I quickly look away from her, not wanting Matthew to realize we're being spied on. He starts telling me all about the football matches he goes to and about the team he supports. Luckily I don't find it too boring because I can just relax and listen to him, instead of panicking about being asked questions and trying to think of what to say.
We get to the front of the queue pretty quickly and he pays for our tickets. I look around and notice that Gina has now left to meet up with Chad for her date at the ten-pin bowling center next door.
Matthew buys us a box of popcorn to share and we go into Screen Room 2 and sit in the middle row together.
"I think it's really cool you have a hobby like horse riding. Don't you ever get afraid of falling off?" he asks me as we start on the popcorn.
Alarm bells start going in my head because being asked questions by guys always makes me panic in case I say something stupid.
"Well, I have a few times already, but nothing serious," I answer.
"Let's hope I'm not visiting you in hospital for our next date," he jokes and I giggle, feeling so happy that I've met him. I love a boy who can make me laugh.
"Where do you go for your lessons?"
"It's at a farm half an hour's drive away from my house," I answer, feeling less shy now I know I can talk to him. "They own a few horses so they do lessons there."
"Cool," he answers. "Are your parents not thinking of getting you a horse?"
"No way," I answer. "My parents said they'll never buy me a horse, but I might get one when I get a job."
"Never mind, if you don't want me as your boyfriend I could be your horse instead," he says and does a very silly impression of a horse that makes me laugh.
The film is beginning to start, so I try to stop laughing, which isn't easy because Matthew starts telling horse jokes. The film is quite funny, so we're soon laughing again.
When the movie finishes, we go for a drink at the caf? upstairs and talk about the funniest parts of the film so we can laugh about it all over again. Unfortunately, I'm giggling so much I'm scared of drinking, so I only risk little sips of Pepsi at a time.
"What year are you in at school? I haven't seen you there," he asks me, once we've calmed down and stopped laughing.
"Year ten. What about you?"
"Year eleven," he says. "I can't wait to start college after summer."
"Do you know what you're studying at college yet?"
"Not sure, I'm still thinking about it. I guess you'll be studying to be a vet once you leave?"
I feel really happy that he's remembered. "Yeah, I bet it's going to be really difficult," I say.
I realize the time and start to feel nervous.
"I'd better be going," I say apologetically, feeling sad that our date is coming to an end. "I promised my parents I'd be back for eleven."
"Okay," he says, looking disappointed too. "Do you want to meet up again sometime?"
"Yeah, I'd love to," I answer, feeling very excited.
"Is tomorrow okay or is that too soon?" he asks.
"Tomorrow's fine, but I'm not sure what time yet," I say, remembering that I had agreed to meet up with Gina, Chloe and Kate tomorrow to discuss our dates.
"Great. I can text you tomorrow and we'll arrange something," he says. "Can I have your mobile number?"
"Okay," I agree and we both swap mobiles and add our mobile numbers onto them.
I take my mobile back excitedly. He's the first guy I have ever given my mobile number to.
"Are you okay getting home?" he asks me as we walk out of the cinema. "I could walk you back or to the bus station or whatever."
I feel touched, but there's no way I can let him. I've already asked my parents to pick me up and I'm too embarrassed for them to find out I've been out with a boy.
"No it's okay, I promised to walk back with a friend," I lie.
"Okay, well I'll see you tomorrow," he says, smiling at me.
"Yeah, see ya," I say and he sets off in the opposite direction.
When he's gone, I quickly ring my parents and they agree to pick me up in the car. I told them I've been out with Gina, so hopefully they still don't suspect anything, even if it is Valentine's Day.
Chapter 18
On Saturday morning, I meet up with the girls at Butterflies cafe and they all pounce on me excitedly, eager to find out all the gossip about my date.
"How did it go?" asks Gina.
"Great. He's really nice," I answer.
"Gina told us he's quite fit," says Kate, making me blush at remembering how good looking he was.
"Yeah he is," I reply.
I'm still wondering if the date last night might have all been a dream, but luckily I have Gina as a witness to say it was real.
"Did he ask you out on another date?" questions Chloe.
"Yeah, I'm seeing him later today," I answer, feeling excited.
"He must be keen," says Kate.
I tell them all about the date, feeling so happy to be telling them all about a guy I've met for once; instead of me having to just listen to their stories.
It's always been Gina or Chloe who tells us all about their boyfriends or dates, and all I could do is talk about some silly crush I had where nothing ever happened. However, now things are different and I feel so lucky. I just hope that Matthew and I will become an item in the future, so I have more than just a date to talk about.
"So how did you get a date so soon, Chloe?" Kate asks her once I've finished. "That's surprising even for you."
Chloe grins, looking mega chuffed with herself and starts to tell us the whole story, "My mum went to pick my little sis up from ballet class and we needed to go somewhere for dinner, so I quickly suggested McDonalds," she says. "I thought he might not be working, especially with it being Valentine's Day, but he was! I went to order our meals and we flirted a little, and once he knew I was single he asked if I wanted to go on a date after his shift, so I said yes."
"And you left me and Gina on our own," I say jokily and nudge her.
"I'm sorry," she says, "but I just really wanted a date, since all of you lot were going on one, and I couldn't miss a chance to see him. I'm glad I did turn you down anyway or I wouldn't have been going on a date. I mean, it's not every day you get asked on a date by a hot guy."
Gina, Kate and I give each other looks as if to say 'with Chloe it is' and Chloe pulls her tongue out at us.
"Anyway, I can hang out with you girls anytime so it's no big deal," she says.
"It doesn't matter, me and Ven managed without you," says Gina. "So what happened after?"
"Yeah, how did you get your mum to let you go?" I ask, knowing that my parents would definitely not be happy if I went off with some stranger who was older than me.
"Obviously I couldn't tell her the truth. I lied that I was meeting up with Kate at her house, saying we both didn't have dates tonight so we were just going to watch a movie together," she explains. "I said I'd walk over to Kate's from there, so once she'd driven away I left with Dave," she smiles. "He's so amazing. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to be dating him; and he's seventeen! He's at his first year at college so he's working at McDonalds part time."
She tells us all about her night, looking excited. "Then he said he'll take me out for a meal at this new restaurant tonight, so I'll be seeing him again later," she finishes.
"I'm really happy for you," says Kate. "Now we don't have to put up with you moaning about being single."
Chloe gives her a nudge, "it's not my fault single life is boring."
"So how was your night, Kate?" I ask her.
"It was great. It feels so ace being his girlfriend."
"So did you just play football with him at the park?" asks Chloe, obviously thinking that sort of date would have been boring.
"We did for a while and then we went for a walk and ate ice cream," answers Kate.
"Aww, that's cute," comments Gina.
"And then we went back to his place and wat
ched a DVD and ordered pizza. It was so cool."
"Did you do more snogging?" I ask her, grinning.
Kate blushes, "maybe, but we couldn't do it much while we were at his house 'cause his parents were around."
"I bet you got up to some snogging with Chad," Chloe teases Gina,
"No, we didn't," she giggles. "We just talked and played ten-pin bowling together."
"So do you want to start going out with him?" Kate asks her.
"Well I do fancy him, but I'm still not sure I want a relationship yet. We talked about it when he walked me home and he said he'd wait for me, until I feel ready for him to be my boyfriend. I agreed to meet up with him later today but we're still just friends for now."
"You won't be for long," says Chloe. "He's going to win you over in the end, I can tell."
Chapter 19
I get a text message from Matthew after lunch with the girls. He asks if I want to go to the ten-pin bowling center and we arrange to meet there at three o'clock.
I have to go home to make myself look pretty for the date and then I catch the bus there.
On the way, I feel all worked up again. I know I should be a little less nervous now I know he's a nice guy and I saw him recently, but because I fancy him it seems to make things worse.
I'm so worried that he might decide he doesn't want a relationship with me after our date. We're only dating yet and he can easily change his mind about me at any time. I know that if he didn't want to make me an official girlfriend, I'd feel so hurt and gutted, because I want more than anything for him to be my boyfriend. At least it's reassuring that we've got past the first date, so that must mean he likes me.
I try to distract myself by texting the girls on the way there and soon arrive outside the ten-pin bowling center. Matthew is already there waiting for me.
"Hi," he greets cheerfully. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I answer quickly, although I feel anything but fine because I'm so nervous.
"You look great," he comments, looking a little shy for once.
"Thanks," I answer blushing.
"So are you any good at bowling?" he asks me, turning back to his wonderful, chatty self.
"Not that great," I admit, although Chloe told me this is a good thing, since boys hate losing.
"Me neither," he admits, which surprises me.
Doesn't a boy usually act like they're great at everything because they're too embarrassed to admit they're bad at something? Most boys do, according to Kate. I just hope Matthew doesn't throw a tantrum if I win, like Kate warned me.
"Don't worry, I'm not that bothered about it being a competitive game or anything. We're just here to have fun," he says, probably realizing I look nervous.
"Okay," I agree, although I still feel worried all the same.
We pay at the counter for two games, change into bowling shoes and then go to our alley, which is right at the end. Not many people are playing so far and I'm glad there isn't. Hardly anyone being around makes me feel more relaxed.
"Do you want to go first?" he asks as he types our names into the machine.
"No it's fine, you can go first," I answer, feeling shy and less confident.
He takes his go and knocks down six pins. I feel nervous as I watch him. What if I'm terrible? He'll probably wish he's nothing to do with me. He'll be embarrassed that I'm actually his date and maybe future girlfriend.
He takes his second turn and knocks down two more, leaving two at the edge still standing.
"Okay, your turn," he smiles at me.
I smile back at him nervously and walk over to get a bowling ball. I'm still nervous as I pick up the first one and try to lift it, but it's so heavy I nearly drop it on my foot.
"Here, take this one, it's much lighter than the others," he offers, handing me a smaller, pink bowling ball that children probably use.
"Thanks," I say gratefully, taking it off him. I awkwardly place my fingers into the holes and walk to the line on our bowling alley.
All of a sudden, I completely forget how to bowl. That's what happens when I'm nervous, my memory just goes. I know I have to roll it into the pins, obviously I'm not that stupid, but I've forgot how I'm supposed to position myself and swing my arm, and I don't want to do anything in case I do it wrong and look like an idiot.
"Need help?" he asks.
I cringe, feeling so embarrassed that he's noticed. "Yeah please," I answer. "How do you bowl it?"
I feel myself cringe even more. He'll probably think I'm a complete idiot now.
"Don't worry, it's easy," he reassures me and helps me position myself correctly. My skin tingles with excitement at feeling his arm against mine.
"Now you just swing your arm forward and let go of the bowling ball," he says, holding my arm to show me how to swing correctly.
"Okay, thanks," I say, still feeling very embarrassed.
He goes back to the seat to let me do it on my own, so I take a deep breath and bowl. The bowling ball rolls from one side to the other while going down, but it hits five pins over when it gets to the end.
"Well done," he congratulates me. At least he doesn't think I'm stupid. "Now you just need to try and get the five on that side."
I get another light bowling ball and try again. I only manage to hit two more, but I'm still pleased.
We continue our game for another half hour. Matthew is heaps of points ahead of me at first, but then I start catching up, getting the hang of bowling at last, until I'm only nine points behind him.
At the end of the game, I'm in the lead by four points, but I suspect Matthew deliberately didn't do well on his last two turns so I could win.
We play a second game after that and this time Matthew wins. Luckily, he doesn't start bragging about it like most boys do and just smiles as I congratulate him.
We both get a Slushy drink from the cafe and sit having a chat. I'm surprised how easy it is to talk to him now I'm not so nervous around him and we seem to be getting on well again.
When it's nearly six o'clock, Matthew walks me back to the bus stop and stays talking with me while I wait.
"Do you want to see each other tomorrow?" he asks, looking a little sad that I have to leave.
I feel bad, "I'm sorry but I promised to hang out with my friends tomorrow," I answer, knowing that we need some serious catching up to do. "Maybe we can see each other Monday after school?"
"Okay," he smiles, "I can meet you outside the school gates, or after dinner if that's better?"
"After dinner would be great," I say and smile too, feeling so happy that he wants to see me again after our second date.
Obviously this is a very good sign. I wonder how many dates we have until we start a relationship. I'll have to ask Chloe tomorrow to see what she thinks.
"I'll text you," he promises. "I'm really glad you still want to see me."
"Me too," I answer. "I mean, I'm happy you want to meet me again."
We both feel pretty shy and embarrassed now, so he quickly changes the subject.
"Well, enjoy tomorrow with your friends," he says.
"Thanks, I will," I answer.
I spot the bus coming into view and put my hand out to signal. The bus slows down and pulls up in front of me.
"See ya, Vanessa," he says, giving me a quick hug before I leave.
I smile and blush, shyly giving him a hug back. "Bye."
I jump onto the bus, feeling so happy I feel like I can fly home, and drop into an empty seat. The bus starts up and I wave to Matthew through the window as the bus pulls away and starts driving me back home.
Chapter 20
I can't stop thinking of Matthew when I arrive back home and have dinner with my family. I feel so incredibly lucky, knowing there is a better chance to be his girlfriend now.
I can't wait to talk to the girls, so I log onto the laptop and go onto Facebook to talk to them. At first, none of them are online, so I finish some of my homework ready for Monday.
Fin
ally they come online so we do a group message and begin some serious gossiping.
Kate: So, how did the date with Matthew go, Ven?
Ven: Really well. We had a good game of bowling and he said he wants to see me Monday after school.
Chloe: You're definitely in there, babe.
Gina: Was he okay doing bowling? He didn't go into a boyish strop did he?
Chloe: And please tell me you let him win!
Ven: He was fine. He didn't act like that at all. We both won a game each but I think he let me win the first one.
Kate: I'm so shocked! Is this guy real? LOL
Gina: Sounds like a good catch.
Ven: Chloe, how many dates am I supposed to have before me and Matthew start a relationship? 'Cause things are going pretty well so far.
Chloe: Sometimes it only takes 1 or 2, then others it might take 3 or more. It depends on how long it takes you both to decide whether you want to be together or not.
Ven: I hope it doesn't take too long. I already know I really want him to be my bf.
Gina: It shouldn't take long. It sounds as if he really likes you too.
Ven: (blush) I hope so.
Chloe: Speaking of good catches; how was it with your future bf, Gina?
Gina: I told you, it's not like a date. We just hung out as mates today.
Kate: So have you decided whether you're actually going to go out with him yet?
Gina: I'm still not sure. He seems so sweet and I admit he does seem like he would be a great boyfriend. Maybe I will be his gf once I'm ready.
Chloe: I think you should just go for it instead of being boring and waiting around. Who wants to be single anyways if you've already got someone you like begging to be your bf.
Kate: Yeah Gina, just forget about that creep and go out with Chad. He'll be sad if you keep him waiting long.
Gina: I know, I feel mean as it is.
Chloe: Then just say YES!
Gina: I'll think about it.
Kate: (rolls eyes) So how was it with Mr Dishy at McDonalds, Chloe?
Dating Dilemma (Book 1, Dilemma series) Page 7