Starlet

17. Dates

The next Thursday, I practice my aerial dance in the theater like normal.

"BRAVO. BRAVO. You're amazing."

"I didn't even know anyone was here."

Silvia helps me out of the harness. Then we crack up laughing. "Seriously though, you are an amazing dancer."

"Thank you. Why are you so excited?"

"Guess what I heard."

"What?"

"Samuel likes you. Like, like likes you."

"I don't even know who he is."

"Well, you have a date with him on Friday. You can figure it out then."

"I can't. I have play practice."

"You can miss 1. He's going to be at your house at 5:30."

"But what if..."

"It's 1 dinner. Enjoy it. He's a nice guy. He's hot too. Lots of girls at school want to date him."

"I would rather date someone not hot. He'll find someone else."

"Don't think like that. It's 1 date. Just be ready at 5:30."

"You said Friday?"

"Yea."

"That's tomorrow."

Her mouth falls open. "I didn't realize that."

"I NEED A DRESS."

We take off and go shopping. I end up using a human dress from my closet. It's new and has a pretty pink design. I buy some shoes that match.

On Friday, Silvia comes over at 4. I'm getting out of the shower. She puts my hair in rollers and puts a little makeup on me. I feel pretty when I get all put together. I wish I had some jewelry. Maybe someday.

She leaves at 5:15, so I can wait. I sit on the porch. The village is mostly empty. Everyone is at the races. Even Bayden canceled the play practice, so people can go. I am so nervous. I need to date though, I'll never find a mate if I don't. I don't want to be alone forever, and I guess this guy likes me. I wonder if I'll get my first kiss tonight? I wonder where he'll take me. I try not to pick my fingernail polish off.

I wonder about everything. Excited and nervous. I step in and ask the brain, "What time is it?"

"5:55."

I pull my hair back in a ponytail. I'm not surprised. It was probably a big joke. I hope he has a good laugh. It was my fault for thinking someone could like me. My own mate proved I'm worthless. How could another man like me? I'm on my own. I take my new dress and shoes off and throw on an old outfit. I spend the evening walking around the woods. No point in fishing. The market is empty with the races this weekend.

Saturday morning, I go to the vacation building again. Maybe if I ask someone else and can pay cash. I've got quite a bit now. Too much for the closet. It's not safe.

The vacation people tell me no. I can't go anywhere.

I try the bank next. I know how banks work. They won't give me an account without an adult signature. This is stupid. I take my money to my castle apartment. I've got 38k now. I think I'm doing good. 25k was what we found in the closet though. I put it in that closet. At least it's in the castle. That's safer than a village house.

After that, I go back to the village and sit on my porch. I read the paper and Silvia sits beside me.

"I'm sorry. He is so stupid. He was excited about the date, I swear."

"What happened?"

"Another girl decided to be a w***e. She was all over him at the races. I think he forgot what he was doing or something."

"Ok."

"That's all?"

I shrug my shoulders. "There's nothing I can do about it."

"Let's go watch some races."

We get tickets and find some seats in the arena. It's really hot, and the seats aren't comfortable. Then we watch men on horses run in circles. Everyone cheers and screams. I do not understand this. Some of Silvia's other friends sit with her, so I run the hell away. I don't like any of that. That night they set off fireworks. They are amazing, and I can see them from my balcony. I like that show.

A few weeks later, Silvia tells me I'm going on another date. I don't want to, but I don't want to be alone forever either.

I wear the same outfit as last time, and she does my hair and make-up again. Then I sit on the porch and wait.

This boy actually shows up. We have dinner and take a walk through the park. He seems nice. He's cute too. I get no kiss, but he did ask me out for next weekend.

It rolls around quickly.

I sit on the porch on Friday and Silvia comes up. "I got you a date for tonight. He likes you."

"I already have a date this weekend."

"But that's tomorrow. This is today."

I shake my head.

"YOU'RE GOING."

I jump up and run in. "Where am I going?"

"For some ice cream. He knows to have you back by 5 for the theater. You can spend an hour with him. His name is Frank."

"It's already 4."

"Well, hurry."

I throw a dress on with some heels and run back out.

The boy that talked to me at the woods house so long ago is smiling at me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know about this until 13 seconds ago. She didn't leave me any time to get ready."

"You look beautiful." He holds out his hand to help me down the steps.

I take his hand and sparks shoot up my arm. "Thank you."

"She told me you have theater practice. I figured we could get some ice cream and sit in the park."

"That sounds perfect." He pays for our ice cream. Which is good. I didn't even think about grabbing money.

Then he puts his arm around me and leads me to the park. I snuggle into his side. I like hugs and snuggles. I miss them. It's so nice to be touched nicely.

"So, how's the play going?"

"Good. I have my lines memorized. I've only got to act them out a few times but the director says I'm doing well."

"You'll do amazing. I can't wait to see people from the village put on a play. It'll be so different to see people I know up there." He sits on a bench and I sit right beside him.

He chuckles and puts his arm back around me. I really like that. He rubs my arm with his thumb, and it makes me shiver.

"You cold?"

"No. I'm perfect." I scoot a little closer to him. I don't know what to say. How do you tell someone you forgot what touch feels like? I finish the ice cream and lay my head on his shoulder. "I just like this."

"Me too." He tilts my chin up and his lips touch mine. Tingles shoot through me again. I close my eyes. His lips are soft and he's so sweet. He tastes like ice cream. We sit close and kiss for a few minutes. I love this.

"I need to get you back."

"I like this more."

He chuckles. "I like this more too. But I don't want to make you late." He helps me up. Then we walk back to my house. He keeps his arm around me the whole way. I snuggle into him and try to stay close. This is so nice.

We get up on the porch. "Thank you for the ice cream."

"Thank you for coming with me." His lips touch mine again.

I step in closer, and he wraps me up in his arms. This is the best feeling.

"Will you go out with me next weekend? A real date."

"I would love to."

"I'll stop by Tuesday, and we'll plan something." He pulls me in closer and kisses me again.

"PLAY PRACTICE."

Both of us jump. Marcus is standing at the bottom of the steps pointing in the direction of the theater. Dipak is rubbing his eyes.

Omar nods. "Play practice is still in the same place and started 10 minutes ago. Run there now, Star."

I take his hand and run. I can't leave him.

We run to the theater laughing. He gives me another kiss, then I go in smiling. I like him.

20 minutes later, Silvia sits down beside me. She must have snuck in. I didn't even hear her. "How was the date?"

"Perfect. I got my first kiss."

"EEEE. Was he a good kisser?"

"Amazing."

"UH HUM." We look at Bayden. He's standing at the front watching us with his arms crossed.

"Sorry."

"Sorry. I'll be on your porch." She runs out.

Saturday, Owen takes me to the theater. He shows up at 4, so we can eat first. We walk to the restaurant. He don't put his arm around me. A group of people are in the restaurant. I didn't know this was a group outing. But his friends are fun anyway. We eat and have a good time. Then we go to the theater. I sit beside Owen. I try to snuggle him a little, but he moves away from me. I don't think he likes touching. He gets me a drink and is polite. After the play, he walks me home.

"Thank you for inviting me. I have never been to the theater. At least to watch a show. It was a lot different from practice."

"Thank you for coming with me." He leans in and I finally get a kiss. He's gentle. Then he kisses my cheek. "Next time, dress up a little more for the theater."

"Ok. I'm sorry. I didn't realize..."

"It's ok. I know it's new for you." He gives me another kiss. "Have a good night."

"You too."

I watch him walk away and scratch my head. I was dressed like everyone else. And I don't have anything more fancy. Those dresses in the castle catalogs are too expensive for me. I thought I looked nice.

Silvia, Lindsay, and a girl with pink streaks in her hair come running out of the house. I nearly get tackled. "Did he kiss you?"

I decide to ignore the dress comment. I'll do better next time. "Yes. I got my kiss."

"EEEE."

They start jumping around.

I laugh and they pull me in the house.

Turns out the girl with pink in her hair is Nadine. After a bottle of wine, I go to bed. This was a good weekend. I had a lot of fun.

Frank comes on Tuesday, and we plan to go to the theater on Friday. I steal more kisses from him. He is so sweet, and he likes to be close. I can't wait for our date. I am so excited.