The Date

I stood in front of the mirror, taking one last look at myself before leaving.

For today’s date, I had chosen a loose white T-shirt, beige cargo pants, and a pair of clean white sneakers. My hair was tied into a high ponytail, and the only makeup I wore was a light coat of mascara and a touch of lip gloss. It wasn’t extravagant, but it felt like me.

Satisfied with my reflection, I picked up my phone and called Honey.

“I’m ready,” I said.

There was a brief pause before his familiar voice answered.

“Wait there. I’m coming to pick you up.”

“Okay.”

On his way to my house, he made a quick stop at a medical store.

He picked up a few essentials before buying a bottle of white wine and some chocolates.

To avoid spoiling the surprise, he carefully tucked everything into a small pouch inside a larger shopping bag, leaving only the chocolates and wine visible from the outside.

A few minutes later, my phone rang.

“I’m outside.”

My heart skipped a beat.

I quickly told my mom that I was going to Honey’s house before hurrying outside.

He was already waiting for me.

The afternoon breeze gently tousled his messy hair. He was dressed casually in a white oversized T-shirt and black pants, yet somehow he still looked effortlessly handsome.

The moment our eyes met, he smiled.

Not a loud smile.

Just a soft, peaceful one that somehow made me feel safe.

He casually slipped one arm around my shoulder, pulling me slightly closer.

Then a mischievous grin spread across his face.

“What?” I asked, laughing.

He looked at me for a second longer before saying,

“You look beautiful today.”

I raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“I look beautiful every day.”

He laughed.

“So confident.”

“I have reasons to be.”

We both laughed together.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go.”

Since he lived only a short walk from my house, we decided to walk instead of taking a cab.

During the walk, we talked about random things, teasing each other every few minutes.

Before I realized it, we had already reached his apartment building.

We stepped into the lift.

The walls were covered with mirrors.

I caught him staring at me through the reflection.

Not in an uncomfortable way.

It was the kind of gaze that lingered a little longer than usual as though he wanted to memorize every detail of my face.

I pretended not to notice, though my cheeks had already begun to warm.

The lift stopped with a soft chime.

He unlocked the front door.

The apartment was quiet.

“My parents aren’t home,” he said casually.

For a brief moment, I hesitated.

I’d never been completely alone with a boy before.

A tiny wave of nervousness crept into my chest.

Still, I trusted him.

So I stepped inside.

Honey placed the shopping bag on the dining table while I slipped off my shoes near the entrance.

He said “There are soft drinks and pineapple juice in the fridge. The glasses are in the upper cabinet make yourself comfortable.”

Then, with a grin, he added,

“I’m going to take a shower.”

“Alright.”

As he walked toward his room, he casually pulled off his T-shirt.

For just a second, I caught a glimpse of his back before the bedroom door closed behind him.

Left alone, I neatly placed my shoes in the shoe rack and looked around the apartment with quiet curiosity.