It was a beautiful chilly night. The bright full moon blanketed the town and the stars twinkled like diamonds in the black sky. He was already there, anxiously waiting for her in the parking lot of the shopping center. He had his usual on, a pair of jeans, white t-shirt, and his university cap. His cowboy boots is what made him; a country boy with Southern charm and a heart of gold only a mother’s upbringing could have instilled. This was their second date and it wasn’t enough- he wanted more. After that first date, she had his heart. He got out of his car and the lights from the movie theater flooded over him like a wave claiming the shore. He pulled out his cell phone and meddled with it; it gave him something to do.
She was on the highway, nervously tapping her foot along to the music while the other was pressed down on the accelerator. She had the windows down and the heat up, a crazy habit of hers. Her long hair was tied neatly back to protect it from the wind and her skin was flushed red. It could’ve been the coldness of the night or the heat rising in her body- maybe both. She wore her favorite green t-shirt (which she later found out was his favorite color), faded blue jeans, and dirty white flip flops that had signs of summer wear. As she saw the light from the theater her stomach began to twist and turn. A wave of nausea swept over her body as she drove into the parking lot. There he was, leaning against his car, fiddling with his cell phone. Naturally, she smiled to herself; it had only been a day but she missed him. She took a deep breath and pulled in next to him. She put the car in park and turned it off. She moved as if she were in quick sand, paralyzed by her emotions of nervousness and excitement.
He walked around and helped her out of the car. They smiled at each, both of their hearts pounding in their chests. They gave each other a quick hug. They walked up side by side, their shadows following behind- intertwined on the pavement.
They didn’t say much, but there was no need, everything they felt was hanging in the silence. With her by his side, he had never felt more alive. His arm brushed up against hers and she trembled. She wasn’t thinking about all their previous conversations or what she should do, what she should say, all she could do was just be. And in her head, she thanked her friend for introducing them.
They walked into the crowded noisy theater and worked their way up front. He stepped to the side to let her go in first. As she moved past him, he caught a smell of her perfume and every muscle in his body tensed. They sat down. Nothing in the room could have come between them. They were aware of each other’s presence, every move, every breath.
And in an instant the movie was over, and neither could tell you what they had seen for during the movie they had found each other. Their fingers were laced together. They were both lost.
They spent the rest of the summer under the trees by the water. Holding hands.
