Love Bites

Friday came around and everyone was to meet at the theater at 3:30 PM for the movie. Cory and Kayla waited for Lily at their house, and when she arrived, the trio walked to the theater to meet the rest of the group. Thinking they had left early enough to arrive first to wait for everyone, Kayla was surprised to see Dallas waiting for them already.

“Wow,” Kayla said to him. “I figured we’d be waiting for you, but no.”

He smiled and said, “I wanted to make a good impression. Both on you and your brother.” Turning to Cory he extended his hand and said, “I’m Dallas.”

“Cory,” he said, taking Dallas’ hand and shaking it. “This is my girlfriend, Lily.”

They nodded at each other as Cory still had his hand.

Kayla said, “Abby and Blaine should be here shortly, then we can go in.”

They stood around talking for a few minutes while waiting for the others to arrive. Dallas told them he goes to a nearby private school and he was also sixteen.

Abby and Blaine arrived a few minutes later, and introductions were made, then they all brought tickets. Dallas insisted on buying Kayla’s and went in. Dallas told everyone that the snacks were his treat and to get whatever they wanted.

Everyone has hesitant, considering prices at the movies were crazy high but he assured them not to worry, he knew what he was getting into. They all got stuff but didn’t go crazy just because he was buying.

After they finished at the concession stand, they went into the theater itself. Abby and Blaine split off, heading towards the front.

The last time Kayla was here with a date, it went very badly, so she froze in the aisle. Lily quickly realized what was happening and asked Dallas, “Do you have a preference where to sit?”

Dallas looked at Lily, then at Kayla and said, “As long as it’s next to Kayla, I don’t care.”

Lily said to Cory, “Find us seats then, love,” taking one of his hands and one of Kayla’s. She added, “Near the aisle in case I have to pee, if you can.”

Cory found four seats near the aisle about halfway up the theater and Lily pushed Dallas into the row saying, “Seat four for you,” then to Kayla, “Seat three for you,” pushing her in next. Cory was about to take the next seat when Lily said, “Ladies first,” and took the second seat from the aisle.

Cory looked at her funny but allowed her to sit in the seat and he took the seat on the aisle. He leaned over and whispered, “I thought you wanted to be next to the aisle?”

She whispered back, “I am. Close enough at least. I’ll explain later.” Cory acquiesced to her wishes. Lily took his hand and twined her fingers with his and contentedly sat watching the movie. Partway through the movie, he noticed that Lily had taken Kayla’s right hand in her left and was hold hands with both of them.

She noticed his look and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

The movie ended and everyone filed out of the theater and the group met in the lobby before going to the restaurant for dinner. They had chosen a place only a few blocks away that served Chinese food.

The group decided to sit at tables, rather than in a booth, so the staff pushed three two-person tables together to make a larger table. Each couple sat opposite their date at the cozy candle lit table. This gave everyone their owe space while still maintaining a group atmosphere.

Abby and Blaine sat at one end with Kayla and Dallas in the middle, followed by Lily and Cory. The menus came and everyone was discussing what to order when Dallas announced that he was a vegetarian.

All three of the girls started to apologize for choosing a place without thinking to ask him about hie preferences.

Kayla said, “I’m sorry. It was my choice really. Normally, we take turns picked a place but…” she blushed noticeably even under the low candlelight, “…but this was their idea of a celebration of my getting a proper date. I got to choose. I should have been more thoughtful.”

Dallas studied her for a moment and then smiled and said, “Don’t worry about it. I’m just picky with what I eat. I don’t eat anything that bleeds.”

The group looked at him with mixed reactions and he continued. “But I’m sure I can find something here to eat.” Still looking into her eyes, he could see the puzzled look on her face and added, “It’s just a thing with me. I don’t have an issue with what you eat, so get whatever you want.”

Kayla got as far as saying, “How –” when he held up his hand.

“You don’t think this is the first time I’ve had to explain, do you? To answer your question, I’ve seen that look before.” He smiled and she smiled back.

The five of them who ate meat, decided to dine family style, each ordering different items that everyone would share, adding additional items that Dallas would also eat. They started with soups, ordering egg drop, hot and sour, and war wanton. The entrees included chicken, beef, and shrimp dishes along with fried and regular white rice, egg- and spring rolls, and a vegetable stir-fry. Each was passed around and sampled by everyone except Dallas, who stuck to the meatless options provided for him.

Dessert consisted of small dishes of lichee fruit in a light syrup.

After dinner was finished, they sat talking for a few minutes when Lily suddenly said, “How about Sunday, everyone comes over to my house for a pool party and barbecue? I’ll make sure that I find some veggies I can grill up for Dallas, too.”

They discussed it and all agreed to it, deciding to meet at noon and eat when they got hungry. Abby and Blaine said goodnight and left first as they lived in different directions than the others. Dallas also lived further away and in yet another direction, so he and Kayla walked outside together to talk.

“I had a good time,” he told her.

“Me too,” she replied.

“You seemed a little tense there for a while in the theater.”

She flushed and said, “I’m sorry. Let’s just say my last movie viewing didn’t go quite so well.”

Dallas studied her quietly. She seemed to by studying the sidewalk they were on. He reached out and took both of her hands in his and she tensed up. He said, “Relax…” Lifting her right hand, he kissed her knuckles gently. “I had a good time and I hope you did too.”

Awkwardly torn about what to do, she thought quickly. Still holding him hands, she stepped into him and wrapped both his arms and her around his back, she hugged him, saying, “I had a good time too.”

Since he was several inches taller than she was, she stood on her tiptoes and lightly pecked him on the cheek, then stepped back, still holding his hands.

He looked into her blue eyes, holding her gaze with his now smoky gray eyes and said, “I couldn’t have imagined a better way to end this date,” giving her hands another squeeze.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Call me tomorrow morning and give me directions.” She nodded. “Until tomorrow then,” he said, giving her hands one last squeeze, then let go, turned around and walked away.

Kayla had to stop herself from reaching out for him. She watched him walk away and then turned and walked back into the restaurant. Her brother and Lily were waiting at the table for her.

“So?” Lily asked.

Kayla blushed.

“Spill it girl.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Kayla said. “We said goodnight. He kissed my hand, and I gave him a hug.”

“Aww, how sweet,” Lily teased.

“I’m not rushing into anything,” Kayla said, matter-of-factly.

Lily turned serious and said, “I know, I just want to see you happy.” She gave Kayla a hug and said, “Let’s go home, sweetie. We need our beauty rest.” She took a hand from both of them and towed them away.

Kayla offered to walk ahead or behind to give the two some privacy, but Lily wouldn’t hear of it.

“We’re okay, and we can all enjoy the night together,” Lily told her.

They walked to the twin’s house all hand-in-hand, Lily not letting go of either one of them. Once in front of their house, Lily placed Kayla’s hand into Cory’s, gave Cory a kiss and Kayla a hug, and bounced off saying, “See you Sunday.”

Still holding hands, the twins went inside and called it a night.