Priceless

~~~

I had to keep myself from smiling when I saw Erin walk inside the restaurant with John in tow. No, not John O—it was John Gomez, who looked like he was dragged there, based on the look on his face. Alex and I were taking turns between eating and casually talking about how we both didn't like the formality we always had to deal with. We both knew our parents wouldn't approve of having fun dinner conversations like what we were having, because they were, I quote Alex, "boring people who don’t even know what fun means". It was nice talking to Alex like that, especially since he was going through the same thing that I was experiencing. Although I knew for a fact that Erin understood me and she had my back, it was quite amazing to find someone like Alex who really felt the same thing.

Erin and John took the seat next to us and I couldn't help but feel slightly awkward. Erin kept her eyes off me—right after she had checked Alex out and gave me the "he's hot" smile—while John kept giving me glances, until Erin swatted his hand.

"I can't believe you're this amazing, Bailey," Alex said, amusement in his voice audible, as he looked up at me with his eyes gleaming in delight. "I mean, it's so—just so amazing that you share the same sentiments with me. I thought I was the only one who felt annoyed with all the media and stuff."

"I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so glad my dad set this date up," I genuinely replied. "Otherwise I wouldn't have known how great of a person you are, Mr. Johansson."

He laughed at the formality and shook his head. "I must say, you have me quite amused with this charm of yours," he stated. “There’s really more to you than what meets the eye, am I right? Not that what meets the eye isn’t beautiful enough.”

I blushed a little when he said that. Well, he was right, there was really more to me than what he was seeing now. I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just began toying with my glass of water. And then all of a sudden, I lost grasp of it, and the next thing I knew, water was dripping on his side.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, couldn’t believe that this was happening. Panicking, I handed him the napkin that was on my lap.

“It’s fine,” he said, laughing a little. “It’s just...”

“How bad is it? Did I—” I moved slightly forward to see how much damage I had done, but I didn’t know that my hold of the table would cause his plate to move towards him a little, therefore making it crash on his lap.

I was now beyond mortified as he immediately stood up and revealed the stain of sauce and water on his pants...near his crotch. I just wanted to get away from all this mess right away.

“I’m so sorry,” I mumbled shyly, not knowing what else to say. I glanced at Erin and John, who were both staring at us with their mouths hanging open. I knew that Erin was aware of me not being usually this clumsy. Maybe it just wasn’t my day.

“It’s okay...” He trailed off, and I couldn’t see his expression since he was looking down. “Can we just go, though?”

I nodded frantically, not caring that he wanted the date to end this soon. It was my fault. “Of course. Of course. I’m so sorry,” I said once more as he then called the waiter and gave him a card. After about a minute, we were already making our way back to his car, and I was still embarrassed from everything that happened inside the restaurant. I hoped people didn’t take pictures or something. I would die if that happened.

We got into his car and as he sat, he still kept wiping the stain off his pants. He was trying to dry it a little, I supposed. “I’m really sorry,” I said once again, feeling really mortified.

He laughed a little and looked at me. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it, I just—we just caught too much attention in there that’s why I wanted to leave. Plus I don’t want a lot of people to see me like this...” He trailed off and looked back at his crotch and laughed a little. It surprised me how he could just laugh it off.

He started driving and meanwhile, I was sitting there, really feeling bad about what happened to Alex. I really didn't mean it. It was so embarrassing because everyone saw it, and the thing that made me feel even worse was that he just laughed it off and told me not to worry.

I didn't know what song was playing on the radio, and I didn't even know if he liked it or not. He probably did because he was silent—either that or he just didn't want to talk to me. If the latter was the case, I really couldn't protest or anything. It was fully my fault and I was ready for the consequence.

A short laugh escaped from his mouth, breaking the silence. "Bailey, I know you didn't mean it," he said. "Seriously, you don't have to worry. It's fine with me."

"It's just so embarrassing," I answered shamefully, pouting in disappointment with myself. He was a nice guy, I'd give him that; but I was so clumsy that night that I'd ruined everything.

He laughed once more, keeping his eyes on the road. "Trust me, I'm not mad," he said. "Let's just forget what happened."

I mumbled a soft okay and everything was quiet after that. Only the radio was the source of noise, but I didn't really mind. I mean, yes, it made me feel awkward, but I really didn't know what else to say to him.

The rest of the drive home was filled with no conversations, except the one I was having in my head that consisted of my conscience telling me that I was so stupid, and another part of me battling with it that I was just clumsy but it wasn't an excuse.

"I'm sorry," I told him once more as he pulled up into the Fitzgeralds' residence. "I really am. I swear to God, I—"

"Bailey," he said with a laugh, now turning to me. "It's okay. It's really okay. You don't have to worry."

"I was so clumsy tonight," I whined.

"Things like that happen," he said.

"It was my fault," I argued.

"Bailey," he scolded, and I felt his hands on my face. He slowly made me face him and as I looked into his face, I saw a smile on his lips and eyes. "I had a great time."

I found it sweet and just amazing how he could say that after everything that happened. I found myself giving him a small shy smile. "I had a great time, too," I said. Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. I didn't really have a great time—it was a good time, but really, was I going to add more damage?

"I'm glad you did." He grinned and started leaning closer, and before I knew it, his lips were on my cheek. I couldn't help but think how much of a gentleman he was.

When he pulled back, he flashed me a dazzling smile and I returned it to him. He got off his car, opened the side of my car and walked me to the door, and said goodnight as I entered the house. And then he walked back to his car as I was closing the door behind me.

I felt my phone vibrate on my bag and I immediately pulled it out, thinking it was probably Erin asking me what happened, etc. But I was so surprised upon seeing an unsaved number texting me.

I opened the text and had to read it at least twice before it sank in.

It's not yet 11:11, but you can still close your eyes and make a wish. - Stephen

Against my better judgment, I found myself smiling. And I didn't know why my heart was racing at that simple text when it didn't even leap from Alex' kiss.