Knowing You're There

Chapter 11

Kurt started pressing different buttons.  I felt for the uppermost one, which was the “punch” function, and pressed it as fast as I could.  Lenny made the same high-pitched “whoos” every time his little arms moved. 

“What, no!  You can’t do that!” Kurt said, his voice rising with agitation. 

Rex roared with pain on the other side of the screen, trying to attack but only getting punched in the stomach by little Lenny.  I giggled and moved the joystick to one side, hoping that I’d somehow get Rex into a corner and win the fight—something I’d never done before.  Within seconds, Rex let out a final loud whimper and the deep voice said “Lenny wins!” 

My jaw dropped in disbelief.  Then I realized what was actually going on, and turned to Kurt with my arms crossed.  He didn’t say a word. 

“You just let me win, didn’t you?” I asked. 

“I-I didn’t, I-I mean, yeah, you got me.” He let out a nervous laugh.  “I just figured, you know, I thought I’d do something nice for you on the first date.” 

I shook my head.  “You are the worst liar I’ve ever heard.” 

We fought two more rounds, both of which were dominated by me and Lenny.  It was anyone’s guess, but I think it was safe to say that Kurt was terrible at Creature Wars.  After that, he led me to a driving game.  I held the steering wheel and he put his hands on top of mine the entire time.  I tried not to blush every time he made a sharp turn and held on tighter. 

After an hour in the arcade, there was about twenty minutes before our parents were set to arrive, so we went upstairs and sat outside on one of the benches.  The air was starting to cool down.  I clutched my arms.  The sweater was more of a fashion item than something that would be used to keep a person warm. 

“Thanks for a really great first date,” I said to him. 

“You’re welcome.”  He put his arm around me.  “Cold?  Do you want my sweatshirt?” 

“I’ll be fine.” 

There was a pause.  “We should do this again.” 

“Definitely,” I said. 

“So…are you thinking of a second date?” he asked. 

“Maybe,” I said.  “So would we be considered officially dating, or no?” 

“I guess you could call it that,” he said.

I leaned into his chest, my mind buzzing.  At school there were all these different types of going out: dating, not dating, sort-or-dating, open relationships, friends with benefits, and then there was the actual couple.  That one was my favorite.  It made the most sense.  Two people that were officially together and not seeing anyone else.   

“Can I ask you something Kurt?” 

He hugged me closer. “Of course.” 

“This is kind of far off, but—” I tilted my head upward towards his.  “By any chance, do you want to skip the whole awkward dating thing and just become a couple?” 

He sighed and I bit my lip.  His arms started to shake.  I hoped that it was just the cold.  Maybe asking this was too soon? Wouldn’t being a couple after only the first date be rushing things?  We didn’t really know each other and—

“Only on one condition,” he said. 

“What’s that?” I asked. 

“You can’t call me really embarrassing pet names in the hallway at school.”  I felt his lips descend on my forehead.  They were dry and felt kind of chapped, but it didn’t matter.  “I really like that idea.” 

I touched the area where he kissed me.  It was a little moist.  I wiped it off with the back of my hand.  I knew that kisses involved the lips and saliva, but I never thought that I’d have to deal with having a wet face.  Right when I realized what was going on, I put my hand behind my back. 

“I-I’m not used to getting kissed anywhere,” I said, my voice trembling. 

He laughed.  “It’s okay Lia.  You’ll adjust to it.”