Chasing Mia

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

My first kiss...

It wasn't bad. In fact, it was amazing. The only problem is, I wanted it to be special. With someone special. I shouldn't be mad at Torrance since he couldn't possibly have known he was my first kiss.

But I am.

I've always imagined Daniel as the first guy to kiss me. I was so close to making that a reality, too. Now, it won't be the same.

I drag into European Literature sporting my usual bum look. Since I woke up late this morning, I didn't have time to put my contacts in, so I'm again wearing my nerd glasses. Daniel has already seen me at my worst on plenty of occasions, so I don't feel the need to dress up for him. Besides, he doesn't seem to mind. He treats me the same no matter what I'm wearing; like I'm the only girl he sees.

"Did you do the Shakespeare assignment?" Amelia asks when I sit down next to her.

I pull out my four pages of notes on the life of William Shakespeare and hand them to her. She stares at them like they're written in hieroglyphics. "Is there any reason to know this much about a guy that's been dead for over four hundred years?"

I shrug. "I just wanted to make sure I got everything just in case it's on the test."

As she begins furiously copying down my notes, I look up and see Daniel coming towards me wearing a huge, adorable grin. My heart begins doing weird things, but on the outside, I try to play it cool.

"Did you finish your notes for the test?" he asks.

"Yep," I say, nodding to Amelia.

He looks over at her and chuckles, whipping out pages of neatly written notes.

Amelia looks up at him and scowls. "The two of you are perfect for each other, I swear. Your notes are perfect, your grades are perfect, your looks are perfect..."

Daniel and I both look at her like she's crazy before she shakes her head and sighs. "Don't mind me, guys. I'm just jealous."

"Jealous? What for?" I ask.

"Are you kidding? I wish someone smiled at me the way he smiles at you," she says, gesturing between Daniel and I. "Not to mention the two of you couldn't be any cuter if you tried. I'm telling you...cutest babies ever."

I feel the heat rushing to my face, but when I glance over at Daniel, I realize he's blushing as well.

I haven't seen Jake since his little altercation with Russ last night. I need to talk to him, but I don't even know where to start. I guess I'm wondering how he can piss away seventeen years of friendship because of one date. I'll worry about him later though. Tonight, I'm focusing on Daniel. I've been dreaming of this day since I was fourteen and it's finally happening. I'm nervous, excited, happy, anxious and a whole lot of other things.

I hear a knock at the door and I take a deep breath, giving one final look at my reflection in the mirror. This is the most work I've put into my appearance since moving here. I'm wearing a simple green sundress, a little makeup and I've decided to keep my in hair down in natural waves.

I hurry to the door and open it to see Daniel holding a bouquet of flowers.

Uh oh.

I start sneezing uncontrollably as I back away from him. He starts towards me with a concerned look on his face, but I put up my hand and turn away from him. "The flowers," I manage to get out between sneezes.

He looks down at the flowers and his eyes widen. The color drains from his face and curses under his breath. He quickly opens the window and tosses them out. "I'm so sorry, Mia. I had no idea..."

"It's okay, Daniel." I grab a tissue and wipe my nose. "I'm allergic to most flowers. I guess I should've told you that."

He still looks like he's going to faint from embarrassment. "I feel so bad. I was just trying to do something nice for you-"

I kiss his cheek and he blushes. "Thank you. The flowers were beautiful and I appreciate the thought. I hate they were wasted."

"Are you okay?"

I smile. "I'm fine, really. Don't worry about it."

He nods. "Well, I hope the rest of the night goes a lot better. Do you like Mexican food?"

I fake gag. "God no. I hate it."

He deflates. "Oh no...I should've...I didn't...Oh God, Mia, you're never going to speak to me again after tonight."

"I'm joking," I giggle. "I love Mexican food."

"Really?"

"I swear. It's my favorite."

He breathes a sigh of relief. "Don't do that to me."

We go out for Mexican and talk about everything from school to sports to plans for the future. Daniel wants to be a pro baseball player someday and I shared my dreams of becoming a world renowned journalist. Even though I've known him for years, I learn things about him I didn't know before and with each passing second, I like him more and more.

After dinner, we go to a hole in the wall karaoke bar. I love to sing, but no one's ever really heard me since I normally only sing in the shower.

"Do you sing?" I ask Daniel.

"All the time. Don't you remember? I was in the show choir back in high school."

"Oh, right. I don't think I've ever heard you before."

"Well, now's your chance. What do you want to hear? I'll sing whatever you want."

I flip through a large book with decades and decades of songs. While several of them catch my eye, one of them really stands out. "This one." I point to the song listed and Daniel sighs.

"Seriously? Ice Ice Baby?"

"Hey, you said you'd sing whatever I want."

"But..."

I poke out my lip and give him pleading, puppy dog eyes. "Please?"

"You owe me for this one, Rhodes," he says, pointing a finger at me.

He walks over to the DJ and the DJ hands him a microphone. He walks up to the small stage in the corner of the bar. A rainbow of lights cascade around him causing his blue eyes to shine. I stand in front of the stage and give him a wink. He smiles and bites his bottom lip. The beat starts and the words of the song appear on the screen next to the stage. When people start to recognize the song, they crowd around the stage and begin cheering.

All right stop, Collaborate and listen

Ice is back with my brand new invention

Something grabs a hold of me tightly

Flow like a harpoon daily and nightly

Will it ever stop? Yo, I don't know

Turn off the lights and I'll glow

To the extreme I rock a mic like a vandal

Light up a stage and wax a chump like a candle.

Dance, go rush the speaker that booms

I'm killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom

Deadly, when I play a dope melody

Anything less than the best is a felony

Love it or leave it, you better gain way

You better hit bull's eye, the kid don't play

If there was a problem, yo, I'll solve it

Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it

Everyone in this bar is having the time of their lives watching Daniel, especially me. He's definitely in his element on stage with a microphone in his hand. He looks incredibly hot and I suddenly have the urge to kiss him. Actually, I'd probably do more than kiss him, but I don't want him to think I'm easy.

After the song is over, Daniel hops down from the stage and hands the microphone back to the DJ. He looks at me and grins. "Well?"

"You totally blew my mind!" I say excitedly.

He wraps his arms around my waist and my heart immediately starts to race at our closeness. I press my hands against his chest as our eyes connect. He wants to kiss me. I should let him, but I'm terrified. He must sense it because he kisses the top of my head before releasing me. He takes the book of songs and sits down at our table.

"Now it's my turn to pick a song for you," he says.

I gasp. "No! Trust me when I say you do not want to hear me sing."

He looks up from the book and winks at me. "You owe me, remember?"

I blow out a breath. "Fine, but pick a good one."

After a couple of minutes, he turns the book around  and points to his selection. "This one."

"Ace of Base? Really?"

"Hey, I thought we would keep things 90's," he smirks.

"Okay, but you can't ditch me once you hear my horrible voice," I joke.

"I would never."

I grab the microphone from the DJ and nervously make my way to the stage. My heart pounds furiously as I look around at the crowd. My eyes land on Daniel who is watching me intently. I've waited so long for my chance with him and here I am. I'm going to enjoy every moment of this night, even if I look like a fool in the process.

The music starts and the words flash across the screen in front of me. I take a deep breath and raise the microphone to my face.

I, I got a new life, you would hardly recognize me, I'm so glad

How can a person like me care for you?

I, why do I bother, when you're not the one for me?

Oo-hoo-hoo-oo-oo

Is enough enough?

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign

Life is demanding without understanding

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign

No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong

But where do you belong?

The crowd is cheering and clapping along to the song, giving me all the courage I need to go on. A couple of girls dance in front of the stage and sing along with me. Daniel is smiling and nodding along to the music. This is so much fun. I loosen up a bit and begin to sway my hips to the beat. When the song finally ends, I'm a little disappointed. I could stand up on this stage and sing all night.

I've officially become a karaoke addict.

I hop down off the stage and hand the microphone back to the DJ. Daniel engulfs me in a hug, lifting me off the floor.

"You were amazing, Mia!"

"Thank you!" I giggle. "That was so much fun!"

Daniel and I sing a few more songs before calling it a night. Turns out,  my high school crush is not only amazingly good looking, but he's also a lot of fun to hang out with.

He walks me up to my apartment, which happens to be right across the hall from his own.

"Daniel, tonight was so much fun. Thank you."

He smiles brightly. "We should do it again."

"Definitely."

"Tomorrow?"

I smile like an i***t, thankful he seems just as into me as I am into him. "Tomorrow sounds great."

He wraps his arms around my waist and my arms wind around his neck. His eyes meet mine and I feel the fireworks exploding between us. He leans forward and brushes his lips against mine, but I think I'm the one that actually leans in and starts the kiss. He immediately kisses me back, pulling me closer against his body. His lips move in sync with mine, causing me to go weak in the knees.

After a while, he pulls away and smiles. "Finally."

"What?"

"Mia, I've wanted to kiss you for a long time. A really long time. It's just as amazing as I imagined it would be."

I smile bashfully and I'm sure I'm blushing. "Yeah, it was really amazing."

"I'll see you tomorrow," he whispers before gently pressing another kiss to my lips.