Please play "I SEE THE LIGHT (Tangled OST)" while reading this chapter. (See multimedia) Enjoy!

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CHAPTER 27 - THE DATE

COURTNEY's POV

"Would you like to go on a date with me?"

Wait, what?

I looked at my phone to see the caller.

CHAD

My right hand found my mouth right away to stop myself from screaming. I kept on pacing back and forth, and my body was in a frenzied state.

What the hell is happening!

Is any of this even real? Could someone please tell me this isn't a dream!

"Courtney, are you there?" His voice snapped me back to reality.

This is real. This is real. This is freaking real!

But, how would you expect someone who is in a state of shock, or dead for 15 seconds, to answer right away? Usually, I'm the type of person who responds quickly and without any hesitations or even thinking twice. I'm always so sure of myself and my decisions.

But... but this guy was making things impossible for me.

Ever since I met Chad, it's either I'm indecisive or speechless. He always catch me off guard and almost all the time, lost for words.

And this was one of those moments.

I tried to calm my nerves down and composed myself.

"Yes... I'm still here." I said each words slowly because that was the only way to answer calmly and surely.

"And?"

I was about to ask what he meant with that but for the first time, the inner me saved me, took me out of my dumb state, and kicked some sense in me.

Well? Are you going to answer him now or are we waiting for April 1st and turn this into a Fools Day? Oh god, Courtney, say yes now 'cos I want to have a date with him!

A date with Chad.

It has finally sank in and this gave me butterflies in return!

"And, yes." I said with a smile on my face, but as my smile widened, my excitement grew as well. "Yeah! Of course! Oh my gosh, yeah!" I added with enthusiasm. Okay, a simple yes would have sufficed, but this calls for a major yes. I may have sounded desperate or even embarrassed myself in the process, but I was too preoccupied to worry about that.

"Well, that's a relief." I sensed that he was probably smiling too when he said that. "Take your time, no need to rush. I'll wait whenever you're ready."

"Wait, so where are we going?" I couldn't help but ask. My smile not faltering.

"Is it okay if I keep that as a secret for now? It's just that I want to see the look on your face when you see it." He answered.

Okay, Chad. What are you trying to do to my heart? You kept on giving me mini heart attacks. I want to live and have this date with you so please stop being so cute and sweet!

I bit my lower lip and tried to suppress my giggles. I almost didn't want the conversation to end. Talking with Chad is so addicting. But I just told myself that the sooner I would be done with my date preps, the sooner I would see him and spend more time with him. Before our convo ended, I asked him what should I wear.

"Whatever makes you feel comfortable," was his response.

I told him I would be ready in few minutes and bid our goodbyes, then I hang up. I didn't make the conversation any longer as I wanted to see him right now. Afternoon was about to end, and I wanted to spend a lot of time with him as much as possible. Besides, I still have curfew so I shouldn't waste any more time.

Time is indeed gold!

After that brief convo with Chad, I covered my mouth with both hands and squealed in excitement and pure delight! I was even jumping up and down like a little girl who just won a big teddy bear in a fair!

I rushed towards my walk-in closet and rummaged the pile of clothes that I possess, but not a single one worthy of this special date.

Yes, special date. Because it's with a special person. Besides, I worked hard for this to happen. It's not everyday I get a B on my own, this is a miracle. This date is a miracle!

And the universe is united with me to make this happen.

"Ahem." John called my attention and informed me that he already let my friend in. Yes, with emphasis to the word friend.

When he was about to leave, I called him out. "What is he wearing?" I couldn't help but ask so that I could have an idea what to wear as well.

He gave me a questioning look first before responding. "White tshirt, black pants."

So, it's casual. What's a casual date like?

Cinema? Theme park? Coffee?

I returned to my clothes hunting after I thanked John.

"Whatever makes you feel comfortable."

I remembered Chad say that. With that in mind, I pulled out my black skinny jeans and white v-neck shirt. Not trying to match what he was wearing, but I couldn't think of anything comfy enough for theme park and warm enough for cinema.

After that, I went straight to my vanity mirror. I looked at myself and saw that I was already glowing even without make up on. Thinking about Chad made me feel vibrant and blissful. The Chad effect.

I didn't have to do much, I just quickly put on some cream for my face and applied a small amount of blush on my cheeks. I finished off with orange tint for my lips. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail, but let it go and just decided to let it down. Instead, I applied my favourite lavender hair mist.

I took one last look and smiled at how pretty I look. I'm more than satisfied with it.

Perfect!

Okay, Courtney. It's date time!

I'm ready.

I sent Chad a message before I left the room. When I went down, I was expecting him to be waiting for me at the end of the staircase, you know as what I had imagined it to be something romantic. But he was nowhere to be found. Instead, I found John.

I wouldn't say that I was disappointed, this was a date that I literally asked for. Maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up and stop thinking that this is something romantic, or anything close to that.

I should remind myself that whatever his plan is, I shouldn't give too much meaning into it. I have to hold back these feelings or else...

I closed my eyes and took three calming breaths.

"Where's my friend?" I asked when I reached the end.

"Chad is waiting by the garden." John told me. I suddenly noticed that he addressed Chad casually and not the same with Troy or mine. I bet Chad insisted it. And that piece of information alone made me smile.

"Oh, so you showed-off your creation then." I teased him before I walked toward the garden area. John is so proud of the garden as he was the one who tends to it and worked with the landscape artist to make it as lovely as it is. Without him, that garden would just be a plain boring one.

When I arrived at the garden area, my heart stopped at the sight of him. I know John already told me what Chad was wearing, and I'd seen him for so many times, but this time it's different. I see Chad differently. He always makes me feel giddy and smile instantly.

You have to hold back, Courtney. I tried to remind myself, but I was being stubborn.

My eyes were only focused on him, this bewitching human being, as he started walking towards me. My smile just got wider and wider, and so was his.

When he was close, he revealed what he was hiding from his back the whole time he was walking to my direction and handed it to me. Flowers. Beautiful long-stem purple flowers that looked like lilies.

"It's called gladiolus." He said as if he read the question that was in my mind. "It means sword. In Rome, gladiators wear this for strength and protection. Now, I give this to you for the same purpose. May these give you strength and protection for your upcoming battles. Oh, and it also symbolized victory. Victory for passing your quiz." He finished with a grin that extends to his eyes.

I took the flowers and smelled it. This warmed my heart, made me feel I was floating on air. I looked up and thanked Chad. "It's lovely."

"You're lovelier," was his response that definitely took my breath away. At that moment, I was so close to tearing up. I haven't been treated like this before, not with Troy, not from anyone. I haven't felt this strong emotion as well. It was unexplainable, it was so surreal.

Chad pulled me out of my train of thoughts before a tear fell from my eye. "Are you ready?" He beamed.

I nodded and virtually wiped the invisible tears that was flowing nonstop from my eyes. We started walking and I couldn't help but ask. The anticipation was killing me. "So, where is this place that you..."

My sentence cut short when we turned the corner, right to the heart of the garden area of the backyard. I looked at him and he was looking delighted.

"So, what do you think?"

My mind was having a hard time taking in what was in front of me. It was like a dream, too good to be true. I walked towards the direction of red-checkered tablecloth laid down on the ground with 2 wine glasses, breadsticks in a tall glass, a very well platted cheeseboard, and of course the picnic basket, beautifully set up under the full bloom amelanchier tree. I was almost afraid to touch it and to find out that none of this is real.

I turned around and faced him, "this is... what a..." I couldn't even finish or compose a sentence of how I should describe the effort this beautiful man pulled out. I was beaming from ear or ear and couldn't contain the excitement I was feeling at this moment.

"How did you even know... what made you think of..." I was still loss for words.

Chad laughed. "I think you mentioned it in one of our convos under our secret meeting place that you have the same tree in your garden. And that's where the idea came from." He answered, as if he already had an idea what I was trying to say. "Do you like it?"

"I love it. Everything in it, I love it a lot." I said in full sincerity as I admire the private picnic in front of me.

"Well, I'm glad you love it." He said me as he gestured for me to settle in, and I did. "I told you my service is not cheap. Besides, you earned it. You put so much effort in your exam, so this is your reward." He continued as he started pouring our wine glass with grape juice.

"This is more than what I'd expected. Actually, this is way better. Like is not even enough to describe this..." I gestured at his masterpiece.

"Well, to be honest, planning is not that easy. I don't have any idea what would you like, at first I thought of cinema, theme parks, even theatres, but then I thought those are crowded areas and there is a huge chance that someone you know from school might see you... with me. I want this to be as comfortable for you as possible, and not worry about things like that." He handed over the glass of grape juice to me and raised his for a cheers.

I wanted to tell him that none of the things me mentioned matters anymore. Truth be told, it didn't even cross my mind. I don't care if someone sees us. I don't care if we bumped someone from school or even my friend. I don't care. I just wanted to be with him, whenever or whatever, I just wanted to spend time with him and make the date I requested possible.

Wherever he is, that's where I want to be.

"Besides, I want you to have this." He opened the picnic basket and pulled out the aluminum food container. "I asked my mom for her recipe and I made it myself. I hope you'd like it." He opened the container and there revealed something that I told his mom my favorite food.

Lasagna.

He remembered.

I know I told myself awhile ago not to expect anything from this date. I asked for this that's why he was doing it. That I shouldn't think of this in a romantic way. But how would I know or differentiate this from a normal one? This is all new to me.

Yes, all new. I'd dated before, we went to cinemas, theme parks, coffees, malls, and during those times, we're with my friends, our friends. I never had the chance to be alone with my boyfriends. Never had something like this, not even close.

So tell me, how should I hold back these strong feelings? How do I save myself from Chad's bewitching charm? This is all so surreal. It's all like a dream.

But then again, what if it's not true? What if he's just being nice and true to his words. He put so much effort because I did too, with my exam.

And worse, what if this is a trap? What if he put all this efforts because of our original deal, just to make me fall for him?

I looked at him and he was smiling coyly. His beautiful blue eyes piercing my soul, with just one look, he was taking my breath away, making my heart beat furiously.

And I won't even deny it. Not anymore.

I'm losing it.

I think I'm falling deep into his trap.

-- END OF CHAPTER 27 --

Hello my lovies! It's been a while! Thank you for patiently waiting for this story. I'm doing my best to complete this story, and upload weekly. Next chapter will be NEXT WEEK!

So, what do you think of this chapter? What did you expect their date would be? I hope you liked it!

By the way, I made SILWAG (She's in love with a geek) playlist in spotify. I put songs that inspired me to write the past and upcoming chapters. If you have a song in mind that reminds you of this story, feel free to comment here and I'll add it to the playlist. 

Also, I'm looking for a new BOOK COVER of SILWAG! Tag me or send it to me on my IG account: imadsantos! Thanks again!