? How did you know where I live?”

  “I just saw you at school and wanted to talk to you, so I followed you here.”

  Amanda pursed her lips. Nathan didn’t know whether she was pleased that he was here or not.

  “What do you want to talk about?”

  “Us.”

  Amanda closed her eyes, and then she sighed.

  “I told you, Nathan. We can’t be more than friends.”

  “First, are you going to let me in, or do we have to have this conversation in the hallway?”

  Amanda stared at him for a few seconds, and then she stood aside. Nathan walked into her apartment, and she closed the door. He looked around. The interior was spacious and expensive-looking. This apartment looked even more upscale than Cayuga Place.

  “We can only be friends, Nathan,” Amanda said.

  “Says who?”

  “You have a girlfriend.”

  Nathan turned his back on Amanda, walking to the window. He looked out to the grass and trees
below.

  “I have something to tell you.”

  Nathan looked back at Amanda, who now stood next to her coffee table. He walked up to her. Her expression was unreadable.

  “Amanda, I’m in love with you.”

  Amanda’s eyes widened. Nathan’s eyebrows furrowed when he noticed that she looked more afraid instead of surprised.

  What is she afraid of?

  “I’ve loved you from the first day I saw you.”

  “No, you don’t, Nathan. You just want me because you think that I’m more beautiful than your girlfriend.”

  “What? That’s ludicrous, Amanda.”

  “Admit it! Every guy who’s interested in me wants me just because I’m extremely beautiful.”

  Nathan shook his head.

  “I’m not like most guys. True, I thought you were the loveliest woman in the world when I met you. I didn’t get a chance to say anything in high school, because you were dating another guy, and then I graduated. I got to know you a little back then, at least.

  “I thought I wouldn’t see you again. Since then, I’ve dated a few other women. None of them came close to making me feel what you make me feel…except Kayla. Only, I reevaluated my feelings recently. And…I found that I’m not in love with Kayla. I’m in love with you.”

  “Why?”

  Nathan got closer to Amanda, taking his time. He looked down at her lips. She went red, her mouth opening just a fraction.

  “Sometimes, when you meet a person, you just know that they were meant to be with you. It’s inexplicable. I…I love you because I think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world, but also because I’ve gotten to know you over the time we’ve had so far. I’ve realized that I can’t live without you.”

  “You fell in love with me at first sight?”

  “Yes. As I told you, we couldn’t be together the first time. Then you come into my life again, and I find that there was no way I could ever love anyone the way that I love you. You are sweet, caring, motivated, and strong. No matter how hard I looked, I was never able to find a woman that could replace you. You’re the one and only love of my life, the woman I couldn’t live without.”

  By the end of Nathan’s speech, Amanda was looking at Nathan with her mouth open. Her expression had changed to one of awe. She looked like she was about to cry. Nathan was glad his words had touched her.

  “No one has ever said such beautiful words to me,” Amanda said, blinking. A tear escaped her eye. Nathan raised his hand and wiped her cheek with his finger. Then he cupped her face in his hands.

  “I love you like no other woman. And, I don’t know what you’re so afraid of, but I need to tell you that I won’t let that stand in my way. I’ve waited almost four years to be with you. I’m not going to waste this second chance.”

  Before Amanda could say anything, Nathan leaned down and kissed her lips. There was no going back.

  God, Nathan thought. I never imagined she’d feel this heavenly. So, so good.

  Nathan took it slowly at first, just letting their lips brush against each other. Then he played with her bottom lip, lightly squeezing it with both of his own. Amanda let out a soft breath, losing herself. Nathan placed his right hand on the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him.

  Amanda seemed to lose herself as well. Her arms went around Nathan. He placed his hands on her waist.

  Amanda opened her eyes.

  This is so wrong.

  Hands pushed on Nathan’s chest, and the kiss broke. He looked at Amanda, his eyebrows furrowed.

  “What?”

  “We can’t do this,” she said, panting.

  “Wait, wait, wait. You can’t deny that you like me, too. You kissed me back. You want me.”

  “You’ve got a girlfriend.”

  Nathan put his hands on his head, exasperated.

  “For God’s sake, haven’t I just told you that I’m not in love with her? I’m in love with you!”

  “But Kayla’s a perfectly beautiful girl. And she loves you back. What more could you want?”

  For the first time, fear crossed Nathan’s face. Then it dissipated.

  “You don’t love me?”

  Amanda said nothing, avoiding Nathan’s gaze. He smirked.

  “Admit it. You do feel something for me.”

  “I’m dangerous, Nathan. And unreachable.”

  “I’m not afraid of a little challenge. You’re worth crossing long, hot deserts and battling dragons for.”

  Amanda’s eyes glinted again. She seemed flattered.

  “Will you say yes?”

  Amanda shook her head, resuming her defiant stance again.

  “Try harder and forget me, please. Kayla is lovely, you know. Any guy would be lucky to have her.”

  Nathan narrowed his eyes.

  “What is it that you’re so afraid of?”

  Amanda didn’t reply, turning her back on Nathan.

  “We just can’t be together, Nathan. Don’t make me do this.”

  Nathan sighed. He then walked around and faced Amanda. She looked at him with steely resolve.

  “I won’t give up on you, ever,” Nathan said, starting to walk away. “No matter what you throw at me, I’ll always come back. You’re the girl of my life and I’ll fight anything and anyone to be with you.”

  Amanda closed her eyes, hoping that doing so would lessen the impact Nathan’s words had on her. She stood like that for a few minutes. There was the sound of steps, and then of a door opening and closing. Amanda looked towards the entrance to her dorm. Nathan had left.

  Kellan walked in from his room. Amanda looked at him, and then she sat in her sofa.

  “I don’t understand,” Kellan said, scratching his head. “I saw how you responded to that kiss, Amanda. You feel something for that guy. Why do you keep rejecting him?”

  “You know why. It’s still too soon. Liam’s death wasn’t that long ago. I practically just got back from my trip overseas…to heal.”

  “Your reasons are noble. But you don’t have to let that damn you to a life without happiness.”

  “I’m happy,” Amanda said, trying to sound convincing.

  “Not without Nathan in your life, not anymore. You’re just pretending to be happy.”

  “Just let me make my own decisions, okay? I don’t want to be the reason he breaks up with Kayla. Besides, I’m not sure what Hilbert might do. He doesn’t seem like a man to be trifled with.”

  “You have to be faithful. You two could confront anything together, only if you were willing to try.”

  It hurts a little to say this to Amanda, but I don’t want her to give up her happiness. Even if I’m not the guy for her, she has to be happy.

  Amanda looked at Kellan, arching an eyebrow.

  “Have you ever been in love?”

  “No,” Kellan lied. “Well, I’ve loved a couple of women before, but I haven’t found true love yet.”

  Amanda thought about it. A look of pity crossed her face.

  “I overwork you, don’t I, Kellan? Maybe if I let you have more free time, you could be out more often. Who knows, you could meet someone.”

  “I take my duty seriously. Besides, in my line of work, it’s best not to get into tight relationships. It’s for my own protection, and for hers.”

  “Honestly, listen to me. You worry so much about my happiness, right? Well, I also worry about yours. You’re twenty-five, the odd man out.”

  Kellan laughed.

  “Funny for you to say that.”

  “Why?” Amanda asked.

  “The odd man out. Really, Amanda, don’t make me feel old. I’m not Grayson, all right?”

  “Okay,” she replied with a laugh.

  “Just don’t tell him I said that.”

  When Nathan returned to the dorm, he was surprised to once again run into an irate Ashton.

  “Bro, what’s been going on? You’ve been all grumpy these past few days.”

  Ashton frowned.

  “Wha
t’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. It’s just…Grecia.”

  Just what I thought.

  “I thought she surprised you last week.”

  Ashton’s eyebrows furrowed.

  “Surprise? What are you talking about?”

  “You didn’t know?” Nathan asked. Ashton didn’t say anything.

  “Then what did Grecia do today?”

  “You won’t believe it, man. I haven’t seen her for days. Today, I happened to run into her in the hallway. As soon as Grecia saw me, she froze and then did a one-eighty. She disappeared into another hallway. I followed her outside. I took a shortcut to intercept Grecia.”

  “What happened then?”

  “She slapped me.”

  “What?”

  “I know! I have no freakin’ clue what I did to Grecia to deserve such hostility.”

  “Are you sure you didn’t do anything to her?”

  Ashton thought for a few seconds.

  “No. She must have PMS or something.”

  Nathan snickered.

  “That’s not all. When I tried to get Grecia to talk to me, she fought to get away. She even head-butted me.”

  “No!” Nathan said, laughing even harder when he pictured that. “Did you boil her puppy alive or what?”

  Ashton shrugged, clearly at a loss for an explanation.

  Right then, there was knocking on the front door. Nathan went to answer it.

  “Hi, Nathan,” Kayla said. He looked down, seeing that she was carrying a suitcase.

  “What’s this?”

  “Baby, we’re moving to our new place today. Have you forgotten?”

  Kayla looked genuinely disconcerted.

  “Sorry. I…I had my mind elsewhere.”

  Nathan stood aside to let Kayla walk inside. He closed the door, feeling apprehensive. He hadn’t even packed as much as a sock.

  “Hey, Ashton,” Kayla greeted. He waved halfheartedly at her. Kayla shot Nathan a quizzical look, and he shook his head. She noticed something in his expression.

  “What’s wrong, baby?”

  Nathan was frozen at the door, pensive. She left the suitcase leaning against the sofa and walked towards him.

  “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

  Ashton subtly walked to his bedroom, letting Nathan and Kayla have some privacy.