New girl

Chapter 6

Today I am going on a date with Riker.
My heart was beating out of my chest the whole morning.

Mom doesn't know but I convinced her I was hanging out with Rydel.
Until then, I hung out. Cooper and I walked down to the park together.

"Where do you think we're going tonight Cooper?" I talk to him often. He whimpered and licked my hand for a pet. I rubbed behind his ear in his sweet spot.
"Maybe a movie date?" I sighed "gosh I don't even know if I like him Cooper!"
We walked around for another hour. He finally barked to signal we should go home.
2:30
Cooper ran inside and jumped on mom's lap on the couch. She was watching :America's strangest. I walked into the kitchen and poured me a cup of lemonade.
"So sweetie" mom called from the other room. I walked to the living room taking a sip.
"Where's Riker taking you tonight?" She asked smiling.
Shocked, I spit lemonade EVERYWHERE!
Cooper jumped off her lap as she stood up squealing with joy.

"Ww-waht?!" I asked "how'd you know!!?" I started wiping up tea.

"While you and Cooper were at the park, Riker came an introduced himself to me."
"He did?" I said slowly

"Mhm. He said that he wanted to get my blessing to take you on a date tonight" she was jumping with joy now.

A slight "aw" escaped my mouth.

"Sweetie! You didn't tell me you liked him!!" She squealed

"Mom!! I don't! Well I mean- he's nice but I- I don't really know him that well!"
"That's why you guys are going on a date tonight!!!" She squeezed my face and hugged me.
Oh my gosh. It's so thoughtful of him to introduce himself. My mom already loves him.

Mom and I couldn't help but go crazy talking about outfits and hair for a couple hours.
I got in the shower at 6:17
I was all unpacked so it was easy finding clothes.

I put on a nice dress. It had a white strapless laced top with a floral printed flowing skirt bottom. I slipped on white laced flats to match the dress. Then I curled my hair and put on a small hint of mascara and lipgloss. I usually don't wear that much makeup. My Dad always told me "Baby girl, you are beautiful with makeup, but flawless without it.

I walked out to the living room where mom stood. She gasped and teared up right away. "You're the most beautiful girl ever sweetie!"
We hugged for a while.
7:50pm
Riker knocked on the door at 5 til 8.
Mom answered it as I went to get my phone from my room.
"Riker you look so handsome! I gotta get a picture of you guys!" She gasped.

I walked out slowly into the living room. Riker was wearing a fancy black suit with black boots. He turned and saw me standing there. A handsome smile appeared on his face.
"Riley, you look stunning." he awed.
"Me? Look at you! You look very handsome" I said trying not to blush.

"Scoot in guys!" Mom pointed at us grabbing her camera.

Riker put his arm around my waist, I rested a hand on his chest.
Mom took a few pictures, kissed me goodbye, and we left. Riker opens the van door for me and I stepped into the passenger seat.
"So um. If you don't mind me asking. Where are we going tonight?" I asked nervously.
"Ahh well," Riker began as we drove away. "Rydel planned out this whole thing so bear with me"
I giggled loudly which made him smile.

"She is my sister and she's crazy. Rydel, Ratliff, Rocky, and Ross are all at our highschool. Because the school is throwing this weird mid-summer party, dance thing. She insisted we go, so I hope you like dancing!"
"Sounds awesome" I smiled.

We arrived at a big beautiful performing arts school. I could here music already.
We walked through the big front doors and into a ballroom.
Lights, people, music, everything was so beautiful.
Riker took my hand and lead me to a table where Ross and Rocky were sitting.

"Woah. You look- woah" Ross blurted out to me.
"Thanks you guys look great too!" I smiled.
They were both wearing black suits. Ross had a yellow tie, Rocky had a green tie.
"Where's Rydel and Ellington?" I asked over the blaring music.

They both pointed to the dance floor crowded with people. I could see Rydel twirling to the music in a flowing pink dress. Her hair was beautifully curled and a small tiara was pinned at the top.

Ratliff danced beside her in a dark green suit. They both sang and danced along together. I looked at Riker and saw a grin on his face. His eyes looked teary. He then grabbed my hand.
"Let's dance?!" He said pulling me to the center of the room.

We made our way into the crowd. Riker being a goofball, stuck out his tongue and danced along to Im Sexy And I Know It. I couldn't help but dance along, swaying my hips.
Rocky and Ross started a me with big grins.
Riker saw and waved for them to come joins us. Rydel and Ell made their way to us and we all danced to several songs.

A slow song then came on. I was sipping on punch by the table as Riker came up to me.
"Shall we?" He said taking a bow.
I smiled and took his hand.
We moved to the floor crowded with couples.
Riker put his hands on my waist, I threw my arms around his neck.
"Gosh you're gorgeous" he said staring into my eyes.
I smiled staring back at him.
"Oh my gosh." he exclaimed
"What?" I laughed.
"That! Right there. Your smile."
I couldn't stop smiling
"Don't ever change your smile. I absolutely love it." he said softly
"Okay" I rested my head on his shoulder.

Ratliff grabbed Rydel's hand and twirled her in circles. She and him laughed and smiled through the whole song.
Another slow song came on. Ross came to me.
"Riker, may I?" He asked to dance with me.
"Get 'em tiger" he patted his back and winked at me.
Riker went over to Rydel and asked to dance.
Ross put his hands on my hips.
"Hi." he smiled
"Hi Ross" I giggled.
We danced until our feet hurt.

Riker took all of us home. He dropped off Rocky, Ross, and Rydel. We sat in the car for a while. Ratliff kissed Rydel's cheek and went home. I looked at Riker.

"You and Rydel are really close aren't you?" I asked
"Yeah" he smiled "She's my baby sister. Ellington is a good guy though so yeah. I'm ok with them."

He glanced at me again.
"That smile of yours is killing me." he leaned closer to me.
The world spun around us. I closed my eyes leaning in closer to him. His hand stroked my hair and I grabbed his face lightly with my hands. Nothing else mattered besides that moment.
His lips were soft and warm on mine. I couldn't stop. I didn't want to either. We kissed again and again. I ran my fingers throughout his messy hair and kissed him one last time.
"Goodnight Riker" I smiled to him.
"Goodnight Riley"