《Overlap》Chapter 14: First Date
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There's a feeling people often reference, a sensation that isn't logical in itself. It's the sudden realization the entire world around someone suddenly seems more vibrant and colorful. It's easier to be in a good mood, and the desire to get outside and enjoy life is top priority. Whatever that feeling is supposed to be, I've got that sensation right now.
Standing outside of the movie theater closest to my area, I met up with Malica shortly after my mother dropped me off. Holding her hand and walking side by side, I happily led her inside at the reception of the theater. We already had a time and movie set in advance, and we weren't late to arrive either.
I've been to the movie theaters before, but this time everything was different. All of the noises and sounds around me, between the people in the lobby and the corner arcade were much louder than before. But the biggest attention was grabber was standing right beside me.
Being with Malica like this was both incredible and terrifying at the same time. The fact that she and I were in a place alone together (alone from anyone who knows us) brought to life a world of possibilities that crossed our minds, though they weren't the sort of things either of us would just randomly try unannounced. Need I really point them out?
As Malica stood staring up at me with a warm smile, I returned the sentiment. Neither one of us were dressed too formally, but especially in this light, Malica looked so beautiful and alluring. I hopelessly hung my mind on that charming look she kept giving me, a look of promise and excitement. Even though our staring contest was a bit embarrassing once we were both aware of it, I didn't feel too bad since we were supposed to be in love anyway.
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She and I still spoke to each other with similar conversation that we would carry over the phone, but that was only because it was the only way to speak to each other so calmly. Never did I say it aloud, but I was both too happy and too nervous at the same time. Nothing would hide the sweat accumulating to the front of my palm.
We got ourselves popcorn and snacks before heading to the movie room. Once inside, we took seats next to each other and waited out all of the commercials before the movie. The movie that we chose was called The Apprentice. It should be an interesting one, as neither of us have seen it before. But the true memorably moment of this was being with Malica in a dimly lit room.
Not that I could speak for her, since I'm no mind reader, but I had no intention of coming here to trade tongue. Despite how badly I wanted to, I held back those urges, mostly for both our sakes. It would be crude of me to do that to her on our first date. And if by chance she wasn't impressed, it would ruin the whole 90 minute moment. But it was also for my sake too. If I tried to think about kissing her long enough, I'd come close to feeling the heart attack level of awkward nervousness.
Yeah, I've never kissed a girl before. I have no knowledge of any hidden techniques, I would need to use to do it well. I also refrained from putting my arm around her, or performing that cliché move of yawning my arm to the back of her seat. Half of me wanted to really enjoy the movie with her, though the other half was stuck going crazy over her. Should I make a move on her? I'm not good with those kinds of signals unless they are beat obvious, so I hope I'm doing the right thing by abstaining.
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The movie eventually started, diluting the worries I had before. Even though many of my background thoughts were still going there, I managed to stay in control of my own actions. It's too soon get too fresh with her. I realized that as soon as I entered the room, and once again by the time we were thirty minutes into the movie.
Still, it wasn't that uneventful either. Malica ended up doing the cliché yawn stretch technique on me, holding her arm to the back of my neck, giggling at the same time since she did not try to hide it. I found it too cute to resist, so I let her do what she wanted. Malica wasn't tired or sleepy, but she shortly after leaned her head onto my shoulder. If steam could have come out of my face, I would have looked like the most pathetic boy there. But I was glad with the way things turned out.
I just wanted her to be happy with the date above my own feelings, which is what ended up happening. I made the right call, letting her control what we did or what pace we took things at. And before we left the room, she and I made a promise to go to the beach together some day in the future. Once the movie was over and we left back to the lobby, it was a matter of waiting ten minutes for our parents to come pick each of us up.
The mood this put me in was unforgetful; my heart felt like it could fly right out of my body and reach new heights. And I also took solace in knowing we could call each other any night we wanted. After hugging each other in departure, that moment marked the end of our first date. After going home, I had a headache to boot on top of feeling inexplicably overwhelmed, so I refrained from spending too much time on the phone tonight. But that moment will stick with me forever. I wonder what people in my class will think once summer ends and they see us together, helplessly in love.
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