Time After Time

Part 9

Once I arrive home, I throw my backpack on my bed and grab my radio as I make my way to the bathroom. I put my Blondie cassette in and turn the shower on, singing along to 'The Tide Is High'. After I rinse my shampoo and conditioner I hear a knock on the door.

"Yeah?" I yell over the water and music.

"Honey? Honey, can you hear me?" My mom nearly screams.

"Yes, Mom." I answer, annoyed.

"Your friend Corey called!"

"Really? What'd he say?" I ask eagerly, beginning to quickly wash my body in case he is already on his way.

"He just wanted to know what color your outfit will be tonight!"

"Oh..." I respond, pondering. "Uhm...red!"

"Okay! I'll call him back and tell him." I thought she had walked away until I hear, "So...where are you two going?" in a giddy voice.

"I don't know, Mom."

"Oooh a surprise!"

"Yes, Mom, now can I finish showering please?" I hear her footsteps leave and I roll my eyes and giggle. I hope she's finding love in her life.

•

I step out the shower and wipe a clear spot in the foggy mirror. Wrapping a towel around my hair, I begin applying my makeup and put on a red lip stain. Lucy always wears lip stain instead of lipstick when she goes on dates, so that when they kiss it doesn't get messy. Once I'm done, I take my towel off and blow dry my hair, teasing the roots to get a full volumized look like Debbie Harry. Then, I go to my room and put on the outfit I had in mind. A red shirt with lace sleeves, casual denim shorts, and my black ballet flats. I check the time- 6:00 P.M. Okay, I have an hour still. I really got ahead of myself. I went to take my radio back into my room and change the tape to The Cure. 'Boys Don't Cry' blares as I make my way to the living room to find my mom experimenting with making sushi.

"Hey Mom, did Corey say why he wanted to know what color my outfit would be?"

"No. But damn Lux, you look good!"

I laughed. "Thanks!"

"So what's going on with you too?" She winked.

"I don't know... I guess we're dating." I smiled, still in awe that I can say that now.

"Now is this the same boy you and Lucy have been raving about since you were 14?"

"Yeaaaahhhh..." I drag out, squinting my eyes. "But don't ever mention that to him if you ever meet him!"

"If I ever? You're not telling me I can't meet him today, are you!?" She jokes as a roll of rice crumbles in her hand.

I laugh and make my way to my room, looking at magazines until and listening to music until 7:00 o'clock arrives.

•

*diiiiiiing dong*

I jump up from my bed as my heart races and check myself in the mirror. I race to grab my jean studded jacket and throw it on as I walk out my room. I look at my mom who is still fighting The Great Sushi Battle of 1989 and I point to her to stay where she's at while I smile. She rolls her eyes. I place my hand on the knob and open the door as Corey stands holding a bouquet of dark red roses. He's smiling and wearing black jeans with a white t-shirt and a bleach washed vest. I cover my mouth with my hand in shock as he leans in, handing me the flowers.

"These are for you." He grins and lays a kiss on my cheek, something I am still not used to.

"Thank you." I say, finally being able to work up the words. "I'll just- I'll just go put these in some water!" I walk back inside quickly and make my way to the kitchen, mouthing "PUT THESE IN WATER!" to my mom.

"OKAY!"

I scurry back to the door and grab my black purse as I close the door behind me. Corey lays his arm around my shoulders as we walk to his car. "You look beautiful, Lux."

At this point, I didn't intend to do this, but my body took control over me and I just did it. I leaned in and kissed him. His lips felt soft but firm against mine, almost like he was trying to kiss back, except I pulled away too soon. "Sorry." I look down and smile, feeling my face boiling up.

Suddenly I feel Corey's hand wrap down around my waist and pull me in. Our lips connect once again and I can feel him smiling. Once we pull apart, our faces stay close and Corey gives a half smile, looking into my eyes. I can only look into his vast blue eyes for just a short period of time before I lose myself, so I quickly break the contact and smile.

"Well I think you've ruined the surprise now!" Corey laughed.

I'm caught in the moment and cannot understand what he means. "What? Uh-"

"Well that kiss surprised me a lot more than our destination will probably surprise you." He winks as he opens the car door for me. I finally catch on and grin but still feel embarrassed as I sit in the passenger seat. "It was the best way to start this date." Corey jogs around to the other side and sits in the drivers seat. "But I'm still crossing my fingers that you'll like tonight."

The expensive car starts up as we zoom down the street. "I'm sure I will!"  We could do anything, Corey, and I'd be happy.

Corey glances over and gives a weak smile, reaching for my hand.