Help a girl out.

Chapter Eleven.

Jessie's POV.

So far the date is going well. In the car on our way to the movies, the conversation seemed to go smoothly, and I was only a little awkward.. Go me! At the movies, we of course, didn’t talk much for obvious reasons. Julian asked if I wanted to get ice cream after, so right now we’re walking to the ice cream shop not far from the movie theater. We are walking in silence for a moment, when he reaches and takes hold of my hand, I stop walking for a split second and look at my hand in his. Julian turns and looks at me with a smile. “Is it okay that I’m holding your hand?” He’s so polite. “Yeah, it’s fine.. Sorry I’m so awkward.. To be honest, this is actually the um..” I swallow, not really sure I should tell him. “The first date I've ever been on.” I get the words out even though my throat feels so dry I could probably drink a truckload of water right now and it would still be dry! Julian just smiles at me. “I didn’t wanna say anything, but I kind of figured.. You seemed so nervous when I asked you out. I feel honored that I’ve taken you on your first date.” He leans in and gives me a hug.. “So, how about that ice cream?” He says with a laugh, before he releases me. I can’t help but smile.. “Thanks, you are too sweet. I’ll love some ice cream.” He takes my hand again and we walk the rest of the way to the ice cream shop.

We sit at a table and eat our ice cream. Julian tells me about himself and his family. He’s the youngest of four siblings, and his parents are still together. He’s the baby of the family, he said so himself. It made me laugh. I’m the youngest too, but I wouldn’t say I was the baby. His family does live here, but about three hours away, he chose to go to school here because of the college’s advanced biology program. He wants to be a doctor like his father is, or more specifically, a plastic surgeon. He’s really ambitious and smart.. Here he is having everything planned out and I haven’t even decided on a major yet.. Why he wants to date me is beyond me. Not that I’m complaining.

“Do you have plans tomorrow?” He asks as I put the last spoonful of my ice cream in my mouth, having to cover it with my hand, should probably have split that bite in two. This is so not charming.. “Um I..I..” I try to talk around the cold ice cream in my mouth, not being very successful. I hold my other hand up to signal ‘give me a sec’ and I battle with the coldness to swallow the last scoop.. It finally goes down.. “Sorry, that was colder than I thought.” I giggle. “Ice cream usually is.” Julian laughs.. “Yeah yeah clever-pants.” I wack him on the shoulder lightly and we both laugh. “So, plans? Tomorrow?” He asks again with a wink. “Well I have the morning shift at the diner, otherwise I’m free.” I answer. “Would you like to go out again, maybe I can just meet you at the diner and we can eat lunch together after your shift?” I’m kind of amazed that he actually wants to go out with me again.. “Sure, yeah that would be nice.” My smile is so big I’m afraid it’ll get stuck that way. “Great.. I better get you home, so you’re not completely exhausted tomorrow..” Julian stands from his chair and offers his hand for me to take, before he leads us out of the shop and back to his car.

Julian parks the car on the curb outside of my apartment building, insisting on walking me up to my door. I, of course, stated I could find my own way, but he was not having it. We find our way to the stairs and I’m acutely aware that he is right behind me following me to my door. I walk a step ahead of him in the hallway, and only turn around to face him when we reach my door. “So, um.. thanks for tonight, I had a really nice time.” I say, suddenly feeling silly and stupid that my nerves are flaring up again. I’ve seen the movies, okay, I’ve read the books. I know what happens at the end of a date! Julian stops right before me, and looks intensely into my eyes. “You’re welcome Jess, I had a great time too.” For a moment we just look at each other in silence, and I feel my hands start shaking. Julian’s gaze falls to my lips, and suddenly my lips feel as dry as my throat did earlier. Ugh why am I such a spaz! He starts to lean closer and right before his lips can touch mine. I turn my head, so they touch my cheek instead. Oh my god! I totally ruined everything! He pulls back while he chuckles a bit. “So, tomorrow at the diner? Around 1?” He asks, the smile on his face still intact. How is he okay with this, with me? “Sounds good”, I breathe out. I start to fumble with my over the shoulder bag to find my keys, I need to get into my apartment now, but my hands won’t stop shaking. I try to keep a smile on my face, hoping to mask some of this show of stupid behavior, that I can’t seem to get rid of. He reaches out and puts his hand on mine to stop the shaking, he fishes out my keys with ease and hands them to me. I sigh, feeling ridiculous! Then he reaches up to cup my chin and forces me to look him in the eye. “See you tomorrow, pretty girl.” He kisses my cheek again, winks, then turns and leaves.. “ bye, thanks again.” I call after him. Then I rush to get inside my apartment, so maybe I can breathe again.. I lean against the now closed door and close my eyes for a second. I just went on my first date! I squeal out loud. And even though it probably could have gone better, I’m also fairly sure it could have been worse. And correct me if I’m wrong, but it couldn’t have been too terrible, since he asked me out again for tomorrow.. I’m so gonna fall asleep with a smile on my face tonight. I feel all giddy…