Life Like This

“Wow um, you look—wow.” He stammered as I opened the door. I felt myself flush brightly as he eyed me.

“Thanks,” I said walking out the door, “Did I overdo it? I can change if you want!”

“No it’s fine, you look great!”

“Sure?” I asked again. I suddenly felt self-conscious, and I am never self-conscious.

He smiled and handed me a blind fold. “Put this on.”

“But—“

“Put it on.” He insisted.

I obliged and placed the blind fold around my eyes, “Now what?”

“Now…we drive.” He announced closing the passenger door. He started up the car and we pulled out of the drive way.

“Where—“

He grabbed my hand and shushed me. “Ash, just sit back and enjoy the ride. We’ll be there in no time, okay?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Joel, where are you taking me?” I asked holding back the giggles. It was Joel and I’s first date and he insisted that I had to where these blind folds. And if you really knew me, I hated surprises.

He clung tighter onto my wrists as we made our way through no man’s land. “Hang tight, we’re almost there!”

“Please hurry, I don’t like surprises!” I whined letting him lead the way.

“Trust me, this one will be an exception.” He whispered into my ear, chills ran up and throughout my body. “Okay, right….there. Now take off the blind fold.”

I gratefully removed the blind fold, throwing it onto the ground. It registered to me that there was an air balloon standing before us. Beside the air balloon was a cute little table set, to where I guess be would be eating.

“Wow,” I gasped. “This—this is amazing!”

He took my hand and led us to the table. As he pulled out the chair for me, I couldn’t help but stare in awe. Everything was beautiful, a view looking over the valley.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” He asked pouring us some wine.

“It’s magnificent,” I gushed. “This is wonderful, thank you Joel!”

He laughed taking a sip of wine. “No, don’t thank me yet. Not until you see the finale.”

“The finale,” I repeated. “And what would that be?”

“We,” He pointed to the air balloon. “Are going to take the puppy into the sky, and watch the sunset.”

“That would be wonderful!”

“Indeed, but first be shall eat!” He started to retrieve the food in the picnic basket. “I’m gonna say this now; I’m not so much of a cook so…my mom kinda made everything.” He admitted placing a container of pasta and garlic bread before me.

“Well, tell you mom thank you for me. Everything smells wonderful, and looks divine.” I said trying to sound all fancy like those rich people you’d see in movies.

He laughed placing the napkin on his lap. “Sure thing lets dig in!”

Be both sat eating our food, sharing small talk every so often. I couldn’t help but look past his shoulders at the view, everything look so different from up here. Who knew Arizona had such beauty, sure better than Washington.

Joel noticed my gaze and chuckled a bit. “I see you enjoy the view,”

“Yes, trying to take this all in.”

“Well, take it all in moderation; we’ve got all night.” I smiled looking into his green eyes. Really looking at him made me notice some features I didn’t see before. How sparkling his teeth were, his long blond hair, bright smile, and facial piercings.

He messes his hair a bit, I couldn’t help but notice, “You have gauges?” He laughed nodded, I sounded like a 5 year old seeing candy. “Oh my god,”

“What?”

“I think I might love you ten times more!”

“Oh really,”

“Most definitely, I have a thing with guys and gauges.” He admitted. Since I was little, gauges seem to always intrigue me.

“I guess I’m ten times more attractive, huh?”

“I don’t know, your hair id kinda girly.” I teased.

He faked a pain facial expression, as he held onto his chest. “That is not nice! I love my hair!

I shrugged staring past him. “Just sayin’, it’s a tad girly.”

“Well meanie pants, how ‘bout we hope on that sucker and take a grand tour of Arizona. Hopefully it’ll distract you from me hair.”

He pulled my chair back for me and led us to the air balloon, “Um Joel?” He stopped before the entrance.

“Yeah?”

“As much as I want to do this…I’m afraid of heights.” I confessed hanging onto the rope.

“I girl like you, is afraid of heights?” He asked in a teasing manner. I slapped his chest trying not to laugh myself.

“Shut up! It’s been a childhood fear!” He stopped laughing and smiled sweetly.

“Don’t worry, Ash. I’ll be right here to hold you.” He pulled me to him. He wrapped his long arms around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder. “Right here, nothing will happen to you, I promise.”

I clung onto his arm hesitantly not knowing what to expect. We started to slowly elevate into the sky.

The higher we went, the tighter he hugged me. “This is beautiful.”

“Yeah just not as beautiful as you,” He replied in a cheesy manner. Usually I’d reply with a snide remark, but—it was cute…coming from him at least.

“You’ve out done yourself Joel, this is amazing.” I gushed.

“Thank you, it’s great to hear it pleases your liking.” He said against my shoulder.

“You wanna know another secret?” I asked turning my head to him.

He grinned nodding, “Hit me.”

“This,” I look back at the scenery, “is the first date I’ve ever been on.”

His eyebrows bunched together as I told him, “Seriously?”

“Well, this most definitely won’t be the last.” He smirked and kissed my cheeks.

“Most definitely not,” I murmured.

This night was perfect.