Blair’s family had struck up conversation with Olivia about her new watch and began questioning her as soon as they had the chance. It was at this time Blair received a text and looked down to see who it was. It was Ava. That was nice surprise as she hasn’t heard much from her since they left. Ava had mentioned she had to go back home for Christmas to attend a mandatory formal party her parents were throwing. Blair had thought about bringing Ava first but decided against it till her family could accept her again. Blair and Ava texted back and forth saying things like: “How has your day been?” or “are you having a nice Christmas”. Blair chatted comfortably while Olivia was being barraged and happily hummed to herself while exchanging glances with the phone. Olivia noticed out of the corner of her eye that Blair’s attention was somewhere else and could guess who had her so enraptured in her phone. Olivia felt conflicted about Ava. On one hand Blair had rekindled an old friendship that had previously ended horribly and on the other was Ava’s uncertain intentions when it came to Blair. She heard her say that she wanted nothing more than to just be friends again, but she couldn’t help this nagging feeling she had in the back of her head that told her Ava wanted more.

It was finally time for there date. Blair was both nervous and thrilled at the thought of spending some alone time with Olivia. She had it all planned out double, triple checked everything they needed for there outing. Blair wondered how Olivia managed to things so smoothly the first time and was even more amazed by her than she already was.

“Ok, everything’s going to be just fine” she said sighing.

Blair was mentally arranging everything in her head when Olivia rounded up behind her placing one hand on her shoulder.

“You all ready?” Olivia said pumped for the occasion.

“Yep, just leave everything to me today!” Blair said while taking Olivia’s hand.

Blair led Olivia out to the car she borrowed from her parents and headed for their first destination. She wanted to prove she could be reliable to, and she so desperately wanted to change. Blair remembered how helpless and afraid she felt during the incident in high school and then again when Olivia showed up to help her with the cheerleaders. All she had done her whole life was either let other people solve her problems or run away from them entirely. Blair was never the most vocal person to begin with but her aversion to people worsened when her whole world came crashing down. While she was thinking Olivia’s voice pulled her back from her thoughts and into the present.

“Hey Blair, I hope you know that I really appreciate you doing this all for me.” Olivia said with a serious tone.

“Of course, isn’t that what friends are for?”

Blair immediately regretted her choice of words even though they were just friends. Clearly going on dates wasn’t really a “friend” thing to do but they never clarified what they were. She had hoped that they could become more than what they were, but her getting in her own way wasn’t helping. “Stupid” she mumbled to herself.

“Well, thank you anyways and might I ask the lovely lady where we might be going?” Olivia said raising her brow and smirking mischievously.

Quickly regaining her composure Blair said “Of course, first we’re getting something to eat. I already made a reservation so they should be ok on availability.”

“You really do have all this planned out huh?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Blair said with a displeased look.

“Hehe, I didn’t mean it in a negative way, but just that you take things seriously and I was impressed.” Olivia said while folding her arms.

“If that’s what impresses you then you better be ready to be impressed all day.”

As their conversation ended, they arrived at the restaurant the first of many activities Blair had planned for today’s date. The restaurant was a local place that was hard to get into around this time of year. Luckily her parents knew the owners and pulled a few strings for Blair in celebration towards this rare occasion. Guided by the waiter they both sat down at the table and ordered their drinks to start.

“I really was starving after all that excitement back at your place” said Olivia gulping down her beverage.

“My parents can be a little over the top sometimes but I’m glad you asked to come. I’ve not enjoyed myself this much in a long time especially during the holidays. So……. what I’m trying to say is…. thanks for being here with me.” Blair said as her words trailed off and got quieter.

“If its with you then I don’t mind tagging along.” Olivia said as she perched her arms on the table and leaned closer to Blair.

Blair was trying to remain calm, but whenever Olivia got aggressive her brain would always combust. She also didn’t know if this was flirting. ‘Was this flirting?’ she asked herself. Blair had no clue. Every time Blair interacted with Olivia it was like she had a blindfold on and was just walking blindly with no guidance. She had gotten more confident, but her brain would always second guess everything. As she was mulling her thoughts over, they ordered their food. It was the middle of the day, and they had a lot to do so Blair decided to go light while Olivia went heavy to have more energy to burn.

“This reminds me of our first date together. I was sooo nervous, but everything seemed to work out in the end.”

“Huh? You? Nervous???” Blair said with an astonished look.

“For sure. I’m just the same as everyone else sunshine. I appreciate how highly you think of me though.”

Blair had an epiphany of sorts. She didn’t know why but she had thought Olivia had everything figured out. Like she had all the answers to the test called life. Knowing Olivia was just like her had made her heart feel more at peace instead of gripped by anxiety and fear. After relaxing, Blair and Olivia made casual conversation as there food came. They laughed and talked about whatever came to mind enjoying each other’s while getting to know more about one another. If Blair was nervous before then she wasn’t anymore feeling closer than ever to Olivia.

Both satisfied with their food and right on schedule for their next stop they left the restaurant. Blair escorted Olivia back to the car excited for the day ahead of them.

Olivia looked to Blair in the car and was happy to find that she looked more relaxed. She wondered if this was all too much too soon for Blair to handle. After a few seconds though she promptly wanted to beat her own ass at the thought of her ever doubting her. Even she could see the changes Blair had gone through since their first meeting and left herself in Blair’s capable hands for today.

“So? Where are we off to next in this grand adventure?”

“Do you like movies?”

Olivia answered saying she did. It seemed the pair had that in common and Blair was ecstatic to know her hunch was right. She wanted to get back at Olivia for the Boba incident and felt like she had utterly succeeded. To the movies they went and were right on time for what Blair had selected to see today. It was a romance movie whether that was a bold declaration or subtle suggestion to the unknowing Olivia, Blair did not know. She didn’t particularly like this type of genre but thought it perfect so such a situation. Olivia also must have been confused because she looked at Blair and back again sat the title and curiously raised her eyebrow.

“What? I can’t like this sort of thing?” Blair said a little defensively even though she knew she really didn’t like this kind of thing.

“No, just didn’t peg you as the type. Now let’s go and hurry before the movie starts.”

Both Olivia and Blair made there way to the designated screen and sat in their seats ready to enjoy the movie. They both sat next to each other, and Blair couldn’t shake her nerves. She grew self-conscious of the woman right beside her as the movie went on. Blair tried her best to focus, but the movie just couldn’t keep her attention for long enough of a time to distract her from Olivia.

“See something you like sunshine?” whispered Olivia.

Blair had been caught staring at Olivia and for far too long. She couldn’t help it with the woman sitting next to her and all. She thought Olivia would tease her or say something witty, but she did something unexpected. She took Blair’s hand with her own and interlocked them resting them on the arm rest.

“Better?” Olivia said with a smirk.

Blair didn’t know what to say or do in a situation like this, so all she did do was nod her head in agreement and give in to this unexpected development. Thoughts whirling in her head thinking if Olivia somehow knew that she had liked her or if she was just harmlessly flirting with her as Olivia had done in the past. It didn’t take a scientist to know that Olivia was very popular and her attitude toward everyone seemed to stay the same. But Blair wanted to hope and to dream that just maybe she might have a chance with this wonderful woman who made everything in her life better. Instead of worrying needlessly Blair just decided to enjoy Olivia in this moment and the sappy romantic movie.

After a heart pounding 2 hours her brain finally relaxed as they walked out to the car. It was getting dark now, but Blair’s last stop in their date was something you’d think of doing during the Christmas season. Since they got a late start to the day, she figured they wouldn’t be too hungry between lunch and the movies, so this seemed like a perfect way to round off the day.

“That movie wasn’t too bad, but you definitely hated it.” Olivia said in the car almost as if she had read Blairs mind.

“W-W-What??? No, I liked it. It was very much a movie.”

“I can’t believe you could watch the movie AND stare at me the entire time.”

There it was. Blair wondered if she would bring it up or choose to ignore it but she decided to bring it up after all.

“It was just because the movie was ssssooooo boring.”

“M-hm”

Olivia didn’t look convinced with the lie Blair made up in all of 0.2 seconds. Blair felt like she was backed into a corner, but Olivia didn’t bring it up further and opted to focus on their last stop which was fairly close to the movies. An outdoor ice-skating rink all decorated for the Christmas. They stepped out of the car and were both fairly pumped to do something this cheesy with each other.

“Liv, you all re-“

Blair was about to finish her sentence when she felt something on her shoulder. The dread made her face go pale and she hoped it wasn’t what she thought it was. Just as she looked up to the sky a sudden torrent of rain fell and swept away all her hopes for a perfect day. She stood there - just for a second - in the rain feeling her eyes get wet. Olivia strode up to the heartbroken Blair standing there in the rain crying and hugged her gently.

“Liv…….I-I-I messed everything up…” she cried

“Blair….” Olivia said sympathetically toward the heartbroken Blair.

Olivia could guess why Blair took the initiative this time, but this was not helping her self-confidence.

“I-I-I-I’m sorry Liv. I messed everything up. This was supposed to be our perfect day and I thought I checked everyth-

Before she could keep blaming herself, Olivia took this chance to truly express how she was feeling at this moment. She wiped Blairs tears with her thumb - caressing her cheek - trying to soothe her. Olivia took Blairs face into her own hands and slowly leaned down until there lips met each other’s. Time felt like it had stilled  while the both of them stood in the rain and it seeming as if they were the only two people left on earth, they kissed passionately for the first time.