The First Date: Part 2

It's been almost three hours since the party started and I am enjoying the company of Claire. I am very happy that I became part of such a wonderful family.

After a while of chatting with Claire, I decided to let her go and spend time with her guests so I went to look for David.

While walking around a bit longer, I found David having fun with his friends. I approached him and he noticed me on my way there. He waved his hand and told me to go to him.

"Hi, Love. Come meet my friends. I want to introduce them to you". He said

I came closer to him, held his hand, and introduced myself to all of his friends. They are nice people, it was nice to get to know them and I enjoyed their company and getting to know them.

After a while, we decided to take our seats as the program is about to begin and we haven't eaten yet.

"All those conversations are surely making me hungry. We should eat while the program is starting".

"It surely is. My sister prepared a lot for tonight. I guess she wanted us to get closer with everyone especially since I haven't met some of them for quite some time already". He said

So we headed to the food table and ate while enjoying the surroundings and seeing everyone enjoying the event. I never thought I could become this happy even when my parents aren't around. It feels like I'm already welcome in their family even if it's: been only a day.

"Love".

"Yup"? He asked

"Thank you".

"Thank you for what"? He asked

"Thank you for bringing me here tonight. I feel very happy to be part of such an important event for your family. I never thought that I would be loved by your family so deeply. Even when we were only friends, they welcomed me to your family".

"Of course. My family welcomed you wholeheartedly and as a part of our family already. Like you said before, our parents are best friends so they always thought of you as their child too". He said

I never thought of it that way. Our parents have met each other often and I'm sure they entrusted me to them also. Is this what I want to think it is?

While eating, the host started speaking. I wonder why Claire decided to celebrate with a party like this even if she is already an adult.

"Love, your sister is 24 years old today, right? Why did she decide to celebrate it with a birthday like this and not a simple dinner with the family"?

"Since her high school and college friends who couldn't join her during her 18th birthday are coming over, she wanted to make it memorable since it will be their first time being together again in years. Since it's her party, we decided to let her do so". He said

"That's true though. Although we grew up going to parties and social events, I'm not the type of person who likes prefers celebrating at big parties. I prefer celebrating it privately with my family and a few friends".

"I agree. My parents always wanted to celebrate through big events like this but I don't feel comfortable. My sister likes events like this more than I do because she gets to do so many preparations as well as gather together with family and friends. My parents understand our differences in terms of celebrations and they don't force us to celebrate the way they want". He said

"Having big celebrations once in a while is good but intimate ones would mean much more especially if we spend it with our loved ones, isn't it? Some events need to be celebrated intimately, don't you think so"?

"I agree. Just like last night, I didn't make it too grand since I knew you wouldn't like it. But look, it was intimate and unforgettable for both of us. I'm happy that our families support us for everything that we want to do". He said

"That's true. I appreciate everything my parents are doing and giving me. I couldn't ask them anything more because they are working very hard to give me a good life".

"We are both lucky to have people who cherish and make sure that we live a good life and all we need to do is love them, cherish them, and always thank them for everything they are doing for us". He said

I'm really happy that we can talk about so many things that we appreciate about life, family, and so on. We feel like siblings than a couple because we know almost everything about each other more than our parents know.

In the middle of our conversation, the host called Daniel to give a speech to his sister.

"Go on, love. It's your turn to show off your sister. I'll just be here supporting you. Go ahead".

He nodded then stood up and headed to the stage.

I couldn't help but smile while watching him show off his sister to everyone. I see how big his sister's smile is while looking at him. I'm very proud of him.

As he ended his speech, he came down from the stage and came back to his seat.

"You did great, Love. I couldn't help but smile at you every moment you were up there".

"Thank you, Love. I thought I wouldn't be able to do it but with you, I was able to do it". He said

"I will always be by your side".

It was Claire's turn to give a speech. She looks very beautiful and she is the star of the night. I am very happy that I got to know her.

She thanked everyone in the room including me. What did I do to deserve such a loving and welcoming family? It's only been a while since I met them and they've already welcomed me.

We have taken some photos together and I decided to keep some of them since it is a very memorable event for me.

After the party, Claire approached David and me. I have been wanting to see her since her speech ended. I want to thank her for welcoming me and inviting me to her party.

"Claire, thank you for letting me become a part of this special occasion with your family. It's only been a while since we got to know each other but I already feel like I'm a part of your family already".

"You are always welcome to join us, Sophia. I have always wanted to have a younger sister and it happened when I first met you. I always feel like I have someone I can bond with whenever you came over. Thank you for celebrating with me too. I know it's your first date but you two chose to spend it with us here". Claire said

"It's my pleasure to spend such a memorable moment in your life. We still have a lot of opportunities to be together but today is something we wouldn't want to miss especially since it is your special day".

"Thank you to the both of you. Because of that, I want to give you something in return for choosing to celebrate your first day with us". Claire said then handed me a paper bag.

As I opened the paper bag, it was filled with stationaries I've seen online for pre-ordering a few days ago, and it's customized with my name on them, how did she know I wanted these and how did she get these so fast?

"Thank you so much! I have been planning to pre-order these since pre-orders started a few days ago. How did you get these so fast"?

"I'm glad you love it. I am friends with the senior designer and I asked if I could get a custom-made one for you. David once told me about your obsession with stationery so this was the only way I thought I could thank you". Claire said

"Thank you so much. I appreciate these very much. I'll make sure to use these well".

"Do you two wanna go to the park with me? I wanna get ice cream and coffee too. Hope you two could join me. I just want to spend the last few hours of my birthday with fresh air and comfortably". Claire said

"Of course. I'd like that. But, wearing this? I don't think it suits it. I should have brought extra clothes and shoes".

"Love, we prepared that already. Claire told me to get you extra clothes but I couldn't dare get from your place so I looked for your size then chose something you might like". He said then hands me a paper bag.

"Thanks, Love. We should all get changed before we go"?

So we all went our ways to get changed.

I tried out the clothes David bought for me and it looks amazing and it fits me well. I like the shoes too, I wonder if he has the same pair. He is obsessed with white shoes. Every time I see him, he always wears white shoes either plain or with designs.

After a while, the three of us met at the same place we were at a while ago.

"It looks nice on you, Sophia. Good taste, David". Claire said

"Thanks, learned it from you. The best fashion editor I know". He said

"I agree with that too. I enjoy reading a lot of your articles. I also want to become a fashion editor someday that's why I am learning how to do it as early as now".

"Thank you. You'll be a good editor one day, I believe. Honestly, I am a big fan of your vlogs and your social media accounts and I like your fashion sense. I want to learn from you". Claire said

"Thank you. I never knew that there are people who appreciate what I'm doing. I never thought my happiness would also be others' happiness. I just wanted it to be a way for me to record all my memories to watch again someday".

"It gives me ideas when I travel either for work or personal. I don't usually plan a lot when I travel but because of your videos, I started planning places to visit whenever I travel". Claire said

"I miss traveling already. It's been about almost a year since I last traveled. We should travel together soon. There are so many places I have yet to visit. Hopefully this holiday with my parents. It's been a while since we last traveled as a family since they are often busy with work".

"We should. Hopefully we could when I have to be somewhere for work or if I'm planning to take a rest". Claire said

We walked to our cars then headed out to the park. The air is very fresh and cold. It feels chilly out here.

When we got to the park, it felt really cold and I didn't bring a jacket with me.

"Are you cold, Love"? He asked

"Sophia, are you cold? David, you shouldn't have bought her a short sleeve shirt". Claire said

"I'm good though it is quite cold. It's hard to bear but I'll get used to it".

"I prepared a jacket to match that outfit actually. Wait here". He said

He went back to the car and took something out from the car.

"Love, this is my favorite varsity jacket. I've worn it about 7 times already and I wanted to give it to you. This jacket reminds me of the first time I saw perform back in second-year high school". He said

What did I deserve to get something very memorable? This is something that he should be keeping but he is giving it to me.

"Thank you. It feels much better now. Let's go now. We won't want your sister to wait".

So we went to a bench at the park, sat down, and then we chatted for a bit.

A few minutes later, David offered to get us coffee and ice cream. I don't know if he's intentionally leaving us or there's something Claire has to tell me that David shouldn't know about.

"Sophia, thank you". Claire said while holding my hand

"Thank you for what"?

"Thank you for welcoming David into your life. I still remember when David told me how scared you were to be in a relationship. But, I believe that David wouldn't make you feel that you will ever regret your decision to trust him. Being scared is normal especially if it is your first time to do or try something. When I first got my job, I was scared to take the risk because I thought I wouldn't do well. I told myself that there's nothing wrong with trying. Look where it got me, I am really happy to have actually taken the risk. Hope that it would be the same with you". Claire said

I am really happy to have an older sister like Claire. She is a very wonderful woman even at a young age. She has been through so many things already that she could already give me such important advice about life.

"It was my pleasure. David made me feel special even as a friend. He never made me feel like I wasn't special to him. David is someone I really treasure a lot not only as a friend but as someone who knows me more than I know myself. I really thank him for becoming the "first one" to ever appreciate me for being me. He is one of those people who never made me feel alone even if we weren't always together".

"I know that feeling. David is a really amazing brother to me. Although I am older than him, he would always be more like a friend who I could trust and he would always listen to me whenever I had problems. We barely see each other now because of my work but he always reminds me that he is one call or message away. There was never a time when he didn't reply to my texts or answer my calls. He really makes the people around him feel safe". Claire said

While we were chatting, David came back with ice cream and coffee. No wonder it took him so long since he left.

"Thank you, Love. How did you know that I like vanilla ice cream"?

"The three of us like vanilla actually. It's the best combination, especially with coffee. Claire and I really enjoy having these two together no matter where we are. The simplicity of those two is always the solution when one of us feels sad or stressed". He said

"That's exactly the same for me too. My parents always make sure there is stock at home since I look for it a lot. It keeps me sane whenever I had to pull all-nighters for exams or projects. Even when traveling, these two are always my go-to food. Though, it's been a while since I actually enjoyed these two since I haven't done groceries for a few weeks now. I'm planning to do it either this week or next week".

"Let's go together then. I need to do some groceries too. Are you free tomorrow? We could do some bonding too. Like a girl's day out"? Claire asked

It's been more than a month since I last had a girl's day out. I have been spending so much time with Karina or David that I barely had time to enjoy by myself. This is going to be the first time I will be spending time with Claire.

"Love, you can go if you want. It's been a while since both of you met each other but you haven't bonded with each other alone. It's fine with me. I do have some things to do tomorrow actually". He said

"Okay then. I'll go with you, Claire. Luckily I don't have anything happening tomorrow so we can spend the whole day together if you want".

"I'll see you tomorrow then. Where should we meet"? Claire asked

I should invite her to have breakfast at home, at least. It's been a while that I have cooked for someone even myself.

"Do you want to have breakfast at my place? I want you to come visit my place too. You have invited me to your place a lot of times already but I haven't invited you over to mine yet".

"That would be great! Should I bring breakfast"? Claire asked

"Oh, don't bother. I was planning of cooking actually. It's also been a while since I've had someone at home so I haven't cooked lately asides from my midnight snacks".

"Really?! I never thought that you can actually cook". Claire said

"It's just a hobby of mine. I spent majority of my summer breaks since third year high school learning different types of recipes. I really used it a lot when I had all nighters from senior year of high school until now. I have also let my parents try some of them and luckily they like it".

"That's nice. Has David tried it yet"? Claire asked

"He hasn't. We spent so much time outside so I wasn't able to. But, one day I will do so for him. Or if he wants, he can join us too".

"I can? I would like that, Love. But, wouldn't it be against your girl's day out"? He asked

"It's okay, Love. You can join us before you go to your schedules. Take it as my gratitude for everything that has happened these past days. You did a lot for me already. I just want to thank you for all of it".

"If you insist. Is there anything you'd want me to bring over"? He asked

Well, what would I need? I can cook but can't make coffee. He knows coffee much more than I do.