by Safa Shaqsy
I looked around to see that people were watching us, and some of them were shushing him. I giggled, “Get up,” I said.
“Okay,” he had a cute side smile, and put the book back on the shelf.
“I don’t know what’s worse, my disco ball dress, or that you read Shakespeare’s book out loud,” I confessed, and laughed.
He huffed a laugh, “Yeah, sorry about that,” and scratched the back of his head.
I looked down at my dress, “Do you think I’m stealing the spot light tonight with this dress?”
“You don’t have to worry about it, cause you do it every day,” he stated.
“Hm,” I bit my lower lip, “That’s new, and cheesy.”
We laughed, and looked at each other.
After we calmed down, we leaned our faces closer to each other, and kissed. My heart was about to jump out my chest with his gentle, and sweet kiss.
THAT NIGHT, AFTER DINNER, I couldn’t sleep, all I could do was think and imagine about the date I went to that night, and I had to share it with my girlfriends.
Me: AHH
Celia sent a hearts eyes sticker
Jane: Celia, you okay?
Max: You keep on FREAKING ME OUT
Me: This was the best date EVER
Max: Ahaaaaaaaa ;)
Jane sent a kissing faces sticker
Max: Where did you guys go?
Me: To the library
Me: But he totally charmed me
Me: Omg, I feel
Me: I feel something
Me: Something different
Max: Oh, my, Celia is charmed ;)
Jane: What happened?
Jane: Tell us everything!
Max: SPILL THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SOUL
Me: He read a few lines from Shakespeare’s book
Me: It was weird
Me: It was different
Me: Then we laughed
Me: Kissed
Max: Wooh, hold on there
Max: You KISSED?
Jane: :O
Me: Yes!
Max: Well?
Max: How was it?!
Me: It wasn’t hot
Me: But it was sweet
Max: Not your type, huh? ;)
Jane: Oooh, someone’s in love
Me: shut up
Me: I’m not sure why I feel this way
Me: Maybe I became too desperate after my break up
Me: I don’t even know if this is the real deal
Max: Oh, come on
Max: It’s not like you’re going to die or anything
Max: Chillax and enjoy the moment
Max: Can you do that for now?
Me: I guess I can
Jane: I hope he’s good to you
Me: He is
Me: He’s very kind
Me: A gentleman too
Max: See? Nothing to worry
Me: As long as he’s not a serial killer
Jane: LOL
Max: You cray cray
Me: I’m a bit tired, today was a long day
Me: Goodnight, girls
Max: Night
Jane sent a sleepy face sticker
Chapter Eleven
I ORDERED PIZZA FOR dinner that night, and sat on the floor with my siblings as we ate. Amelia laid on her belly on the carpet and nibbled the pizza in her hands. Dad was on the sofa, next to Mom as he fed her carefully the small slice of pizza that he cut for her. Adam ate so fast that he forgot how many he ate.
“How many slices did you eat?” Amelia asked.
“As many as I want!” Adam snapped at her.
“It’s not fair, I only ate one slice,” Amelia said with a full mouth.
“Don’t talk while you’re eating,” I ordered Amelia.
“Well, Adam is talking too!” Amelia argued.
“Well, I’m older than you,” Adam teased.
Amelia grimaced and stuck her tongue out at Adam, that made Adam upset, and lifted the pizza box away from her. “If you don’t respect me, I’ll take away all the pizza,” he threatened.
Amelia got up and kicked his belly with her bare foot. Adam groaned and placed his hand over his belly. “You little brat!” he screamed, and threw the pizza box on the floor, and sprinted towards Amelia. She screamed and ran away from him to upstairs while he chased her.
I gave Dad a look.
He sighed, and got up, “Kids?” he called after them and went upstairs.
I picked up the box from the floor, and continued eating my pizza. That’s when I heard the doorbell. I didn’t invite anyone over at that hour, and didn’t suspect it was the mailman either. I got up and went to the door, and as I opened the door, I looked around. There was no one outside. I was about to close the door again, but noticed a red box on the doormat.
“To Celia,” was written on a small post it note.
I bent down and took the box with me inside, and closed the door behind me. Dad went downstairs again, and my siblings followed him. They looked as pissed as angry birds, with their furrowed eyebrows. I held a laugh, and looked at my dad.
Dad noticed the box in my hand. “Who’s the box from?” He asked.
I shrugged, “I don’t know. It says To Celia,” I explained.
His shoulders dropped. “Maybe a secret admirer,” He suggested and winked at me, “Well, I’ll get your mom upstairs. I need to give her the pills and make sure she sleeps.” He rubbed my head, which messed up my hair and pulled me to his chest, and gave me a bear hug.
I hugged back, “I know,” I told him.
He went to Mom and took her hand, and they went upstairs.
My siblings had wide eyes for minutes, then Adam smirked, “Oh, love is in the air,” he teased.
Amelia giggled.
“Shut up!” I said, and ran upstairs to my bedroom and closed the door behind me.
I sat excitedly on the bed, and opened the box. There were lots of colorful slips with printed quotes on them. I took one slip and read it under my breath, “These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder which, as they kiss, consume” I giggled and brushed my lips with my fingers, and reminisced about our last kiss. Ned took the time to write Shakespeare’s quotes on slips for me. Quotes he easily had in the back of his mind.
I took another slip, “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite,” I whispered to myself.
I put the slips in the box and pulled my phone out to text my girls.
Me: OMG
Jane: omg?
Max: WHAT HAPPENED?
Me: Ned sent me a gift tonight!
Max: OMG
Max: STOP SCARING ME LIKE THAT
Me: Sorry?
Me: I’m excited
Max: I hate you sometimes
Me: Thanks for the confession
Jane: Really, you two?
Jane: LOL
Max: What’s the gift?
Me: Slips of quotes from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliette
Max: That is sooo romantic!
Jane: Aww, cute
Me: Yeah!
Me: But I feel weird now
Max: Why?
Me: I don’t know
Me: Not sure if I want this right now
Jane: Are you okay?
Max: Maybe he’s moving too fast?
Me: I don’t know
Me: I’m going to sleep
Me: Will talk to you tomorrow
Max: Wait!
I closed the chat before I saw any further texts from them, and collapsed on the bed. I couldn’t tell if I was feeling pain of moving on, or just feeling something else entirely. Though, I wasn’t accepting Ned’s gestures the way I hoped. I wished I could just end that pain for good, because it made me feel paralyzed. All I had to do was just survive to another day.
Chapter Twelve
I WOKE UP THAT MORNING feeling much better, but with a little pain in my chest. I knew I hadn’t total
ly forgotten about Kent. The sunlight cast a natural light inside my room from the window. I stretched my arms up, and yawned, and got up from the bed and went over to the window. I opened the curtains, and saw my dad outside with his mug.
I sighed.
I walked away from the window and took my phone out to check if there were any texts from anyone. There was a text from Ned. My heart rate increased in my chest while I opened the text from Ned.
Ned: Hey :)
I took a deep breath, and remembered our kiss. Our very first kiss, and how sweet it felt. I was debating whether I should text him or not. I bit my lower lip, and opened the chat again to text him back. Here goes nothing, I thought.
Me: Hey
Ned: How are you?
Me: I’m alright
Me: You?
Ned: I feel great
Me: great
Ned: I wanted to ask you something
Me: Yes?
Ned: I thought about you, and wondered if you’d like to go out with me.
Me: Where are you taking me?
Ned: To my favourite Thai restaurant
Me: That sounds wonderful
Ned: So, you’re cool?
Me: Yeah
Ned: Shit
Ned: I mean, cool
Ned: Sorry, I’m just nervous
Me: Lol
Ned: I’ll pick you up in 15 mins
I closed the chat, and went to the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth. I took my clothes off, and looked in the mirror. I was smiling. I didn’t notice that I was smiling like a goof all that time. “Shit, this isn’t happening,” I murmured to myself. I pinned my hair in a high bun, and got in the shower.
IT TOOK ME MORE THAN fifteen minutes to get ready, and Ned was outside waiting for me. I straightened my hair, and wore a transparent sun yellow shirt, and a grey short fitted dress. I sprayed on some perfume, and took my handbag. I sprinted downstairs in a hurry, and saw dad watching me.
“Going on a date?” he asked, not really surprised.
“Yup, be back later,” I replied.
“Okay, have fun,” he said, “and don’t be late.”
“Okay, bye,” I said aloud.
I went outside and closed the door behind me. Ned was in the driver’s side, grinning at me. Ned wore a grey fitted shirt and had a recent haircut, and he smelled good. He looked different, and well groomed. “Hey, ready for the date?” He asked.
I smiled, and stared into his blue eyes, “Yeah.” I nodded.
He turned the car around, and drove away from my house. I knew the streets he drove on, and the neighborhood was filled with houses that had lawns and gardens. Kids were getting into busses, or their parents’ private cars. The moon was full and the sky was a bit cloudy. It took us a few minutes’ drive to the restaurant.
Ned parked the car. We got out and entered the restaurants’ red building. I was surprised when I saw the purple walls of the restaurant. The aroma was tempting, and I felt hungry. I haven’t had any breakfast. The waitress came in welcomed us, and showed us to our table in the corner.
At our table, Ned pulled out a chair for me. “Thank you,” I said.
Ned sat on the other side, and looked at the window on the other side of our table.
“I’m sorry this is not a fancy restaurant,” he said.
“No, it’s fine. Really,” I said.
The waitress came in with the menus, and handed them to each of us. “Let me know when you’re ready to order,” she said, and walked away.
I opened the menu and silently read the list. “Which one’s your favourite?” I asked.
“Spicy gravy and rice,” he answered, “Just make sure there’s a toilet here.”
I laughed, “I don’t think I can do it,” I said, “Is it really that spicy?”
He snickered, “It is. You should try it.”
“Okay, but if I started spitting fire, then it’s your fault.” I warned.
He chuckled, “Alright. Alright.”
I arched one of my eyebrows, “It’s a dare then,” I stated.
He raised his both eyebrows, “Really?”
“Yes, let’s see who can do it without drinking water,” I said.
He squinted his eyes behind the menu, “Alright, it’s a dare.”
He signed for the waitress, and she came in. “He both want the spicy gravy and rice,” he ordered.
She wrote down the order on a pad, “Do you want any drinks?”
“No,” I replied.
She looked at us confused, “Are you sure? The gravy is too spicy.”
We both nodded.
“Okay,” She said, and went on her way.
We both giggled.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I confessed, “This is your fault.”
He laid back, “Oh, now it’s my fault that you made this dare?” He questioned, “You’re the one who’s a wild heart.”
“You’re the one who likes spicy food.”
“This is crazy, we need wine,” he stated.
“Wine? It’s illegal!” I whispered.
He shrugged, “I always order wine here, no biggie.” He snapped his fingers and a waitress walked to us. “Bring us a bottle of wine,” He simply ordered. She went and brought a bottle from the back shelf. A waiter came in with two wine glasses. He placed them on the table, and one of them opened the bottle for us. The waitress took the bottle and poured some on each glass, and she took the bottle with her.
I kept staring at Ned, and how normal he acted about the wine. He took the glass, and sipped from it. My jaws dropped, “I can’t believe you,” I whispered.
He shrugged, “It’s just wine.”
“Oh my god, I never saw a nerd breaking any rule before,” I took my glass and sipped from it, and swallowed the wine.
“This is my happy place. I feel I can do anything here,” he explained, “My life at home is not stable, but when I come here alone, I forget everything about my life, and just focus on food and wine.”
“Well, if this is your happy place, then cheers to that,” I clinked my glass to his and smiled.
We both sipped our wine in silence for a second.
The waitress finally brought our food, and placed them in front of each of us. “Two spicy food for the young couple,” she said, and left us alone.
I took a spoon and took some soup, and sipped it. The gravy was a bit thick, but tasty. I didn’t feel any spice in the gravy, until I swallowed the gravy, and my tongue was on fire. Ned also sipped his, and we both opened our mouths to let air in, and fanned our mouths with our hands.
“Too spicy!” I yelled at Ned.
“Surrender to the wine!” Ned told me, “Lose the dare!”
“No!” I refused, and waited for my tongue to feel mild.
“Give up now, and drink the wine,” He started, “Give in to the temptation.”
“Shut up!” I said, and took the glass of wine and gulped it all.
He laughed, “Wooh, I won!”
The spice finally broke down, and I felt better. I started laughing.
We continued laughing, until Ned stopped and looked into my eyes.
I stopped laughing, “Everything okay?”
“I’m having fun,” he said.
“Me too.”
AFTER THE DATE WAS over, Ned took me home. When I got in the house, Dad called from the living room, “How was your date?” He asked, as he peeped his head out of the door.
“It was great,” I replied, “really good, actually.”
“Good,” he said. “Well, you better change, I’ll order lunch later.”
“Actually, I already ate lunch,” I said and went upstairs to my bedroom. I took off my clothes, and my phone. I had to tell the girls about my date with Ned.
Me: Ned and I went on a date today
Jane: aww, that’s sweet
Max: OOOW
Max: Where did you guys go?
Me: To a Thai restaurant
Max: Did you k
iss again?
Me: Not really
Me: But he was staring at me, like he was trying to say something
Max: Oh, shit
Max: Do you think he loves you?
Me: I don’t know
Jane: That makes sense
Jane: Maybe he’s scared to tell you
Max: If he did confess, are you going to be okay with him?
Me: I don’t know, Max
Me: I don’t know
Chapter Thirteen
ON SATURDAY MORNING, Ned texted me to ask if I’d go to his house to work on our project again. After I ate my breakfast with my family, I told Dad that I was going out to work on a project with Ned. Dad was using his laptop in the living room’s coffee table. Probably working on his designs as overtime to finish up some pending projects. Mom sat on the sofa in front of the TV, and my siblings were upstairs playing with their devices.
Dad didn’t turn to look at me, instead focused on his laptop screen, “Be back before dinner, I’m cooking pasta tonight,” he said as he drew on the drawing tablet.
“Okay, umm,” I said, “I need to talk to you later when I get back.”
He finally looked at me, “About what, dear?” he asked.
“I’ll tell you later. I have to go now,” I said and went for the door.
“Take care,” he said, and turned to the screen again.
I got outside, and closed the door behind me. I saw Ned’s car parked outside, and held papers to my chest. I opened the door, and got inside. “Hey,” I greeted Ned.
“Hey,” he said, “I called Mrs. Jensen yesterday, and she wasn’t happy about our project.” He drove the car, and kept talking, “I told her that we needed more time to work on the project, since you had some stuff going on with your mom, and that delayed our project. She said we had a few days, and it’s our last chance to hand in the project. I hope you don’t mind me telling her about your situation.”
My heart skipped, “No, it’s fine,” I said with a low voice.
He glimpsed at me with hesitation, “Are, are you sure you’re alright?” He wondered, “You don’t sound okay.”
I shook my head, and looked down, “It’s hard to talk about it, or someone mentioning it. That’s all,” I replied.
