The second I stepped outside the breeze hit my face and thats when I thought to myself, there is no going back. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. I walked toward Leon's car with my hands shaking and my brain running with all these thoughts. What if I tripped. What if I said something stupid. What if he changed his mind. But the second I opened the door and sat down, everything in my head went silent. I could not even look at him. I stared straight ahead like a statue. Then he said it. You look nice Iris. My eyes widened. Did he really just say that to me. I whispered a thank you and hoped he did not hear how nervous I sounded.
When we pulled up to the rink my stomach dropped. I did not know how to skate. Not even a little. What was I thinking. I was so focused on asking Leon to hang out that I forgot the most important part. I started to panic, I started to breathe heavier and I guess he noticed because he leaned closer and asked if I was okay. I let out a big sigh and told him the truth. I do not know how to skate. Leon smiled like it was nothing. Hey do not worry about it. I will teach you. Lets go have some fun. Then he got out and opened my door for me. I just sat there for a second thinking this cannot be real.
Inside the rink we got our skates and I tried to stand up but my legs started to shake. I immediately fell straight to the floor. My face burned and tears started to roll down my cheeks. Cmon Iris. Grab my hand. I looked up and saw his hand reaching out to me and my heart almost stopped. His hand looked clean and soft, almost perfect, and when I grabbed it his grip was really firm. He definitely was way stronger than he looked. It made my body shiver for a second, like something felt off, but I brushed it off because all I could think about was the fact that I was actually holding his hand. He pulled me up gently and stayed close as we stepped onto the rink. He guided me little by little. I started to move and before I knew it I was actually skating. I yelled out I am doing it and then gasped because I could not believe I just said that out loud. Leon laughed and told me I was doing amazing. People were staring and whispering but I did not care. Leon James was holding my hand.
We skated for hours. Just the two of us. Holding hands like it was normal. I had dreamed about this moment for years and now it was real. I never wanted it to end. But then the intercom came on and said the rink would close in five minutes. My heart sank until Leon looked at me and asked if I was hungry. He asked if I wanted to get ice cream. I said yes right away. We sat down with our cones and I could feel his beautiful brown eyes staring at me. You are really pretty you know that. My heart skipped so hard it hurt. Nobody had ever called me pretty before. I laughed because I did not know how to react to that and then I blurted out the question stuck in my head. Why me. You could have skated with someone else prettier or more popular. Why me.
His face turned red. Iris I have always thought you were pretty. Ever since we were kids. I never thought you noticed me. I stared at him in shock. Are you serious. You are the most popular boy. Of course I notice you. I just never thought you would go out with me. We are opposites. He smiled and said he really enjoyed our night. I told him I did too. Then he asked if I wanted to hang out again sometime. I tried to play it cool and said sure even though inside I was screaming. When he drove me home he said my name. Iris. I looked over and we locked eyes. Can I tell you something. I nodded. Thank you. Thank you for tonight. This is the happiest I have been in a long time. I told him he did not need to thank me and stepped out of the car. Goodnight Iris. Goodnight. I went inside, collapsed on my bed, and screamed into my pillow. I got ready for bed and I could not stop smiling. I was still in shock. Tonight was absolutely perfect.