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The following weekend, Cole and I had our first official date.
A musical called Dear Evan Hansen.
Cole didn’t usually flash his money, but this night he gave me money for a new dress. I picked out a long yellow number with sequins and low shoulders. At seven o’clock, he knocked on my door, shook my father’s hand, gave me a kiss on the cheek, and walked me to an awaiting limo that took us to dinner and to the show.
Through the entire play, which I loved, he didn’t once let go of my hand. Afterward, we went for hot chocolate at a little sweets shop by the water, which, I was told, he’d asked to be opened up especially for this occasion.
“This was the best night ever,” I said, sipping my drink. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
He kissed my shoulder, his smile bright and happy.
“I knew you’d like it,” he said.
“The songs were amazing. That Waving Through the Window one was fantastic.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“You know, my band is covering that song at our next gig.”
“Your band, huh? I’d heard tales that you had a band. I’m not sure that I believed it, though.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why not? I’m musically inclined.”
I laughed. “Yes, but I didn’t know you were that musically inclined. What’s your band named?”
He thought a minute.
“How about you guess?”
I sat up straight. I loved playing guessing games with Cole. It was one of our ‘us’ things.
“First clue,” he said. “It’s named after a clothing item.”
My brows pressed down as I thought.
“Too vague,” I said. “Next clue.”
“The item is something you wear on your feet.”
“Heels? Sandles? Boots?”
He laughed and waved my guesses away.
“No. You’re on the right track, though. Okay. Here is your final clue. It’s something that you wear on your feet every day.”
I smirked. “Sneakers?”
Cole raised an eyebrow and pulled out his phone. His thumbs glided over the keypad, then he looked at me.
My phone dinged, and I pulled it from my purse.
The words were like cupid’s arrow to my heart. I read it out loud.
“I love red sneakers.”
A lump formed in my throat. I put down my phone, threw my arms around Cole’s neck, and kissed him long and deep. I loved kissing Cole. It was probably the best ‘us’ thing we did.
“If I had known you liked the band name, I would have told you a long time ago,” he said with a grin.
“What do you play?”
“Lead singer.”
“And?”
“Guitar. Piano, if I am feeling so inclined.”
“Can I see you play?”
“You’ve already seen me play.”
“No. I mean your band.”
He sighed dramatically. “I don’t know. Girls usually fall for drummers. Not sure if I’m ready to risk that.”
I kissed him again.
“You’re the only guy that I could ever fall for,” I said when we pulled apart.
“And you’re the only girl I could ever fall for.”
We smiled at each other, two crazy kids in love.
“I think it’s time to take you home before your dad grounds you again.”
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want the night to end, but I knew that there would be tomorrow and the next day. And the day after that. I wasn’t letting Cole go. Not now. Not ever.
The limo drove us back to my building, and Cole walked me up the stairs to my apartment, hand in hand, heart in heart. When we arrived at my floor, we spied someone standing in front of my door. The boy turned to us.
“Eric? What are you doing here?”
He shoved his hands in his jeans pocket, his face looking pale and sad.
“Bella. Cole. Hey.”
“Uh, hi,” Cole said, squeezing my hand again.
Eric’s head bobbed, and he snatched off his black hat and ran his fingers through his midnight hair.
“This is a little weird, but I came here to ask for your help.”
“Um ... okay,” I said.
“Ariel was the best thing that ever happened to me. I want her back. No. I need her back. Will you help me?”
Eric and I stared at each other. In his eyes, I saw the same pain that radiated through my heart. The loss off a fiery red headed girl that gave color to both of our lives.
I nodded.
“Okay.” I walked forward, putting the key in to the door, and let myself inside. “Let’s get her back.”
To be continued...