Forget what I said yesterday. Snow looked at the text she just received from Casey. How could she possibly forget when it's still awake in her mind?

That yesterday got her thinking, why would he do this to her? Was it to ruin her date he knew she was going to have? It's not going to work. Although, it wouldn't look like he would purposely sabotage her. He wouldn't offer to give her advice if he didn't want her to go out. 

But why? Why did he like her? She wanted to be friends. She didn't like him like that.

Snow checked her gaze on the reflection of herself in the mirror. She got pretty. Her hair got curled, her makeup was done, and more than ever, she felt like Cinderella. Remembering the first time she put on a pink dress for her practice date, now, she stepped up in a powder blue mini dress soon to go out for her real date.

This dress showed its V-neckline and the gold necklace she put on to simply accessorize. Sheer long sleeves covered her arms, and the tiered skirts had layers of fabric ruffles that cascade elegantly. What especially did the dress was the shiny silver thread detailing throughout like it's the last finishing touch.

She simply loved it, and she loved the way she looked in it.

She smiled softly at her reflection. She hoped this was how pretty Harry could see her. Her nails were even painted to match the Cinderella blue theme of the dress. 

Snow glanced away. So why did she felt partially guilty? Right, I couldn't forget what Casey just said now.

She blinked, conscious of the feeling with her light eyelashes on. She texted back to Casey. I can't forget it. You're the one who said it. 

A minute later passed. Seriously, forget it. I'll forget it too.

In the middle of her typing, she saw the text bubble appearing and paused; he's going to type out another text.

You deserve better. You deserve someone good.

Her eyes fell dejected. Was that how he felt? But then why he was giving her mixed signals? From one moment he told her he liked her, and now he was telling her to forget it. She hated this. Why bother going through the length only just to forget it ever happen? What was it with boys like that? 

She wrote. You are good even if you don't believe it.

Her heart rate pumped up a bit from nervous anticipation. What was he going to say next?

I mean it. Forget what I said and have fun on your date. 

What was she supposed to say? Thanks? Snow scrunched up her nose with her brows furrowing. You know what, he's right. I am going to have fun on this date.

Determined, she sprayed a quick fragrance mist on herself and spared one last look in the mirror before she grabbed her cardigan sweater and her purse by the door, walking out of her room. 

"Mom, it's time for me to go now."

Once Snow walked to the restaurant front, she saw Harry standing out near the door. Wow. She couldn't help but gawk at him. He dressed in a brown sports coat with a light blue button-up—two buttons being undone—and white fitted jeans with his brown leather shoes. Her heart skipped at the sight of him. Was she really going along with this? She slowly approached him, and he turned his head.

"Hey," Harry said, smiling. He took notice of her outfit. "You look good. I really like your dress." Then his eyes looked farther down. "And the boots too."

Already he was on a great start, and she could perform a blush on her cheeks. "Thank you. You look good too," Snow said.

"Shall we go inside?"

She nodded shyly. Harry pulled open the door, taking a couple of steps aside to allow room as he gestured in a gentlemanly way to her. "After you," he offered.

She smiled at the sweet gesture. "Why thank you," she acknowledged, and she stepped inside the building first.

A hostess stood behind a mahogany podium at the entryway. Snow and Harry approached to her as she greeted them with a practiced friendly smile on her face. "Welcome! It is our pleasure here at Young Spring Chinese Restaurant. How could I help you two?"

"Hi, I made a reservation for 7 p.m. under the name Cresswell for a table for two," Harry said politely.

The woman looked down at the guest checklist, her finger scanning down carefully for a name. "Harry Cresswell?"

"Yes."

"Of course. Right this way," the hostess said, motioning them as she walked them to their designated table.

The interior looked intriguing with several humongous framed wall art of red puzzle-like pieces of provinces bordering around the top while the rest was left blank and white. The dark brown walls looked very smooth plus the wooden floors with floor patterns that had rectangles tipping over and endless stacking on top of another. The red chandelier had an extravagant character with each of its rectangular glass panels dangling as the place lit up with a touch of red tint. 

"Here are your table." The hostess gestured a table for them. Harry thanked her, and then she excused herself, leaving the two of them by themselves.

Harry pulled out the nearest chair and held it for her as he smiled at Snow. Is this really for me? She loved a dreamy gentleman and thought this only works in the movies.

Snow walked over to the chair, her arms grabbing behind for the chair arms to scoot the chair forward while he held it steady for her. She fully sat down, but Harry looked at her charmed. He pulled out his hand, slightly motioning to hers. "May I?"

Smiling, she put her hand on top of his to see what he does, and so naturally and smoothly, he held her fingers and brought the back of her hand up to his lips and kissed it. Harry pulled back and took the seat across from her. The date hadn't gone that far, but he was already a gentleman for her.

Snow felt stunned as she glanced at the hand that was kissed but had to pull herself to talk. She looked into his eyes. "Chivalry isn't dead, huh?

"I like to think it isn't. It's good to uphold manners and be courteous to others even though we live in times where equal rights are just as significant," Harry said.

"Yeah, I agree." She let out a soft chuckle.

A waiter passed by their table, giving the two of them their menus. The two of them took the time to look regardfully at the menu. So many options the menu revealed, and at the end, they took their orders with the waiter. It was just between him and her for reals, and quite frankly, what was she supposed to do again being alone with a guy like him, in a setting like this? She swallowed nervously.

Stay calm. Stay calm. She attempted to reduce the first date nerves in her body. She looked at his face, but it was troubling her because it's hard to resist a face like that. A girl couldn't stay calm when she's on her first date and wanting to do everything she could to make sure she looked as presentable and neat as possible so he'd like her more.

What should I say? Why couldn't it just come out of me?

Harry looked at her with a gentle smile. "Are you nervous? It's okay if you are."

She nodded, talking a little quietly. "Yeah, a little."

He leaned forward, asking seriously. "I don't look intimidating, do I?"

"No, it's just... this is my first time with you, and I don't know. I want things to go well."

Tilting his head at her, he chuckled amusingly. "I like that. That you're open."

"And I take it as a good sign?" she asked hopefully, raising her eyebrow.

"It's good."

Snow looked to her shoulders and straightened them so that they're facing him squarely. "So, how's your sister, Josephine?"

"She's been doing well. Recently she learned how to drive a car," Harry mentioned.

When he saw her curious expression, he took his phone out and showed her a picture of his sister on top of a convertible toy car that was kid size. Josephine appeared to be giggling while riding on it as she glanced towards the camera.

"It was at her friend's house. Both of them wanted first dibs, but she got to it first," he told her.

She can probably outrun me then. Snow thought but liked the picture as the little girl looked cute in it. "I'm sure she'll be a great driver as much as she is a runner. Gotta love the energy," she enthused.

Harry put the phone back into his pocket. "Yeah, she got fast and strong legs."

She nodded. A waiter stopped at their table to set down their drinks. Right away, Snow took a sip of water through the straw. Was she an okay conversationalist? Was it natural? She glanced at him, and he just smiled at her, which made her more nervous, and she took more sips of her water. Wow, this iced water is so good.

Even with the luck of her friends and family, she couldn't have enough believable confidence to make it through. The right dress, the right guy, and even the right atmosphere. She could always count on her social anxiety to not know what she should do. Not enough practice in the world could prepare her for this.

Realizing she's already halfway drinking it, she stopped quickly. I don't need to already go to the bathroom when I haven't eaten yet.

"You should probably wait until the food gets here," Harry cautioned gently.

"Y-Yeah, that's a good idea," she said.

He's being so nice, and I'm just so nervous. How can a guy have this much effect on her? It was easy when she was just thinking about him, but doing stuff with him was a different subject. First dates should be just spending time and getting to know the other person, but there was this unsaid pressure behind all the talking process.

Casey. He would tell her not to worry too much and just let things happen. He would tell her that Harry agreed because it was her. He would also add that the pressure was because she's adding onto everything. He continually supported and reassured her whenever she had these meltdowns to herself. She liked his cool and calm exterior and how he didn't let these little worries get into his head. He knew her and read her correctly. And even if she was on a date with a different guy, he wished her to have a good one.

I need to listen to him. The reason she was here was because of him. Snow needed to approach things cooly as he would.

Snow rubbed her palms together, flicking her gaze to him while she low-key attempted to flirt a little. "So, you look like the kind of guy that girls go for. Don't you think you're good-looking?" she asked cooly.

Harry watched her, slightly grinning. "So you think I'm good-looking?"

"I asked if you think you are good-looking." She pointed her finger at him.

Chuckling, he tilted his head and put his finger up to his chin. "I think I don't look bad. Good enough to not scare old people."

She smiled a bit, amused. "Yeah?"

"Does that answer your question?"

"You sure are pretty charming."

"Am I already making good points?" he joked.

"Most certainly." Maybe this date wasn't so bad. If she could be loose around him like this, perhaps she could actually have a good time with him.

Bowls and plates of food arrived at their table, and Harry and Snow politely thanked the servers. Snow glanced at the meal, and the hot steams immediately approached her nostril. She had ordered Chicken fried rice and Sweet and sour pork chicken. On Harry's side, he had Steamed vermicelli rolls, Fried wonton, and Shrimp lo mein. They planned to share the Dim sum that sat between them.

Harry picked up a pair of chopsticks near him and seized a roll to his mouth. Snow watched as he did that and was impressed. He knew how to use chopsticks? He looked at her innocently. Carefully swallowing, he asked, "What?"

"I didn't know you can use chopsticks," Snow commented.

"And you don't?" he chuckled. "I like eating different types of food and learning the traditional ways to eat them."

He must be so dexterous. She learned that he possibly liked learning about different cultures through food.

"What else do you like eating?"

"Normally Shepherd's Pie or Full English Breakfast brings me delight. Also, with roasted meat or gravy with little peas, carrots, cabbage, and potatoes. But ordering takeaways meals are customary, so on the side, I like curries and tandoori."

She nodded impressively and began eating her fried rice. He sounded like the type of guy that could just check in all her qualifications. Nice guy. Checked. Handsome. Checked. Good Manners. Checked. Has a nice voice. Checked. There couldn't be anything missing, could there?

"So what do you like about me? Am I usually the kind of girl you would go for? There are tons out there that must catch your eye better," Snow probed.

Harry carried on chewing while he stopped to consider her question. She was glad he didn't answer right away, so it gave her time to mentally prepare herself. She didn't know what she wanted to hear, and it was difficult to think why someone would like her. It seemed so uncanny, to begin with. The luck with guys previously never happened before, so what about now?

"Your hesitation, if I'm honest," he answered. "I don't think that's a normal answer to give to someone, but when you're hesitant, you seemed very thoughtful, and you like to carry your actions out considerately. I feel like you care a lot, and not a lot of people like that quality about themselves. It helps that you're kind of cute when you look flustered. I think I wish I met people like your type."

Snow blinked, not believing what she heard. Someone actually liked when she gets flustered or the way she stammered when she'd get nervous? Wouldn't most guys like it when a girl knows what she wants? 

A blush silently crept up to her cheeks. "Then you like how I am?"

"Yeah, you're a great girl. I was surprised that you asked me out. I didn't expect that, but I was glad you went for it. I would have like to ask you, but I was thinking about your comfort level."

She never thought she would be liked by someone because it was always her that liked someone first, and now, there was someone right across from her telling her that she's great and thought she's beautiful. She always dreamed someone would say those words to her. They were the right words she needed to hear, and they gave her all the right reasons why he's almost perfect for her.

Then a pit of her stomach began to churn. While she was having fun on a date with an amazing guy, another guy was probably at home wallowing in misery when the day before he had told her his feelings. 

Stupid Casey, you're not even here, and you're trying to get into my subconscious. It's not the time now.

Snow pushed back her thoughts and smiled even more at Harry. "You seemed like you know how to charm a girl. What's your secret technique?"

She took a small mouthful of the Dim sum as she watched him chuckle. "I don't really have one. I just talked to them with respect. Maybe it helps that I have great hair?" He patted down a bit of his dark blonde hair.

"Splendid hair." She batted her eyelashes at him like how girls do it in the movies, but she's certain the way she does it looked funny instead of cute and playful.

The two of them continually casually talking and getting to learn more about each other while eating amazing Chinese food, and everything was going great. It was more than what she had imagined. They talked a lot about their common interests, especially involving caring for children and World Hunger, both of them being a morning person and waking up early, and stopping to look at flowers and things.

She had to excuse herself while going to the ladies' restroom after all that digesting. Snow faced herself in the mirror while she washed her hands. She was smiling so hard that her cheeks hurt. She had never seen herself look that way. In front of a guy's eye, she wanted to look amazing and beautiful for him. And she thinks she may have successfully done it. She wanted to go home smiling and repeating her mind about the event. She wanted to see him again.

Perhaps this could work out. She needed to believe it will. When she got back out there with him, she was met with his gorgeous smile.

"So what are you doing this summer? Got any plans?" Snow asked curiously.

His eyebrows elevated casually. "I'll just be spending time with my family either casually at home watching tv or going out to eat. Maybe I'd love to hit up the beach to go out for a swim or catch up on reading. What about you? Do you know what you're doing?"

"I'll... be reading too, but I don't know about the rest of the days. I'll probably hang out with my friends."

"Oh, that's cool." Harry nodded. "Have I met them?"

She shook her head. "No, you haven't seen them."

"What about that lad? Casey? He's one of your friends, right?"

"Oh..." She didn't know how to answer this. They were originally going to be just friends, right? But the way it looked yesterday and a couple of hours ago, there was underlying tension. "Yeah. He's a new addition to our friend group."

"How is he?"

She paused, unsure. "He's doing fine. But I rather not talk about him right now and just enjoy us."

"You're honest." What was that smile? She didn't know, but he looked entertained. "Then what are your other friends like?"

Right now, she wouldn't ask for too much. Just that she could live in this moment with someone new.

▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓

Hello. Happy Tuesday. Do you know that moment when you normally see MC going on a date with another guy and then halfway, she feels guilty about the original guy and suddenly wants to leave in the middle of the date to rush off to the original guy? Not this MC. She's here to enjoy her time. She can think about the other stuff later.

So what do you think about their little date? It's supposed to be a fun, cute night between them. And maybe you learn a little bit more about Harry. 

Random question: Do you know how to use chopsticks? 🥢

Please vote and comment as it means the world to me.