"What'd you thinks wrong with Rynan?" Rochelle's voice came through speaker on my phone, as I was picking clothes out of my closet left and right.
"I don't know, but I'm worried about him because he's been acting weird lately."
"I noticed he was really quiet 'nd stuff when the kids started showing up. He hardly said anything the whole day, dude."
"Yeah, Phi called me, he said he's not picking up his phone, either. He's usually hella chill, I wonder what's up. Phi said I should talk to him because I'm his best friend, but I think he might be mad at me..."
"Why'd you say that?" she asked, a hint of interest sparking in her voice.
"Well, like, today. I was looking back at the guys, and our eyes met, and he like, instantly turned around. And storming out? Slamming doors?"
"Yeah, I was hella freakin' out. Wait, I gotta text from-"
"Angelooo, I know."
I looked myself up and down in the mirror; I actually managed to pull something together that I liked. All while I was complaining, too. I ruffled my bangs a little bit, and let them fall naturally. Letting out a sigh, I looked at the clock; 7:17.
"Ugh, I hate Angelo." she whined.
"Pfft, no you don't." I rolled my eyes. He prolly just told her he didn't like her outfit today or something like that.
"I know. Anyways, back to Rynan. Remember when you guys kissed?"
"Yeah... What about it?" I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"What do you mean "what about it."? she said, mocking me.
"Exactly what I said, what about it?"
"Uh, you'reee the one who came home all sprung offa it, callin' me at 3 AM."
"I had to tell someone." I defended.
Well, actually, it didn't happen too long ago. Maybe a couple months? Anyways, we had just won a dance competition with a group of regulars at the studio. Ry and I went out to celebrate, and basically, we got caught up in the moment. But we had seen so many of our friends screw up relationships with their best or close friends, that we just agreed that it isn't worth losing what we have.
"Helllllloooo?"
"Oh, yeah, what were you saying...?" I snapped back to reality.
"Ugh. I was saying that-"
Her voice was cut short by the doorbell ringing.
"Oh, shoot, that's Phi. Call you later, arrite?"
"Yeah, later."
I stuffed my phone in my bag, and answered the door. "Phi, hey!" I said, stepping out, locking the door behind me.
"Good evening, lovely lady." he said, in a gentleman-like tone. He lead me towards the car, opening the door. "Tonight, I have the pleasure of taking you out on the town." he said, shutting the door. I laughed at how cute he was being.
"Soooo, where are you taking me?"
"Uh, okay, I guess I gotta drop the gentleman act for this one." he said, laughing. "We're going to Dave & Busters."
My face lit up. I had always wanted to go in there, but Rochelle was always busy, and the one time I went with Rynan, they had a false fire drill and we didn't get to do anything. "Really?!"
"Yeah; you like it there?" he asked, glancing at me sideways before putting his eyes back to the road.
"I've only gotten as far as the lobby." I said, a little embarassed.
"Hah, well, if you liked the lobby, then you're gonna love what's happening in the game area." We had arrived at D&B; I was totally excited, I'm not gonna lie. I hopped out of the car, and Phi was still taking his sweet time. I grabbed his hand, and pulled him in, but gave him enough time to lock the car.
"Dang girl; excited?" he said, smirking.
"Just a little." We went though the lobby, which I was all too familiar with, and entered the game area. I went to lift my hand to my lips, but I was still hand in hand with Phi. And honestly, I don't think I was looking to let go.
"So, what do you wanna do first?" he asked, looking around.
"I dunno, whatever you wanna do." We wandered around looking for something entertaining, my eyes happened to fall upon the COMPLETELY open DDR game. I looked up at him, and he was looking towards it too. "Hey, how about I go kick your ass in DDR!" I said, pulling him towards the game.
"Kick my ass? Whatever you say, girl." he said with such a genuine confidence.
Rynan's POV
I still couldn't believe that Phi asked her out. I knew introducing her to them was a bad idea. She'd eventually meet them sometime, but... I dunno.
I mean, I thought I was over her.
I guess not.
I looked down to at my phone to check the time. 8:09. I need to talk to her. But she's with Phi... Damn, dude. I flipped open my phone; 7 missed calls. I clicked down through the list, two from Phi, one from Rochelle, one from Chris, three from Phil, one from Ben. Nothing from Ariel...
I need to talk to this girl... I think I've got an idea.
Ariel's POV
"Seeeee? What'd I tell you? I beat you!" I stuck my tongue out at him, and he just laughed.
"Okay, okay. You're right. Hey, I'm gonna go get something to drink, you want anything?" he asked.
"Uh, water please?"
"Sure thing, pretty lady."
I watched him walk away, then felt my pocket buzz slightly; one new message.
It was from Rynan. I felt my heart skip a beat, and I checked the message.
"u still yr date?"
"yea, why?"
A few seconds later...
"i needa talk 2 you. hit me up asap."
"sure thing."
I looked at the message he send me for another minute. What was so urgent?
"Something wrong?" Phi asked, holding out a bottled water for me. I jumped in suprise, and slid my phone shut. "No, nothing. Thank you." I said, taking the water. My mouth was completely dry, I needed it. "I can't stay for too long though, I should probably be in by nine."
"Alright; I think we've got enough time to play one more game." he said, taking my hand and pulling me towards the basketball game.
"You ready to get YOUR ass kicked?" he said, making air quotes.
"I'm gonna beat you, just like I did earlier." I said, as the buzzer went off, and the basketballs rolled towards us.
I was always one point behind, we would sink them left and right. There was only 3 more seconds left, and I was still, one point behind.
"Owww!" I said, making a face.
"You arrite?" he said, looking towards me.
I shot the last hoop while he was distracted. We tied, and I cheered.
"Ayeeee, that's cheatin'!" he said, jokingly.
"Nooo, it's strategy."
"Well, I dunno about you, but I'm starving. Let's get something to eat."
"Okay, loser." I said, taking his hand. The coolest thing about this place is that it's a high-quality arcade, with food other than pizza. We sat down in a booth, and was pretty busy, considering it was Saturday, so it was understandable.
"So, tell me about yourself."
"Whoaaaa, sounding hella like blind date application." I laughed.
"Call me eHarmony." he smiled.
"But seriously, um, what do you wanna know?"
"Everything."
"Got a few years?"
"For you, I've got all the time in the world." he said, trying to keep a straight-face, just like I was. Not a second later, we were cracking up laughing.
"Well, I have a mom, I have a dad, I have a best friend, I like dancing."
"Is that it...?"
"Yeah, that's the summarized version, at least. Only cause I wanna hear more about you. When did you start dancing?"
"Last week." he said, laughing.
"Haha, you're hilarious." I said, with joking sarcasm.
"Nah, on the real, I started when I was little. Like, six or something."
"Dang, you started young. No wonder you're hella good."
"What is up with this place. No one's even asked us what we wanna order yet." he said, looking around. He was right; they were pretty busy, but somethings up when people who came in after us are leaving before us. "You really hungry?"
"Not really."
"Let get outta here then."
____________________________________
The drive home was pretty fun; I shut off the radio everytime I saw him bopping his head to the music, indicating he liked the song. I get a kick out of annoying him, I dunno why though. I feel like a little kid.
"Hey, it's 8:54, if we didn't ditch that place, would'a been midnight before you got home." he laughed.
"Hah, forreal. Well, thanks for putting up with me for tonight, I don't even know how you did it."
"Psh, I could spend days with you, girl."
"Yeah, right." He'd be tired of me in 6 hours, tops.
"You want me to walk you to the door? Wouldn't want you to get hurt on the way there." he joked.
"Yeah, I know how dangerous my driveway can be." I laughed, getting out of his car. He got out, and we just sort of stood there for an awkward moment.
"Um, I should get to the door." Really smooth, idiot. I chewed my lip in embarassment; but he just grabbed my hand, smiled, and lead me there like it was no big deal. The whole three seconds it takes to get to the door seems like 3 years when you're holding hands with a cute guy, forreal.
"Well, goodnight..." I said, fumbling with my keys in my jacket pocket. I had my hand on the house key, but I didn't want the night to end for some reason. He wasn't getting the idea, obviously. So I sighed, and put the keys in the doorknob, twisting the keys, almost in a full circle, when Phi put his hand on my cheek, sliding it slowly down to my neck. And then, we finally shared the long awaited kiss. All the butterflies in my stomach had exploded. Suddenly, he pulled away, smiling. He was always smiling; I liked that about him; cause what kind of girl likes a downer.
"G'nite, beautiful." he said, you guess it, smiling, and walking back to his car.
His lips were really soft; and he tasted like Dentyne Ice.
Which just so happens to be my favorite kind of gum.
