Chapter 8 - Dante: Relationships

That night was lovely. I can't even stop myself from touching her. And she's right. If I kiss her, I don't think we will ever stop. I was just lying on my bed wondering if Samantha is already home. I decided to send her a message.

Good evening. Are you home? I sent.

Waiting for only 2 minutes, I received a message.

I'm home. Thank you for asking. :)
A smiley. I was brought back to the first time I see her smile. I had to hold back from hugging her. Could it be that I'm finally falling in love?

Are you about to sleep? Can I pick you up from your home tomorrow?

5 minutes passed by but I didn't receive any message from her. Then it arrived.

I was about to sleep. As for picking me up, thank you for the offer but sorry.

Maybe reasons? Besides we weren't in a relationship. Yet. Who knows? I decided to just bid her good night. but then I received a message before I was able to type my reply.

I actually felt a sense of loss when you let go of my hand earlier. It was strange.

Oh. She felt it too. I typed my message.

I preferred to chat this with her face to face. I'd rather talk to you about it tomorrow. I want to appease you. Letting you forget about that loss. Let's meet at the coffee shop tomorrow. At 7am. Is that fine with you?

She replied almost immediately.

Yes. See you tomorrow, Dante.

I sent: See you, gorgeous. Dream of me.

Forward? I guess so. But you have to admit, it was smooth. I closed my eyes and dreamed of brunette hair, soft hands, and red glow.
The next morning, I hurried getting out of the bed. Seeing Samantha again makes my heart beat wildly. I can't wait to hold her hand. I got into my car and drove out of the gates. My mobile phone then buzzed and I answered it via the dashboard.
"Samantha's here at the coffee shop." Todd murmured.
"I know. She's waiting for me." I replied smiling.
"What?" he asked again I laughed.
"You don't believe me?" I was driving so fast that everything seems blurred.
"No."
"I'm almost there. Don't dare to get near her." I warned jokingly. We hanged up. I parked at my usual parking place at the coffee shop and went out of the car with a spring in my every step. I walked fast. Obviously, can't wait to meet her. I saw her sitting by the corner booth. Todd was sitting at the other side. I got in the shop and saw her glanced up. I feel the sensation. The sensation that I had last night that didn't want to let her go. I waved at her and went straight to her booth.
"Hi." I started.
"Hi." She replied. Putting her cup on the table. She straightened her sitting position and looked at me. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Todd walking towards us.
"Sam, this is my other friend, Todd Marks." I introduced. He looked silly. He was smiling so widely. He clumsily held his hand out. She shook it and he giggled. Oh dear... He looked so starstruck.
"Can I have a photo with you? I'm such a fan." He asked. "Don't worry. I'll be away after that so you two can have time alone."
She just smiled and nodded. I offered to take his photo with her. He sat beside her and put his arm around him. I tried so hard not to feel jealous because well, why would I be jealous? Besides, he's my friend. Then true to his word, he bid his goodbye and walked away.
"Sorry about that. Todd just really liked the last game." I apologized.
"It's ok." She replied. She was just staring at me. The couch was way too long for her to be sitting alone. I cleared my throat.
"Do you mind if I sit beside you?" I asked. She shook her head and I moved immediately beside her.
"It feels weird. Because it's as if we know each other for a long time." she said softly. "Are you sure we haven't met before?" Now that she mentioned it, she look so familiar but I just can't remember being her acquaintance long ago.
"I do wish so that we know each other way before. Maybe by this moment I could've already kissed you."
She laughed. "You and your obsession." she shook her head. I took her hand again and pressed it against my lips. She smells good.
"It's true. I can't even stop myself from touching you." I admitted. "Last week in class, the first time I sat beside you, all I wanted to do was to touch your cheek." I brushed my fingers against her cheek. She closed her eyes.

"This sensation and connection between us is really addicting." She sighed. I groaned silently. The pull of this sensation between us is too much. I am trying so hard not to kiss her. She opened her eyes. I stared in her eyes and I lost myself for a moment. she moved back all of a sudden.
"I told you. We can't kiss." She murmured. Oh. I didn't realize I moved closer to her. Damn. This pull will definitely be my doom. "Why don't we go to the university now?" she said. She was about to stand up when I held her hand and stopped her from standing. She looked at me.
"Can I ask you something?" I asked. She sat back down. Ready to listen. I cleared my throat and held her hands. The glow between our hands are redder than ever. Must be reflecting what is inside me.

"IknowwegotacquaintedjustyesterdayitwouldbetooweirdifIsaythesetoothergirls..."
"Stop stop." she laughed squeezing my hands. "Breathe. You're glowing pink. Speak slowly." She smiled. Damn. It would be harder for me to say this. I breathed in and oddly, from our hands together, I can feel her calming me.

I started talking again. "Well, I know we got acquainted just yesterday. It would be too weird if I say this to other girls. But, Samantha, I know you can feel it and as you said last night, you wanted to explore more. You wanted to know what is happening to us. I wanted the same things. So, Samantha, I want to explore this experience with you. Can we..." I choked. I feel myself blushing. "Can you be my girlfriend?"

She smiled. "Dante, I do want to explore everything with you. But you would have to understand, we need to know more about each other before getting into a relationship." I suddenly felt cold on my shoulder but she squeezed my hands. "Listen, I didn't say that I don't want to take this to another level, but can we just take it one step at a time? Hmmm... Maybe let's take the relationship path like others do?" she grinned. I understood. Of course, I would love to court her.
"Got it. But please, let's be exclusive with each other? I'm pretty jealous of anything since I'm an only child." I said. She laughed and glowed softly. I can feel it too. She feels comfortable with me. "And can I hug you or kiss your cheek?" I asked She grinned and pulled her right hand off my grasp to touch my cheek. It feel so warm and comforting. "All right. But just hug and a kiss." She said "On the cheek" I grinned.

"Can I take you home later?"
"Well, ok. But I have to go to the Place."
"Do you have another game?"
"No. Maybe. I don't know. Depends if Carl would find someone to challenge me again." she shrugged.
"Can I join?"
"Join?"
"Well, membership at the Place?" She looked at me as if assessing if I can do gym training.
"I do have gym equipment at home and yes, I lift." I answered her unspoken doubts.
"If you want to. Do you want to start today?" She asked.
"Of course. I want to workout with you." I said.
"Well, to tell you honestly, my workout is way too intense than the beginners or intermediate members. You'll see." She said. She checked her watch and realized that we have to go to the department building. It will still be about 3 minutes drive at 80kph speed.
"Let's go. We'll be late." I stood up and took her bag from her. She didn't protest. She just smiled and walked in front of me.
By the way, I have to describe how she dresses up at school. She wears skater skirts and sometimes those corporate type skirts. Yeah. I know, sexy huh? And she would wear blouses. Sometimes frilly. Sometimes just normal, buttoned up blouse. And she would always wear her hair tied high on her head. I wonder how she would like with her hair down. And... S**t. Nevermind. Too... early for you to know. So we walked to my parked car. I opened the passenger door for her. Then I proceeded to the other side once she was settled. I got in and looked at her. I stopped and saw how good she look as she sit beside me. As if she was meant to be sitting beside me. And now it's happening, it makes me choke. I slowly move towards her. Still staring in her eyes.
“We’ll be late.” She muttered. I smiled and started the car.

Author's Note

I didn't like this chapter. But I guess I just have to put it here so there would be at least a background to their relationship.