The entire week, Oliver tried to sneak information out of me. He seemed clueless, really, as to what we should do on our date, and asked me the most random questions ever per text. Every time I opened my phone, I’d find another message from him. 

[18:05: Oliver: is there a new movie you want to watch?]

[18:05: Finn: not really … it’s october, so the cinema is just full of horror movies. Not my thing]

[18:07: Oliver: ok ok]

On another occasion, it would be about food, and he couldn’t even wait until we got home to ask me, and messaged me in the middle of class, instead. 

[13:43: Oliver: what’s your favorite cake?]

Only once he nudged me, begging me to answer, did I allow myself to check my phone. 

[13:47: Finn: black forest! Though I love everything that has an unholy amount of cream]

[13:47: Oliver: the one with the cherries?]

[13:47: Oliver: what about cheesecake?]

[13:47: Finn: I love cheesecake!]

I could see Oliver beside me become visibly flustered and overwhelmed, his hand rustling through his short hair. Was I that impossible to please, because I loved everything? I thought he’d have it easy, as I’d be happy about whatever we did, and whatever we ate. 

Once again, though, he seemed to over-think it all. 

I giggled. No one had ever tried this hard to please me, and I didn’t know how to react to it — it was such new, unknown territory for me. 

At some point, Oliver’s messages would turn into simple one-word phrases, and I already knew what it was all about.

[16:04: Oliver: Ice cream?]

[16:04: Finn: who doesnt love ice cream? Most of the good shops are closed by now, though. For the winter]

[16:05: Oliver: right…]

And Friday afternoon, he seemed to have figured it out, or felt confident enough to double-check that our date was still on. 

[19:12: Oliver: I’ll pick u up at 1?]

[19:14: Finn: sounds good :) anything specific I should wear?]

[19:14: Oliver: not really…]

That night, I prepared everything — my outfit for the coming day, made sure my hair wouldn’t turn into a ruined mess the moment I woke up, did some skincare, and a face mask with my sister. I wasn’t going to let anything ruin the day, and I was so nervous, I couldn’t even sleep.

Is this really happening?

“I’m seriously going on a date?” I giggled to myself, wrapping my body in my own blanket, over and over again, as I rolled back and forth atop my mattress. 

I was so, so excited.

As soon as he told me he was on his way, I got ready, threw myself into my turtleneck and my loose-fitting jeans, and picked the best shoes I had, a pair of white tennis I’d gotten for my birthday a yea ago. I’d only worn them once or twice, always told myself I kept them for the special moments because I didn’t want to dirty them, and here it was, the special moment. 

Oliver arrived much quicker than I expected, texting me with a simple “I’m here” only mere minutes after he’d told me he was on his way.

With a nervous gulp, I hurried, fixed my hair once more, and sneaked into my parents room to use one of my dad’s best perfumes, hoping it wouldn’t be too overbearing. And there I was, ready, letting my family know I’d go out with some friends. They didn’t ask much, didn’t particularly care, just told me to return at a reasonable time. 

My breath stuttered as soon as I left my house, when I saw him standing there, waiting for me, leaned against a rather new, black car, staring at his phone. He immediately tucked it away, pushed himself against the car’s tire, and approached me. 

“I—Uh—“ My mind was a mess. “I think this is the first time I’ve seen you wear jeans.” I giggled. And they suited him. Jeans, sneaker, a normal, white shirt. A high-quality varsity-jacket right above, navy blue sleeves and details. His hair was combed for once, and I could tell immediately. But he hadn’t put any gel or spray in it, and the wind was sure to ruffle it up in no time. 

“Should we go?” 

I nodded right away, only for Oliver to lead me to that brand-new car’s passenger seat. “Hold on—In this?” 

Oliver had already walked around the vehicle, unlocking the driver’s side with a beep. “Why not?” he asked, staring at me rather perplexed. “Do you get motion-sick…?”

“No, that’s not it. But this is—“ My eyes scanned the car up and down, such a sleek, flawless black, so shiny. The interior, I could already tell, was fine, light-colored leather, and the screens appeared so modern, it boggled my mind. 

“It’s my mom’s. I had to beg her all week to let me have it.” 

I chuckled. “Seriously…?”

And right away, Oliver’s ears turned red, and he jumped into his car before he even answered me. Quick to follow, I sat down next to him in the passenger seat, letting my gaze rush across the car’s interior. “Wow. I didn’t know you already had your license.”

“I’ve had it for a while now…” Oliver sighed. “If I still had my car, I wouldn’t have had to make my mom lend me hers.”

“You used to have a car, too?!” Perhaps the rumors of his family being with money weren’t so wrong, after all. 

“It was some crappy, old thing. Got it from my grandparents for my 18th, but …” He sighed, as if he didn’t want to continue. 

“Did it break?”

“No, never even scratched it. But my mom sold it.” 

“Why? Wasn’t it a gift?” 

Oliver clicked his tongue as he started the car, avoiding my gaze and staring at the driving wheel, instead. “I didn’t deserve it,” he whispered. Trying not to ruin the mood, I didn’t ask any further, and changed the topic, instead.

“So, where are we going?” I smiled as he drove off, and I watched him focus on the road ahead, thinking about how handsome he was when he drove, the seat pulled back quite far, just so it could fit his long legs comfortably. 

“I hope you like it,” Oliver mumbled. “I was really lost. I’m not used to being the one to initiate things like this.” I believed that right away — surely, most girls threw themselves at him, didn’t even want any dates or anything of that sort, and he could pick whichever he liked the most. 

I gulped. Why am I thinking like this?

“I’ve never really been on a date,” I said. “It can’t be that hard, right? Whatever we do, I’m sure it’ll be fun!” 

“You haven’t?” Why was that the thing he cared about most? My lacking experience embarrassed even myself. 

“No, not really…” 

“But you’re so smart, and so pretty, and so easy to be around—“

“S-Stop saying stuff like that!” My face burned up, and Oliver apologized with his favorite word, though I could hear the faint smile in his voice, and in the way he said sorry. 

And even though his words embarrassed me, I became addicted to them. Those compliments, and the attention, especially when he spoke them in that low, beautiful voice of his. I couldn’t get enough. 

“Do—Do you really think so?”

“Yeah…” As I turned towards him, I saw his ears twitch red. “Even when you scold me, you’re cute.” 

“—!?” My voice didn’t even come out as I drowned in my own blush, and didn’t even know what to say. “You—You weirdo! It’s like you love it when I—“

“Maybe I do.”

I hid my face from him, leaning against the window and staring out the window to watch passing buildings, trees and gardens. We drove towards downtown, that much I could make out. 

“You’re crazy,” I whispered to myself, hoping he wouldn’t hear, but in the car, and with no music to mask my words, of course he heard.

“I can’t help it,” Oliver said. “When you scold me, you’re honest. I like that…” 

Awkwardly, I giggled, shaking my head all the same. Again and again, he made my heart flutter. 

“You still haven’t told me where we’re going,” I changed the topic once again. “The mall?”

“Um … It’s nearby. Unless you wanted to go to the mall? We could go there, instead.” Oliver stumbled over his tongue, speaking faster than he’d ever done, and I chuckled.

“No, no, I was just guessing. Let’s go with your plan. I’m excited!”

“… I’m nervous.” Oliver cleared his throat, and eventually, decided to connect his phone to the carplay, playing his music, which was just a playlist of a bunch of genres bundled together, mostly rock, indie, metal. He lowered the volume, almost as if he was embarrassed by it. Loud voices, aggressive lyrics, and music only befitting their singing. I didn’t mind the music. 

“Is that what you listen to at the gym?” 

“Yeah. Sorry …” 

“What are you apologizing for?” I giggled. 

He pointed at his own phone, connected to the car’s speakers with a cable. “You can change it, if you want. I don’t mind…” 

“I like it, though,” I giggled. “Oh! But there’s this one song I’ve been listening to on repeat, hold on—“ 

I reached for Oliver’s phone, which he unlocked by reaching over with one hand and tapping his code into it, his eyes still focused on the road ahead, and what followed turned me into a mindless tomato. 

“You—You—Are you serious? I—I told you not to do that!” I stuttered, completely burning up all over. His lock screen was a normal photo, the basic background this phone gave you when you bought it; but then, his background behind all his applications … 

Me! My red face, my awkward, blushing smile, and my fluffy, embarrassing hair! The very first selfie I’d sent him! 

I gazed over at Oliver, who chewed on his lower lip as the car slowed down its speed, halting at a red light. “Sorry…” He sighed. “I can change it, if you want.”

“Do—Do you like it that much?”

“Yeah. You’re cute.” 

“—!” Once again, he robbed me of my breath and heartbeat. I lifted his phone up to my face in a futile effort to hide myself. 

“I’ll make an exception, then,” I whispered. “You can keep it like that, but only if you send me a picture of your face later. The gym photos you send me, your face is never in them.” 

“Alright…” Oliver continued on driving, and only a few minutes later, we arrived. 

Downtown, close to the mall, and I stared, jaw dropping. “This is that new arcade, right? You’re taking me to the arcade?”

“I thought it would be fun … I wasn’t sure if you’d like it, though.” 

“Of course I like it! That’s so cool!” I already unbuckled my belt, eyes glowing, hypnotized by all the LED that flickered out of the arcade. 

We both hopped out of the car Oliver had parked, and I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. 

With his adorable, brown eyes gazing me up and down, Oliver approached me, gulping the second he reached me. 

“Should we go inside?” I chuckled. 

Oliver nodded, but didn’t budge. “I’ll try and win a lot for you.” 

I blushed all over. “You’re so silly. Again, challenging yourself like that. Let’s just have fun.” 

With a smile, I reached for his hand, dragging him into the arcade.