for Kay, because she can somehow be SUPER ANNOYING yet SUPER AMAZING at the same time (she begged for a dedication)

"At least tell me what time." I sigh with faux exasperation before falling onto my bed.

"No can do, babe." Brady replies lightly. "I've got to keep you on your toes."

"Then I just won't go." I decide curtly, trying not to ignore my heart fluttering when he calls me babe. "What's a date without your girlfriend?"

"A night by myself." Brady counters. "Believe me, I'll have fun."

I groan, rolling over on my bed so that I'm propped up on my stomach. "Why won't you tell me?" I wonder frustratingly. "Who am I gonna tell?"

"I just want you to be surprised." Brady explains. "It'll make the whole night so much better for you."

"Well what about you?" I murmur into the phone. "Will the surprise make the night better for you?"

"Just you being my date brings the night to a solid 10." Brady says optimistically, making me giggle like a kid. "I've got to go though. I'll see you at seven?"

"Seven." I confirm, before hanging up the phone.

I won't lie—I'm pretty excited for tonight. I haven't gone on a date, much less dressed up for something special, in quite a while and I'm intrigued to see what Brady will do for me tonight. He's made promises of gentlemanliness and I'll definitely be making sure he keeps that promise. I want the works: opening my door for me, pulling out my chair paying for our meal (if that's tonight's plan) and anything else Brady can think of. He did tell me earlier that I should dress nicely, so I'm hoping we're going out to eat.

A few hours of doing nothing later, it's time for me to get ready. I shower for a good while and shave every part of my body (minus my arms), making sure that stubble is irrelevant. Then, I moisturize with scented lotion to give my body a nice clean scent. When that's over, I get dressed in tonight's attire—a loose, tan dress with flared sleeves to go with white heels and my mother's shimmering diamond necklace that was given to her by my father a while back. Next, I do my hair, curling it loosely and opting for a half up/half down pony. Lastly I apply makeup consisting of foundation, concealer, blush, and Vaseline.

When I'm done and happy with my look I snap a mirror picture and send it to Kendra, just to make sure I'm on the right track. When she replies with fire emojis I know I'm good to go, and grab my wallet before heading downstairs to wait on Brady.

"I don't remember giving you permission to wear my necklace." Mom pushes her reading glasses up as she sets her magazine down, scrutinizing me as I plop down on the coach beside her and dad.

"You look beautiful, Leah." Dad beams at me.

"It's just for tonight." I inform her. "And thanks dad." I beam right back. "Brady should be here soon."

Mom snuggles deeper into dad's shoulder before glaring at me. I should've asked but I didn't think it'd be that big of a deal. "How long will you two be out?"

"Not past curfew."

Mom nods approvingly, just as the doorbell rings. "Good."

I jump up from couch, quickly smoothing down my dress before dashing towards my front door. "See you later!" I call to my parents. They know Brady well enough already so I don't really think they need to come and ask him pointless questions. They trust us enough to know that we (probably) won't be having sex tonight and will both be back home before curfew.

I open the door then, almost gasping at the boy standing on my stoop. Brady looks undeniably handsome in a firm fitting black tux and sleek black shoes. On his wrist is a glimmering silver watch, showcasing whatever time it is while giving him a sophisticated aura. My eyes roam up his lean torso and to his clean shaven face and sparkling green eyes that seem to mirror the look of adoration that I'm sure I'm showcasing.

"Hi." I smile warmly, stepping down from my front door and closing it behind me.

"You look amazing." Brady exhales, glancing up and down my frame. "Beautiful, even."

"You look spiffy." I brush off his shoulders while giggling softly. "Handsome, even."

Brady takes my hand in his and kisses it gently, leaving me feeling warm and toasty inside. "We should head out now, we've got reservations." He murmurs against my skin, gently tugging me down my stoop.

"Okay," I breath, following him down the walkway that leads towards my driveway where a car is neatly parked.

Not just any car though. It's sleek, midnight black and seemingly expensive looking. I automatically peg it as Brady's fathers Mercedes, gleaming in all its rare glory. I know for a fact that Brady is never allowed to drive it because of how ridiculously expensive it is, and how strict and picky his father happens to be, so seeing it lets me know that Beady either a) stole it or b) pulled some major strings.

"The Mercedes!" I breath in awe as Brady pulls open the door for me.

"Yep." He chirps, jogging around the car and sliding into the drivers seat. Brady pushes a button and the beaut roars to life, lighting up on the inside and playing soft and melodious orchestral music.

"I thought it was off limits?" I recall curiously, clicking my seatbelt as Brady does the same and pulls out of my driveway. "How the hell did you get your dad to let you drive this?"

Brady shrugs nonchalantly. "I told him that I was going on a date with you and he threw me the keys. Just like that."

"Really?" I chuckle, allowing my face to stretch into a wide and hopelessly effervescent grin.

"Yeah," Brady smiles back. "He knows how much I like you. Everyone knows how much I like you—"

"Except me." I blurt mindlessly but without regret because I know it's the truth. I was blind to every minuscule glance, every electrifying touch that only he felt. I was blind because the same thing happened to me but with someone else.

"Hey," With his right hand, Brady clasps mine assuringly. "You weren't supposed to know, Leah. I did my best to keep it a secret."

"Well you did pretty well." I chuckle. "I completely ignored you for an entire year and dated one of your best friends—just to rub salt into the wound."

"Leah," Brady begs, a light chuckle escaping his lips as he parks the car. "I didn't bring you out on this date just to hear all of your regrets, alright? What happened in the past should stay there."

I lean over the middle part of the car and plant a gentle, chaste kiss on Brady's lips. "You're totally right." I murmur against his plump lips before pulling back and sitting in my seat. "I shouldn't be talking so much. I should be enjoying you, enjoying us." My finger traces the blue veins popping out of Brady's tan skin, most likely the cause of Brady's breath to hitch ever so slightly.

"You're right." He coughs, quickly smiling reassuringly. "Let's go."

With that, Brady and I exit the car and meet up on the drivers side, linking arms like an old couple. It's only then that I notice where we are—Nuevo, probably the most exquisite and most expensive restaurant in town. The Mexican cuisine puts places like Chipotle and Taco Bell in tears while tricking you into throwing away your entire trust fund in one night. Though I know I'll regret this decision tomorrow morning, I'm definitely not complaining because it isn't everyday that someone takes me out to a fancy restaurant.

"Woah," I breath as we enter the charming establishment adorned in golden accents and fresh flowers growing in crystal vases. As Brady opens the door for me and leads me inside, I try not to look like a tourist while ogling at the golden vases and picture frames, the twinkling chandelier in the middle, the classy couples sipping champagne and laughing, the velvet rugs, and just everything that makes this place so exquisite and sophisticated. "Holy—"

"Table for Oberlin?" The maître d' smiles teasingly at me, probably because of the curse word that would have easily slipped from my lips if not for him.

"Yes." Brady tugs me in his direction, following the maître d' down through the restaurant until we're seated at a table adorned in a thin vase of orchids, gold silverware and plates, and velvet seats. Brady pulls my chair out for me, and as I sit down I get a whiff of his cologne—a woodsy smell that warms my heart. Even in this big and beautiful restaurant Brady manages to bring a touch of home with him.

"Brady this is," I breath, looking down from the chandelier and at the smiling boy across from me. "So nice. How can you afford this?"

"I've been working jobs here and there." He tells me. "But don't worry about that, okay? Order whatever you want."

"Brady, this napkin looks more expensive than my house." I pick up the silk napkin from the table and shake it at him, laughing incredulously as I do so. "There's no way that I'm ordering anything other than a salad."

Brady laughs at me before opening his leather menu, and I follow him. As I scan the menu looking for something under $20, I come up short with the lowest being a drink for $30.

"Welcome to Nuevo, what can I get you?" A waitress suddenly asks us, catching me completely off guard as I haven't even chosen a drink just yet.

Brady doesn't seem to miss a beat though. He smiles at the waitress before closing his menu and handing it to her. "I'll have a glass of water and Remolacha Fritas with pesto."

"Okay, and you?" She looks at me politely, raising her eyebrows, before clicking her pen.

"Um." My eyes scan the menu quickly, "Queso Fundido 6."

She nods, taking my menu and dashing off somewhere in the bathroom.

"Wow." I exhale, chuckling lightly. "This place is not cheap."

"Leah, seriously." Brady reaches over the table and grasps my hand in his, giving it a small squeeze. "Why are you so worried about the price of the food?"

"Because it's ridiculous for you to have to empty out your wallet on me just to become society's idea of a gentlemen." I blurt, admitting to the thoughts that I had been thinking ever since we pulled up to the restaurant. Looking at Brady to make sure he's okay, I continue, "I just hate the idea of you going all out for me and not treating yourself in the process."

"Leah, you being here with me is a treat enough." He reminds me.

"I know," I sigh. "I mean, I get it. But it still bothers me."

Glancing at Brady, I see him roll his lips in before pulling the napkin out of his lap. He takes out his wallet and leaves a few bills—ten dollar bills—before pulling out my chair and taking my hand in his. "What're you doing?" I wonder curiously, tossing my napkin on the table as Brady hurriedly leads me out of the restaurant. "What're we doing?"

"We're taking your advice." Brady stops me, grasping my face in his hands. "Whatever you want to do, whatever you have in mind, we'll do it. Anything."

A smile stretches its way across my face, and it reflects onto Brady.

"Let's go to McDonalds."

↣↣↣↣↣↣

"Maybe you should've planned the date." Brady says to me through mouthfuls of his Mig Mac.

We're sitting on the front of the Mercedes, McDonalds bags and drinks beside us, which is parked on a cliff overlooking the setting sun. I smile at Brady, as he's leaning on one elbow and I'm sitting with my legs dangling. I'm genuinely surprised that he let me choose McDonalds, of all places, to eat at for our first date, but that could just be because of his passive nature. As we stood in the restaurant in our fancy attire, ordering the greasiest, fattiest foods on the menu, I didn't even realize all of the people staring at us until Brady told me on our way out. I guess I was just too distracted by the amount of glee coursing through my veins.

"Maybe I should've." I giggle, taking a bite of my own MigBac and tossing a few fries in for good measure. "We'd be a lot fatter if I did though."

"True." He chuckles, reaching over into the car then and playing around until soft music begins to play. "That's better." He says to me, brushing off his suit and sitting cross legged beside me.

The wind suddenly picks up, kissing the light curls on his head and giving them a slight lift. Out of mindless nature, I stroke the curls, reveling in their soft glow, before setting my hand down and laughing along with Brady.

"Okay." I turn my body so that I'm facing him straight on, shoving a few fries into my mouth and swallowing as I do so. "Tell me something stupid that no one else knows about you."

Brady looks taken aback, shocked even. "Why?" He wonders with a chuckle.

"I don't know." I shrug. "I want to get to know you even more than I already do."

"Okay." Brady agrees. "But you have to answer my questions too."

"Deal, now go."

Brady laughs, taking a sip of his strawberry milkshake. "My favorite number is nine."

"Okay." I nod. "That's a pretty stupid thing to know."

"It's what you asked for." Brady laughs with an easy shrug. "Now you go."

"Um," I think, looking up into the deep blue sky for something stupid and useless to tell Brady that he doesn't already know about me. "My favorite color is peach."

"Peach isn't a color, it's a fruit." Brady corrects me in a teasingly duh tone.

"It's a color too, dummy." I toss a floppy fry at his face, and it smacks his cheek softly before falling into his lap.

"It's a stupid name for a color." He says, laughing lightly when I smack his chest. "I'm kidding!"

"Nine is a stupid number." I fire back, all in jest.

"Sure."

I giggle, taking a sip of my lemonade. "Okay, your turn to say something stupid."

Brady doesn't speak for a moment, and when I really look at him, he's just staring at me with a gentle smile on his lips. His eyes are twinkling like the stars shining above, and just as I'm about to make fun of him for it, he speaks.

"I think that you're the most beautiful girl in the entire world."

A blush, like a hot flame, makes its way from my heart to my cheeks and all that I can do about it is smile. "That's not ... stupid, Brady." I remind him softly.

"I know," He murmurs, and then his lips are gently pressed against mine in only the sweetest of kisses.

I don't even move, my body is in shock as Brady's tongue enters my mouth and sends velvet down my throat and into my tummy. Soon though, my lips begin to move in sync with his, everyone once in a while adding tongue, until we're too breathless to continue and we both pull back.

"Hey, look." Brady points to the setting sun. "Let's watch it."

"Okay." I murmur, kicking off my shoes and cuddling into Brady, my head and hand on his chest as his lean arms pull me close.

And so we sit, watching silently as purple, pink, and orange hues light up the sky and bring color to a sometimes bleak world. I pretend not to notice how hard Brady's heart is beating, or how my own is like a scorching oven inside of my chest, but I do notice the chaste kiss Brady plants on my head and the murmurs of love that escape his lips when he thinks I'm not listening.

But I am. I always am.

↣↣↣↣↣↣