eight - a date

the art of a date

- - -

Today was the band's gig at the Bakery.

So naturally, Fallen Temple (what a dumb name) were setting up their instruments and the other's were preparing to let those with tickets enter.

Everyone was panicking.

Sacha couldn't find Isaiah's drumsticks, Bodhi couldn't find his spare guitar picks, Jem was laughing at them all and Hendrix was already drunk.

"Please be quiet, I can't even hear myself losing the will to live."

"You'll be able to hear yourself when I shove this stick up your-"

"Sacha, concentrate!" I snapped as I brought out the food I'd prepared and set it down on the tables.

Full credit went to Hendrix for reminding me that nothing gets people out of the house like free food.

"Tell Hendrix to stop spilling vodka everywhere, and then complaining!"

The green-haired girl glowered at my brother, "Do you want to stab me as well? It'd hurt less."

"Jem, stop laughing and sober her up." The demand made Jem's cackle pause, as they looked at me as if my words were completely foreign to them. Just before I could start shouting at them again, something caught my attention. "Isaiah, put your shirt back on!"

"Hendrix threw a cake at me," He complained. The shirt in question was full of hot pink icing that Hendrix had insisted was a good idea.

"Drizella, you're the fucking bes-"

"I'm going to kill you all slowl-"

Both Jem and I spoke at the same time, before we were both interrupted by the front door opening.

Kareem's eyebrows furrowed as he took in the absolute bombsite that was Dexter's. Running his eyes from Isaiah's destroyed shirt to Hendrix's drunken giggles, he lay his final focus on me as he grinned.

"Hey," He murmured just loud enough for me to hear, pulling me into a quick hug. I relaxed in his hold, taking a moment to just clear my mind. "Are you okay?"

"Mhm," I hummed my agreement, not quite able to hide my exhaustion. The fact Hendrix was drunk slowed me down an unbelievable amount.

"I'll get Hendrix sober, Jem can help with..." Kareem trailed off, gesturing towards Isaiah. "...whatever that situation is. You do what you need to do, okay?"

"Thank you," I said sincerely, feeling like the weight of the world had just been lifted off my shoulders. If Hendrix and Isaiah were being dealt with, Sacha and Bodhi could continue searching for what they needed while I arranged the room and ensured it was clean.

By the time everyone was inside the building and the band were just minutes away from performing, Hendrix was better and the four of us retreated to one of the back tables. Jem had prepared our drinks; three Mojitos and one mocktail for Kareem.

Sacha's performance, as always, was incredible. They'd only decided to perform seven songs, those which they believed showed their true potential, and made sure to show their musical versatility too.

It felt so surreal to watch how far they'd come as musicians since they'd started this journey, as this was only the beginning. Bodhi was becoming more confident on vocals and learning how to combine that with his guitar. Sacha could shred at the bass and he seemed to get better each time he played. Isaiah was still learning but his talent was undeniable. They worked so well together.

For this gig, Hendrix had insisted on another dedication. At Fallen's last gig, at some indie café down in Manhattan, they'd dedicated an epic rock cover of Taylor's You Belong With Me to her so she had high expectations.

It was safe to say that the boys didn't fail to deliver. Fleetwood Mac's The Chain had never sounded quite that good as they finished their set and started packing up. The plan was the same as always: Instruments in the back room, converse with the audience, clean up the place so Hendrix and I were free to get drunk.

Which is what we did.

"All I'm saying, Drizella, is that Marvel is super overrated."

"Just because you think Ben Affleck is hotter than Chris Evans, does not make that scientifically correct." Hendrix scoffed, despite sounding very serious despite her intoxication. "You cannot possibly persuade me that a rich guy that gets angry and spends his time beating people up because his parents died is better than Captain America. Or even Ironman! Talk about first world problems."

"What about Nightwing? Or the Red Hood? Or-"

"No."

"You can't just say no because you disagree."

Hendrix blinked at them. "Yes I can."

"No you can't."

"I respectfully di-"

"Do they ever stop?"

With a snort, I turned to look at Kareem with a grin. We were sitting in one of the booths, watching the band clean up while Hendrix and Jem were falling into a heated debate.

"Not without help,"

"Well, you're always welcome to come over if they get too much." He offered lightly, not quite meeting my eyes as he focused on my friends.

What? My entire body froze as I thought back over his words, was that an invite over to his home?

Oh no.

"Might end up taking you up on that." I managed to force out despite my erratic and panicked thoughts.

From the corner of my eye, I watched as Kareem's eyebrows shot up, obviously not expecting that reaction. He turned to me with a smile on his face, softer than those I'd seen before.

The moment changed and I had no idea how or why. All I knew was that what seemed so loud just a moment ago had faded into silence. I was aware of every part of us that was touching, how our knees felt against each other, the heat coming off of his arm, that was wrapped around the back of my seat.

Kareem's eyes changed too, roaming over my face and pausing at my mouth, before diverting quickly and meeting my gaze. I swallowed visibly, feeling sweat beginning to pool at the back of my neck. It felt like something was about to happen, almost as if Kareem was about to kiss me. I tried to gather myself, gather my thoughts, as my gaze dropped from his.

I wouldn't mind, I realized bluntly. Maybe it was the alcohol buzzing my system, running through my veins, or the adrenaline at watching my brother perform, but I really wouldn't have minded being kissed by Kareem Murad. I blinked and looked back up, finding Kareem looking right back at me. The intense golden brown, the long sweep of his eyelashes, sharp cheekbones.

Just as I was about to lean it, just as I was about to break every rule in my book and take that step, Kareem leaned away. All parts of my skin that were hot from his touch coldened harshly.

"I'm going to head out."

Disappointment buzzed in my stomach but I nodded, not quite knowing how to school my expression but I managed. "Okay, see you soon?"

He smiled easily, eyes crinkling at the sides as he nodded. "We've still got that date to go on, if you're still up for it?"

Kareem said the last section like a question, giving me the opportunity to back out if I'd changed my mind. I hadn't by a long shot, but I still appreciated being given the option.

"Just text me when and I'll be there." I shrugged, "I'm not the smartest tool in the..." I trailed off, trying to conjure up the correct word as Kareem looked on in amusement. "Toolbox? Yeah, let's go with that. I'm not the smartest tool in the toolbox but I'd like to think the first date went well, and who doesn't like two for one deals?"

"That didn't even make sense."

"It did to me," I tend to get awkward when I overthink things. Did he lean away because he doesn't feel the same? Does he not like me that much? Is he scared too? "Be gone."

"If you start quoting Shelley at me, I'm walking away." He warned, eyebrows tilted up.

"That's Jem's thing." I laughed, "You've never known humour until you've seen someone scream 'Begone you vile insect' at your Hall Monitor."

He cackled, "Please tell me they didn't."

"Oh, they did." I deadpanned, shaking my head. "I thought our Principal was going to kill us even though I didn't do anything, but she just laughed instead."

"I don't know what I expected but it certainly wasn't that." He deadpanned, before his expression faded to something gentle. "See you soon?" He said, eyes hopeful.

My lips tugged up as I nodded, "Yeah."

Kareem hanging out with us rather quickly became a thing after he'd attended Sacha's Bakery Gig. Sacha had struggled to give his approval but Kareem slowly stole his heart. Hendrix was loving it, given the new regular addition to our customer list. Apparently, he needed a coffee everyday for 'survival' purposes so our conversations often left with invitations. Almost every morning, just after the breakfast rush, and evening, just before closing, Kareem would appear in the bakery after either entertainment or food. Usually both.

The gang welcomed him with open arms. Jem was the only one who seemed slightly hesitant, which surprised me given their enthusiasm for me meeting Kareem in the bar that night all those weeks ago. Sacha had got him into a solid music discussion and they'd hit it off almost instantly too. Hendrix found someone who could keep up with her classic remarks, and fire back some of his own, so she was unusually happy about another person's arrival into our social circle. Ali followed Hendrix and seemed quite relaxed in terms of her interactions with Kareem.

And me. My feelings towards Kareem were still uncertain. At one end, I liked the new presence. He was funny and beautiful, often ( even though I was certain that I was exaggerating it) giving me more attention than the others. The other pole of me was hesitant, unsure of what his presence would evoke. I liked him enough to consider the possibility of more but the actual idea of that petrified me.

I was still concerned, worried about the possibility of trusting someone new. The fact that I was beginning to like Kareem so quickly, so relentlessly, petrified me more than words could express. No part of me wanted to trust someone enough to put my heart in their hands again, with the possibility of being left even more shattered than I was all those years ago.

We were going out again today, just the two of us. Kareem hadn't told me his plan but I'd been given strict instructions to wear something comfortable and to be outside my apartment block for 7pm. Sacha had fought off Hendrix's interrogation and strictly banned her from our apartment for the night, getting Aaliyah on side for his plan.

Without Hendrix's constant interruption, I'd talked myself out of cancelling around five times. Sacha was giving me space to mentally prepare myself but it wasn't working well, given the fact I was overthinking every little thing that had ever transpired between Kareem and I since we'd met.

"Bro," Sacha stuck his head through my open door, "Kaz is here. Hurry up."

"I'm sick."

He rolled his eyes, "No you're not."

"I've got COVID."

He narrowed his eyes, "You've had your vaccine, so go and get in the car before I drag you out by your hair."

"I'd like to see you try," I muttered as I shrugged my way past him, heading towards the door without so much as a goodbye.

Everything is going to be fine. You're fine. Kareem is fine. Everything is going to be fucking fin-

"Are you okay?"

"Hm?" Lifting my head up, I met Kareem's inquisitive, but amused, gaze. "Yes?"

"Are you asking yourself that or telling me?" He lifted a brow, "If you're having seconds thoughts, that's fine-"

"I'm not." I cut him off, clearing my thoughts so my voice was stronger. "Yes, I'm fine. Let's go."

"Okay," He held his hand out, which I took, before leading us over to his car. He opened the trunk and pulled out a large bag, before tugging us towards the entrance for Bryant Park. My eyebrows furrowed, "Are we having a picnic?"

"Yep," He squeezed my hand, before swinging our arms as he looked around, trying to find an open spot for us to sit. "I've already checked everything with Hendrix so there's nothing you don't like. If she lied to me, though, I will be pressing charges."

"Without question," I insisted, watching in delight as he pulls a large blanket out of his bag and sets it down on the grass. We sat down across from each other, and Kareem began to take tubs of food out and lay them in front of us.

The sun was still shining. Tall and proud, having chased away any trace of the clouds. Golden rays hit the green floor full force, dimming only in areas of shade as the light left a gentle reminder of the light. Summer had a tendency to look so pretty in New York, yet it always came second to Winter.

"So..." I started off, picking up one of the pastries that Kareem had set out. "Is this how you tend to impress people? A hidden talent for cooking and a thoughtful choice of activity?"

"Well, as the first person I've ever had a picnic with, that's your score. Are you thoroughly impressed yet or do I need to up my game?" He replied back smoothly.

My stomach fluttered at the sentiment, "Oh really?"

"Yeah," He grinned, biting into his own Pain Au Chocolat. "Never really dated before so this is kind of new to me."

The pastry got stuck in my throat and I started coughing. "Wait, really?"

"Not really a lot of time to date when you're away for years." He explained casually, "And I never dated in High School, I just kept to myself. What about you?"

"I had a boyfriend for a few years in High School, but that's it really." I swallowed past the lump in my throat, rubbing at my chest. "We never went on dates like this, though."

"Clearly, you were waiting for me." He peered over at some of the other couples before turning back to me, a delicate expression on his face. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

"At least this time we won't have any pre-schoolers getting lost." I remarked with a laugh.

His eyes lit up, "She was really cute but I do prefer my dates without interruptions."

"Thank God Hendrix is covering the evening shift." My nose crinkled at his snicker. "You're good with kids though. A lot better than I am, that's for sure."

"It's not too difficult. Plus, she was definitely enamoured with you." He shrugged nonchalantly, "There were a lot of kids around in the Group Homes growing up so I got used to it."

Finding the potential conversation starter he was giving me, I leaned in and rested my elbows on my knees. "What was it like? Growing up."

"Just normal. I don't know, I never knew any different." He explained, leaning back and resting his palm out behind him. "I guess it was annoying at times, when I was being sent to a different home every few months and nothing ever stuck long term. I ended up being placed in a Group Home when I turned eleven and I stayed there until I turned eighteen and left." He cocked his head to the side, his mouth curving into a smile. "What about you?"

"Grew up in a village called Malone in a town called Malone, which tells you everything you need to know. My Mom and Dad grew up there so that's where they're settled when they're not travelling for work." I plastered a smile onto my face, "It's just me and Sach. No other siblings and we're not close with any of our extended family."

"You and Sacha are close?"

"Very," I smiled truthfully this time. "He can annoy me like nobody else but he's my kid brother. It's what they do."

"Do you think you'd want to do something like this again?" Kareem asked as he finished his food. He opened one of the water bottles and took a sip.

"Definitely," I said with a small exhale. Everything in me basked at the idea of this becoming a permanent thing. "Hendrix and Sacha are planning for us to go out so they can have a pizza contest. It's in a few days and Sacha is claiming I need to moderate it because Drix will cheat. Do you want to come with me?"

I already knew his answer before the words even left his mouth.

His eyes crinkled, the warm brown twinkling in the golden hues.

"Of course."

A/N:

stream red (taylor's version) <3

shoutout to nothing new, message in a bottle and all too well (10 minute version).

hope everyone's doing okay!