The date turned out to be something entirely unexpected. I had anticipated just lunch and some casual conversation, but Nick surprised me by taking me to the Joy Adamson Gallery! This was an unexpected thrill, and I was so excited that I couldn't help but run around the gallery.
I had always wanted to visit this gallery and deeply appreciated Joy Adamson's work. Her paintings are vibrant and full of life, and seeing them in person was a dream come true.
"Oh, my goodness! Look at that! Is that one of her famous lion paintings?" I exclaimed, pointing at a majestic artwork displayed on the wall. The colors and details were mesmerizing, capturing the raw beauty of the wildlife she dedicated her life to.
"It is," Nick replied, trailing beside me.
"It's incredible how she managed to capture their spirit and personality on canvas. A great work of art has a soul—something that makes you feel as though you were there when it was created," I remarked, still entranced by the painting.
"You're right. I feel the same way when I read your poems," Nick said with a smile, his gaze shifting from the painting to me.
"You... you read my poems?" I asked, surprised. I remembered the day I opened up to him about my love for poetry and shared a link to some of my work. I had never expected him to actually take the time to read them.
"Yes, I did," he replied warmly.
"Which one did you read?" I asked, curious.
"Mmmh, Love in the Ink, Work of Art, Glow Gold, but my favorite is Die Now." His words took me by surprise. I had poured my heart and soul into those poems, and to hear that he not only read them but had favorites among them was overwhelming.
"Why Die Now?" I asked as we started walking, but my attention was solely on him. He smiled.
"Die Now resonated with me on a deep level," he explained. "The raw emotions and vulnerability you expressed in that poem touched something within me. It made me feel and understand that once in a while we are allowed to be tired, we are allowed to feel defeated, feel uncertain, and blame ourselves so that when we wake up tomorrow, we can find the strength to keep going." As we continued walking, his words were something that I had longed to hear.
When I wrote that poem, everyone had different meanings. That is how it is with poetry. It is understood and interpreted differently by the readers, depending on their own experiences and emotions. It was the first time that someone got the exact meaning and feeling I had when writing it.
"How did you come to love the arts? specifically film and writing." Nick asked, bringing me back to the present.
"Why? I was actually inspired by my uncle. I remember when I was young, he would take me out to accompany him on fieldwork. I was a chatterbox, so I was his favorite." I chuckled while reminiscing about the good old days.
"He would tell me stories about the different people he met and would take me on field trips and take pictures of the places we visited. It was during those moments that I fell in love with the power of storytelling and capturing moments through words and images." I explained as we took another detour.
"Writing poems was sort of an outlet. Though I was an extrovert before everything went down, I always felt misunderstood. Writing allowed me to express myself in ways that words alone couldn't convey. It became my sanctuary, where I could pour out my emotions and find solace in the beauty of language."
"Oh, so you've always wanted to pursue film since childhood?"
"Of course not. Before wanting to be a writer, I had other dreams." I said it with a toothy grin.
"Really? Like what?" he asked, interested.
"Well, I wanted to become a doctor, then a pilot, and even briefly considered pursuing a career in law," I answered.
"What went wrong?" he inquired.
"It's so happened that me and math and history don't go hand in hand," I chuckled in embarrassment. No matter how much I tried, I never got a grip on math.
The tour finally came to an end, but I was not disappointed at all. Nick was great company and made everything fun with his witty comments and infectious laughter.
As we walked out of the gallery, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected connection we had made.
...
"Is that a game arcade across the street?" I asked, pointing towards a brightly lit sign. Nick grinned and nodded. "It's been a while since I came to one," I said, gazing longingly at it.
"Then let's go have some fun," Nick suggested, making my eyes brighten up.
"Absolutely. The day is still young," Nick replied with a chuckle. With that, we headed toward the arcade, eager to create more unforgettable memories together.
Excitement bubbled up within me as we crossed the street, hand in hand, toward the game arcade. Neon lights flickered, casting a vibrant glow on the bustling crowd inside. The sound of arcade games filled the air, creating an irresistible, lively atmosphere.
Our first game was a racing challenge, where we competed with laughter and playful banter. My favorite, though, was the photo booth. We squeezed into the small space and posed for silly pictures. There was something incredibly intimate and exciting about sharing that tiny room with Nick, adding a special sense of closeness and privacy to our time together.
"Are you having fun?" Nick asked.
The booth was designed to shut out any external noise, creating a private bubble just for us. I looked up and met Nick's gaze, marveling at how simply looking into someone's eyes could evoke such profound peace. At that moment, it felt as if we were the only two people in the world. The intensity of his gaze made everything else fade away, bringing a deep sense of tranquility to my soul.
"Yes," I breathed, nodding. "This has to be the best day of my life, and I'm grateful to you." I continued, still mesmerized by his onyx-like eyes.
The space felt even smaller, the air thick with anticipation. It was as if time had slowed down, and I could feel the electric tension between us. The moment was almost overwhelming, and I wondered what would come next.
Nick leaned in slowly, as if moving in slow motion, like a scene from a movie. My heartbeat thudded in my ears, and my breath grew shallow. Just as our lips were about to meet, a flash from the camera snapped, breaking the spell.
We both laughed nervously, realizing we had been completely absorbed in the moment, momentarily forgetting our surroundings.
As the day came to an end, the memory of that almost kiss lingered in the air while Nick drove us home. I cursed the photo booth in my mind for stopping us from sharing that kiss. It had only been a week since our first kiss, but it felt like an eternity.
I glanced at Nick, who was focused intently on the road, his hands firmly gripping the steering wheel. I wondered if he felt the same way I did—if he too wished we had kissed in the photo booth.
"We're here," Nick's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked outside to see that we had indeed arrived.
"So soon?" I pouted, which made him laugh.
"Why? Do you want to stay on the road forever?" he teased, glancing at me.
"I'd rather. I enjoy the motion and the sense of adventure," I replied, a wistful smile on my face.
"So, you're into road trips?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Absolutely," I nodded enthusiastically. "So, what's the plan for the next date?" I asked playfully, poking his hand.
His hand was large, and it triggered an unexpected thought: 'Men with big hands are said to be blessed down there.' I couldn't help but blush at the thought.
"What naughty thought just crossed your mind?" he asked, eyeing me curiously. I chuckled and shook my head. "Oh, just a silly thought. Nothing scandalous, I promise," I said, a wide grin on my face.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his teasing tone making me blush even more. I covered my cheeks with my hands, making him laugh.
"Stop it," I grumbled, hiding my face. "But now you've piqued my curiosity," he said, his tone filled with playful mischief. I peeked through my fingers and giggled, realizing how silly I was being.
"Okay, fine," I conceded, lowering my hands and giving him a playful glare. "But you have to promise not to judge me." He raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.
"Um, your hands are huge..." I trailed off, and he quirked an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue. His eyes widened in realization before he burst into laughter.
I closed my eyes in embarrassment, struggling with the seatbelt. I tried to unbuckle it but failed, and soon, his laughter was so contagious that I found myself laughing along.
"Damn it, beautiful, who knew you were such a naughty tease?" he managed to say between laughs.
I blushed, realizing my comment had taken on unintended flirtatious undertones. "Um, I should get going now. Thanks for today," I said, still grappling with the stubborn seatbelt.
I sighed in frustration and wondered what was wrong with the seatbelt. I turned around to inspect it, but I stilled when I felt Nick's presence behind me. He reached over and effortlessly unbuckled it, his touch grazing my arm and enveloping me in his warmth and scent.
My heart raced as I turned to face him, finding his face so close that I could feel his breath mingling with mine. The intensity of the moment left me speechless and breathless, my gaze hazy with desire.
Time seemed to stand still as my eyes moved to his lips, longing to feel their softness against mine. The air crackled with tension as we both leaned in, our lips inches apart, ready to bridge the gap and ignite a fire that had been building for far too long.
I closed my eyes when he leaned in, my heart pounding and breath held in anticipation. His warm breath brushed against my lips, sending shivers down my spine. Every nerve in my body screamed for his touch, craving more than just a brush. I leaned forward to satisfy my longing, but he pulled back slightly.
Before I could react, my breath hitched as his lips made a gentle, teasing kiss at the corner of my mouth. It was slow, deliberate, and tantalizing, leaving me craving more.
His lips lingered for a moment, savoring the connection, before he pulled away completely. I bit my cheek to keep from protesting, feeling unsatisfied yet knowing from the look in his eyes that he was teasing me.
"I had a nice time with you," he said, his voice husky and filled with warmth.
He was playing the game of chase and wanted me to want him more. It was a game I was willing to play, so if he thought that I would grab him and kiss the life out of him, he was wrong. I smiled coyly, determined to play along and show him that I could be just as teasing.
As we said our goodbyes, I fanned my face with my hands, feeling hot and a mess as I walked towards my house. Once inside the house, I let myself slide down against the front door, my heart racing as I replayed everything that had happened in one day.
"Seems like the date was a success!" I screamed when Lizzy suddenly appeared in my line of vision, startling me. She raised an eyebrow and smirked, clearly amused by my outburst.
"You scared the sh*t out of me!" I exclaimed, my hands on my chest. Lizzy laughed and plopped down next to me.
"I was here when you came in, and you didn't notice me." She shrugged nonchalantly before her eyes sparkled.
"So spill, how did it go?" she asked, her curiosity evident in her voice.
I took a deep breath, calming my raising heart.
"We had such a great time together." I started.
" The conversation flowed effortlessly, and we discovered so many shared interests. It felt like we had known each other for years." Lizzy leaned in closer, her eyes widening with anticipation.
"And?" she prompted, her voice filled with anticipation. I couldn't contain my excitement any longer.
"And we almost kissed in the photo booth..."
"And?"
"And we kissed...no... he teased me. Pulling away at the last moment." I pouted, pretending to be disappointed. Lizzy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in surprise.
"No way! This is more juicy than I thought. It's so kind of cute!" she exclaimed. I couldn't help but blush at her reaction.
I left for my room to have a shower and a change of clothes once Lizzy had her fill of all the details. As the warm water cascaded over me, I couldn't help but smile like a fool. Love does make people stupid.
"Where is Carrie?" I asked, leaning against Lizzy's bedroom door. It's been a while since I came back from the date with Nick, and I haven't seen her. Just as Lizzy was about to answer, both our phones beeped with notifications.
Lizzy and I shared a look before checking out, only to see it was a notification in our group chat from Carrie.
"Speak of the devil," Lizzy muttered as we both checked to see what it was.
ME: No way!
I typed immediately as I made my way inside Lizzy's room careful not to step on the clothes lying on the floor. Her room was a mess. In the group chat was a picture of a guy's butt dressed in gym shorts with the caption, "Doesn't he have the best butt?"
Lizzy and I exchanged looks before bursting out laughing.
Lizzy: Well, isn't it a sight to behold? 😂🍑
Carrie: I know, right? It's like a work of art.
Me: Is that your predator's butt?
I mused as I tried to stifle my laughter.
Carrie: You know this is the only butt I am interested in, right? 😂
Lizzy: Well, it is worth all the hype. I mean, look at those perfectly sculpted cheeks!
Lizzy replied, followed by a drooling gif.
Me: Wow, talk about taking fitness goals to a whole new level! I wonder if he knows how famous his behind has become.
Lizzy: Did the guy in question pose for the photo himself, or is our Carrie becoming a pervert?
Carrie: 🙄. I highly doubt he'd pose for the photo himself. I'd be dumped even before we got into a relationship if he knew. You have no idea how hard it was for me to take that shot. Nevertheless, I've got perfect wallpaper. It's like a masterpiece in the realm of gluteal perfection.
We all laughed again at this.
Me: Speaking of dates, weren't you supposed to be on one with Mr. Butt?
Carrie: Well, he got a call from the gym; his friend wanted him to fill in for him, so instead of rain-checking on me again, he asked me to join him.
Lizzy: So a gym date?
Me: Sounds romantic. I should probably add this scene to my story about unconventional dates.
Lizzy: You and your stories. You should have been a reporter instead.
Me: Nah, I prefer creating my own worlds and characters; it's much more exciting than reporting on real-life events. That aside, Carrie, how is the gym date going? Is it fun? Do you guys flirt?
Carrie: It's kind of fun in a different way, and there is no way I would let this chance pass without showing my flirting skill, but discreetly so as not to be so obvious. I don't know if I am imagining things, but I have also noticed Dave throwing me flirtatious glances. It's like a game of cat and mouse, trying to catch each other's attention without being too obvious.
Lizzy: Whoa, sounds like things are heating up between you two!
Carrie: Well, it's definitely getting interesting. We have this playful banter going on, constantly teasing each other and finding ways to make each other laugh. It's like we're building a connection.
I was about to type again when Carrie sent another picture. This one was her In her gym clothes, standing in front of a mirror dressed in a tight-fitting tank top and leggings.
Carrie: How do I look, girls?
Carrie's gym attire accentuated her toned physique, and she exuded confidence in her pose.
Lizzy: Wow, Carrie! You look absolutely stunning! I almost mistook you for a famous model.
Me: Seriously, Carrie, you're rocking that outfit! If Dave doesn't make a move on you, then he is definitely into men.
I chimed in, adding my own praise to the mix. The room was silent, and the only sound you could hear here was the typing of our phones and our giggles. We chatted for a little longer, talking about my date too until Carrie had to go back to Dave.
Ps: those poems that I have mentioned, are actually mind. You can find them in my Instagram handle:
https://www.instagram.com/love_ink_poem_writes/