C H A P T E R   E I G H T E E N
first dates

froth:
the foam left behind after the wave has broken.

I was laying on my bed covered in blankets, typing a message to my friend Jessa after I came home from a busy day at work.

I wasn't suppose to work today but I got called in due to the sudden, and overwhelming lunch rush that took the diner by surprise.

The diner was insane. There was a line winding out the door as well as a constant flow of people that came through for my entire shift resulting in no breaks.

I managed to get let off at three o'clock giving me plenty of time to get ready for my date with Dawson later this evening.

He texted me earlier on in the day telling me he will come pick me up at six. I tried asking him where it is we are going but all he would respond with is it's a surprise.

So now here I am, at four thirty, staring at my bed, which is now covered in clothes from my closet.

I grab my phone from my bed and desperately dial Jessa. "Please help me." I say into the phone. "I don't know what to wear for my date."

I swear to god that Jessa dropped her phone onto the ground or something cause there was a loud bang and then silence on the line for a few moments.

"He finally asked you out?" She asked, her voice filled with excitement. "Girl, I'm on my way right now."

I went into the shower quickly and washed my hair and body as I waited for Jessa to arrive. My long blonde hair clung to my back in a wet heap as I wrapped a white fluffy towel around my drenched body staring at myself in the mirror.

A loud knock on the door rang through the house as I ran down the stairs to open it. "I brought some clothes." Jessa said with a smile as she held up a large bag.

"I'm so stressed out. I don't know what to wear, I don't know where he's taking me, I don't know what's going on." I blurt out.

"Calm down Ainsley." Jessa says with a laugh. "Let me work my magic."

She grabs my hand and drags me upstairs into my bedroom. "So he never told you where he's taking you?" She asked once I was seated on my bed.

"Nope. All he told me is that he will be here at six." I respond with a sigh. "I hate surprises."

"Oh shut up." Jessa says as she grabs my makeup bag from the bathroom. "Just go fancy casual."

"Fancy casual? I don't want to risk being over dressed."

"Yes a mixture of both. You're not overdoing it, but you're also not underdressed. It's like the best of both worlds."

She looks around in my makeup bag for a while before pulling out some foundation and a brush. "Go apply this quickly."

I grabbed a pair of sports shorts and a shirt before making my way into the bathroom. I quickly changed into the outfit and began applying my foundation.

"I know what you're going to wear." Jessa exclaims causing me to stop what I was doing and sit on the bed awkwardly until she finds what she's looking for.

"Perfect." She mumbles as she leaves it in the bag not allowing me to see it. A large smile makes its way onto her face. "Now, let's finish your makeup."

Fifteen minutes later, Jessa has finally finished my makeup as she hands me a mirror. "Jess, thank you. It looks amazing." I say as I admire my light brown smokey eye and a sharp winged eyeliner.

"Go change into this, and apply this lipstick." She says handing me a bag as she pushes me into the bathroom.

I reach into the bag and pull out a burgundy romper. I slip it onto my body and admire it in the large standing mirror.

"Jess it's perfect." I say as I turn in the mirror and examine how the material hugs my body in all of the right places exhibiting my curves.

"I know, it looks way better on you then it did me." She says with a small laugh. "Now let me do your hair."

She drags me over to the bed as I reach for my phone. I feel her pulling and twisting at my hair as I check the time.

5:49

"Jessa. He'll be here in less than ten minutes."

"Yes now shush, I'm almost done." She says pulling my hair a little tighter. She continues to wrap and tug at pieces of my hair before finally securing her masterpiece with an hair elastic.

"Dawson is going to be speechless when he sees you." she says with a large smile as I check my appearance in the mirror for the final time.

My long blonde hair is tied back into a tight french braid with a few pieces of hair left out to frame my face. I slip gold necklace on my neck to complete my look as I grab my tan purse an make my way downstairs with Jessa right on my heels.

"Jess, I'm so nervous."

"What's there to be nervous about!" She says raising her voice. "It's obvious he cares about you Ains. Also I think he's one of the best guys you've talked to for a while, plus he's a good sight for the eyes."

I slap her on the arm before reaching for my cardigan which rests on the chair. A knock on the door resonates through the house as the butterflies take flight in my stomach.

Before I get the chance to open the door Jess pulls me towards her and whispers "He's good for you Ains." in my ear.

Taking in a deep breath I twist the door handle and open the door to reveal Dawson standing there with a smile on his face and a bouquet of sunflowers in his hand.

We both stand there in silence as we take in each others appearances. A dark grey button up shirt hugs his chest complimenting his dark wash jeans and his normal wind swept hair seems tamed for a change.

"Ains." He says before pausing. "I have no words, you're absolutely stunning."

I feel blush creeping it's way up onto my cheeks as my glance shifts down to the floor.

"Ahem." Jessa says interrupting us as she leans up against the wall. "Enough you lovebirds, go already, you don't want to miss your date."

I let out a laugh as Dawson hands me the bouquet. "Let me just put these into a vase and then we can go."

I quickly make my way into the kitchen as I can hear Jessa mumbling a few words to Dawson. Filling up a glass vase with water, I place the flowers inside before resting it on the counter.

"Shall we?" Dawson asks as I approach the front entrance. I slip my feet into my black sandals before taking Dawson's hand and walking out into the cool night air.

His hand feels warm against my cool one as he leads me over to his truck. He opens up the door for me and helps me up into the seat before making his way over to the drivers side.

"So where are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise." He says with a grin before taking my hand in his as he rests them against the centre console. "I hope that you'll like it."

"Of course I'll like it." I say with a small laugh. "It doesn't matter what we do, or where we go, all I that matters is that I'm with you."

We fall into a comfortable silence as he drives down the crowded roads. People were walking down the sidewalks of Chancier Cove as cars zoomed past us.

After several minutes of driving I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to know. "Are we going to the beach? The movies? A concert?" I blurt out.

"No. No, and no." He says with a laugh. "Were almost there and then you can see it for yourself."

I pout slightly before turning my attention to out of the window. Dawson slows down and turns to the right, pulling into a large parking lot which is filled with cars.

He pulls into a spot around the corner before shutting the engine off. "Is this what I think it is?" I ask as Dawson helps me out of the car.

He grabs my hand in his before leading me up a small candlelit pathway. "Depends on what you think it is."

A smile finds its way onto my face as we stop in front of the large cave opening. The sound of violins and other string instruments fill the air as we stop in front of the reception desk.

A petite red haired women gives us a small smile as Dawson's hand makes its way around my waist. "I have a reservation for Evans."

"Ah yes, for 6:15." She says crossing it off of her list. She gathers two menus in her hands. "Please follow me Mr. and Mrs. Evans."

Dawson looks down at me with a smirk as she leads us through the dining hall and to a table perched in the corner overlooking the ocean.

As we approach the table Dawson pulls my chair out for me as I take a seat and he soon follows. "Here are your menus." She says placing the navy booklets in front of us. "Your waiter shall be with you shortly."

She walks away as I take a look around us. Candles are placed onto all of the tables and a few lights hang from above. The waves are crashing against the rocks below as the sun is setting behind the cliff.

"So Mrs. Evans." He says with a smirk. "Is this what you were expecting."

"Not at all Mr. Evans. But it is quite spectacular." I respond with a laugh. "I was thinking about something."

"And that is?"

"The Chancier surf competition. I'm going to compete in it." I say looking at Dawson as I find myself getting lost in his eyes.

"You want to compete?" He asks somewhat shocked. "You are one hundred percent sure about that? It's going to take a whole lot of work, we'll be in the water everyday until then."

"I know. But I want to do it. I need to do it."

He nods. "I'll do it with you."

My eyes widen. "You're going to compete with me?"

"Of course. Like I've said before, I'm not going to let you go through anything alone. It would be a good way to end things here before heading off to university this fall."

A middle aged man with a groomed beard approaches our tables with a notebook in hand. "My name is Richard and I'll be your server today. Can I start you guys off with some drinks?"

"I'll have an iced tea please." I speak as I open the menu and flip through the pages.

"I'll have the same as the lady thank you."

"Would you guys like a couple more minutes with the menus?" He asks as we nod.

He writes our drinks down before walking back towards the kitchen.

"I've never been here before. What do you think I should try?" I ask as I see Dawson flip open his menu.

"The lemon-peppered chicken is to die for. But it really just depends what you're in the mood for."

"I'll try that then." I say before closing my menu.

The waiter, Richard, comes back a few moments later with the drinks in hand. We both end up ordering the lemon-peppered chicken, mine with a side of red-skin mashed potatoes and Dawson's with fries.

"So I was thinking, since you want to get back into competing. There is this small local contest down by Pierres Point it would be great practice."

"That sounds like a good idea. Do you know when it is?" I ask taking a sip of my drink.

"It's in about two weeks, and then Chancier is a month after that, so we can figure out what we need to work on based off of your results."

"I wonder if I'll be good enough."

"You'll do fine Ains, we just have to get your head back into the game, and fine tune a couple of things and you'll be set."

"My mother is going to freak out! She'd never think to see the day where I touched a surfboard, yet alone compete again."

Dawson laughs. "I guess I am just such a great influence."

We converse for quite some time about life, surfing, and just anything that we can think of. Richard returned a while ago and we are now eating our chicken in silence.

And man it was delicious!

After we both finished our dinner, we opted to have a chocolate hot fudge brownie and vanilla bean ice cream for dessert.

I grab a spoon and take a small bite of the brownie and some ice cream. The floors explode in my mouth as I close my eyes and enjoy the flavours momentarily.

When I open my eyes Dawson is looking at me with an amused expression. He places his spoon down against the plate and reaches across the table.

His fingers gently brush against my lips sending sparks throughout my body they linger against my burning lips for a moment until he pulls away.

"You had chocolate on your face." He says with a laugh as my cheeks heat up.

Richard comes back and places down the receipt on the corner of the table before retreating to another table.

I reach for the receipt but Dawson grabs it before me and his other hand grabs ahold of mine.

"I'm paying, it's my treat." He says showing off his bright white teeth in a breathtaking smile.

"Please, let me at least pay half." I say reaching for my wallet.

"Ains please."

"Alright." I say dropping my purse back onto the seat beside me in defeat.

"You can pay next time."

"Next time?" I question with an amusing looking on my face.

"Yeah, you know the next time that I take you out on a date."

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Wc: 2401