First Date

I sat nervously in the back seat of my friend’s 2008 Chevy Malibu, feeling too dressed up.

I’m wearing a red dress that hangs down to my knees, and black flats. Maybe I was just overreacting.

From the driver's seat, Kaitlyn notices my worried look and the way I’m fidgeting with my fingers. She sadly smiles, trying to cheer me up. “Come on, Kiara. It’ll be fun. Just trust us, okay?”

I close my eyes and deeply inhale, then slowly let go and exhale.

Both my friends have set me up on a blind date with someone they think I’d be compatible with. I just went along with it, needed to move on with my life and do something for once.

I look out of the window, watching the trees, buildings, and other cars pass us as Kaitlyn drives us to the restaurant.

After a few minutes of silence, she parks along the side of the road and shuts the car down. Both of them unbuckle and step out of the car.

I hesitate before mimicking their moves, reaching down and unbuckling my seatbelt, slowly getting out of the car myself.

Together, the three of us silently walk into the fancy four star restaurant.

As we make our way through the building, Amara is the first one to find the booth where my blind date is waiting.

When he sees us, his face lights up with a bright smile as he stands and takes three steps towards us.

He gently grabs my right hand, lifting it to his face and places a soft kiss to my knuckles. “You must be Kiara. You look beautiful.” He says when he lets go of my hand and takes a step back. “I’m Noah.”

I smile back at him, both of us taking a seat across from each other.

Kaitlyn and Amara give me a tight smile and wave, then walk away, their backs turned to us.

Noah lifts his fist to his mouth and clears his throat. “So...what would you like to eat?”

I pick up the smooth, cool leathery menu off the table and open it, my eyes landing on a seared steak.

As if on cue, a waiter comes over to our table with a notepad and pen in his hands. “May I take your order?”

I point to the steak, smiling at the waiter. “I’ll have the steak, medium rare, with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy, and also some mixed vegetables, please.”

He quickly jots it down, then looks at Noah. “And for you, sir?”

Noah slightly shakes his head, his hands in his lap. “I won’t be eating here today.”

He nods and walks away, going to the kitchen to place my order.

I turn my attention to Noah. “You’re not eating? Why? Isn’t the whole point of a dinner date to... you know… have dinner?”

He huffs in anger; his fists clenching, jaw tightening, and his posture gets stiff. “Well, maybe I’m not hungry, or I already ate. It’s none of your business. Besides, I didn’t really want to be here anyway.”

“Then why are you here?” I ask, irritated.

Noah takes a moment to take a deep breath and calm himself down before responding. “I don’t know. Maybe it was pity, maybe I just wanted something to do.”

My nostrils flare as I quickly stand up, placing my hands on the table. “Well...then I’m not staying here. Not with you.”

I turn my back and walk out of the booth, walking away from him and out of the front door, into the chilling air of the night.

I reach into the one pocket in my dress and grab my phone, dialing Kaitlyn.

It rings twice before she picks up and answers. “Kiara?”

I sigh, watching my breath in the cold air. “Yeah, the date's over. Can you come pick me up? Please.”

Her sigh rings throughout my phone. “Be there shortly.” She hangs up the phone.

I lower my arm, and look up into the night sky, full of millions of stars, with not a single cloud in sight. “Never again,” I sigh. “Never again.”