Kidding. (That was for you annul)
From where i left off last night i had just gotten done talking to Ashley. We had talked about how hectic both of our lives are, our favorite music, our (both) terrible past relationships. (She really didnt have to say much lol) What we wanted out of life, What we wanted out of the other sex. She also informed me that she was "The princess" and enjoyed the finer things in life. One of the joys of being an only child i assume. (I was one at one point) It felt kind of like a job interview.
Needless to say i couldnt sleep much that night. I was so excited to take her out to dinner and get to know her. With my previous relationships the first date was always a cause of dread for me, the pit in my stomach would grow bigger and bigger as the night went on, knowing that this isnt going to work out at all, Or at the very least end with some heartbreak, collateral damage, or incineration of personal belongings
(Yes that has all happened TO ME)
I laid in bed that night staring at the lights shining through my window or passing cars. Playing it over and over and over in my mind of that day and night. It was like something out of a gushy romance story, Boy meets girl, Boy is crazy over girl, Marriage, happily ever after.
And i was in the middle of it
I had come to terms with my feelings that night. These feelings of a racing heart, sweating, nervousness... These were the early signs of love. Or possibly a heart attack, Trust me i looked it up.
I figured i passed out around 4:30 in the morning, she was in every inch of my dream, every thought i had. I awoke 4 hours later holding my pillow tightly. I must have assumed it was her when i was dreaming. I was seriously crazy over this woman and we hadnt even been out once!
It was a Saturday morning. And i was preparing myself for work. During the conversation last night she had given me her number and a rough idea of her work and school schedule. So going by what she told me i figured she should just about now be waking up. I quickly popped out my phone and frantically typed at the tiny keyboard
"Hope you have a good day, princess. Feel free to text me if you need something"
Send
My phone chimed a few minutes later
From : Ashley
xxx-xxx-xxxx
I hope you have a good day too! Thanks for brightening mine, i didnt sleep too well last night. Was thinking about someone
...was it me?
It had to have been me, I was up all night thinking about her! If it wasnt about me i might actually have been offended and demanded all that lost sleep back.
The day carried on as usual. Smile still plastered to my face. I had told Tommy all about last night, all the talking we did, the date i had on Tuesday. Just amazing.
Sunday rolled around. Did absolutely nothing but sit and text her.
Another night of little sleep. Oh well.
Monday rolls around. Valentines day. Oh joy.
I had usually hated this holiday with a burning passion. Mostly because everyone else was happy and i was alone and bitter most of the time. Regardless i was upbeat and happy. As per usual i sent her the "Goodmorning text" Which she seemed to love.
"Good morning beautiful, be my valentine "
She had replied with
"Ill think about it ;]"
My day was made. I tore through the days work with time to spare. I was inspired now. I wanted to paint something, make something, do something amazing. Damn it all. I was crushing so hard on her. Our big date is tomorrow though so i tried not to get my hopes up too much. Didnt work too well.
That night i spent talking to Jay. I had never felt this way before. This woman had taken over my feelings, thoughts, phone inbox. EVERYTHING
And i liked it
I fell asleep holding that pillow again. Didnt care.
Tuesday morning - The big day.
The day dragged on at a snails pace. Work was slow as well so there was nothing to work away the time. I frustratedly watched the clock...
All
Day
Long
To spare a long and boring tangent for you guys im going to skip ahead to the end of the day
6 PM
I booked it out of the shop, hopped in my S-10, Threw it in first gear and floored it. I burned my tires flying out of the parking lot and took off on the short drive home, doing well over the speed limit.
I pulled into the driveway, left the keys in the ignition, kicked down the front door and ran for the shower. I frantically peeled off my clothes and jumped in completely ignoring that it was only cold water. I had a short Day[9] moment there but powered through the cold and washed myself. Hopped out, shaved, dried, clean. Good to go
I sat down and checked my Facebook.
"Going out with Princess Ashley tonight. bbl"
Ah... alright... Time to get dressed.
I tore through my dresser. Found some decent looking pants. Awesome. As for a shirt... i didnt have quite as much luck.
T shirt, Tank top, sleeveless, T shirt
Do i honestly not have any damn shirts with sleeves?!
I dug a bit deeper and found one that looked sort of nice. Clean socks, shirt, pants, touch of cologne.
And i am completely ready.
Date is at 8 Pm and its only...
6:27
...Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck
I took the chance to clean out my truck, shine my shoes, do a load of laundry. Anything to take my mind off of how incredibly nervous i was. I had never been this nervous in my life ever. Eventually i had managed to kill time until 7:30 then i finally had texted her that ive been ready since 6:30. Lets get this show on the road. She was ready too so i did one last look over of myself to make sure i was dressed to impress and took off into the night.
So there i was. I stepped out of my truck. My stomach had completely turned over. Maybe dinner wasnt such a good idea... Phew...
Palms started sweating. Pulse quickened. Throat became dry. I began my walk up the driveway. Her parents had come home from vacation in Florida and were at her house sorting out bills and whatnot while they watched Logan. She wanted me to meet them. First date. Oh god.
Legs dont give out on me now
I climbed the wooden steps and stopped at the door...
Phew...
One...
Two...
Three...
I knocked 3 times.
Gotta resist the urge to throw up. Come on Josh... shake it out, deep breaths.
Alright i got this.
She opened the door.
Alright i dont got this
She gave me another warm smile and invited me in. Her mother and stepdad were sitting at the dining room table sorting out bills and whatnot after coming back from a nice 2 week long Florida vacation. I slipped off my shoes and she greeted me with a hug. I melted completely. I quickly composed myself and approached her parents. I shook her stepdads hand.
"Mr. Grove" he shook back. A man of few words he was. Either way he had been a longtime customer so it wasnt so much of a meeting than a "hey nice to see you again"
I turned to her mom who was engrossed in the calculator and she shook my hand. The resemblance between the two were uncanny.
"Nice to meet you both" I bowed my head a bit. They both mumbled agreements.
I turned to Ashley. God she was even more beautiful up close. I wasnt quite as nervous but it was still there.
"So, princess, shall we go?" She smiled and put on her shoes and we were off!
We had gotten into my truck and took off for Applebees which we had previously agreed on a day ago. (fuck yeah Applebees!)
"So..." i had turned to her, while driving through the subdivision "You... nervous at all?"
"eheh... a tiny bit" her cheeks turned a bit red. The ride to the restaraunt was pretty silent. We really didnt know what to say. Neither of us had been on a date in forever.
Idle chitchat made the drive there less awkward but neither of us really made any headway into learning about the other.
We arrived, i left my truck in second and shut it off, locked the doors and followed her in. Opened the door for her and walked in. We were seated shortly after in a corner booth next to a big glass window on the far side. A nice quiet remote corner for the two of us.
Our waiter came up, took our drink order, and took off.
Just us two.
I looked into her eyes. She looked into mine. We were face to face with the object of each others affection. My heart started racing and i started talking. We talked while sipping our drinks a bit more in depth about what we wanted in a relationship. When it came down to it. We really just wanted someone to love. Someone to come home to at night. Someone who wouldnt fuck the other over.
As the night progressed the nervousness subsided a tiny bit. We both became more comfortable, our dinner had arrived, we still talked. joked back and forth, sometimes with mouthfuls of food. Sure not the most eloquent first date but we were having fun dammit. Thats all that matters right?
Dinner had been finished and we continued talking. On and on and on about personal beliefs, people you hate at work, favorite colors. Everything
We had completely lost track of time. The waited who had taken the bill had actually come up to the table and asked us to leave because they were going to start cleaning up for closing time. We both looked at each other and laughed and left giggling.
On the way out i had tried to put my arm around her only to miss and almost fall on my face.
No matter. We got into the truck and check the time. We were there for almost 3 hours... wow. Time flies.
Deciding to try and draw out this amazing night just a tiny bit longer we took the scenic route home. Lightly talking back and forth.
We had come to the last stretch before her house. A short drive next to a lake with the moon shining on it.
I had to say something. Now or never. Do or die
"So... Ashley... Tonight was great" She nodded and i could see her blush from the moonlight reflecting off her beautiful face. "A-anyways i was uh... wondering if maybe youd like to... do this again?"
"Yes. Id like that alot..." She was very visibly blushing now. I had set my hand down on the seat and felt her hand inch closer and closer. We hit a bump and our hands collided. Both of us drew back as if we had just touched a cactus. Heart racing. Mind in a flurry. Butterflies in my stomach. I had to take this chance. She set her hand down on the seat again.
I placed mine on top of hers. And our fingers locked together.
"Ashley..." I said softly. She turned her head slightly, still blushing. "...Be my girlfriend"
She let out another warm smile
"Yes."
We had pulled up in front of her house.
"Would you like me to escort you to your door, princess?"
I got out in a hurry and straightened my nervous self out to walk her up her driveway. I reached for her hand and missed.
Dammit, learn to aim dumbass!
Instead i offered her my arm. She wrapped hers around it and we walked together up the wooden stairs to her door
"Joshua. I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you" We had met in a warm embrace which seemed to last an eternity.
"Heh... sorry i was so nervous tonight... We both were i guess" She was gazing into my eyes.
The moon reflected off her beautiful skin, we stood there in the embrace staring into each others eyes. Her warm smile met mine and our lips came together in a long sweet kiss
Our first kiss
To be continued