I swept my curly hair into a high ponytail, securing it with a sparkly scrunchie that glinted in the light. The red dress I slipped on hugged my curves perfectly, its spaghetti straps lending an air of casual elegance. I slipped into my favorite black red-bottom heels and grabbed my new Louis Vuitton purse. "Alright, Naira, you've got this," I murmured to myself, a mix of excitement and nerves swirling in my stomach.
"Oh, my baby's going on her first date!" my mom gushed, enveloping me in a huge hug that felt both comforting and suffocating. "You look absolutely stunning—totally killing it for a 'casual date,' but, honey, you know you're hot!" Gali chimed in, grinning from ear to ear. "Damn, my brother's jaw is going to drop when he sees you," Lany added, and I couldn't help but giggle at their enthusiasm.
Just then, the doorbell echoed through the house, sending a flutter of nervous excitement through me. "Go show him who's boss, honey," my mom urged, a playful spark in her eyes. Rolling my eyes but feeling buoyed by her encouragement, I made my way to the door.
When I opened it, my breath caught in my throat. Rowan stood there, looking undeniably dapper. His tousled blonde hair was expertly styled to one side, and his black tuxedo accentuated his warm skin tone, a perfect match for the confident charm he radiated. "Well, here I am, jerk," I teased, trying to mask the butterflies in my stomach. But he didn't seem to hear me; his gaze was fixed on me, a look of awe dancing in his deep-set eyes.
"Um, wow, you look gorgeous, Naira," he managed to stutter, and a smile broke across my face. "Thank you, sexy," I responded, feeling bold. His smile widened, and before I knew it, he was opening the door to his sleek red Lamborghini with the kind of chivalry straight out of a movie.
"Wow, you really are being a gentleman. It's cute," I remarked, slipping into the luxurious passenger seat, my heart racing. As we drove off, the night stretched ahead of us, full of promise and possibilities, and all I could think was how incredible it felt to be on the verge of something special with him.
As we arrived at the fancy restaurant, a mix of excitement and nerves swirled in my stomach. Rowan stepped out, opened the door again, and reached for my hand with a gentle touch. His warmth sent a shiver of comfort through me as he closed the door behind us and led me inside.
The ambiance was enchanting, the soft glow of chandeliers casting an ethereal light. My mom's lessons on how to navigate the world of high-end dining rushed back to me, partly thanks to the array of shiny forks and knives neatly arranged beside my plate. I couldn't help but smile to myself, grateful for those moments spent learning the ropes.
Rowan and I settled into our seats, and I ordered chicken alfredo while he opted for the lobster. The conversation flowed effortlessly between us, weaving from my love for this town to our favorite TV shows. "I love The Originals more," he declared, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
I gasped in mock horror. "I think this is our first and last date," I teased, to which he chuckled, a warm sound that vibrated through the air. "Oh really?" he said, clearly amused.
Then, almost as if the universe conspired to make the moment magical, music began to play. Without hesitation, he stood, grabbed my hand, and spun me toward the dance floor. "The Mikaelsons are famous for their balls and dancing, especially Klaus," he said, grinning.
I giggled, feeling lighter than air. "Well, consider me Caroline," I replied, thinking about those epic moments from the show. "They should have been together," we both said at once, laughing as if we had shared a private joke.
In one fluid motion, he spun me around and dipped me, his hand lightly holding my leg. For a heartbeat, the world around us faded away, and I felt like we were the only two people in existence. When he straightened us up, he twirled me once more before capturing my lips with his in a kiss that ignited fireworks behind my closed eyes. It was passionate and perfect, one of those moments that felt like it belonged in a movie.
"I love you, Naira," he whispered, his gaze locking onto mine, deep and sincere.
he sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow that wrapped around everything like a comforting embrace. As Rowan pulled away, I could still feel the lingering warmth of his black jacket enveloping me. "You look hotter in that," he had said with that charming grin that sent butterflies dancing in my stomach. I smiled shyly, leaning in to press a quick kiss on his cheek. "Get to know me a little more, and then we can kiss like in the ballroom," I teased, my heart racing at the thought.
His nod was slow, deliberate, and I couldn't help but return the smile. I turned to reach for the front door, casting a glance back at him as he walked away, a silhouette against the fading light. Just as I thought I could breathe again, Gali and Ailany's faces popped up beside me like a couple of mischievous sprites. "You guys kissed, didn't you?" they chorused, their excitement palpable.
"Do we really gotta talk about this?" I sighed, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
"YES!" they both replied in unison, giggling uncontrollably.
"Fine! Yes, we kissed. But we actually got to know each other first, okay? So, relax!" I threw my hands up in mock exasperation. "I need sleep. Cheer practice is tomorrow!"
Their laughter echoed in the now quiet street, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I retreated into the sanctuary of my room, the door clicking shut behind me. The bathroom mirror reflected the aftermath of a long day — damp hair clinging to my shoulders, and the remnants of my red outfit still draped across my body. I took a deep breath, collecting my thoughts as I moved through the familiar motions of my evening routine.
After a long shower, I tossed my scrunchie aside and let my hair cascade freely, the damp strands framing my face. I slipped into my blue checkered plaid shorts and a simple black spaghetti strap top that felt like a second skin. As I reached for my tiny glass and lighter, the weight of the day lifted slightly.
"Uno, dos, tres, cinco, cinco…" I whispered to myself, the words rolling off my tongue like a mantra, releasing the remnants of tension that clung to me. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I felt an odd sense of calm wash over me. Tomorrow would be a fresh start, and perhaps, just perhaps, I'd find out if my dance with Rowan would lead us somewhere magical, or if it would end up a mere moment in the rhythm of our lives. But for now, I let the world outside blur into a soft hum as I focused on the possibilities that lay ahead.
"I love you too," I replied, my heart swelling with emotions that were too vast for words. We kissed again, surrounded by the elegance of the ballroom, as if the universe had paused just for us. In that moment, everything felt right—like we were exactly where we were meant to be.