"It's not that important." Kayla said quickly, but he sent her a stern look that she had to answer.
"Tell me now, Kayla, it will be a lot less stressful that way for both of us." He warned in a grave, 'parent knows best' voice.
"Fine. This boy wants to go on a date with me, and I said no. Then Mum caught him kissing me, but we are definitely not dating." Kayla emphasised the last two words.
"Hmmm, I guess you couldn't stay my little girl forever," he pondered, as he looked at Kayla with a rueful smile and a sigh. "Here's my question for you, Muffin, if you are not dating, as you claim, then why are you wearing a shirt that I assume is his?" He appeared somewhere between amused, unimpressed and worried, which seemed rather strange.
Kayla looked down, and realised that she had forgotten that she even left his shirt on. She took a deep breath, as she stared almost unseeing at the garment. Her mouth flopped open, as she fingered the material, and considered what to say.
"He, uh, gave it to me after we finished swimming at the creek." She answered lamely.
"And that wasn't a date?"
"No, that was... well, Hayley was there, but then she left, and I told them it was not a, you know... date." She made a face at her lame explanation.
"I'm going to want to meet this boy of yours." He demanded, and Kayla gulped.
"He's not mine!" Kayla stated emphatically.
"We'll see, Muffin." He said wisely.
They turned to other topics, for which Kayla felt immensely grateful. She was over trying to explain Isaac, especially when she didn't even understand what was going on between them.
She always found it difficult and heart wrenching when she had to sign off from her Dad. It made her miss his presence even more greatly. It helped knowing that she would see him in a few weeks, but saying goodbye was never easy.
She walked back to her room, feeling sad and melancholy. She decided to return to the physics she had tried to work on this morning when Isaac joined her in the library.
As soon as she thought his name, it was harder for her to focus. The scent coming from his shirt distracted her. She thought about taking it off, but couldn't make herself do it. With great determination, she got to work.
Her phone buzzed, and Kayla snapped from her study. Finding that she had actually achieved some study pleased her immensely. She reached for her phone, as she stretched and yawned.
"I thought you might need a break from study." A text message read. She stared at the strange number having no idea of the sender.
"Who is this?" She replied, feeling curious, as she sat back down at her desk.
"Kayla, love, I've made some dinner." Her mum called to her, and she finally noticed her grumbling stomach.
She always loved the special dinners with her mother. It wasn't often that her mum's shifts allowed for a normal dinner together. She rushed down stairs, text forgotten, to spend time with her Mum.
She didn't remember the text until she got up the following morning. She had heard her mum leave for work in the early hours, but simply rolled over and went back to sleep.
With the sunlight shining into her room, she blinked her eyes open, and checked her phone for what time it was. She gasped at not only the late time, but also the number of texts that she had received.
She scrolled through them, as a smile bloomed on her face. Isaac had sent her all the messages. He told her how he had stolen Hayley's phone to get her number. He apologised to her for embarrassing her when he talked to her mum, and that be couldn't wait to see her on Monday.
With her heart fluttering madly, she finally placed the phone down with a sigh. She debated whether to send him back a message, which only started her nerves firing. She went down to make some breakfast and consider her options.
She thought about those texts all morning, and the fact that she hadn't replied. Guilt plagued her for being so rude. In the early afternoon, when she found herself staring at her phone across the room, instead of her biology assignment, she admitted defeat. She reached for her phone only to find that she had another text.
"What are you doing this afternoon?" The message sent a few hours ago asked.
"Not much, working on my bio assignment." Her fingers nervously skated across the keys.
"Feel like a break?" His instant reply made her heart start racing.
"Sure." She sent the message, but then regretted it.
"I was thinking ice cream and lots of it."
"It's not a date." She sent the message swiftly, so he didn't get the wrong idea.
"I know." He sent back with a sad face.
"I'll meet you at the Creamery." She answered, as she packed away her work, and smacked her lips at the thought of a sundae.
"No, I'll come and pick you up."
She wanted to text back, insisting that she would drive, but she decided against it. Instead, she stared at her wardrobe, and wondered what to wear. This is not a date, she reminded herself abruptly. She had to admit that she wanted to look nice for him, if only to herself.
Finally, she stuck with what she was wearing when she heard a horn beep. She could only wonder how long she had been staring at her wardrobe and finding it boring. She quickly grabbed her purse and a hat, before trotting down the stairs excitedly.
This time she left a note for her Mum specifying that she was going out with Isaac. She emphasised that it was not a date by underlining the words.
She had to wonder whether it was almost a date. Wasn't he picking her up and taking her somewhere? She threw the thought from her mind, or it might set up a panic that she couldn't quash.
She got to the door, before she deliberately slowed her motions. She peeked out, and saw him leaning casually against his car. He waved to her and smiled, making every nerve-ending dance around happily.
"Hey." He called out, before she quickly turned around.
It occurred to her that she should still be furious about what he told her mum yesterday. She couldn't believe that she had forgotten completely about it. Sure, he had apologised in a text, but she needed to know exactly why he did it. She peeked at him again, only to find that he had approached her front door.
"Are you still angry?" He asked hesitantly, as she came out of the house, and turned the key in the lock.
"Yes, no, maybe," she answered with a shrug.
"I figured that you were when you didn't reply to my texts. I didn't mean to say that stuff to your mum; it just kind of... came out," he glanced away, and she saw a streak of pink fill his cheeks. It was endearing, and made her anger melt completely away.
"What's done is done." She said with a clap of her hands.
"You sure?" He asked, as he finally glanced back over to her.
"Yep, but now because of what your said, my dad wants to meet you." Kayla laughed at the horrified expression on Isaac's face. That's what he got for saying such crazy things!
"Your, uh, your dad?" Isaac cleared his throat, as his face went pale.
"He'll be home in a few weeks, so you'll probably be lucky enough to have lost interest in me by then. You'll never have to meet him if that occurs." Though it pained her to say the words, she knew it would give him some sense of relief. His frown went against her thoughts, and gave her a bit of hope.
"I guess I'll meet him when he gets back." Isaac said with a casual glance to her.
"Okay." Kayla looked at him, surprised by his easy acceptance.
"Let's go and get that ice cream." He pointed to the car, and she let him lead her over to where he insisted on opening her door for her.
The car filled with laughter, as Isaac told her all about Hayley's antics from the previous night. She spent the trip smiling with him and enjoying his company.
Arriving at the ice cream parlour labelled 'The Creamery' reignited the anxiety inside of her. The warm day had the shop full of people, both young and old, but many from her school.
She had always loved the old nostalgia that the shop tried to create with its fifties music. It ha
d such old-fashioned decor and uniforms, which suited the mood of the place perfectly. Her own mood normally always spoiled, because of the people occupying the shop more than anything else does.
"Isaac, I don't think this is such a good idea," Kayla told him, as they found a parking spot.
"Sure it is," He let out a little snorting noise, before getting out of the car.
She followed him reluctantly from the car park towards the shop. She wished she had dressed a bit better. She glanced at her jean shorts and plain t-shirt, before returning to the shop. Sure, everyone was dressed casually but all the clothing seemed much nicer. Even Isaac, now that she studied him, seemed neater than her.
They entered the store with the older music belting out, and Kayla felt eyes turn straight to her. That intense feeling of awkwardness filled her, and without even realising, she took an instinctive step back.
"C'mon, Kayla, what's your favourite flavour?" Isaac didn't let her stall for long, as he clasped her hand, and practically dragged her to the counter.
"Um, I like cake batter." She said softly.
"Cake batter, hey? I like chocolate," He told her with a grin. "Do you want a cone or a cup?"
"I'll have a small cup, please." She reached into her purse, but he frowned and shook his head. "This isn't a date." She reiterated.
"You don't have to keep reminding me, you know," he said in a grumpy voice, before ordering their ice cream.
"Well, it's true. We are just friends having some ice cream." She insisted.
"Friends?" The look he pierced her with flared with heat, and she couldn't help but gasp. Her insides tensed, and mellowed at the same time.
"Yes, friends." She replied rather breathlessly.
"See how long you can stick with that." He told her smugly, as he handed her a cup of ice cream.
"Thanks." She managed to say.
Isaac led her back outside, once he had his ice cream. She followed with a frown, unsure of where they were going. She was just about to ask him, when he found a vacant seat under an umbrella, which she was thankful for. She sat down opposite him, and poked her spoon into her ice cream repeatedly.
"You can be incredibly frustrating," Isaac said pointedly. She went instantly into attack mode, but didn't have a chance to say anything. "The worst thing is that I like it. I like that you are your own person, and that you put me in my place. I like that you're taking your time, even when it's driving me crazy. I'm starting to like everything about you, even your insane hat collection." He finished with a wave of his hand.
As quick as her defensiveness reared its head, it just as swiftly departed. Her body filled with warmth at his words. He fully admitted that he liked her. She was stunned tremendously.
"Surely, you've liked all the other girls you've dated," she blurted, and then wished that she had kept her mouth shut. His face darkened and turned brooding.
"You are a brand new chapter that can't be compared to them," he told her, and his fierceness astonished her.
"So, you like me?" She stuttered out the words, forcing herself to look at him. That pink blush sat high on his cheeks again, but his face relaxed into an easy smile.
"I thought that was pretty obvious." He reached across for her hand, and she let him clasp it lightly.
"I kind of like you too." She admitted quietly. She looked down, as she said the words with her face turning the brightest shade of red.
"That is very good to know," he tilted her chin up, and she let out a breath, as she faced him. "Why do you keep turning me down?"
"You will hurt me, Isaac, and I'm... well, I'm darn scared of that, even when I know its coming." She had never meant to hurt him, but she could tell that her words did.
"Do you think I'll be a bad boyfriend because I've never had long relationships with any girls?" He asked bluntly.
"The proof is in the pudding, Isaac. People tend to do what they have always done. You've never had a girlfriend beyond a week. What makes me any different?" She tried to say it without accusation, but she had been aware of his habits for a long time, even if he was blind to his own actions.
"The fact that we are already way past a week of me being interested!" He thumped a palm on the table edge, and his eyes darkened to an even stormier blue.
Kayla considered his words quite seriously, only to realise that his words rang true. He had been pursuing her, and she had been fighting him off for far longer than a week. She still knew that at some point that he would break her heart, but now she might be willing to risk it.
"You know what, you are correct," she said with dawning awareness. "I mean the kissing booth was... it feels like ages ago, wasn't it?" Her voice dropped into musing.
"Yes, it was." He said with a very unsubtle roll of his eyes.
She took a deep breath, before she went to say her next words. Her mind still debated whether it was a good idea or not. Isaac had proved himself, hadn't he?
"I tell you what; we'll go out on a date next weekend." She said with a definite nod of her head.
"You mean it?" He asked with a shocked expression.
"Yeah, I mean it." She said before turning back to her bowl of ice cream nervously. It may not have been a good plan, but the smile on his face made it worthwhile.
Isaac stared at her for a long assessing moment. She seemed so calm in her decision, which was the complete opposite of what he had been expecting. Slowly, a broad smile appeared on his face. It seemed that he had finally won, at least one small battle in their war together.
"So, you'll go wherever I ask?"
"Within reason." She said daring to glance at him.
"C'mon, Kayla." He used his pleading voice, which he had realised worked on her incredibly well.
"And I'm the bossy one?" She asked pointedly.
"Hell, yeah! I'm just being ultra-persuasive." He sent her a cheeky look, and a smile appeared on her own face. He really was just too darn adorable!
"Whatever you reckon." She told him, taking a mouthful of her ice cream.
He grinned happily. He enjoyed bantering with her more than he had ever expected. She was something special that he wished he had noticed a lot earlier than a few weeks ago.
If he could survive one more week of school, then he would finally get to take her on a date. He glanced across at those gleaming green eyes, and suddenly felt doubt. What if he chose something that she hated? It was the first time that he had ever really had to think about a date and the girl involved.
He smiled at her, and her easy response warmed him, when she smiled back. He was going to make this the best first date that either of them had had All he had to do now was to figure out where to go.
Chapter 11 - Confusion times a zillion
Monday morning rolled around with Kayla rising after a rather sleepless night. She found it hard to believe that she had chosen to make a date with Isaac. Thoughts had plagued her all night between ultra-excitement, and a nervousness that scared her.
She sleepily got ready, and then drove to school on automatic, with her mind still going over the previous day. A strange, but happy anxiety filled her, when she saw Isaac approaching her car, as she parked.
All her emotions vied for attention, so she wasn't sure which to face first. When he tapped on her window, a nervous, high-pitched giggle escaped her. He smiled at her, that charming, gorgeous smile that she wanted to keep all to herself.
With great difficulty, and an immensely quivering heart, she opened her car door and hopped out. Before she could respond, Isaac had already opened the rear door and grabbed her bag. He really could be just too darn sweet!
"Good morning," his voice was entrancing, thrilling Kayla from head to toe.
"Hey," she replied shyly, as she looked at him quickly, trying not to be stunned stupid by his beautiful eyes.
"I hope you haven't changed your mind." He said with a hesitation in his voice that she wasn't expecting.
"About what?" She asked curiously, as he slung her bag over his shoulder.
"Our date next weekend obviously." He rolled his eyes at her.
"No, why would I?" She stated simply. He shrugged, but said nothing more on the topic of their impending date.
As they neared her locker, she wondered what would be waiting for her today. It was no surprise to find Marnie standing there, but the genuine smile on her face shocked Kayla. She approached cautiously, as Isaac cursed from beside her.
"Hey, you two love birds," Marnie told them with a cheeky grin, and Kayla went to back away, until she bumped into Isaac.
"What's going on, Marnie?" Isaac asked suspiciously.
"I came to give you some good news, and to warn you." Marnie said excitedly.
Isaac gathered Kayla closer by slinging an arm around her shoulders. He wasn't sure what was going to come from Marnie's mouth, but he knew that none of it could be good.
"First thing, I was never really interested in you, Isaac. I was just trying to make another guy jealous and it worked! Now he wants us to be exclusive." Marnie let out an excited little giggle, which only confused Isaac.
"You're not going to try to kiss me again?" Isaac asked with his voice filled with scepticism.
"No, I'll leave you alone. You may be a great kisser, Isaac, but you’re not really boyfriend material." She flicked her fingers at him petulantly.
"What's the warning, because I already know that he doesn't want a girlfriend?" Kayla piped up.
Isaac turned to Kayla in shock at how she labelled him. She continued insinuating that he would get bored with her and move on, when she had suggested the date. It seemed she believed it more deeply than Isaac ever thought she did. He found himself incredibly hurt by her words, which had never happened to him before.
"Well, at least you're more prepared than most girls." Marnie told her, with a concerned expression.
"What's the warning, Marnie?" Isaac said gruffly.
"This whole trying to get you thing... it wasn't really my idea." Marnie hedged around the topic, as she began fidgeting and looking anxious.
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