June 23rd 2018, Saturday

He didn't tell me his name.

On the day before, he called me, in the morning, and I remained closed up in my bedroom with my cellular device glued to my ears, for the rest of the day. That night, it was planned for the guys and I to go out clubbing, but I felt like the most sensible thing to do was stay in and speak to him -- and frankly, it was the best decision I've ever made. Sorry boys.

He barely told me anything about himself, yet it was enough to keep our conversation flowing easily for almost twelve hours. It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? But it's all worth it. I could have already foresee that our rather long conversation was the start of something perfect. Every few minutes I'd wonder to myself how he ended up liking someone like me, but then he'd speak to me, and his sensational voice would move through my body and I'd realize I should just count my blessings.

Today - rather, tonight - the 23rd of June 2018, I got ready for my first date -- ever. My parents aren't home, but even if they were, I wouldn't let them know where I was off too. I still don't feel ready to tell them. It's strange, but I've never actually said the words 'I'm gay'. I've thought about saying it and they dance around my mind over and over again, but they have never left my lips. I haven't even said it to my friends. They figured it out all on their own and I've never actually admitted to it. I just went along and we've never actually talked about my sexuality because they all know how I feel. I'm afraid.

I met up with him in front of the restaurant -- Maison Blanche. I've always passed this place on my way to school, but I never actually went in. I'll admit, I was a bit bubbly to go into the restaurant for the first time. It seemed so elegant and fancy; none of which are my qualities, but still.

For some strange reason, he didn't want me to go to your place, nor did he want to come to mine. He believed our relationship was still in the early stages and he was afraid I might have stalked him. It was obviously a joke and I laughed, and silently agreed with him. He greeted me with the most heart warming smile and I tried my hardest to return one close to that without looking like a complete clown.

He stood there for a minute or two, just drinking me in. I was extremely excited for this date, but I didn't really wear anything super fancy. I wore a simple plaid shirt and my favorite pair of black skinny jeans. Yet, as he stared at me, it made me feel as though I had worn a golden body suit. After trying my hardest to not let him catch me blushing, I asked, "Are we not going in to eat?"

"You really want to go to some cliche restaurant to sit and eat?" was his reply, which had a permanent smile forming on my lips. He began to grin also. "Come," his quick words corresponded with his hasty actions as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me gently to follow him. I had no issue with it, obviously, I was already willing to give up my life to this beautiful man. He took me to his car, where he opened the door for me and I quickly slid in.

He didn't drive a Porsche or whatever the most expensive brand of cars is -- it was a simple Toyota. I don't know shit about cars, so I really didn't care. And even if I was interested in cars, I still wouldn't give a shit about the car he drove. He entered the car some seconds later then looked across at me.

"What's wrong?" He asked me.

"Nothing. I'm just... nervous, I suppose." My brows furrowed in confusion with myself and he seemed confused also. I didn't blame him. I just didn't want the date - my first date - to go horribly awry. I know I'm a klutz the majority of the time and I was scared to death that that might throw the date off course.

"Why are you nervous?" 

"Well..." I bit my lip, contemplating if I should just tell him, or if I should act cool -- like the player who doesn't go on dates. Frankly, the latter is just not me, and as I said before, I'm a horrendous liar. So I went for the truth. "This is my first date."

"Really?" I was convinced hr would have judged me. I don't know why though. He's a nice guy and I knew he wouldn't actually, but I couldn't deny that voice in the back of my mind shouting at me that he'll laugh in my face. "I'm glad that I'm your first."  

"Gosh, don't say it like that." I rolled my eyes, "I'm not an innocent little boy."

"Really now?" He didn't sound very convince, and I really couldn't blame him.

"Okay, no, that's a lie," I blurt, before chuckling softly, "I'm really, really new to this, okay." I looked across at him and found a smile plastered on his face. I guess that he was just shocked, and playing off that adorable smile of his. But staring at his smile made me realize how genuine it really was. He didn't laugh at me for being completely naive and new to this entire dating thing -- and that meant a lot to me.

"So I'm your first date," he nodded his head in approval, "And I'll be your first kiss, and your first boyfriend, and eventually your first and only husband."

"Nope, not first. I've had a husband before. I'm a real backwards type guy," I replied with a laugh.

"Ah, thanks for letting me know. I'm now second."

"More like fifth." I laugh and he laughed along. We remained silent for the rest of the ride. My eyes went out the window to the passing city. New York is always busy, so the massive amount of people on the streets and the cars on the roads are no surprise. I was too busy looking out the window at the people, than to actually pay attention to where we were going. I didn't even ask him where we were off too, I guess I was just too caught up in his welcoming brown eyes, or his captivating smile, or his blissful laugh.

When the car stopped however, and I took in my surroundings, I furrowed my eyebrows and stared at him. He only seemed to laugh and shake his head. I was utterly confused as to why we were parked in front of iHop at around eight at night.  "This is your idea of a perfect date?" I questioned him, with a cheery laugh. 

"It's different," he shrugged. He winked at me then exited the car. I sat there for a moment or two, wondering what kind of crazy guy did I pick up. I mean, he was handsome and all, and his mind seemed at the right place, but this is just sort of weird. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I just wasn't accustomed to being so absolutely spontaneous. The only thing I eat for dinner, is dinner. I've never tried breakfast for dinner. 

He opened the door for me to come out of the car, then we walked into iHop. Much to my surprise, the place wasn't completely barren. There were a few couples eating and talking, and a single girl who sat alone on her phone, with her plate in front of her. I furrowed my eyebrows by the amount of people at the restaurant. I mentally admitted to myself that I was wrong about this idea. 

We took a seat against the window of the restaurant and I thought I could always look out the window when I'm not very interested in the conversation at hand. However, during the course of the night, he never once gave me a reason to do that. I ordered a turkey sandwich, which tasted heavenly, especially on my hungry stomach and he took a bacon cheeseburger. Although my food was really good, I still sort of found his to look so much better, and my stomach wanted.

He noticed my eyeing his burger and hr began to laugh. "Is that not good?"

"No, it's uh, it's perfect. Yours just looks so much better... it has me questioning..." I chuckled softly.

"Yeah, you definitely should have gotten this. It's really good."

"That's not what you're supposed to say!" I complained, "You're supposed to offer me piece. C'mon, at least pretend to be nice to me."

"I'm sorry love, but this is my all-time favorite sandwich, I don't share it with just anyone." He joked. I laughed along and shook my head, "But I'm not just anyone. We're going to get married, remember. The fifth husband. I think I deserve piece."

"Ehhh..."

"Fine then," he sighed as though he was so exhausted with this conversation. It was obviously fake, considering the wide grin plastered on his face afterwards. He passed the plate to me, allowing me to bite a piece of his sandwich. 

I understand now why it's his favorite sandwich. It was absolutely delicious and I'll definitely order it the next time I go into iHop. I didn't say anything after I passed back the plate, but I nodded my head in absolute approval. He only laughed as I pushed aside my sandwich and leaned across to his.

When we left iHop, it was as if he hadn't eaten at all -- seeing that his burger was in my stomach. I apologized, but low-key didn't really mean it. The burger was great and the date was great as well. Everything went perfectly. I never actually thought I would ever be in a situation as blissful as this. I always thought I'd remain a loner the rest of my life -- never finding someone to love. But now I feel different about that, thanks to him.

We headed back to the car and I thought we were going home. Honestly, I didn't want to go back to the empty house. I wanted to stay with him forever; which is a bit ridiculous, but you get my point. When he started to drive, I instantly realized we weren't heading back the way we came. I completely ignored the voice in my head telling me he's probably taking me back to some old cabin to rape me, and focused more on the surprise effect.

I knew the route though. I don't always find myself coming here, but I know it. It's been a while since I last actually walked along and took in the view... in fact, I don't think I have ever done that. The car stopped and we exited, with a smile on both of our faces. However, I think he was mostly smiling because I was, seeing as I could have felt his stare on me since we left the restaurant earlier.

"You're idea of date is just..." I trailed off as I bit my bottom lip to take in the view. The view from the Brooklyn Bridge is so much better at night. I could see the lights of the city buildings, and matched with the lights on the bridge, makes the water look absolutely gorgeous. I had to ask myself why I have never thought of doing this before.

"Great, right?" He smirked. I furrowed my eyebrows at him, not really agreeing with you choice of words, but also not disagreeing with it. It was all great -- just a bit unexpected and spontaneous. I mean, I expected him to take me to dinner, where we'd drink wine and he'd compliment me until I got annoyed of it. But instead, he took me to breakfast, and the majority of the time he acted like a complete idiot and I actually loved it. I guess this date made me learn more about myself than about him.

We began to walk slowly down the bridge and our hands brushed past each others. I couldn't stop my heart from palpitating from such a small touch. I just couldn't help it. I wanted to glance down at our hands, but I didn't want to make it too obvious that I was having a mini heart attack by just that touch. We continued to walk, but I was no longer paying attention to view of the city. I only cared that there's a possibility that our hands might touch again.

And so it did -- and I squealed internally. My heart beat went a mile a minute as he finally grasped my hand in his. We stopped walking to look out at the water and the city, with our hands entwined in each other. He leaned against the rails of the bridges and stared into my green eyes as though he's never seen a pair quite like them. He didn't comment on them, though, he only stared.

"My name is Dominic Damon."

I smirked, "Nathan Halls."