Night walk 3.

Daniel and Ariel laid down as they quietly watched the fireworks display. Ariel looked over at Daniel, she couldn't tell which was more beautiful, the fireworks or his warm honey brown-eyes.

Daniel caught her gazed and asked teasingly

"Have I got you wrapped around my fingers so soon?"

"You wish." Ariel clicked her tongue

"I've always gotten whatever I wished for princess." Daniel replied proudly

"Haven't you heard of what they call 'change?' Everything changes with time." Ariel gave a small smile.

"Are you laying a curse on me?" Daniel stared at Ariel with wild eye making her giggle.

Quietness took over again as they looked up at the sky which had just finished the fireworks display. It made her wondered if the people in her life would eventually leave without a trace after lighting up her world and making it more colorful. All the same she was ready for the worst.

"What book do you want to recommend for me?" Daniel asked all of a sudden

"Huh?"

"What's the name of the book you wanted to recommend for me to read?" He asked again

"You really want to read fictions?" She asked doubtfully

"Of course I want to try it out for your sake. I always keep my promise."

"His nemesis." Ariel blurted.

After giving it some thought, Ariel felt like he should read this particular book.

"And why would you pick such? I was thinking you were going to go with something like 'my heart is yours' or 'Nora his little bride'. What the hell is 'His nemesis'? Your full of surprises." Daniel laughed.

"Don't judge a book by it's name, okay? It's a good book with morals." Ariel defended.

"I think the saying goes by 'don't judge a book by it's cover." Daniel chuckled as he felt proud exposing her.

"Any one works Issac Newton's grandson." She rolled her eyes at him.

"He majored in physics shits. How the hell does that have anything to do with me being really smart and exposing the fact that you tried to change a saying for your own interest?" Daniel asked amused.

"Figure it out." Not wanting to accept defeat, Ariel planned to play mysterious to sound cool.

"Fine I would read it. I can't go back on my words anyways."

"Hey, there's a river over there and it particularly looks good at night. Want to take a look?"

"Sure."

And so, the duo walked hand in hand in the breeze of the night toward the small river. When they got to the river, there were few people at the place mostly being couples. Ariel sighted two couples kissing some distance away and instead of taking her eyes off them she kept staring at them obviously! She didn't even hide the fact that she was looking at them like she had never seen anyone kiss before.

"Ariel why are you staring at them like you want to eat them? Haven't you seen people kiss before?" Daniel looked at her unbelievably.

"It's a free world. If they don't want us to watch them they shouldn't be doing it In the open." She righteously defended herself.

"Dear lord." Daniel chuckled

"They already finished kissing thanks to your distraction. Let's go." She dragged Daniel along with her to the riverbank. They soon found a spot to seat at.

The river formed waves as they moved forward and backward in almost same pace of motion. They quietly watched the river peaceful as Ariel placed her head on his shoulder.

"You are aware this is our first date right?" Daniel asked

"Yeah, why?"

"It feels like I've known you for a long while because I feel free with you."

"I can also relate. I usually don't pay attention to guys but maybe I should have a change of mind."

"And why is that?" Curiously he asked

"I don't know, maybe it's because am missing out on all the fun of having male friends because I don't want to be hurt. But maybe hurt is inevitable."

"There are many things out there in this world we are missing out on because we are scared to try them out."

"I agree, but we may try them and it may also go wrong." She voiced out her point.

"And it may also go right. It's a win win."

"Kind of."

"So, what were you expecting when you came on this date?" Daniel being curious to know her thoughts asked her.

"Nothing much to be honest."

"And now?"

"Well am glad you ain't that much of a weirdo and your easy to flow with. Am also glad I didn't stand you up on this date because to be honest I enjoyed every bit of it." Ariel replied honestly.

"I did too." Daniel agreed with her not wanting to address the fact that she said he 'wasn't that much of a werido.' He remembered she had called him a weirdo earlier. That was a first. No one had ever dared to.

Or maybe she was the only one who thought he was weird.

And so, they went quiet again enjoying the breeze of the night and the movement of the water.

The stars reflected on the water making it particularly a beautiful view to watch. It was a full moon tonight. Perhaps even the heavens where in support of her going out on this date. She wondered if she would ever come to regret this decision of starting to get attached to someone. Maybe this bet with Jessica wasn't the worst bet after all.

With each of them having different thoughts going through their head, they continued to watch the river in the cold night in silence. It wasn't an awkward silence, it was a peaceful one. Gone was the earlier sadness Ariel felt after picking up her mum's phone call.