Adam POV
I stare out the car window as the budding scenery rushes by. The weather is still brisk, but if you look closely you can see the seeds of spring poking out of the ground, left barren from the harsh winter.
A small smile falls on my lips. The boys insisted they take me out to dinner, this being our first day together. I'm still finding it hard to wrap my head around, that we're going on a date.
When they first told me, I assumed they meant to a restaurant or something like that, but as we continued to drive it became increasingly clear that we weren't just dropping by a local diner.
I asked several times where we were going, only to get answers like "It's a surprise..." or "My lips are sealed!". I don't admit it, but I think it's really sweet how they're trying to make our first date special. I haven't felt these "first-date jitters" in what must have been three years now.
I think back to that night, my first date with Martin. I had just gotten out of a relationship a few months prior, and I was really nervous to start dating again.
I met him only a week before, when we were grouped together for some science project. I was immediately smitten from the moment I laid eyes on him. He wasted no time in asking me out, and we made plans to eat at a taco place nearby. I remember spending hours picking out the perfect casual outfit, while also making sure it would impress him.
I drove us in my parents car(though they were obviously unaware that it was a date) and we talked seemingly endlessly, from the moment we got into the car, all through the meal. It was all just dumb teenage stuff, but it meant so much to me to finally feel normal, especially in such an unstable time in my life.
I think that, above all else, was what really made me so blind to what he was doing. I needed this. I needed an escape, and he gave me that. I needed him. The off comment about how revealing my clothes were, or my choice in food didn't matter. I finally felt like a normal teen again, and I was happy.
I shake my head. No need to ruin this night by thinking of unpleasant things like that. Think about the boys instead.
I watch as James and Daniel bicker over which Star Wars movie they thought was the best, Noah occasionally tossing in a word or two to rile them up even more.
James seems to be losing, and turns to me. "Adam, back me up here!"
I give them a blank look.
"I've never seen a Star Wars movie."
I don't think I've ever seen a face as horrified as the the one on James' face in that moment.
"YOU'VE NEVER WHAT?!"
I then spent the next twenty minutes being lectured on the "cinematic masterpiece" that is Star Wars.
The torture finally ends, and I realize that the car has stopped. I get out and look around at the unfamiliar place. There is a small forest to one side of us, and a large hill and lake on the other. I turn around and notice Dan and Noah taking some picnic supplies out of the trunk, and my heart skips a beat.
I stare at them, eyes wide. "Oh my god..."
"... I LOVE picnics!" I squeal, running over and wrapping them both in a huge hug.
I begin pacing around, going on and on about how I've always adored picnics, and how I haven't had a proper picnic in years, and how pretty the sunset looks at this time of night.
Before I know it, I'm sitting on a blanket on the top of the hill, staring out at the sunset in awe. The view is sensational, beyond words. The sun is setting over the lake, beautiful colors flooding the sky and the water as it reflects. The moon is already high in the sky, and a few stars can even be seen among the lilac haze.
I sit there, speechless.
My dreamy-eyed moment is ruined as a loud growl erupts from my stomach. Daniel laughs and sets the food up, fixing me a plate. I don't even notice what I'm eating as I scarf down the plate, too busy staring at the three as they make light conversation.
My head unconsciously falls onto James' shoulder, resting comfortably in the crook of his neck. I chuckle as I watch his face redden slightly upon realization.
Daniel notices too, I presume, because before I can even process what's happening, I'm being lifted off the ground and placed on his back. James begins chasing after us, and I'm carried off as Dan runs in circles around the field, easily avoiding him.
A snort escapes my lips between giggles, which only makes everyone laugh even harder.
Time seems to fly, and before I know it I'm yawning and snuggling into Dan's shoulder. Him and James don't even bat an eye, too caught up in their latest dispute about whose turn it is to hold something or other.
I'm suddenly whisked off Daniel's back, and pulled into the big, warm arms of someone else.
"Both of you numbskulls can stop bickering, I've got him now. It's getting late anyway, we should be heading home. Not everyone has limitless energy like you guys."
I snuggle into the warm blanket he's holding, hiding away from the brisk night air. I don't remember getting in the car, but I guess one of them buckled me in here. As I lean against Noah's chest, I realize that this wasn't like my first date with Martin in a single way. For the first time in years, I feel safe trusting someone again.
My words are muffled and slurred as the tiniest "I love you..." slips past my lips, surely too quiet too be heard.
The last thing I see before I completely black out is Noah's piercing eyes, followed by an almost incoherent "I love you too."
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Man, this chapter was super fun to write. Heavy fluff man.
Words: 1042