I woke up the other morning with a ton of messages from an unknown number. 

"Hi Jean,  It's me, Axel. I saw Rachel the other day at school, and I asked for your number."

"My birthday is coming in 3 days; would you mind if I take you to the movie theater tonight? :)"

"Just leave me a reply then. Happy sunday!"

I rubbed my eyes and read it again.

"Am I dreaming?" I asked myself. 

I couldn't absorb the messages that he just sent. I was still lightheaded, and my eyes were wanting to shut, but I forced myself to wake up and tried to type a reply.

"Hey, sure.  I'm free tonight. :) ." I sent it.

"Great!  "Meet me at five o'clock."

"at the spot where we first met."
____

"Omg, did he just ask me for a movie date? Is this really happening?" I uttered and almost slapped myself out of excitement.

"What am I gonna wear? I need Rachel's help." I freaked out while almost dialing Rachel's number, but my mother knocked at my door and went inside.

"Jean, breakfast is ready. Also, get ready later, we are going to church this afternoon." she said.

I was downhearted for a moment, but I managed to burt a words..  "Mom, I couldn't go. We need to continue our homework at my classmate's house."

I could see a bit of frustration on her face, but nonetheless, she didn't ask me any further questions and eventually agreed.

My parents are both religious, so going to church every Sunday was a family tradition. I almost never skipped it unless I had something important to do.

• • • • •

I could see the stunning sunset far out in the distance as it bid the Sunday adieu at around five o'clock. I was standing on the site where Axel and I first met. I can still recall how shy I was at that moment when he handed me the earphones. It was the day when I first saw his hazel eyes, and I was electrified by excitement, ferocity, and anxiousness at the same time.

Axel arrived on time; I didn't even have to wait a minute. He stops there in front of me wearing a denim jacket and a black pair of slacks, looking so handsome and dapper, just like a Storm model in the magazine.

"May I take you somewhere, Ms. Jean?" He smiled while handing me his black helmet.

I cautiously climbed aboard his motorcycle and said, "I'm down, Mr. Axel."

I had no idea how much bliss a joyride would give me. I love the way the wind brings me peace and comfort. The way our bodies were linked, as well as the scent of his perfume coming from his jacket, He smells so good. 

The vista of this small city is beautiful and quite impressive. I really didn't appreciate this place until Axel took me around. He did take me for a joyride for like an hour before we finally arrived at the movie theater.

"They say Avatar is worth-watching. Many people love it. It's a new talk in town." he uttered while making our way to the movie ticketing.

"I saw it too on Facebook. It was all over the internet and the review is top tiering."

"and Michelle Rodriguez is one of the cast, Uhhh I love her." I added.

I slowly turning down my shy side and starts to be talkative.

The next scene that happened. We were sitting in the center row of the theater room. The only source of light for us was the brightness of the movie screen. The audience was absorbed in the film and overly focused. Axel and I were grabbing some popcorn that was placed between our seats, and it was one of those moments where I felt electrified every time our hands bumped. 

"Kiss the darkest part of my lilly white." Jake silly said from the movie. 

He would look at me periodically and ask, "Are you okay?" Then he would give me that God Apollo's smile that melts and liquifies my heart. It didn't fully register to me that we were seated together in a movie theater just after the day he saved me from the dreadful rain. 

When the Avatar ends, we immediately went out of the theater.

"That was amazing! What a great movie." He said while he fixed his denim jacket.

"I agree. The cast, CGI, acting and narrative were all excellent, in my opinion. " I said back

"Are you hungry yet?" He halted in front of me, and I almost lean my face on his chest and his perfume smells like pure nirvana to my nose.

"sort of." I said, looking up at him.

"There's a new Italian restaurant opening at the 10th street, not far from here. I bet we'll go there?" He suggested.

"Really? I love Italian food. Shall we?"

When we got to the restaurant, we could see a large crowd inside. We were fortunate to find a table when I thought we had run out. As we sat down, I noticed some familiar faces that I assumed to be our schoolmates.

I was anxious and started to overthink things.

"What if someone sees us from the university and makes it an issue?"

"What if people think we're dating or boyfriend/girlfriend?"

"What if my brother's friends are here?" or certain members of the family?"

____

"Hey, are you okay? You seem a little uneasy." He asked and glanced at me with concern.

I closed my face against his and began to speak at a whisper-like volume, saying, "Like Axel, I'm sure someone in here knows you. We both know you're famous in the university."

"So?" He responded,

"What if they think we're dating?" I spoke back,

"Stop that Jean, listen to me, I don't care if people think we're dating. It won't matter to me, particularly their opinions. So calm yourself and let's enjoy the moment, okay?"

The interior's aesthetic antique Italian vibe made me feel like I was transported back to the 1980s. Axel chose an authentic Italian pasta, while I got my favorite Italian Ottamo dish. My tongue began to melt when the food was delivered, and I could tell how delicious it was.

"Enjoy your meals," the waitress said.

Never before have I gone out on a bond like this with a guy. The feeling is inexplicable. The world seems to be spinning slowly, and I'm filled with joy.

But that came to an end when this girl with blonde hair and a face that resembled a Barbie doll wearing a camisole top that was partially tucked in her denim jeans appeared infront of us.

"Ax?"  She asks in a surprising tone.

"Hey, Katherine."  Axel grinned and greeted her.

"I didn't realize you'd come to the opening. Who's with you, by the way?"

She asks and moves her glance towards me.

"Omg, wait, I know her." she added.

My heart stopped when she burted that sentence, I feel like I'm going to die after this.

"Wait, how?" Axel interjects in a confused tone

"You're Bradley's sister, right?" She questioned me,

"Ahhh..uhmm..yes," I said and turned to face her. She undoubtedly noticed the fear in my eyes.

"We used to be friends with your brother, and I always see you in the church on Sundays with your family." She said

"Oh my God, I didn't see you there earlier."

My anxiety started to pump up and I lied by saying:

"Ah, yes I went to my classmate's house to do homework." I smiled.

"Then why are you here with Axel?" She asks again.

I could sense a shadow of evil from katherine girl and she almost gave me the "mean girl" character.

"I saw her on the 5th street while she's heading home, and I invited her to come here for a dinner." Axel spoke back.

"Do you mind if we had our meals first?" He added.

"Sure. see you around." She smiled, feeling embarrassed, and went off.

That little scene left me stunned. The level of understanding and empathy that he possessed really amazes me. He's really a kindhearted person, and the kindness that he shows me has won my heart.