7PM pounced on Luke like a jaguar in a tropical forest. He found himself rushing out the door, forgetting his wallet, rushing back in to retrieve it, combing his hair a bit, and adjusting his bowtie. I should've asked Darryl how do you even dress up for a first date, he regretted. I hope I didn't overdo it.

 Kev saw him fly back into the room and said, "Date's over already? I knew it'd be over quickly, but not that soon."

"Shut up," Luke said. "I just forgot my wallet."

"Oh, you'll definitely need that. We all know women never expect to pay for anything when it comes to romance."

"I just hope she doesn't clean me out. I don't get paid till next week."

"Then you better keep the restaurant choice limited to the dollar menu at McDonald's."

Luke flipped him the finger and knew Kev wouldn't see it anyway because he was so engrossed in his work. He dashed out the door and towards the Opus lobby, and then he saw her.

She wore a sparkling crimson dress that looked like a red sky with twinkling white stars. She stood an inch taller on black high heels and adorned golden earrings in the shape of an eagle. Her hair was a shade darker than her dress, but other than that, the two seemed to flow together as her wavy hair caressed the back of her dress.

Luke was left with his mouth gaping open. Nellie laughed, "Keep it open long enough and you may find something, or someone trying to fly inside."

Luke closed his mouth and pushed himself to mouth the words, "You—you look—you look amazing."

"Thanks, I'm digging the bow-tie myself," she smiled.

Luke looked down at his bow-tie, it afforded him a brief escape from staring at such a beautiful woman. When he looked back up, he found Nellie approaching him, slipping her arm into his.

"Ready for our first date?" she asked.

"Yeah," he gulped. "Where shall we go?"

"I thought you had that planned out?" she said.

Luke started to sweat and cursed himself, Damn it, I knew I should've planned something.

He began to stutter as Nellie's smile evolved into a sternness that could chisel rock. More sweat leaked down from his armpits down to his ribs and curving along his stomach.

But as quickly as Nellie turned that smile into a frown, she easily reversed it. "I'm just kidding with you. It was me after all who asked you out. The school gave away tickets to go see a ballet-play at the Kennedy Center. I hope it's not too boring and cultured for you?"

"No, it's fine. Let's go," Luke said and wondered if he sounded too anxious. I expected more of a rock concert from a girl like Nellie, not a ballet.

They walked towards the Metro and hopped on the red line train towards Metro Center, where they would transfer to Foggy Bottom and walk towards the Kennedy Center. Along the way, Nellie initiated most of the conversation.

"So, tell me about yourself Luke," she said. When he didn't respond right away, because he was trying to decide on what to tell her, she made the question more specific, "Like what's your major for starters?"

"Anthropology," he said.

"Anthropology, that's a new one. There's not too many of those. What made you choose that?"

"I read a lot of National Geographic growing up," he found himself speaking better. "I always liked the pieces on archeology and studying other cultures and civilizations. I just—like the diversity of humanity."

"Well put, but then, why pick CUA as a school—you might as well have gone to school in North Dakota or something—there's no diversity here."

"Well the school may not be as diverse as I thought it'd be, but it's in a diverse city. It's also not too far away from home, so I'm away from home, but close enough to head back in case I ever feel homesick."

"That's adorable," she said as they arrived at Union Station. All of the Metro stations looked the same, especially the underground ones. They were huge airplane hangers that were poorly lit and had tall gray ceilings that looked like cinderblocks glued to each other. 

"And you?" Luke blushed as he saw an influx of people piling onto the train, heading home for the weekend dressed in everything from suits and ties to paint-stained jeans. 

"Me what?"

The train pulled out of the station and roared as it shot through the tunnel. "Like what do you study and..."

"I'm just teasing you, I know what you meant. I'm a Bio major. I plan on heading to medical school after college."

"Nice, and what made you choose CUA?" Luke found himself in a much more comfortable groove. Talking to beautiful girls isn't so bad, he thought.

"I wanted to be in an environment where faith was a big part of the school."

Oh no, Luke thought to himself. Is she super religious?

"Nice, so faith is pretty big for you?"

"Not necessarily, I just thought being in a faithful environment would be more challenging, in a sense, for an atheist than going to one of the many liberal colleges that would just feed into my ideology."

That took a turn. "You're an atheist?"

She nodded. "Yeap, did the Bio major not give it away? I believe in evolution, not make-believe...sorry if I offended you."

"No not at all, I mean, I'm Catholic, but I don't find myself practicing it all the time."

"Like most Catholics," Nellie concluded. "Being a Catholic is like joining a club. You stay for the benefits."

"And what benefits are there?" Luke asked as he sat back with his arms crossed.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

She has a point, Luke thought. "True, I guess heaven is the potential benefit."

"Ah yes, the land of milk and honey ruled by a just God who takes no responsibilities for the suffering in the world. But, I don't want to make this into a theological debate—never a good thing on a first date."

And just like that the topic was dropped. They arrived at Metro Center, transferred to a blue line train going towards Foggy Bottom and made their way to the grand Kennedy Center. The place was huge and looked like one giant box with columns surrounding the outside. They entered into the Hall of States. A red carpet blanketed the massive hallway the size of an airport tarmac. Up above hung over fifty state flags from the ceiling. The Maryland one was easy for Luke to spot. The colors looked like a pair of bumble bees were divided on how to pollinate a pair of red-velvet key-shaped flowers.

"Which one is yours?" Luke asked looking up at the ceiling.

"Mine wouldn't be hanging in this hallway," she said as she pulled Luke over to the adjacent Hall of Nations. She pointed up at the blue base flag with the British Jack in the upper left-hand corner atop a white seven-pointed star. Occupying the blue space on the right of the flag was a constellation of stars.

"You're from Australia?"

"Yeap, the land down under."

"But I can't even hear your accent Mate," Luke joked around. I'm getting good at this talking thing.

"Haha, very funny. Not all Australians have such an obnoxious accent that your Hollywood films portray."

They made their way up to the terrace via an elevator. "But, it's still pretty cool that you're from Australia. Must've been a heck of a travel to get here."

"Tell me about it."

They made their way over to a terrace food court. Here is where the actual intricacies of dating were on display.

"I'll pay for your meal," Luke offered.

"Like I'll let a man treat me on the first date. I'll cover the both of us," she said. "My treat. You can cover me next time."

"But I insist," Luke said.

"Too bad," Nellie laughed. "Now come on."

Luke was treated to a decent meal and after they both ate, Nellie looked down at her watch and noticed they still had fifteen minutes before the show started.

"Let's head outside and look at the monuments," Nellie said.

"We can do that?" Luke asked since this was his first time at the Kennedy Center.

"Yeah, come, it's beautiful." Nellie took his hand and dragged him outside. It was windy and dark outside on the terrace. She led him towards the far corner of the terrace facing towards Washington, D.C. They got close to the railing and Luke looked out at a beautiful site. Off in the distance, perfectly lit as if by spotlights, were the columned temple of the Lincoln Memorial, the rotunda canopy of the Jefferson Memorial, and the obelisk spire of the Washington Monument.

"Wow," Luke muttered. "This is pretty neat."

Nellie slipped her arm into his and rested her head on his shoulder, "I love this spot. The view is unmatched—especially when I have someone special to share it with."

Luke turned towards her and like a biting snake, Nellie reached in and planted a kiss on his lips. It was quick. Once their lips touched she pulled back instantly and smiled, "That's for saving me."

Luke was at a loss for words. His heart fluttered like the wings of a butterfly in mid-spring. The warmth from his heart, from that kiss, kept him sustained in the cold breeze atop the terrace.

Then Nellie shivered, "Come on, the show is about to start."

***

Once Luke returned to campus after his date with Nellie, he was the happiest guy in the world. He was so happy, he thought he could spread such joy to his depressed friend Darryl. He picked up some food from the Pryz in a to-go box and bought it over to his studio.

Luke popped his head in and said, "Darryl, you won't believe how the date went..."

Darryl's head was plopped on his desk, covered in his designs for his upcoming project. Is he sleeping? Luke asked himself. It was midnight, and Luke was pretty sure Darryl had not left since he last spoke to him, and the smell of his staleness only grew. He put down the to-go box on the ground, in a spot not covered in papers, pencils, or shavings, and spotted something that made his heart beat like a bass drum.

Oh shit, Luke thought as he saw an empty pill bottle beneath Darryl's desk.

*________________________________________________*

Author's Note

A big discussion when it comes to dating is: who pays for the first date? We had this discussion in our theology class and many of the women in the class said that the guys had to pay for the first date and that from then on they can take turns or split. However, one guy raised his hand and said, "Whoever initiates, pays," i.e. whoever worked up the courage to ask the other person out has to pay for the first date. The idea that "whoever initiates pays," is reflected in this chapter as Nellie covers the meal at the Kennedy Center. But, what do you think? Which formula do you think is fair or works best for dating: the traditional men footing the bill, whoever initiates pays, always splitting the bill, or something else?

The chapter ends on a melancholy note in order to bring to light another heavy topic in the next chapter...

Until next week.

- L. A. Rivera