Chapter 37: The Date

Breana’s POV

It wasn’t even halfway the story when I already sensed Alex dozing off beside me. A little later, I felt her head rest on my shoulder.

I didn’t mind that she is sleeping. She might have not taken a single hour of straight sleep last night and I actually enjoy this, being her shoulder to lean on. I hold her hand that is resting on the arm rest and intertwined our fingers. The moment feels peaceful just like her slow and steady breathing.

“Ahh…that was nice.” Alex commented. Her arms stretching out when we exited the movie room.

“You weren’t even watching, Alex.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“Sorry, I might have dozed off a little.” She chuckled awkwardly.

“A little huh?” I cocked an eyebrow. “You can make it up to me. Teach me baseball.” I grinned at her.

She looks pleased and interested in the idea so I dragged her into the playroom, her hand in mine.

---

“You have to bend your knees!”

“Crouch a little! Why are you standing still?!”

“The ball is not going to hit you.”

“Raise your arms! Oh come on.”

Alex exhaled exasperatedly. Her series of coaching doesn’t help even a little bit.

“Hey! Why don’t YOU, actually teach me here instead of shouting at me?!” I shot back.

It’s annoying that she made hitting the baseballs seem like a walk in the park. Her being so athletic is unfair. When it was my turn, I automatically freeze when the balls started shooting out in my direction. I tried swinging but I couldn’t even graze them.

Alex entered the platform which is enclosed in wire nettings.

“Here’s what you do.” She positioned herself behind me. Her arms wrapping around mine, her hands over mine also as we both hold the bat.

“Feet apart, you have to ground yourself or else, you’ll lose balance once you swing.” I feel her hot breath behind my ear and neck. A sudden warmth starts to emanate from me. Then she nudges my feet to set them apart. I bit my bottom lip. Hard. Oh boy.

“Crouch a bit.” She commanded. Now our bodies are flushed. Her crotch touching my butt. My blood starts rushing to my face and I feel like blood would start spurting from my nose anytime now. My knees are like Jell-O. If she isn’t supporting me I might have melt into a puddle in the floor right now.

“Now eyes on the ball. You have to watch it then when you hit, you have to hit with all your strength. Why are you so limp?” I can feel her stare but I know she couldn’t see my red face.

“Errmm…ack..” I cleared my throat yet I cannot form coherent words.

She slowly peeled herself off of me then turned me around. I kept my head bowed down but she put a finger under my chin forcing my head to tilt up and face her. I let her, my eyes are darting everywhere but on her.

In my peripheral I see Alex put her hand on her mouth and hear her snickers.

“Hey! You are so cruel!” I slap her shoulder.

She continues laughing unhindered as I scowl at her.

“Sorry. You are the personification of a tomato.” She held my cheeks in her hands.

“It’s not fair.” I complained.

It’s definitely not fair that she is unaware of the effect she has over me. That she is so unbothered when she is with me but I can’t be the same with her around.

“Stop pouting. I’ll treat you to dinner.” She tried negotiating.

“Hmp. I’m still mad at you.” Yet I clung to her arm as she led me.

---

“Wow!” I exclaimed as soon as the waiter led us to a table on one of the top floors.

The view was spectacular. The bustling city is glimmering as the cars crisscross along the highways. The buildings have windows where you could see miniscule silhouettes of people busy with their own lives. The sky is in hues of red, orange and dark blue.

I kinda feel out of place. Alex just sat comfortably like she’s used to seeing this every day.

“You didn’t have to do this for me.” I turned to her.

“How could I not? You deserve everything Bree. I’m sorry though. I can’t give you that. You deserve someone who’s going to give you that.”

I don’t need everything. YOU would have been enough. “Oh my god, you can be smooth even when turning me down.” I joked instead.

“Of course. I think that’s why women fall for me.” She winked at me.

“Stop it. Don’t go overboard with your greasiness. You’re ruining the moment.” I chuckled at her antics.

We ate in silence as the darkness engulf the night.

“I envy Sunny.” I confessed to her, twirling the wine glass as I watch the crimson liquid glide.

“Why?”

“I imagine her having to enjoy these things with you. The way you’d treat her. Everything you’d do for her. I can’t help but to feel jealous.”

Yet, I don’t have the right. I reprimanded myself internally.

“She doesn’t even feel the same. What makes you think we’ll do this?” She asks. The disappointment is clearly on her voice. Her gaze is on the dark sky.

“And what makes you think she doesn’t? ‘Cause she slapped you? I would be shocked if you’d do the same to me too. Just talk to her, please.” I advised.

“Why are we even talking about her when it’s our night? Come on, I’ll take you home.”

We both stand to leave.

“Wait.” Alex called out.

I turn around. She removed her coat and put it on me then she placed her hand on my waist as we go.

---

There is comfort in knowing when things will end. You don’t have to worry and second-guess whether things will be the same the next day. No surprise and no disappointment. You learn to cherish every moment just like this.

I learned to feel how a bit callous yet soft Alex’ hands are and how perfect my hand would fit in them.

I learned how heavy her head was as it carries her burden and yet it fits on the crook of my neck.

I learned how her annoyed voice makes me annoyed also and how sexy it sounds when she is commanding.

I learned how swift and attentive her body moves when playing and how slow and oblivious she could be with other people’s feelings towards her.

I learned how it feels to be engulf by her warmth and scent and how her hand fits on the curve of my waist.

I learned to notice the details and make a mental and emotional list of how it made me feel because I know there wouldn’t be a second time. That when we are near the end as we approached our block, I ask Alex to park and suggest we’ll just walk the rest of the way, just to prolong these moments.