First Date Night, Part 1

After classes were done for the day, I decided to visit the Washington family in person so that I could apologize to Rina in person.

After completing a round of my favorite game, Soulcalibur 6, I slipped on my favorite sneakers, placed my wallet in my back pocket and headed downstairs from my room.

"Mom! Dad!" I called to my parents. "I'm going to visit the Washingtons to see Rina!"

"Not without me, junior!" my dad immediately said. "Not without me! I just want to be there just in case any funny business happens."

"Oh, Dad!" I said, annoyed.

And as soon as Dad got dressed and came downstairs from the master bedroom, we headed out to visit the Washington family for the very first time.

Later, outside the Washington house, as Dad rang the Ring doorbell, I was feeling hella nervous.

But Dad could actually see that I was nervous, and wasn't having any of this bullshit from his own son! He pulled me around so I was in front of him.

"Who is it?" came the voice of Mrs. Washington from the speaker.

"It's the Herringtons," I answered. "We've come to visit you and your daughter."

I heard the door unlock, and as I watched, the door opened to reveal that it was actually Rina who opened the door. She had her glasses, from the time I bullied her, on. Apparently, she had hoped that this would create a knot in my stomach. And, fellers, it did. The knot in my stomach was so tight that I started having negative thoughts about what this family would say to me.

Rina beckoned me and Dad into the house. And she made sure, after we wiped our feet and cleared the doorway, to close the door behind us.

Minutes later, after we all got settled around the living room table, Mrs. Washington came upstairs after what sounded like she turned on the dryer in the washroom and joined us at the table.

"In the dean's office," I said, "I was told to apologize to Rina, Mr. and Mrs. Washington, and I specifically told her, word for word, 'Rina, I'm sorry I insulted you on your love of anime and Japanese culture. I didn't realize just how much I hurt you inside, because I was having so much fun doing it. I didn't think that it would go so far as to actually hurt you.' And, weirdly enough, I was also told by our dean, who so happens to be half Japanese-"

Before I could finish my sentence, Rina slapped me in the face. Hard! This took everybody, especially Dad, aback.

"Oww! What'd you do that for?!" I asked her.

"That's for all the years of you bullying me!" she said sternly. "Do you realize that you could have led me to committing suicide with all you've done?! I could've had you expelled from high school for it!"

"DON'T SAY THAT WORD!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Hearing that word come out of your mouth makes me rage! I would NEVER want a classmate of mine to kill themselves over something as RIDICULOUS as bullying!"

Everyone was so shocked to hear this come out of my mouth.

"I just don't like suicide, that's all."

But seconds later, she kissed me on my cheek! "That's because I forgive you."

What? Whoa, WHOA! Just like that she forgives me?

I was instantly flustered and began to blush.

"B-but, Rina... After everything I did...you...you forgive me?"

She didn't say a word. Instead, she nodded.

"I—I didn't expect this at ALL..."

"Well, what DID you expect?" Mr. Washington asked.

"I thought you and Mrs. Washington were going to yell at me for bullying your daughter," I told him.

"Jason, we're not that kind of people. We're not hotheaded about anything," Mrs. Washington replied. "We ARE a little bit sour about it, though. I believe you owe us an apology, too."

I was taken aback. "Wha-"

"Go on, apologize," Dad said.

"Look, your daughter and I got off on the wrong foot," I told them. "And I want to say that I'm really, really sorry that your daughter was driven to the brink of suicide because of my bullying.

"You see, the reason I've been picking on her is because I was the one being bullied a lot back in freshman year of high school. It was terrible." I tried to blink back tears, but it was too hard to. The waterworks was broken by this time. "And I ended up sending my bullies to the office. But not without a few bruises, though."

"So your bullying rooted from your freshman year of high School, huh?"

"Yes, Mrs. Washington," I replied. "I don't like being made to feel small."

"Look, I can relate," said Mrs. Washington.

"You, too?"

"Sure," she replied. "I was a victim of bullying myself, just like Rina was."

"What exactly happened, Mrs. Washington? How was your experience with bullying?"

After pulling me aside, she began telling her story.

"Two big, beefy guys ganged up on me, started calling me names like 'Fatty Patty', and the nickname echoed throughout the school. It was so terrible, it broke me."

"Whoa..."

"I unfortunately had to transfer to another school," she continued. "But that's how I met my husband and future father of my beautiful daughter."

That was enough to make me feel even worse. I couldn't believe my victim's own mother was a victim herself!

"Oh, man," I said. "I-I don't know what to say at this point..."

I hung my head in complete shame.

Mrs. Washington could see that a teardrop was rolling down my cheek.

"I just wish it didn't have to come to this..." I said, choked up. "If only I hadn't fucked around and bullied your fucking daughter!"

By this time, I broke into a quiet sob.

"Young man, why are you crying?" Mrs. Washington asked. "I mean, you are about to go on your first date with my daughter! I don't want to see you saddened. Think of tonight's date as a second chance. A shot at redemption, if you will."

"Y-You think so?" I asked.

"I mean, it doesn't hurt to give it a shot."

"Hey, Jason! We're leaving!" my dad called.

"C-Coming, Dad," I called back. Then I turned back to Mrs. Washington. "Later, Mrs. Washington."

As I passed Rina, I told her, "See you tonight, R."

She gave me a wave. "Later, Mr. Herrington," she replied.

I stopped Dad and asked Rina, "In what vehicle will we be seeing you in?"

"Well, look for me in a black Toyota Solara convertible." she answered. "And look for Mom and Dad in a black Pontiac Solstice."

"Okay!" I said, nodding. "Look for my family in a blue Ford Mustang. See you soon, R."

That night, I was busy scrolling through my wardrobe, trying to find a good outfit for tonight's dinner date.

I picked out some black jeans, a white button down shirt, and a black tie.

But before I got dressed, I decided to take a shower, because I didn't want to smell like ass on our date. And as I got in, I was having some bad thoughts. What if she grows to hate me? What if I fuck up on the first date?

After turning the water off, I made sure to dry off and put on my lotion. And then, after brushing my teeth and my hair, I strode into my closet to put on my nicely ironed clothes and my polished shoes.

I went downstairs to meet up with my mom and dad and my sister. "Hey, fam!" I called up. "You guys ready to go?"

Just then, by sheer coincidence, Mom, Dad, and Jacqueline came downstairs to the front door where I was standing. Dad had on one of his dinner suits, which had a blue blazer and slacks, a black shirt and a blue tie. Mom had on a black dress with a red blazer and red stilettos, as well as some silver hoop earrings; plus, she was carrying a Gucci clutch. And Jacqueline had on a leopard print dress with black high heels and gold hoop earrings; she was carrying a leopard print purse on her shoulder.

"Well! Everyone looks amazing tonight!" I exclaimed.

"Anything to make a first impression as a family, J-man!" Dad said.

I chuckled. "Anyway, let's get going! Don't wanna be late or we'll displease the Washingtons!"

And so we headed out the door of our house and into my 1995 Ford Mustang. But as I started the car's engine, Dad and Jacqueline were already arguing over who was going to ride shotgun with me.

"Alright," Mom said. "Since you two want to argue over riding shotgun, I'LL ride up front."

Mom leaned the car seat forward to let Dad and Jacqueline in first. After they got in, Mom leaned the seat back to its original upright state and got in. After she closed the car door, I had the right mind to say: "Seat belts, please."

After hearing the three clicking sounds I needed to hear, I buckled my own seat belt and shifted it into Drive.

We were finally on our way to Longhorn Steakhouse!

On the ride to the restaurant, Mom asked me: "Why do you feel so nervous? It's not like you to be nervous about anything at all."

"I dunno, Mom," I said.

"Listen, son," Dad piped. "I was in the same position as you when I was going on my first date."

"You were?"

"Sure, J-man," he replied. "But I'm not going to get into it right now. Just focus on driving."

I was keeping my eyes on the road the whole time they were talking to me.

A few minutes later, we had arrived at Longhorn Steakhouse. We got out of the car and stood next to the entrance, waiting for the Washington family to arrive.

Five minutes later, the two cars Rina had described pulled into the parking spots next to each other.

Out of the convertible came Rina. As she came closer, I could see that she was wearing a long red slit dress with a black jacket over it.

"I never thought I'd say this, but she looks amazing," I whispered to Mom.

And as she came up to me, I said to her: "Well, well, well, Ms. Washington. You look absolutely gorgeous tonight."

"Please, stop with the formality!" Rina replied, blushing. "Just call me Rina from now on, okay?"

"Alright, Ri."

I kissed the back of her hand and took it into my own. And all seven of us headed inside.

Unlike most dudes in this day and age, I knew some chivalry, and I opened the door for her, Mom, Dad, Jacqueline, and Rina's mom and dad.

"Thank you!" Mrs. Washington said, a bit surprised, as I went in after everyone else. "That was so kindhearted of you!"

"Hey, it's what a true gentleman does," I modestly replied.