But we shared a moment,
that will last till the end.

-YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL

*****************************

The way you look at me,
Is the way I want to be looked at forever.
__________________________

"Nina I'm not wearing heels."

My best friend of four years looked at me like I was a psychotic fool running wild on the streets. I could sense her getting impatient with my attitude and I was so sure that in the next six seconds or so, I would get an earful from her.

"Okay... Look Colours, this is the fucking last time I'm going to say this. You are going on a date. You know those formal occasions when you get to meet a suitable guy for once? And you have more than just a decent prospect okay? So I'm here to help you, now if you don't mind-wear those goddamn wedges and get this fucking over with."

I made a face and looked at her with discontent, sighing I walked towards her and put on the beige wedges that she somehow managed to find in my clustered shoe rack. Taking a deep breath, I turned around to examine myself in the mirror. I had already decided what I wanted to wear a few days ago, so thankfully, it didn't take long for me to dress up.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I smiled softly at my straightened hair. My natural locks were slightly wavy and I must say, this looks satisfying. Nina had given me a natural look,she decided to go with the 'nude' look and I need to thank her for her efforts as it paid off.

"So... You like it?" Nina questioned with a hint of doubt in her voice.

I gave her an incredulous look and answered, "Like? I love it! Thanks for keeping it simple."

She gave me a toothy grin. "Anything for you, sugar."

"Okay, so what's the time?"

"About... 6;45. Your lover boy should be here in the next fifteen minutes."

I smiled, aware of the fact that my dimples were probably standing out. But I didn't care, I always thought they were the best part about my face.

"Are you going to stay?" I asked Nina, as she started packing all her stuff up.

"No, I have to be home for Zach. He wants to talk to me about something."

"Oh, anything serious?"

"I don't think so... He didn't really mention anything yet. But, he was going to start his last year in college next week, so I just want to spend some more time with him, you know?" she said with hopeful eyes.

"Of course, he's your protective older brother after all."

"Try saying, overprotective."

I laughed and shook my head remembering the time when Zach nearly gave Nina's date a heart attack at last year's homecoming, threatening him to stay at least 3 feet away from her.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when the bell rang, I looked towards Nina, who squealed and rushed towards the door. I tried to stop her, but to absolutely no avail, she sprang down the stairs in no time. Let's just hope Jake is still there when she is done talking to him.

I tried to calm my breathing, consoling myself that this was the same Jake, who accidentally burned his hair while we were working on experimenting chemicals- without any trace of fire being used.

"So that's it?"

"Yeah... I think I like you for her."

I could hear their distant voices as I descended the steps, it took me a second to realize that I was downstairs, and probably looked like a fool just gawking at my friends.

"Hey." Jake looked at me with a dazzling smile, unabashedly checking me out.

Stop with the fidgeting.

"Hey beautiful."

"Awww, aren't you two just so cute together?" Nina cooed while I shot her a dirty look.

I heard some cluttering noise coming from the kitchen, and that's when I realized that my mom was probably snooping around and looking at us.

"Honey? Who's this young man we have here?" She tried acting like the strict mom but obviously failed. Don't get me wrong, she is strict when it comes to my grades and career but otherwise? Nope. She doesn't even say anything when the guys come over and spend the night. That's some parenting, right there. I love her anyway.

"Mom, you've known Jake for 7 months now."

"Can't you at least try to sound nervous when introducing your date?" she said, exasperated.

"Not when you've already fed him half the dishes you've never cooked for me before."

"Oh come on Bella, you're jealous she loves me more." Jake teased with a smirk.

Nina just smiled like a Cheshire Cat, like she knew something was up. If I don't leave this place I'd probably have to endure the 21 questions that would be thrown at us, so I decided that this is the right time to say bye and grabbed Jake's hand.

"Okay, you two, we're off now. Mom I'll be back at 11 and Nina please don't call me at 1, I'll be sleeping."

"No promises." Nina smiled, while my mom grinned at waved us bye.

As soon as we got out of the house, Jake stopped me. I gave him a quizzical look, but he just gave me his classic smile in return.

"I'm going to do this right, ma'am."

I gave him a skeptical look as he moved across me to open the door of his car.

I simply laughed, I knew his gentlemanly ways and was accustomed to them. Yet, he never failed to amaze me.

"Oh, okay. Thank you, sire."

Jake buckled himself up and revved the car to life, officially kick starting my much awaited date.

********
My dating life has been pretty sour in high school, it isn't something to boast about in the very least. It isn't even like I've not been asked out on dates, I'm just a very picky person is all. There have been instances where my friends have questioned my sanity, for declining an offer that some other chick would probably say yes to in an instant.

It's not that I'm inexperienced, I've had my own shares of make-outs and feeling-up, but I guess I'm just waiting for the right person. Opening up to someone has been a hard task for me, I'm just different I guess.

With Jake, however, I wanted to take that risk. Not because I've instantly fallen for him or anything after his relentless pursuits, it's just that he makes me feel safe. I know I can trust him and I want him to be there for me in my time of need.

"What are you thinking, sweetheart?"

I groaned, I didn't like it one bit when he called me that. My dad calls me that, and he won't stop calling me that even after I told him.

"Jake. Don't call me that."

"Okay, how about sugarpoo? Or pumpkin pie?"

I gave him a disgusted look to which he just laughed. He liked teasing me, that arse.

"You know, you haven't spoken much. Mind telling me what's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" I looked at him and although he was still driving, he seemed a bit anxious.

"It's not pretty," I muttered.

"You're right. It's beautiful, you're beautiful."

He looked at me with all the seriousness that he could muster and I for once knew that he meant every single word. A rush of giddiness coursed through me, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Nothing, just wondering where you're taking me."

"To this place outside town, we'll have dinner and then stay at a motel I've booked."

I whipped my head towards him so fast that I thought my neck suffered a serious injury. I narrowed my eyes and looked at him, he glanced towards me and burst out in a fit of laughter.

"Very funny."

"You should've seen your face Bella."

"Aren't you just charming."

"You're yet to see, babe."

I rolled my eyes and smiled faintly, enjoying our banter. The car slowed down a bit and Jake parked it in front of this huge building, that I've probably never seen. The building had at least thirty-four floors and it looked mesmerizing in the night sky, however, I doubted that it was suitable for a romantic date.

"Wait until you see the setting, hold your thoughts."

Jake's voice brought me out of my reverie and I simply grinned at him. He offered me his hand and I gladly took it, we walked towards the elevator and Jake pressed the button. A couple of minutes later the elevator stopped and we got off, entering what looked like a penthouse of sorts. I was enthralled by the high glass doors and ostentatious art work, it was magnificent indeed, but at the same time it felt too much. I looked at Jake who was examining me carefully, and looked peeved at my expression.

"This is my place. Well, not technically, it's something my uncle left me when he died."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." I was terrible at consoling people and even worse at dealing with deaths.

"You don't have to be, it was a long time back. So we're eating dinner first, and then I want to take you to some place special."

"Sounds like a plan."

With that, we proceeded towards our delicious dinner and an evening full of talks and smiles.

........................................................

Okay,
So any thoughts on Jake? I personally like him a lot. He's cute and funny, and a caricature of my best friend. (Yes, my characters are somewhat inspired by real life.)

This is a slightly short chapter, I know but it's more of a filler than anything else.

BRAYDON, NEXT CHAPTER!!!

PLEASE VOTE/COMMENT/SHARE

Love,

S