CHAPTER FIVE

I had been avoiding Viktor for two weeks now, his texts, his calls, even in class. Was a feat but I did it. I didn't want to do that anymore, I wanted us to be together like…you know…dating. It was 5:00 am when I was able to gather up enough courage to call him, I sat on my bed and picked up my phone, and called his number. The phone rang twice before he picked and from his voice, I could tell he was just waking up.

"Arizona, is everything okay?"

His morning voice was doing things to my insides, things I didn't quite understand…but I didn't hate the feeling, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, if anything I liked it, loved it even.

"Yes…umm…everything is fine. Is it possible for us to meet today?"

"Are you sure everything is alright, Arizona?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It's a weekend so maybe we could go see a movie? If you're not too busy, that is."

"Sure, why not, I won't be busy. Although I think I should be wary of you."

"Why?"

"Maybe if I say something that makes you uncomfortable, you'll begin avoiding me again."

I could feel the panic rise inside me and I became defensive, I wanted to make him understand why I had been avoiding him, or maybe that I hadn't been avoiding him.

"It's not how you're thinking it…I wasn't avoiding you…I mean I was but I had a reason, it wasn't because of anything you told me or…"

My rambling was cut off when I heard him laugh at my hysterics, I should have felt insulted by that but for some reason, his laugh calmed me and I found myself smiling at the sweet sound.

"Calm down Arizona, I was only joking with you. Like you Americans like to say, chill."

"Okay, I'm chill now."

"Send me your address, I'll pick you up."

"I wanted you to just meet me there."

"I'm not having you walk around town; you send me your address and I'll pick you up and bring you back, okay?"

"Okay, I'll send it once I drop the call. Is 2:00 pm okay with you?"

"just as long as it is okay with you."

"2:00 it is then. Bye."

"Bye."

After texting off the address to him and setting my alarm clock for 1:00 pm, I fell back on my bed and I could already feel sleep taking over. It felt like a huge load has been taken off my chest and I could finally breathe.

I was woken again by the alarm I had set for 1:00 pm so I could prepare on time, I couldn't believe I had slept this long without waking up. Even though I wasn't too happy with myself for that, my body and mind were very grateful. I felt refreshed. I rushed through my bath and after a quick bath, wore a big t-shirt over a baggy pair of jeans, I topped it off with a bucket hat and a pair of sneakers. Overall, I knew I looked good so I went down to wait for Viktor.

"Where are you going?"

Tatiana.

I had completely forgotten to tell her I would be going out; I had been giving her excuses to my silence these past days and been the darling that she was, she didn't press me. But I knew she would be pissed when she found out where I was going and how I hadn't been keeping her updated.

"Hey…what are you doing here?"

"I live here, remember? Now, where are you going?"

"Umm…there's this guy, he's umm…you know what, it's Viktor, I am going to the movies with Viktor."

Tatiana's eyes raked my form from my head down to my sneaker-clad feet, I couldn't tell if she was trying to figure out if I was lying or not or if she was rating my look. Whichever one It was, I'm sure I didn't pass, if the way she wrinkled her nose was any indication>

"So, you're finally going out with hottie and you dress like you're going to the park to play with sand or trucks or whatever it is kids play with over there?"

"But I think it's okay. I mean, we're just going to the movies. I don't think I should go all out for this one."

Tatiana chose to ignore that statement in favor of dragging me up the stairs back to my room and my closet.

"You cannot go out like that. It just won't do."

Tatiana went through my closet, hanging clothes in front of me, shaking her head, and then throwing them across the room. This went on for a while until she finally found the right outfit for me. It was jean trousers still, but this one fits like a glove with a white corset kind of blouse with fluffy sleeves and a pair of flat fancy slippers. She did my make-up, the only thing I know out of all the things she used was lip gloss and mascara. She messed around with my hair a little bit and just as she was putting the finishing touches, we heard a car honk from outside.

"He's here."

"Sit your ass down."

Tatiana forced me back down on the chair before going out to welcome Viktor, she came back about a minute later and finished up. Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn't deny that Tatiana might have outdone herself this time. I looked beautiful, and it gave me a confidence boost. One that I needed.

"Now you're ready."

I looked at myself one last time in the mirror before going out to meet my date. Viktor sat on a sofa watching the sports channel, he was dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans, he looked great in it. He stood up when he heard me enter the room and I didn't miss the way his eyes widened when he saw me but he soon got himself under control.

"You look lovely."

"Thanks, you clean up nicely yourself."

"Okay, you guys should start going now."

Viktor and I mumbled our agreement and we were both bundled out of the door and into his Mercedes. We made small talk on the way but I was a little too absorbed in looking at the tall buildings and the people walking on the streets, I have never been this out before. Tatiana's house, the club, and school were all within ten miles of each other so this was an opportunity to see as much as I can. I was brought out of my thoughts by Viktor's chuckling.

"I see you haven't been out much."

"No, I haven't. Have not had the opportunity."

"Well, if it's okay with you I can help you fix that. I could give you a tour of the city, there are so many beautiful places here for you to see. That's if it is okay with you."

"Yes, I would love that very much. Thanks."

The ride continued in comfortable silence as I admired the view and the people. The cinema was a large place, larger than anyone I've ever been to. Who am I kidding? I've been to only one and the size is about half of Tatiana's house. He did all the necessary things and we were soon seated, armed with popcorn, and ready for the movie.

"What movie are we going to watch?" I asked him as we both got ourselves comfortable and the lights dimmed.

"Titanic."

My mouth hung open as I heard the name of the greatest movie on planet Earth, no matter how many times I saw the movie I could never tire of it. Somehow along the line of the movie, I found myself resting my upper body again Viktor with his hand across my shoulders, I don't know how we got into this position but I didn't want to leave it.

Towards the end of the movie, I could no longer keep the waterworks at bay, tried hard as I might, I don't think any girl would want to cry in front of a guy they liked. I tried my best to hide my tears by drying them off as they rolled down and tried to hide my sniffling. I thought I had succeeded until Viktor lifted my chin to him and my eye met his, and our faces were so close together.

"Are you crying?"

"No…"

"You know that this place is not so dark that I cannot see your tears, Arizona. You're crying, is it because of the film?" I nodded my head slowly.

"It's okay." And with that statement, he leaned his head down and kissed me. His lips brushed against mine gently, really soft as though he was testing the waters, I knew I shouldn't but I wanted to. I rose my head and forced my lips on his, I didn't know what to do next and thankfully he took over, and soon we were kissing ardently.

We stopped to catch our breaths and he just kept looking at me.

"What?"

"Was that your first?"

"Yes…you didn't enjoy it?"

"I did. Arizona?"

"Yes."

"Date me, please?"

I moved away from him and stared at him, this time in shock. I think he took that as a bad sign so he began apologizing profusely. Saying something about it has been too inappropriate.

"No, stop it Viktor. Yes, I will date you. Even though it's just our first date and we only just met and…"

"Thank you."

We watched the rest of the movie in silence, cuddled up against each other even with the barrier of armrests between us. Deep down I hoped and prayed that I wasn't making the wrong decision.