Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Date

"So uhm...my birthday is in a few days, and I was wondering if....well, if we could do something for my birthday?" I ask Ace with pleading eyes.

We are standing in the kitchen, and Ace has his back facing me, eating God knows what.

Ace spins around and raises his eyebrows. "Your birthday?" He asks.

I nod. "Yeah, my birthday. I...I was wondering if we could have some sort of a celebration. It can be simple, I don't mind. I can just make a cake." I say, shrugging.

In all my years of life, I had never really celebrated my birthday before. Every year I spent my birthday in my cold bedroom. Shontell would always manage to make me a cupcake, which I would save for later and it would eat it quietly in my room.

"Of course we can celebrate your birthday." Ace says, smiling.

I can feel my face light up as excitement courses through my veins. "Thank you! I'm just....gonna start planning it now." I say happily, grinning.

I dash off into my room, where I pull my notebook out and a pen, and I start writing every little detail. I jot down notes of the items I will need.

Balloons.

Streamers.

Food.

Food.

Food......

Okay, so I like food....don't judge.

I've never had a real birthday, so I was very excited to actually have one. I remember when I was a very young kid all the kids at school would celebrate their birthdays. I would hear their excited talk as the chattered amongst their friends. I remember hearing their talk of presents, piñatas, and cake.

I never got invited to their parties, as even then I would spend my time alone. During recess, while all the other kids were off making castles in their sandboxes, blowing bubbles, and playing hopscotch, I was curled up under a shade tree, watching with sad eyes. My only friends those days were the spotted lady bugs, but even all the lady bugs couldn't satisfy the deep loneliness I felt as a child.

And so, as I sit here on the bed reflecting on my past, I can't help but be grateful and excited.

Oh, some of the things we humans take for granted....

I don't even hear the sound of the door opening as I am deep thought, too busy writing and planning to notice that Ace has stepped in my room. But when I do look up, I can tell that he has something to ask me, and he looks....rather nervous.

"Oh, uh...hey Ace." I say awkwardly.

He just shyly smiles and taps his fingers anxiously against his leg.

"So, what's up?" Ace asks.

I shrug and say, "Oh, just planning this party. There's going to be food, balloons, and....food!" I say happily.

Ace smiles and nods, "Wow, well that's...great!" He says as he awkwardly scratches the back of his neck. Now I can really tell he's nervous about something. He's usually 'Mr. Macho' who tries his best to hide his emotions.

But as of now I don't think he's trying to hide his emotions at all.

"Uhm Dakota I need to ask you something...." He states.

I nod and say, "Yeah, I could tell the moment you walked through the door."

Ace just nervously laughs and says, "So...uh-I hope it's not too soon but....w-will you go out with m-me? I understand if you think it's too soon, because it might be too soon but I-"

"Like, out on a date?" I interrupt his rambling.

My eyes widen and my heart pounds. A date? I've never been on a date before. What exactly happens on dates? According to the movies dates consist of....going to the movies. My mind tells me that there's so much more possibilities than just the movies, and I grow excited.

Out on a date with a guy I have a slight crush on?

What's the big deal? It's just one date....live a little.

Ace nods. "Well, it doesn't have to be a date....it can just be a time to....to get to know one another a little more and-"

"S-sure. That would be nice." I reply, trying to sound as calm and reserved as possible. But I could tell the excitement had leaked through my voice.

A sad look crosses his face. "Oh...I understand. It was too soon, how stupid of me...."

"Ace?" I question, confused.

"I probably made you feel uncomfortable and I'm sorry...." He continues to ramble.

"Uhm....Ace, I said yes."

"Maybe later when we know each other more and--wait, what?" Ace says, raising both his eyebrows at me.

I laugh and say again, "I said yes, Ace. I will go on a date with you."

A look of realization flashes across Ace's face, and a smile takes its place soon after.

"R-really? Oh....well....will 7:00 tonight work for you?" Ace questions, a hint of excitement in his voice.

I nod and say, "Yes. That'll work for me."

"Well....great! I-I've got to go make plans." Ace says, smiling. His eyes look happy as he backs out of my room, slightly waving until he disappears behind the wall.

I laugh and flop down onto the bed. I close my eyes as excitement eats me alive, and I grab the pillow and squeal into it.

Damn it! I'm like one of those shallow school-girls.

I've always rolled my eyes when I'd see girls scream or squeal in delight when the guy they liked asked them to the school dance. But now I understand why they would do that.

It truly is exciting.....

Moments later, Katelin comes running into the room, with a smug look on her face. She leans against the doorway, with her arms crossed over her chest.

She knows.

"My brother asked you, didn't he." Her question comes out in more of a statement, and I nod my head; I don't even try to hide the large smile on my face.

"I knew it!" She bursts out, "We need to go shopping for your date tonight." She says.

"Really? I think I'm just fine wearing-" I begin, but I'm cut off. Being cut off seems to happen a lot lately.

"Oh no no no, there's no way your ass is going on a date wearin' that!" I hear a familiar voice exclaim.

My eyes widen as Shontell walks into the room, with a sassy smile graced on her face.

"SHONTELL!!" I cry out as I go crashing into her arms.

Shontell laughs and hugs me back. I say, "I'm so sorry I never notified you about my disappearance.....I was just so stressed and-"

We pull out of the hug, and Shontell playfully smacks me on the arm.

"Don't worry about it, I understand." Shontell laughs, "Yes, I was frustrated with you at first, but when I heard the reasons, I totally understood what was goin' on." Shontell explains.

I smile. "Well thank you."

"So I was thinking, we will all go shopping for your date tonight. We want you to look like a queen." Katelin says, smiling.

Shontell looks at me and and says, "Like the queen you are."

I laugh and respond, "Yes, like the queen I am."

* * *

I can't get over how big the mall is, and my eyes widen at all the stores.

Where do you even start?

It's almost overwhelming, but luckily, I've got two experts of the mall with me, and they know exactly where to go, so I follow them around like a sheep as they lead me to different places.

"Where are we headed to now?" I ask them.

"I know just the place." Katelin says as we walk into a dress store. Dresses of all kind; every color, size, and shape hang on the racks. And I can tell just by looking at them that they aren't cheap.

I laugh nervously and say, "H-hey look. I'm just fine with buying a decent dress at a thrift store. T-this was fun and all....but......I-I can't except these and-"

"Hey Dakota?" Katelin asks as she cuts me off.

"Yes?" I reply.

"If you don't start shopping within," Katelin looks at her wrist to check the watch she doesn't have, "Oh, I don't know....within one minute, I will proceed to buy one of every single dress in this room in your size. Now, that's a lot of money."

I gasp in shock. "You wouldn't!"

"Oh, but I would." Katelin replies smirking at me.

I sigh in defeat, and proceed to go through the racks upon racks of dresses, until I find a few I like and try them on.

Once I try them on, I end up picking a knee-length light blue lacey dress. I had never worn something this nice before, and I step out of the changing room to show the girls.

"I love it. It's perfect!" Katelin exclaims, smiling. Her eyes sparkle with excitement.

Shontell laughs and smiles at me, and I know what she's about to say.

"Yes, Shontell, I found a man who treats me like the Queen I am." I say as I smile reluctantly.

* * *

"There is no way I am wearing THAT!" I say, pointing to the tiny lingerie set in Shontell's hand.

"Why not?" Shontell replies in exasperation.

"B-because! Just...just look at it! I might as well be naked!" I exclaim.

"Yeah," Shontell says, "That's kind of the point."

It's way to soon for this. Especially since I have a fear of....sex.

"It's way too soon for that. I am not ready." I say.

Shontell smiles at me. "And that's perfectly okay. But who's to say that it's not for in the future."

"......" I say.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Asks Shontell, raising her eyebrows.

"Nothing."

"That's what I thought. Now shoo, go try this on." Shontell says as she tosses the lingerie into my arms.

And so, I drag myself into the changing room. And I can easily say that I will never wear something like this. Ever.

But they say never say never. And I would later find out why....

* * *

The evening approaches, and as the evening approaches, so does my date with Ace. I gaze out the window into the fading sky. All the colors; orange, pink, and yellow, seem to dance together around the sinking sun. Crickets were just starting to sing their song, and I can tell that it's going to be a beautiful night.

I'm a little nervous for this date....I'm not exactly the most confident person. But despite that, I am also a bit excited to step into something new. I would have never dreamed of living a somewhat normal life before.

I turn my back on the sunset before me, and start getting ready.

I take a shower, and wrap myself up in a towel. I then blow dry my hair, and proceed to step into the new dress I had gotten. It is really a lovely dress, and I couldn't be more grateful for Katelin paying for it for me.

The clock strikes 7:00, and I find myself making my way down the spiral staircase of Ace's home. I feel like a true princess for once in my life.

For once I feel beautiful.

And it feels....amazing.

Katelin, Shontell and Ace wait at the bottom of the stairs for me. Katelin looks joyful, Shontell looks very pleased, and Ace...Ace looks....stunned.

Ace is adorned in a nice black suit. His black hair is jelled to perfection, and his eyes hold awe as he looks upon me with excitement.

I can feel his eyes on me as he checks my out, and a blush creeps upon my cheeks.

As I near him, he smiles a sweet smile at me.

Things seem a bit awkward still, but it's a first date....what is there to expect?

"You look lovely, Dakota." His deep voices tickles me ear, and my heart pounds quicker at his words.

"You don't look to bad yourself." I say, awkwardly smiling up at him. It's then that I catch a whiff of his cologne.

It smells so good and masculine.

Katelin is sure to take lots of pictures, as if she's a mom watching her child being taken to prom by her first date.

We laugh and talk as we make our way to the door, and when we finally do step out, Ace holds out his hand, offering me to take it. I hesitate for a moment, but when I look at his face, I can't refuse.

The drive to the restaurant was spent on awkward small talk, but I was starting to feel a little more comfortable and I think Ace was too, as we both slowly started to carry on more conversations.

The restaurant was very nice. Everyone was dressed up in fancy clothing, and I can tell only rich people would be able to afford it hear. Ace sits across from me, and we're both flipping through the menu. It's then that my eyes widen and I grow uneasy.

"Uhm...Ace?" I ask.

Ace looks up from the menu and says, "Yes?"

"The prices...look at them! A steak costs as much as my week's worth of wages at that little restaurant!" I exclaim.

Ace just simply smirks at me and says, "Don't worry about it."

My jaw jaw drops to the floor. 'don't worry about it?' First this dress and now this dinner. I clench my teeth. Ever since I arrived I'm just causing Ace to spend unnecessary money on me. I'm a simple girl, I don't need these things, even though, I must admit, they are nice.

"Look, Dakota. It's not a bad thing to spend a little money on yourself from time to time. And if I'm going to spend money on anyone, it is you. It's not a problem for me." Ace insists.

I nod, deciding to let this go. A pang of guilt strikes me. "Well thank you." I say as I smile at him.

The waitress comes and takes our orders, Ace got the steak dinner and I went for the grilled salmon.

"Your food will be out soon, handsome." The waitress says, gesturing to Ace. I feel my face fall flat as I glare at the waitresses back as she walks away from us. I fold my hands across my chest and huff my frustration.

"Now who's the jealous one?" Ace says, winking at me.

I roll my eyes. "Fine, I'm not going to deny it like you did. But this is our first date, so how can I not be?" I say. "She's not getting a tip."

"I'll let you in on a little secret." Ace whispers to me.

My eyes widen. "What would that be?" I say as I take a sip of my water.

"I only have eyes for you."

I nearly choke on my water and gape at him like some sort of idiot. My face turns red as awkwardly look at him and try to gain my composure.

"Oh, I..I- don't know what to say." I mutter awkwardly.

Ace just chuckles. "No need to say anything, your face says it enough."

I look down, trying to hide my blush. Damn it, face. Stop doing this to me!

"So...can I ask you some questions?" I ask Ace. Let's change the subject.

"Sure, go ahead." He replies.

"How old are you?" I ask him.

"I'm twenty-five." Ace says.

I nod, and ask my next question. "Any past relationships? Any jealous girlfriends that might tear me down in an attempt to get to you like in cliche stories?"

Ace just laughs. "Nope. I was a...how do I say this.....well, I was a hump and dump sort of guy. You know, I just use them and then.....kicked them out." Ace says awkwardly. "But...you're the first real relationship I've ever had, and I won't do that to you."

"O-oh...I see." I say. Can't say that I'm surprised he's been with many women. He's rich and hot, and I can just see women throwing themselves at him. Heck, even the waitress did.

"If you don't mind me asking, where are your parents?" I ask.

"They're dead. Don't ask why because now is not the time." Ace says.

"Oh...I'm sorry I didn't realize-"

"It's okay, you didn't know." Ace says.

"So...do you want any kids?" I ask him.

Ace just smiles and nods. "Yes, I do. I just haven't found anyone I want to settle down with....it takes a special and strong kind of woman to be able to stand by my side."

The food arrives at our table the moment after, and the food was the most delicious things I've ever eaten. Ace asked me questions while I ate.

It was a night of being care-free and getting to know each other a little more, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I would have never thought I would have made it this far in my life.