Chapter 22
First Date
TJ
I was on cloud nine. I’d finally persuaded Charlotte to go on a date with me.
It had taken weeks of asking, but she’d always been so tied up. I knew she was swamped with schoolwork, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there
was something else.
I just hoped it wasn’t another guy.
I didn’t want to lose before I even had a chance to compete. She was worth every bit of the fight.
Tracy had left a few hours earlier to help Charlotte get ready. She’d mentioned something about an extra Christmas present, but I didn’t quite catch her drift. Regardless, I was buzzing with anticipation.
I quickly grabbed Charlotte’s belated Christmas gift from my dresser and headed out. I’d missed the chance to give it to her on New Year’s and had forgotten the few times I’d seen her since. This was the perfect opportunity, and I hoped she’d like it.
Before I knew it, I was pulling into the mall parking lot—our agreed meeting spot. Charlotte had suggested it would be easier than me driving to her house. I’d tried to convince her I didn’t mind the extra drive, but she’d insisted, using a Carrie reference and saying I had to earn her address, just like her phone number.
She could be quirky at times, but she was worth every bit of effort.
I waited by my car and soon saw her pulling up. As she stepped out of her car, I was left speechless. Charlotte looked like a goddess. Tracy’s
handiwork with her makeup and hair had transformed her into an absolute vision.
“You look amazing,” she said shyly. I was in jeans and a blue button-up shirt—nothing compared to the angel standing before me.
“Wow, you, just, wow,” was all I could muster, making her blush.
“I know you’re supposed to wait for the end of the night, but I just can’t,” I confessed, pulling her close and kissing her.
I was addicted to kissing Charlotte.
I’d had my fair share of experience, but nothing compared to her. She was perfect in every way. I loved how she melted into me when I kissed her, and the soft sounds she made, letting me know she was enjoying it. I couldn’t wait to hear what sounds she’d make if we took things further.
After our kiss, I noticed her flushed face and slightly swollen lips. I loved that look on her.
“Shall we go?” I asked, taking her hand and leading her to my car. Once we were both inside, I handed her the small silver box that had been sitting
on my dresser for weeks.
“What’s this?” she asked softly.
“It’s a Christmas present I got you. I just never found the right time to give it to you,” I confessed, rubbing the back of my neck.
“You didn’t have to get me anything. I feel bad, since I didn’t get you something,” she said, sounding a bit downcast.
“Hey, I wanted to get you something. Honestly, I wanted to get you something bigger, but I wasn’t sure if you’d be okay with it, so it’s pretty small,” I reassured her.
“Okay then, thank you,” she said, accepting the gift.
As she unwrapped it, she held it up, examining it from all angles. Her eyes welled up with tears.
“This is amazing! I absolutely love it, thank you so much!” she exclaimed, quickly wiping her eyes before any tears could ruin her makeup.
“I’m glad you like it. I wanted to give you something that would remind you of our time together. I noticed the bracelets you and Tracy wear, so I thought a video game controller charm for your bracelet would be perfect,”
I explained.
“That must be why Tracy insisted I wear the bracelet tonight. You told her what you got me?” she asked.
“I did. I don’t keep much from Trace. She’s my twin, after all. She seems to really want us to work out,” I admitted.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. I wonder why,” she mused.
“Well, to be honest, I’ve always had a bit of a reputation as a player—a well-earned one. I think it bothers her, so she wants to see us together to stop that,” I confessed.
“Oh, are you still a player? I mean, I guess it’s okay if you are since we aren’t exclusive,” she asked hesitantly. She was adorable when she was jealous.
“I haven’t even been to a party in months. I think my friends believe I’ve disappeared. Why do you think I’m always around when you come over to see Tracy? I’d rather stay home and have a chance of seeing you than go to a million parties and meet random girls. I meant it when I said I really like you,” I admitted, feeling a bit sheepish.
“Wow,” she said, leaning over and kissing me. I guessed I’d answered
her question correctly.
“So, where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise, so just sit back and enjoy the ride,” I told her.
Once we arrived, I opened the door for her, and we walked hand in hand toward the building. Inside, I told the receptionist we had a reservation for two, and she led us upstairs to a room with a long couch on each side and a table in the middle. Then she left us alone.
“Um, where are we?” Charlotte asked, looking around the room. I couldn’t help but laugh at her expression. It almost seemed like she thought this was some sort of seedy pay-by-the-hour hotel room.
“Your face is priceless,” I told her, still laughing.
“Okay, let me explain. This place just opened. It’s a karaoke facility.”
“A what?” she asked.
“It’s a big thing in Japan, but it’s just starting to catch on here in the U.S. The building has many private rooms for people to rent. Each room has a TV and a huge selection of songs. Basically, you sing karaoke, order food, and just have a good time.”
“You sing here?” she asked, sounding unsure.
“Yes, but only you and I will hear it. I know you’re really shy around people, so I didn’t want to go somewhere public. I figured this would be just the two of us, so it would be perfect. Do you like to sing?” I was starting to worry that she hated the idea.
“Actually, I really love singing, but never in front of people, for obvious reasons,” she admitted.
“Well, this is just me, and I’ll close my eyes if you want,” I offered.
“It’s okay. I think I can manage in front of you.”
“Good, because I would hate to close my eyes and not be able to see you. It would practically be a sin to deprive my eyes of your beauty.”
“Wow, that’s a little over the top,” she said.
“Maybe, but still truthful.”
“Okay, so who’s going to sing first?” she asked.
“How about we pick out some food to order, then you can sing first?” I suggested.
“Okay. I’m not picky about food, so I’ll find a song while you look at the menu,” she said, scrolling through the songs on the tablet on the table.
I ordered us some fries, nachos, and chicken strips to share. She must have found a song because she picked up the mic shyly and turned toward the TV to see the lyrics. As soon as it started playing, I recognized it. I was surprised that she knew it and had chosen it. It was the theme song for an old video game series.
After I got over the initial shock of her song choice, I focused on the lyrics and her voice. She sounded exactly like the original singer. She was perfect in every way.
After she finished the song, I stood up and applauded, then pulled her into me for a kiss. Then it was my turn to sing. I chose a rock song from the early nineties that was featured in a popular karaoke video game, so it was pretty well known.
“Wow, your voice is amazing!” she gushed when I finished.
“Um, thanks,” I said.
“You’re amazing too.”
We spent the rest of the evening singing and laughing together, with some occasional making out thrown in. I wasn’t going to waste the opportunity to kiss her since we were completely alone. All too soon, the evening was over, and I was walking her back to her car to say goodnight.
“I had a wonderful evening,” she told me.
“Me too. This was definitely the best date I’ve ever had. Thank you for finally agreeing to come out with me,” I told her sincerely.
“It was the best date I’ve ever had too. Of course, it was also my only date ever, but still,” she giggled.
“Thank you for inviting me. I had so much fun.”
“Wait, this was your first date ever?” I asked, shocked.
“Um, yeah. Is that a bad thing?” she asked hesitantly.
“No, I’m just amazed. How can that be your first date? I mean, look at you! I’m sure guys were constantly knocking on your door to ask you out before you moved.”
“Um, no, not exactly. You’re probably the first guy I’ve ever talked to in person. Wow, that makes me sound pathetic.”
“I am? So, uh, if you never talked to a guy, had you kissed a guy?” I knew I probably shouldn’t ask, but I had to know.
She turned bright red before quietly stuttering, “Uh, no.”
“Wow, I feel like I took advantage of you now. I’m pretty sure you were
drunk when we kissed on New Year’s.”
I had no idea that was her first kiss.
“Please don’t feel bad. I may have been a little intoxicated, but I really enjoyed it,” she said quietly, blushing bright red.
“Really? I enjoyed it too,” I told her.
She then looked down and bit her bottom lip in that shy little way of hers. It was such a turn-on. How could she look so innocent and so sexy at the same time?
I leaned forward and kissed her, gently freeing her lip from her teeth with my own. I loved the feel of her soft lips on mine, but I loved the taste of her tongue even more. I licked her lips softly, asking for entrance into her mouth, which she easily granted. I pulled her tightly against me as we deepened our kiss.
I could feel my pants getting tighter as my desire for her grew. I wanted to take the kiss further. I imagined moving my hands slowly up her back under her shirt, caressing her delicate skin. But I knew Charlotte wasn’t ready for that step yet, and the thought was only making my pants tighter. It was time to break away from our kiss.
As I looked down into her beautiful eyes, I knew I was falling hard for her. I had to make sure she chose me over any other guy because she was quickly becoming my everything. She had the power to crush my heart. I wasn’t sure if I loved her yet, but I knew I was close. I just had to get her to feel the same way.
CHARLOTTE
Wow. That’s all I could think. The date with TJ was absolutely perfect. I couldn’t believe he’d found a place that was private and so much fun. He was the most amazing guy I’d ever met, and I was falling for him hard.
But why did I feel so guilty?
As soon as I got home, I decided to call Tracy. She was always good at
helping me sort out my feelings.
“Hey, Trace.”
“OMG, hi! How was the date? TJ isn’t home yet, so I haven’t talked to him.”
“It was absolutely perfect,” I gushed, then proceeded to tell her all about the date and how amazing her brother was. Of course, I left out the kissing parts. I’m sure she didn’t want to hear about that.
“It sounds like you really like my brother.”
“Honestly, I do, I really do. He is sweet and funny and kind and sensitive—and just amazing,” I said with a sigh.
“Why do I sense a ‘but’ in that statement?” she asked cautiously.
“But why do I feel so guilty enjoying time with him? I feel like I’m cheating on my best friend, and I feel like I’m cheating on your brother when I text my friend. I’m so confused. I know it isn’t rational. There’s nothing going on between me and my friend. He doesn’t even know I like him. Heck, I’m not even sure I do like him,” I rambled.
I didn’t mention this, but I thought about how Jup didn’t even realize I was a girl.
I shouldn’t have felt this conflicted. I had an amazing guy right here in front of me. It shouldn’t be this hard.
“Maybe everything will clear itself up after you meet him over spring break? It could just be the fear of the unknown that’s holding you back from really committing to TJ. I can tell that he cares about you, and you care about him. I honestly think you two are perfect for each other, but I understand that you need to know for sure. I would hate for you to spend the rest of your life wondering ‘what if.’”
“I just feel like I’m stringing TJ along, and that makes me feel like a horrible person,” I said.
“You aren’t stringing him along. He knows how you feel and that he has competition. He just thinks you’re worth fighting for,” she explained.
“Trace, you really do have the most amazing brother ever. I hate hurting him.”
“Then don’t. Just wait a few weeks and pick him.” I could hear the smile in her voice even over the phone.
“I might just have to do that. I definitely think I’m falling for him,” I giggled back.
“Oh, gotta go. Someone just got home. I have a brother to go bother about the details of a date,” she said excitedly.
“Any chance you’ll spill those details to me?” I asked hopefully.
“Do you want me spilling to him what you said about him being, and I quote, ‘sweet and funny and kind and sensitive and just amazing’?”
“Okay, I get it. Maybe just let me know if he thought it went as well as I
did?” I asked.
“Sure thing. Catch you later.”
“Goodbye.”
