It turns out Odette's third job was photography. She takes pictures for a large company which they then use in their publications. She's basically a photographer.

Lucy and Ben are two of the nicest people I have ever met, we went out to lunch with them and just talked about anything and everything - they taught me some new phrases to use in sign language, which I'm really pleased about, and they shared some of Odette's more embarrassing stories which I found highly amusing.

I dropped Odette off earlier after our late lunch with the couple, and I couldn't help but let my mind wander to everyone's advice. The lads told me to ask Odette out on a date, and so did Ben; but how am I supposed to do that? He told me to keep things simple and not extravagant.

I lie in bed racking my brain for different possibilities or ideas she might like, but everything I think of is too flamboyant or cheesy. I want something simple, just to ask her out.

So why don't you?  My subconscious interjects.

Why don't I just ask her out on a date?

I briskly get up from my warm and wrapped up position in bed, and stalk through my apartment straight towards my front door. My heart starts to thump in my chest as I get closer and closer to my destination; my large calloused hands gripping my doorknob and allowing me to open the wooden door with ease.

Thoughts race through my mind; although I do try to calm myself and ignore my nagging conscience. It's something that I have to do, if I don't try then I'll never know.

I press the doorbell and wait nervously, my fingers occupying themselves by running through my long knotted curls; what if she says no? What if it ruins everything and she refuses to talk to me anymore?

I don't have anymore time to think as the sleepy girl herself opens the door. Her silky hair is all over the place and she is wearing some short shorts paired with a tank top that she clearly wears for bed, I've obviously disturbed her.

Her beautiful blue eyes look up at me expectantly, squinting slightly due to the harsh light in the hallway where I am standing. I take in a large breath at the sight of her, I suppose I don't really have a choice but to go for it and see what she says.

My eyes remain on hers as I bring my hands up in front of us, in clear view for her.

'Would you like to go out on a date with me tomorrow?'

I sign to her, it's simple and not extravagant in the slightest, so hopefully she'll appreciate it. Her precious ocean blue orbs focus entirely on my hands, watching the slow and nervous movements as I attempt to sign an actual sentence.

She looks up at me immediately, and her jaw falls slightly in astonishment; she clearly wasn't expecting my blunt question. Although after a few minutes she seems to come back to reality, her astonishment changing into an obvious blush, and then into a shy and coy smile.

She then does that cute glance, then glance away thing that I like.

'Yes.' She signs sweetly, her eyes never leaving mine. And that's when she does something completely unexpected; she takes a step forward, rises to the tips of her toes and plants her soft luscious lips to my flustered cheek. 'Goodnight Harry.' She smiles before sinking backwards into her apartment and disappearing from my view.

•••

It's fair to say I could hardly sleep last night from the excitement. I'm nervous and exhilarated at the same time, I just hope that everything will go smoothly and I won't embarrass myself as per usual.

However due to Odette's easy going personality, I don't think she is that bothered by my embarrassing moments but rather takes them in her stride; I make her laugh and that's one of the things I love about our relationship, because even the simplest things make her happy and seeing her smile is the most rewarding thing in the world.

I have a few options planned for this afternoon but I'm struggling to decide which one I should choose, I'm not too sure what Odette likes and I don't want this date to be a disappointment to her. I want her to enjoy herself, and have fun.

My large hand grasps tightly onto my phone as I start to arrange the details for tonight. I have a few surprises up my sleeve so hopefully she'll be happy with what I have in mind; I mean, it's not the end of the world if she doesn't enjoy herself, but I'm really really hoping that she does. I want to make a good impression, especially on our first date.

With the arrangements for this afternoon all set, I begin to get myself ready and head straight towards the shower. My mind revises over every single aspect of sign language I know, I want Odette to feel comfortable and if it means retracing every bit of sign language I have been taught, then I will.

My senses fill with the indulgent smell of my shower gel as I massage it into my skin thoroughly, then rubbing in my shampoo before rinsing my entire body of bubbles. Tightly, I wrap the coffee coloured towel around my waist and walk straight to my wardrobe. What should I wear? Something smart? Something casual?

Something smart-casual?

I decide to go for some charcoal skinny jeans, a smart white shirt buttoned up to the top and a black blazer to finish. The outfit as a whole is fairly smart and I'm hoping Eleanor helps Odette to the highest of her ability; not that Odette can't dress herself, but apparently Eleanor is good with clothes and make-up, and girly things like that so said she'd do it all for her.

I'm guessing from what Ben said yesterday that Odette doesn't really have much experience when it comes to dating or guys in general for that matter, so I'm glad that Eleanor is helping her out, it'll take away some of the nerves.

Me, however, I'm absolutely terrified. I've dated before, but somehow I feel even more nervous now than I have in the past; I don't know whether it's me, or the fact that it's a date, or even that it's with Odette, but whatever it is it has me stressing completely.

I glance at the time on my phone and step into my suede black boots preparing to depart for the date, my mind sweeps over all of the arrangements yet again, making sure that everything goes according to plan. Calmly, I inhale a deep breath and grab my keys before heading out of my apartment door and over to Odette's.

I press the doorbell softly and patiently wait for the door to open, my palms now beginning to sweat as my eyes train down on my shoes. I don't have to wait for long, the door swings open to reveal an extremely excited Eleanor, her cheeks rosy and flustered with happiness. "Hey, is she ready?" I breathily question, my nerves becoming even more prominent as I walk into the somewhat familiar threshold.

"Yeah. Wait here a sec, I'll just go and get her." She smiles happily and skips towards Odette's bedroom as I wait in the living room, browsing my familiar surroundings. I notice the books on her vast bookshelf have been used a little more since the last time I came and there is a coffee mug half full and probably still warm, meaning that she's been in here recently.

My heart starts to race as I hear the bedroom door open and clicks of heels; however, my eyes fall to the floor, too scared to see what stands in front of me. Finally finding my courage, I take in a large breath and bravely decide to glance up at the two awaiting girls.

Standing there next to an extremely excited Eleanor is the most beautiful and incredibly stunning Odette; she is wearing a strapless burgundy coloured dress made from a smooth satin followed by some plain black shoes with mid heel, accompanying the outfit is a small black bag with a golden chain and some bangles that clang occasionally on her wrist. Hanging from her ears are some silver tear-shaped earring all collected in an overall diamond shape.

Her make-up is done very naturally with a light plum-coloured gloss shimmering across her enticing lips, I'm so caught up with her incredible beauty that I forget about the two girls waiting for a response from me. "Wow," I breathily stutter.

Odette blushes a light shade of pink and gives me an extremely shy smile, clearly embarrassed after reading my lips. Her expression stays the same as she raises her right hand to her chin and brings it back down gracefully, 'thank you' she signs.

"You look absolutely incredible." The compliment rolls off my tongue effortlessly, feeling no shame or embarrassment in my words; her soft blue eyes flicker up to mine and I can see nothing but joy and excitement as I gaze at her.

'Not as much as you.' She smiles happily.

"Aww! You two are so adorable!" Eleanor coo's at both Odette and I as we admire each other's appearance for the night.

"Shall we go?" I ask with a smile only to receive a simple and light nod back. Odette makes her way forward and passes me as she walks in the direction of the front door, her perfume lingers in the air, the sweet flowery smell leaving me begging for her closeness.

Myself and Eleanor follow behind her, she takes the opportunity to talk whilst Odette isn't aware. "Take care of her Harry, she's really nervous." Eleanor informs me.

"That makes two of us." I mumble to myself and earn a chuckle from Eleanor. I understand that Odette is nervous, this is our first date and inevitably our future friendship or possible relationship relies on this night going smoothly.

"You'll both be fine. You two are adorable together, you just don't see it yet." I scoff at her words, Odette would never feel the same for me like I do for her. She's too good for me. "She likes you Harry, she really likes you. She's just scared, I mean she isn't really used to all of the male attention." Eleanor spoke truthfully, making me think back to what Ben said yesterday.

'You're the only guy that cares about the girl on the inside and not just on the outside, you're the only guy that has been will to learn an entirely new form of communication just to talk to her.'

At that moment I start to understand what everyone is talking about, why Odette is so nervous. She's scared because she thinks that due to her condition no-one is interested in her, because that's what has happened in the past. She refuses to let me know too much about her because she's afraid I will leave her like everyone else.

But I would never leave her.

Odette quietly turns around and my jade eyes move up to her topaz coloured ones; her hair swaying lightly as she spins but stopping as she comes to a complete stand still, that beautiful smile still on her face. Although now, I can see her uncontrollable nerves, much similar to mine.

"M'lady," I smile cheekily, holding my arm out for her in a gentlemanly manner, clutching her tightly to the side of my body and feeling her heat radiate onto me. "See you later El!" My voice cheers as we finally leave the apartment, Odette securely on my arm.

_________________________

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- Pianogirl56