Chapter 25
Elena
Just as Nina and I were leaving the biology classroom, I spotted Alex waiting for us outside. He was strangely nervous, jumping from one foot to the other, his fingers drumming on his arms. His brown hair was even more dishevelled than usual, like he'd run his fingers through it countless times.
“Do you have any plans for tonight?” he asked casually.
“No.”
Nina gave me a wry smile before hurrying off down the hall. Did she know something I didn't?
“Then now you do.”
“Why’s that?”
“Let's go on a date.”
A laugh left my lips. Was he nervous about asking me out? I had to tease him, if only a little. It wouldn’t be funny if I didn’t.
“What a strange way to invite a lady.”
“Yeah, I tried to think of a more romantic way, but I can't remember what I had memorized,” Alex rambled.
He stopped when he realized he'd said more than he'd intended, his green eyes widening.
This never happened to him. He who was usually calm and composed must really have been in overdrive if he couldn't control his mouth.
As he did whenever he was uncomfortable, Alex rubbed the back of his head.
A nervous tic I found more and more endearing every day.
“Cute.” I giggled.
“It's embarrassing.”
“I think it's sweet. Okay, I accept your invitation.”
“Great. Wait for me in the parking lot after class.”
Unlike usual, Alex turned on his heels and disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving me alone at lunchtime.
For the rest of the day, I couldn't help trying to guess what he had planned.
This was the first time in my life I'd been invited on a date.
And the cherry on top, it was with Alex.
Everything suddenly seemed so real between us. I grinned like an idiot.
At the end of class, I met Alex in the parking lot. I didn't think it was possible, but he was even more jittery than earlier. During the drive, I chatted about everything and anything to try and lighten the mood, without much success. Alex parked his car at the city's indoor ice rink.
“We’re going ice skating?”
“No, we're going to plant umbrellas.”
I pretended to laugh before rolling my eyes. He was back to his usual charming self, it seemed. “You’ve got so much personality today.”
Alex took a few things out of the trunk and handed me a pair of gloves, socks, and a brick-coloured sweater that caught my eye.
The sweater was soft and smelled of washing powder, and a touch of his perfume—something I very much appreciated.
I turned to him and smiled. He returned my smile, and for the first time today, he seemed to relax a bit.
“How did you know I like skating?”
“Just a hunch called Sophie.”
Once we'd put on our skates, we headed for the rink. I moved slowly, getting used to being on ice again. I did a few zigzags and pirouettes before turning back to Alex. Poor thing. I chuckled as he clung to the edge, holding on for dear life. He frowned.
“Of course you can skate.” He sighed. “I was hoping you'd be as bad at it as me.”
“If you can do ballet, you can ice skate. It's all about balance.”
He tried to move towards me, but his balance was terrible. I held out my hands. Alex was a danger on the ice.
“I'm not going to let go of the edge if that's what you're suggesting.”
“Oh come on, don't be a sissy. I won't let you fall. At least, not too often.”
Alex rolled his eyes but agreed to take my hands anyway. I guided him slowly. “Maybe for a first date, I should have chosen something more up my alley.”
I bumped my shoulder against his in jest, and he nearly fell. I caught him as best I could. Alex wore a disgruntled grimace.
“We’re holding hands while skating. Isn’t that romantic?”
“I feel like a kid holding his mother's hand.”
Although he wasn't comfortable, Alex followed me all over the rink. He fell occasionally, but all in all, it was a very cute afternoon. If all dates were as carefree and fun, I wanted to go on more.
Back in the car, I kept Alex's sweater on. Every now and then, I'd notice him watching me with a smile. Now I just had to find a way to keep it.
“Thank you for this afternoon. I loved it.”
“The day isn't over yet.”
I whistled, impressed. “When you organize, you go all out, don’t you?”
“You'd better get used to it if you're going to be my girlfriend.” He winked at me before starting the car.
“I can't wait.”
We entered a small pizzeria. The smell of olives and tomato sauce made my mouth water. The dimmed lights gave the restaurant a cosy air. I was pleasantly surprised. For someone who'd never been on a date in his life, Alex had managed like a boss. The day was perfect.
A waitress took our order. A pizza capricciosa for me and a pizza pepperoni for Alex, with extra garlic bread. Enough to chase vampires away.
Reaching for the salt, Alex spilled his glass of Coke on the table. A waitress hurried over to clean up the mess before bringing him a new glass. My friend pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. His nerves had returned full force.
“Alex, what’s going on? You've been nervous all day.”
He let his head fall into his hands, and I could no longer see his face, so I touched his leg under the table. His head shot up.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I just ruined our first date because of my panic.”
“Why are you getting so worked up?” I asked, taking a sip of my Sprite. “It's just me.”
He shrugged, looking defeated. “I guess I wanted to try to impress you and try to be romantic. It didn't turn out the way I planned. This is the first time we've seen each other since...”
Since Alex confessed his feelings for me.
He was still having trouble adjusting, the two of us having just reached an important milestone.
A step neither of us had taken before, but Alex wasn’t on the same page as I was.
If I thought about it, we'd been on many dates already.
That didn't make our outings any less exciting. It had just given me a head start.
He crossed his arms. “Why aren't you nervous? You're as calm as ever.”
I nibbled on a piece of garlic bread, unsure of how to continue. “For me, nothing has changed.”
His gaze darkened and I felt a small pang of guilt form. “I told you I was in love with you. That doesn't change anything?”
I had to tell him, didn't I? “Alex, I have a confession.”
“I'm listening.”
I bit my thumbnail, hoping I wouldn’t ruin our date. “You won't like it. Uhm, how should I put this? Actually, I knew you were in love with me before you said it...” I squeaked, unsure of myself.
Alex choked on his Coke, only to be shaken by a coughing fit. Would he survive this date? “What?”
“Yeah, I know you tried to hide it for a few months, but I knew.”
His fingers tapped on his arm. “Don't tell me I was unconsciously giving you enamoured looks.”
“At times, but that’s not what gave it away. You told me.”
“No, I never...”
“Greek statues,” I cut him off.
His cheeks turned red like his sweater. The way things were going, the answer was no: he wasn't going to survive the evening. Alex pointed an accusing finger at me. “That's why you let it go when I told you I didn't want to talk about it. You didn't insist.”
“Correct. I didn't want to embarrass you further.”
“And now?”
I put my hand on his, and Alex smiled. How was it possible that such a handsome man could be so adorable at the same time? “Now it's different. Now I can gently make fun of you and all the crap you said. You were so eloquent when you first told me how you felt.”
Even though I was teasing him, the atmosphere between us became lighter. The waitress brought our pizzas, and as she left, I grinned with all my teeth. Alex leaned back in his chair.
“Talk. I know you're dying to tell me.”
“See the Greek statues? Well, you don't look like them at all. You're prettier and you've got a much better ass. Are you icing? Because I want to put you on top and lick every part of you.”
Alex hid his face behind his hands, and I giggled even more. At the time, his confession had turned my world upside down. Now it gave me a daily dose of serotonin. It wasn't romantic, but it was fun. And it was perfectly us.
When our pizzas were finished, Alex dropped me off at my front door. “Don't forget to give me back my sweater.”
Yeah, right.
“What?”
“The sweater you're wearing. Don't forget to give it back.”
I glanced at the brick-coloured cloth. He was never getting it back. Alex had only lent it to me so I wouldn't get cold at the rink. But the sweater was soft, and it smelled of Alex.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
He gave me an amused look. “What are you playing at?”
“Can I keep it, please?”
I placed my hands around my face in a kawaii position. Suffice it to say, Alex was not impressed.
“Why would I give you my sweater? As far as I know, I can't take one of yours.”
“I know they wouldn’t fit, but I'm sure that my style would suit you perfectly. Now, can I keep it? I look so cute and hot wearing it. It would be a waste if I gave it back.”
Eventually, he'd give in. I just had to keep pleading with my eyes. Alex didn't know how to say no. He crossed his arms.
“Careful, your head won’t fit through the door if you continue like this.”
Let’s change tactics.
“Are you saying you don't find me absolutely adorable in your sweater? That would be a lie. I've seen the way you look at me.”
For a few seconds, Alex held my gaze. Then he lowered his eyes. Victory was mine. He exhaled loudly.
“I can't tell if you're telling the truth or bluffing. Fine, keep it!”
I hugged Alex and inhaled his scent. He hesitated, but eventually returned my embrace. He was still adjusting to this new situation, whereas I'd had all the time in the world to get used to it. Still, it was surreal to be able to hold him in my arms like this.
“Thank you for today. I enjoyed it more than you think.”
“You’re welcome.”
Alex pulled me tighter against him. If I could be stuck in a time loop, I wish it would be this moment.