I couldn’t believe I had actually picked up a date my first night out in New York City. My friends had dragged me out to go to an under 21 club downtown. Reluctantly, I agreed. They were thrilled to finally get me out of my apartment, but I honestly would have rather stayed home reading a book.
My friend let me borrow a black dress of hers and my other friends gathered around me doing my hair and make up. Once they finished I looked in the mirror and was surprised to see someone beautiful staring back at me. My hair was in pretty, glossy ringlets and my make up showed off my best features. I grabbed my purse and we were ready to go.
We piled in to two taxi’s and headed to the club. When we reached the club we all stepped out of the taxi’s and into the crowded building. The lights inside were off and there were spots of every color swirling around the room. The thud of the bass vibrated through my feet and up into my chest. My friends were gone as soon as we walked through the door. They had disappeared into the dancing crowd.
My palms started to sweat because I wasn’t too great at dancing and I didn’t have anyone to dance with now that I had lost my friends. I found my way to the long wooden bar and ordered a water from the young bartender.
At the mirror behind the bar I caught my reflection in the dim lighting. I looked at the reflection of the person sitting next to me. I couldn’t make out much, but I could tell it was a tall boy maybe a bit older than me. I didn’t sit in silence much longer before he turned around.
“Hi,” his voice was deep and raspy. “My name is, Harry.”
I was a bit confused as to why he would talk to me of all people, but I was polite and replied, “I’m Anouk.”
“That’s a really pretty name,” he said. “I’m sorry if it was a bit out of the blue for me to talk to you, but I couldn’t help but notice that you are really beautiful.”
I felt my cheeks burn red. I smiled down and said, “thank you.”
“No problem, love. Are you here alone?” Harry asked.
“No, but my friends went off to dance and I think I’ve lost them.”
“Hmm, that’s no good. Would you care to dance with me?” He was a bit hesitant to ask the question as if I made him nervous.
“I would, but I can’t really dance,” I mumbled, blushing again.
“That’s alright. I can show how if you’d like.”
“Okay,” I smiled as he took my hand and swept me off to the dance floor.
Harry pulled me through the crowed of gyrating people and finally found us a big enough space to dance.
“Just follow my lead,” he said as he started swaying to the music.
Soon enough I started getting it and we were both dancing together like fools. He laughed when I would stumble over his feet because I was so clumsily. Harry didn’t try grinding on me, we were just having good clean fun. Sometimes he would get close enough to me and I could hear him singing along to the music.
We headed back to the bar, worn out from dancing. As we sat there we talked to each other. I found out he was from England and had moved to the United States for college. He was only a year older than me. I was telling him about myself when my friend poked my shoulder. I turned around to see them all standing behind me, sweat dripping from their face and make up rubbed from their eyes.
“Are you ready to go?” She asked.
I turned to Harry and back to them; “yeah, I guess.”
“Okay, we’ll be outside,” she said, getting the hint that I was busy.
When they had left I turned back to Harry, “I had a great time tonight, Harry.”
“I did, too.” He smiled at me.
“I probably shouldn’t leave them waiting,” I said, I stood up to slip my purse up my shoulder. As I started to walk off Harry said my name.
“Would you like to go on a date sometime?” Harry asked.
I couldn’t believe he was actually asking me out, “Sure, I’d love to.”
My answer put a look of relief on his face, “great. Could I get your number?”
I nodded my head, makings my curls bounce with the motion. We exchanged numbers and I was set to leave when Harry gave me a peck on my cheek. I smiled, said goodbye and teetered out of the club. If just a kiss on the cheek made me dizzy, what would it be like on my lips?
I wasn’t expecting a call the next day. When I saw Harry’s name on the screen of my phone, my heart jumped into my throat. I hit the green answer button and said hello.
“Hey, Anouk,” the way my name sounded in his mouth made me shiver.
“I was wondering if you would like to go out for dinner and a movie tonight.”
I smiled like a fool to myself, “I’d love to.”
“Okay, do you care what time?” Harry asked.
“How about six,” I suggested.
“Sounds great, I’ll be there to pick you up.”
I gave Harry my address then dashed to my bedroom to pick out an outfit. I rummaged through my closet and ended up picking out a navy skirt and a pink blouse. After doing my hair and make up it was already five forty five. Harry was at my door at exactly six o’clock. He knocked on my door as I slipped on black flats.
I threw the door open to see his tall figure. His brown curly hair was swept to one side and his black shirt made his green eyes look even greener. I walked onto the porch and locked my door behind me.
We arrived at the diner which wasn’t anything fancy and I was grateful for that. We were swept away to a table in the corner by our waitress. Once she took our drink orders she walked off, leaving Harry and I alone. I glanced down at my menu looking for something to eat when Harry scooted his chair closer to mine.
“We’re going to play a little game,” he said in his low accent.
“I’ll tell you something about myself then you have to tell me something about you in return,” he sat back in his chair and looked at me.
“Okay, you first though,” I smiled.
Harry agreed and said, “I used to have a fish then I froze it by putting it on top if the refrigerator. I had it for a day,” he smiled to himself.
“That’s terrible,” I exclaimed, laughing as well.
“Your turn now,” he said.
“Hmm, I don’t often agree to go on dates, but, for some reason, I couldn’t resist to say yes to you,” I confessed.
“Well, I’m glad you couldn’t stay away from me because I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay away from you,” Harry leaned close to my ear to whisper the last part.
Harry and I hit it off. We spent the rest of our evening talking about ourselves and sharing funny stories about our life. We decided to skip the movie and go to Harry’s quaint dorm room.
We were sitting on the floor in his dorm room with a game of slap jack spread out between us. Harry and I were rapidly throwing down our cards. I saw a jack fall from Harry’s fingers and onto the pile. I quickly slammed my hand on top of the Jack before Harry could manage to get it. By accident his large hand came down on mine with force making a smacking sound from the skin on skin contact.
“Anouk, I’m really sorry,” Harry apologized. “I didn’t mean to.”
The back of my hand was bright red from his hand, “it’s alright. It didn’t even hurt.”
I gave him a reassuring smile. He took my hand in his and kissed the back of it. When his lips connected to my skin he looked up at me through his lashes. A small blush creeped into my cheeks and he gave me a crooked grin.
“I love it when you blush,” he admitted.
Before I knew it, his soft, pink lips were on mine. I was so shocked I don’t know how I even managed to kiss him back. He moved his lips softly over mine and I could feel a small smile pulling at his mouth as he kissed me. Before he pulled away he let his lips linger on mine a second longer then sat back. My head was spinning and I was failing at containing my smile.
At midnight Harry reluctantly took me home. When we pulled up to my apartment he got out to open my door and walked me up to the door leading into my apartment. He took my hand and played with my fingers.
“I want to do this again. Soon,” Harry said.
I smiled up at him and his took my face in his hands and kissed me. It was just as good as the first kiss, but, this time it lasted longer. I tangled my fingers in his smooth hair and he sighed out of happiness when I pulled him in a little closer. Too soon, he pulled away. My body felt chilled with out his warm lips on mine.
“Goodnight, Anouk,” he sighed.