E V A N E S C E N T pt 2: The Date

You never really expected this of all things. Getting ready for a date with someone you only knew during that strange encounter in the museum. That encounter made you friends and fond memories. You got to know so many people and you actually somehow got on a date with a supposed "bad guy," known as Giovanni Potage. An Epithet with the power of butt-whoopin' and making a pretty mean bisque. Gosh, his etiquette was rubbing off on you. Though you guys were such unlikely couple, you somehow got along so well. You honestly probably wouldn't have been here if wasn't for your youngest friend, Molly.

Molly was especially young for her but had the most mature advice, she even helped you file your taxes that one time- even though you were so adamant against it. You wanted to give her the opportunity to be a kid, wild and carefree. Though you both enjoyed each other's company. You had so much fun with each other and sometimes you girls would invite Giovanni over to hang out- who was he to say no? It was mostly for video games, or just talking but it was fun. And now you were here also consulting Molly's help for your date, as she put weirdly textured flowers in your hair that reminded you of cereal marshmallows. Honestly, your not sure where she got her stars but they were so cute and when you asked if she had more of different shapes, she pulled out this huge box filled to the brim of cereal textured flowers, hearts, stars, bears, and even tear drops. There was so many and she just asked which one as you just nervously pointed to the flowers as she immediately pushed your lumbering form from the entrance of your run down apartment to your bathroom.

To say that you were satisfied with your hair was an understatement. You absolutely adored your hair, with textured flowers as Molly fawned over your hair almost immediately. "Oh my! Your so-" She just casually took out her phone and snapped a picture without you looking as you were starring at the mirror. "Pretty. If you weren't about to go on a date with Giovanni- I would ask you to be my mom." Molly quickly hid the phone behind her back as you turned around to give her a hug. "Thank you, Teddy bear." As you both grinned, Molly made a mad dash for your room, and before you could stop her, she came back with a dress. She tossed it to you as you caught it as she closed the door behind her. "What- Gah! Molly! Are you absolutely sure you know what your doing?"

"Put it on! He'll like it!" She said with a giggle before leaving, skipping along your shabby apartment floors. It was a simple and short flowing dress that you forgot you had. You remembered that the only reason you kept it was because it twirled whenever you spun around and that it could turn into it's own one piece short body suit when you tucked the ends of the dress into designated pockets. You mostly used it for roller-skating, a small hobby that you had when you were a kid, but you still went from time to time. You haven't went in a while and it made you kind of disappointed that you couldn't do what you used to anymore.

But hey, now you were about to go on a date with the sweetest guys you know. As you pat down your dress and walked out the door, the doorbell rang. Which couldn't have been any better timing, so as soon as you got to the door- Molly had stopped you.

"Wait! Don't open the door yet! I wanna open it for you." You looked at Molly, as she grinned.

"Really?"

"Duh! Yeah really! It just makes things way more magical!" With a huff and push of a door, Giovanni was outside fumbling with his hair. His face flushed and his smile softened as he saw you at the door. "So I see your taking Bear Trap's look?" He had said, barely managing to get it out without a stutter as steam rushed from beneath his hair. You tuck a hair behind your ear as you stifle a laugh. "Sure, but unlike her being the stars in my sky- I'm a fluttering wallflower." He just smiled as he took out his hand. "Well. . . shall we?" You just smiled as you gave Molly a goodbye hug, she made you both take a picture before you left.

You guys somehow took Car Crash's motorbike because that was the one thing he didn't seem to crash as you both seemed to head towards Giovanni's surprise. It honestly wasn't what you expected at all. A looming tower, with an itty bitty restaurant at the very top peering over the city with it's tiny balcony. With you both carefully hand in hand, you took the elevator up the building to the reservation desk. It was an awkward ride up, but even awkward wait. Before you guys decided to go on a date you guys were always so comfortable with goofing off with each other and laughing as much as you could till tears poured out of your eyes. Was it because Molly was there? Maybe it was because of that, or your nervous jitters. With a ding, you guys got off the elevator, and headed towards your impending doom.

This place was fancy- way too fancy. Like in movies fancy and anyone could tell that you both were way too out of place. Giovanni's slightly tacky yet cute baby blue button up and your dress romper didn't really fit in with all the shiny, gold and glitter people were wearing. You just really wanted to hide but Giovanni gave you a smile as you both walked up to the reception. After confirming one of the tables you two walked over and sat down. Too many shiny people were staring at you, but you just looked down at the too many plates, forks and three spoons! Who needed three spoons? Giovanni also noticed this conundrum as you both were greeted by a too prim and proper waiter. None of this just felt right, uncomfortable gitters kept you feeling as if you didn't fit in.

He showed you how to use the silver ware but he was so, grumpy about it. As if he didn't like the both of you at all. You mostly felt uncomfortable whenever he looked at you, with leering eyes. Once he left you felt like you could breathe. You and Giovanni shared a grossed out look, as you both did your best to try an communicate. But it was hard in this setting. When he told a joke, you really wanted to laugh. To chortle and snort, but you saw the eyes of everyone judging you and him. Giovanni could also tell that you were uncomfortable and he was getting slightly impatient. He just wanted you to have a nice time, to feel comfortable around him. But as soon as you could feel warm, a wet blanket had just arrived back with the smallest bowls of soup. As soon as you grabbed one of the many spoons, the waiter gave you one of the dirtiest looks you've ever seen. But he gave you a wry smile as he forcefully grabbed your wrist, making you drop the spoon with a gasp as he moved your hand to the other spoon.

That immediately caused chaos. When you winced, Giovanni immediately stood up and grabbed onto his arm, squeezing it as steam poured from it. The waiter pulled his arm back yelping from the burn. "Dude what the heck!" You could feel the stares but Giovanni didn't stand back down from this. "You have no right to grab her like that, and for what? Some silly spoon!" He had hissed back, sharp as his steam. You just stood up and grabbed his hand. "Hey, Giovanni- it's okay. I'm fine." He fought back, not really mad at you but how you were acting. "No! I'm not gonna let some punk step all over you because you won't stand up for yourself. And because I like you, I'm going to stand up for you when you can't." You smiled as he grabbed you hand and you went towards the balcony. The waiter was about to pull you back, but Giovanni whacked him back. "Hey you need to pay!" You immediately retorted back for Giovanni since he stood up for you. "No way! For what shitty soup? My boyfriend can make better soup than this place."

"Aww thanks babe. So nice- wait you actually- wait you actually called me you boyfriend! Oh I need to tell his to Bear Trap!" Giovanni flushed as you grabbed him by the waist as steam rushed from his feet and burst up as you both jumped off the building.

You could hear screams from behind you guys as you flipped them off. "We're bad guys and we do whatever the freakin' hell we want!" It felt like a scene from a movie as you both gracefully fell slowly and gently. Creating bubbles to hide yourselves from people thinking you were about to crash on the ground- you both laughed.

"How about we get out of this place and go and have fun somewhere else? I think Bear Trap sent me some tickets for rollerblading?" You seemed so excited, and you both agreed that this may have not have been the best first date but technically this was only the first part of the first date. You both walked down the sidewalk, hiding the both of you whenever the coppers drove past. Hand in hand you both made it to the skating rink, using both of your tickets and sending Molly a thank you text- you and Giovanni tied your laces as you both helped each other with standing up. You were good at this, getting rollerblades instead of the skates with the four wheels, while Giovanni struggled- you carefully taught him how to fall and how to march. This was what you were hoping for in your first date with him. Both of you having a great time as you both laughed and fell down together. It hurt a tad, but the pain was washed away as it didn't make up for the joy that was bubbling within. Getting out of the rink, you both bought cheap pizza and spoke jokes. Laughter and disco lights were all you needed. This was pretty great, trashy food tasted way better than your terribly plain soup. All of this was just better.

Once it was time to close, you had managed to teach him how to cross over turn. He was a fast learner and was willing to learn- though practically covered you head to toe in safety pads. You both had an absolute blast; jumping from a building and roller skating the life away. But as you walked up the stairs to your run down apartment- you knew that this was just gonna be the first of many good times. He scratched his hair nervously as he lean down towards you. But before he could- Molly had slammed to door open as she took a picture as you both turned to look at her. "No! I thought I would be able to take a picture at the right time." You both laughed as Giovanni picked Molly up by the scruff of her bear hoodie. She quickly angled her phone as she grinned. "Say cheesy broccoli soup!" As you were about to say it Giovanni gave you a quick kiss as Molly missed it by just a second in her picture. "I missed it! Whyyy??? Aaah! I was gonna print it out and use it as blackmail." You both laughed as you ruffled her hair, as Giovanni let ho of her bear hoodie- she immediately ran and hugged your legs. "Hey hey hey, can we watch a movie?" You nod as she ran to go put in a DVD that you had for years. Warmth like this- sitting on the couch, curled up next to your two favorite people about to watch an awful movie with a horrible plot. This terrible first half date had led to an absolutely wonderful second half. And you loved this all even more, your boyfriend and your best friend.

Hey y'all, this took a while. I wanted to make sure it was good and had all the plot points I wanted covered. Hope you all enjoyed the time and energy I pour into these. I absolutely love Giovanni's theme so I put it in the book so you all can give it a listen! Have a nice day or night- I'mma sleep now.

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