The Date After

Within the last half an hour we have done nothing but ignore the tension between us and watch corn field after corn field pass. The most interesting thing during our journey was the pumpkin patch we spotted 15 minutes ago and our conversation at the intersection 2 miles back.

I was becoming increasingly tired and it was starting to flip a dangerous switch inside my head. I was usually really docile when I was tired if not a bit giggly and childish. But if someone pushed the wrong buttons I could snap at anyone for anything.

So when we had parked in an empty dirt field and Laurent shut off the heater, well damage would soon ensue. The last straw was when he began to fish around for something in his pocket and ended up finding what seemed to be a thick piece of fabric.

But then I recognized the white patterns and the shape. It was a dark blue bandana folded into a blindfold. As he turned to me I gave him a glare.

"Really?" I asked incredulously. "You're  gonna blindfold me."

He didn't say anything but when he began to lift the bandana to my face I had my answer.

My head tipped back away from the fabric. In response his lips pursed together in a straight line. His brows raised and his head tilted to the side ever so slightly.

"Do you trust me." I mirrored the look on his face as his mouth slowly turned up. Seeing his smirk I realized his tiny trap. With a roll of my eyes I reluctantly leaned my head forward enough to be blindfolded.

He tied the blindfold around my head causing a deep pout to form across my lips. I swear if he gets hair stuck in the tie imma lose my shit. I've never liked not knowing something. I have always been the kind of gal who had infinite questions. Which also made it incredibly hard for me to accept being wrong...and surprises. And at this moment I was being left in the dark. Literally.

Suddenly I felt his lips brush against mine. As quick as they came though, they were gone. Leaving before I was able to respond left me with an unsatisfied urge. His breath tickled my neck as I stayed completely frozen.

"Stop now or we won't be leaving this vehicle and you won't be taking that bandana off anytime soon."

He didn't clarify what he wanted me to stop doing but he didn't need to either. I pulled my lips into my mouth between my teeth. Forcing them into a straight line ridding my face of the pout. I so badly wanted to test his threat but by now I was truly curious about this surprise.

So reluctantly I waited as I heard his door open and his shoes grind against the packed dirt. After hearing his door close my nerves spiked. My breath hitched and refused to release until I heard him outside my door and the handle being pulled on. Once the door was open I unconsciously turned my head toward him intently waiting for the next clue. I felt his arm on my lower stomach and lap as he reached to release my seat belt. As he pushed the button I slowly turned the rest of my body towards the opening and towards him. He grabbed my waist securely to help me out of the car. He lifted me slightly off the seat as he pulled me out. He set me down and only relaxed his hands on my waist when he was sure I was steady. He moved behind me and guided my slow steps with his body as his hands continued to hold me in front of him.

After a minute or so of slow careful walking he stopped us and left my side for a brief moment. I heard a creak from what sounded like a massive gate almost. He swiftly rejoined my side and walked me forward some more. Within another 30 seconds he had stopped us again and left my side once more.

I jumped slightly as I heard a bang to my right. A series of bright light began to shine through the bandana. Goosebumps spread on my skin when I felt Laurents' hands on my waist again. I slowly began to take a step forward when he gave my hips a slight tug backward.

He slowly turned my body to left towards the lights.

I felt his breath just below my ear as he whispered. "Ready?"

I quickly nodded my head as anxiety and excitement filled overtook my brain. I bit the inside of my lower lip in anticipation of his big reveal. When I felt his hands on the knot or the bandana I held my head still so he wouldn't pulled any hairs. I felt the bandana loosen slowly from my head but I kept my eyelids shut tight so that I wouldn't see his surprise till the bandana was fully removed.

The fabric dropped from my eyes, catching on my nose for a mere moment then continuing its plummet around my neck where it was then fully removed from my person.

I slowly opened my eyes to see the most stunning sight in front of me.

I couldn't believe he did this. I was sure I was dreaming. "Someone pinch me" I mumbled to myself. A soft chuckle came from Laurent as he took in my reaction.

In front of me was the most dreamlike sight I've seen in a while. Probably in my whole life actually.

We stood in the middle of a dark and seemingly closed fair. I knew the fair was coming to town for the last few months of the school year. It was a huge deal as it would stay for 3-4 months. I never paid attention to the opening dates though cause they were always so busy. However, it seemed Ret was.

The entire place was dark and ghostly except for the ferris wheel in front of me. It shone with blues and reds and yellows, rhythmically fading from one color to another in different synchronized patterns. I stood in awe as the colors flashed brightly before my eyes.

I looked behind me for a brief moment at Laurent. My smile covered an easy half of my face. His own smile formed upon seeing mine. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around my waist as I turned back to the mesmerizing sight. His chin rested comfortably on my shoulder as he too got lost in the lights.