This was the moment Chance had been waiting for....
... he'd followed Sera around like a little lost puppy all this time. At every opportunity, he's tried his hardest to be in her presence, basking in her startling beauty and innocent charm.
Date number 7.
No wonder he'd felt really uncomfortable and edgy. Twisting his collar and wringing his hands.
Nervous?
Heck....
... no....
.... well....
YES! Of course he is.... it's Sera, the object of his affection.
Because everybody else was busy doing other pursuits around the mansion, it was left up to Sera to tidy up the place. She grimaced at the clouds of flies that were gathering around, settling on the dirty plates and making a horrendous noise.
After pacing back and forth, several times, trying a different route so as not to wear a hole in the carpet.... Chance finally plucked up the courage to ask Sera on a date.
It was a shame that he found her in this terrible mood.
"I feel like bloody Cinderella here," she growled, picking up a plate and sliding it on top of the other.
"Um," Chance faltered, not sure how to go about asking her when she was in this foul mood.
Luckily, Melinda just happened to stroll in. She'd been working out in the gym and was still wearing her tracksuit.
"Want... to ... go.... on a date?" he asked clumsily.
"And leave all this?!" Sera muttered, she was struggling to keep her temper.
"You go," interjected Melinda, "I'll take over. After all.... some of it's my mess too. About time I pulled my weight around here."
"Um, are you sure?"
"Of course. You go, have a great time... and tell us all when you get back."
"Aww thanks...."
"No problem."
Sera was tempted to give Melinda a hug, but Chance was pulling at her arm like an excited little kid, and Melinda had her hands full of dirty dishes.
"Okay.... lover boy," she said, turning to face him, "where are we off to?"
He smiled widely, his eyes twinkled with anticipation.
"Firstly, I got to show you something."
"Riiiight."
He took her outside, where, all of a sudden, there was a downpour.
Chance gritted his teeth, hoping that this wouldn't spoil the evening. Instead, he walked purposefully towards a gorgeous Ford 4x4 was sitting in the driveway.
Sera followed expectantly, she too, twisted her face at the lousy weather, souring her mood a little more.
"Ta daaaa!!!" he said emphatically, "what ya think?"
"Very nice," came the reply, "just new?"
"Yep. Delivered just today. Isn't she gorgeous?"
Sera nodded with approval, casting a critical eye over this magnificent metal beast gracing the forecourt.
"C'mon then, let's go. I'm taking you to a world famous diner tonight..... it's a double celebration!"
They got into the car .... and then there was a long.... uncomfortable silence as Chance's face went pale. He could hardly see through the windscreen. The seats were very low and it practically dwarfed the two of them.
It was Sera who spoke up first.
"A quick question."
"Go ahead."
"It's .... a little ... big?"
"Yeah.... well.... I.... er... never anticipated that."
"You mean, you never took it for a test drive?"
"Um... no. I kinda just bought it on a whim, you know. I saw it online at the dealers.... and decided I wanted it."
Sera just shook her head.
Cranking the gears, Chance eased the car out of the drive and onto the main road, the rain spattering the glass.
"Onto Reds then!"
"Um.... Chance?"
"Yeah?"
"That's that famous '50's diner.... isn't it?"
"Um, yeah?"
Chance's stomach churned. Just the tone of her voice set about a lot of alarm bells ringing.
"Oh .... nothing."
"Sera?"
"Um, yeah?"
"Is there anything wrong with that diner? Something you should be telling me?"
"Um.... well...."
"Oh god. Don't tell me it's a mecca for food poisoning or something!"
"Um... no... not really. It's just that..... I've only just eaten dinner. So I'm not hungry. Sorry."
Oh. Damn.
That was a very good start to the date.
O-kay. Let's see if things ..... improve .....
.... or..... not.
They pulled up outside Red's, to find that it 'appeared' quiet. Whilst they'd been in the car, they struck up a conversation, just to pass the time. And discovered that they had a lot in common.
"..... it was so funny," Chance said, locking the care door, "I used to badger my dad for a drum kit. I never got it though. He always made up some excuse, telling me it that it was too noisy."
"Isn't that so weird?" Sera replied, smiling, "my grandma played the harp in the local orchestra. But I don't have a single hint of any musical talent whatsoever! I can't sing a note... without shattering a glass.... truly!"
Not wanting to be first into the diner, they loitered outside for a little while. Thankful that the rain had stopped at last. Which didn't go unnoticed by the two of them.
Maybe this was a good sign after all?
Chance started telling some weird jokes that, even though they were completely lost on Sera. She still laughed good naturedly.
Chance then launched into a tickle fest, causing Sera to shriek at the top of her voice and giggle uncontrollably.
Well..... so far so good. Things are starting to pick up here, by the looks of it. Customers started trickling into the 24 hour diner (famous, not only for its wide expansive menu, but the fact that it's a landmark site. Been in Downtown since it was built, waay back in the '50's and is STILL going strong).
But then .... Sera froze solid.
"Um, Sera?" Chance asked, pulling her gently.
She has tears in her eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"That...." came the reply.
Sera pointed to the photo booth with a trembling finger.
"Oh wow, want a picture of the two of us?"
She shook her head vehemently and refused to budge, swallowing hard.
"I.... can't....." she whispered.
Around them, people were either busy eating or playing pool, they were (thankfully) oblivious to Sera's apparent distress. Her bottom lip trembled and Chance pulled her into a close hug.
"It's okay," he soothed, "you don't have to.... I won't force you..... okay?"
She nodded, clinging onto him.
He leaned forward to kiss her, and that's when his eyes started to water and his nose started to pour.
"Um, Sera?"
"Yes?"
"Is that new perfume you're wearing?"
"Why, yes it is.... you like it?"
He pulled away sharply, his hand swiping at his eyes.
"Um,..... I think I'm allergic to it."
Sera was crestfallen.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I got it the other day, it was on special offer."
"That's okay. I guess I'd better avoid you for the rest of the evening."
"Well.... you could join in the tournament, whilst I go dance over here."
" I'm so sorry this had to happen."
"That's okay. We'll manage somehow."
So, Chance joined in with the pool tournament, whilst Sera turned on the jukebox and started to wiggle her booty about.
Chance however, found that he couldn't concentrate on the game, for watching Sera.
Throwing down the cue, he muttered to himself.
'Allergy or not, I'm not letting this spoil our date.'
But, in his haste to get to her, the cue had fallen from it's cradle and whacked him on the arm, causing him to yelp. Immediately, Sera was there.
"Are you okay?" she asked, leaning forward.
To everyone else, it looked as though they were flirting.
"Nah, I'm good..... really."
The way he was cradling his bruised arm, we (and Sera) weren't quite so sure.
"Let me take a look at it," she insisted.
At first Chance was hesitant. It felt really weird, this role reversal. Him receiving the massages, rather than issuing them. But still, he enjoyed her silky smooth, delicate hands, working their magic.
"Better?"
"Mmmm, yes... thanks."
"How about your allergy? Eyes still look pretty ghastly to me."
"Um... they're ok..... er... Sera?"
"Why the concern?"
"Well...."
She blushed underneath that lovely, flawless, tawny skin.
"I'm hoping to train to be a nurse or doctor," she admitted, "just waiting for my acceptance into full time training first."
"Interesting."
You could tell that he was even more impressed by this gentle natured siren than before. He tugged her into a romantic hug.
"What about your allergy?"
"Meh, I'll be fine. But thanks."
"What for?"
"Being so supportive ... and understanding."
She smiled and kissed him, tentatively at first, as she saw how his eyes were swelling. But then a little more passionately.
"Let's end this date and go home," she whispered, "and I'd better drive this time."
Wiping his face, Chance glanced at her, obviously concerned.
"Are you sure?" he asked, "it's the size of a tank."
She patted him on the arm, before taking his hand gently in hers.
"I'm a big girl Chance," she said, smiling, "besides, I've driven stuff a lot bigger than that monster out there."
And with that, they left for home.
The date ended as a 'Dream Date', although they hardly did anything at all. But at least they learned a bit more about themselves in the process.
And that concludes the 'first dates' of this challenge.
Let's see now, who's going to be the first one to leave, when the poll is put up very soon.
________________________________________________________
On another note:
Not written in, but really, really tempted..... in Sera's thoughts, constantly throughout the date.... was that of her being friends with lover boy Darius. Also, Chance and Sera were flirting, then suddenly Chance pulled away and showed this weird face.
When I turned the camera around, here's this poor guy, in a heap on the floor.
Also, what's this all about? Look at the thought bubble over Chance.
Not a clue what he's thinking at all. If anybody can enlighten me here, I'd truly appreciate it.
