I lost count of how many times I flipped through my closet, wishing I had more than a days notice to find something to wear. I had nothing, nothing that was good enough for a first date. And not just any first date, but the first date I had been looking forward to my entire life.

I eventually settled on my favorite strapless knee-length pastel yellow dress. It wasn't super dressy, but it was what I felt the most beautiful in out of everything I owned, and I needed all the confidence it could give me.

Josh and I had gone out plenty of times before, but now, tonight was different. And I was praying that it went perfectly. After being friends for so long, I wasn't sure how transitioning from friends to.. more than friends would go, but tonight would tell us everything.

I spun around in the mirror one more time before slipping on my white sandals, unsure of just how formal of a place he was taking me. But the last time I wore these, he told me how pretty he thought they were, and I knew I'd never be able to wear them again without thinking of him.

Brushing my hair back, I decided to leave it down, allowing for easy access if he wanted to comb his fingers through again. Ever since I left, I couldn't stop replaying the morning over and over in my mind. The feeling of his hands caressing my face, kissing me like I had always dreamed of.

The nerves then slowly started to melt away, being left with only excitement.

As I pulled into the hospital parking lot, I fixed my hair again in the mirror, making sure my dress was pressed into place. My mom had never gotten to see me dressed up for a date before, so I wanted to make sure I looked my best.

I knocked on her door, her eyes instantly lighting up as I peeked my head inside.

"Oh! Look who's here!" She yelled out, flashing me a wide grin. I sighed, feeling better knowing that it was a "good" day. "And what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit?" I made my way in, spinning around, showing off my dress, flashing her a toothy smile.

"Jaime, you look so beautiful. But what's the occasion? Do you have a date tonight?" She laughed, clearly joking, but I was so excited to finally have an answer for her. I nodded, biting down on my lip, trying my hardest to contain my giddy grin. Her eyes went wide as she pushed herself up, staring back at me eagerly.

"Do you really?!" She exclaimed. "With who? Oh my goodness, is it with Josh? Please tell me it's finally with him, Jaime." I nodded again, feeling my face get hot. In that moment, I felt like I could melt into the floor, but I was so happy to finally be able to share this with her. After all these years of teasing me, I knew she would be just as excited for me, if not more.

"Oh, Jaime. I am so happy for you. What happened? How did he ask you? Where are you going? Tell me everything." She said, patting the spot next to her on the bed. I went over, sitting down close.

"Well, last night.. at their barbecue-"

"Oh I knew something was going to happen." She laughed, her smile growing.

"We.. well, we kissed. And he.. he told me how he feels about me."

"Jaime we all knew how he feels about you." She sighed.

"And then.. he asked me out. For tonight. So.. I just wanted to come by and show you. Do you think.. this is nice enough?"

"He would love you in anything, Jaime." She said softly, reaching over, gently pushing the hair out of my face. "I'm so excited for you, and I can't wait to hear all about it. Thank you for including me. I've always dreamed of the day I got to see you off on your first date. And.. well, it is a little later than I was anticipating.." She laughed. I rolled my eyes, feeling my cheeks burn. "But I am so happy you waited for the right person. He is so good to you. I know it's going to go.. perfectly."

I stayed a little while longer while she told me about her roommates, constantly rotating out, each one worse off than the next, but I was always thankful she seemed to keep her sense of humor.

"How are you feeling though? You're.. you're sure you're okay if I g-"

"Jaime, you're not missing this. I won't let you." She laughed, shaking her head. "I need you to have family of your own when I'm gone."

"Don't say that." I sighed, still unable to imagine a day where she won't be here.

"I'm sorry, but.. I just worry about leaving you alone. And I know that he-" She stopped herself, holding in her smile.

"What?"

"Nothing." She sighed, gently running her fingers through my hair again. "Go ahead, go have fun. And call me after. Tomorrow if you want, if it carries over-"

"Mom." I snapped, still not ready to have this conversation with her.

"Okay, okay. But.. I'm just saying.. if you find yourself in a position where.. just.. be smart, okay?" I got up from her bed, fixing my dress again.

"Got it. Okay. We're done here." I laughed. She reached out for my hand, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Alright, I love you. Have so much fun. Tell him I said hi, okay?"

"Okay. I love you. Please.. call me if anything-"

"You know I'm not gonna interrupt your night. I'll be okay. Don't think about me."

But it was impossible to not think about her.

"Okay. I'll let you know how it goes." I said, heading for the door.

"Please call me to tell me you finally have a boyfriend. I only have so long." I flashed her a timid smile, nodding before making my way out.

I had no idea what I was supposed to wear on a date. Jaime and I had hung out loads of times, but it was always.. casual. Comfortable. When it came to getting dressed up, I wasn't sure.. how dressed up to get.

I wouldn't say the restaurant I was taking her to was fancy, but.. it was nice. It was one of her favorites. She always talked about how her mom would bring her there for her birthday and to celebrate her accomplishments, whatever they may be, but knowing Jaime, there were plenty.

Hopefully she still liked it.

I rummaged through my closet, finally pulling out a light purple button down. If anything, it would match the roses that I got her.

I had spent an embarrassing amount of time researching the perfect flower to get for her tonight, and I was lucky that the florist down the road had lavender roses. I knew she wouldn't know what they meant but.. I did. And one day I'd tell her, but after talking to Jake, I was suddenly second guessing everything. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her off by feeling.. too much, too soon.

But Jaime and I were different.

Our love started the day I laid eyes on her.

I sighed, spinning around in the mirror one more time before accepting this was as good as it was going to get. I knew that no matter what Jaime chose, she was going to be the most beautiful one in the room. She never had to try. She just.. always was.

Going out into the hall, I could see Jake's door open, followed by light strumming of his guitar. I decided against asking him for any more advice, knowing that anything he might say would probably psych me out of the night completely.

"Hey.." I said softly, knocking on Sam's door. He spun around in his desk chair, looking me up and down.

"Well, look at you. Where are you headed?" I bit down on my lip, feeling my cheeks burn.

"I.. um.. I have a.. a date." I managed, shoving my hands into my pockets. His smile grew.

"A date? You?" He laughed. I nodded, rolling my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah.." I sighed, spinning around. "How do I look? Is this good?"

"Looks great. So who's the girl?" My smile grew.

"Shut up.. is it Jaime?" I nodded, giggling to myself.

"Yes.. it's Jaime."

"Damn. Finally! Good for you. Where are you taking her?" I sighed, leaning back against the doorway. It felt nice to have someone be happy for me.

"Her favorite restaurant. And then I figured a walk around town.. maybe get some ice cream, and then.. who knows." I shrugged.

It hadn't even started yet, but I already didn't want the night to end.

Sam nodded, leaning back in his chair, flashing me a wide grin.

"That sounds great. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. Jake was.. less than helpful." His face dropped.

"Oh, well.. you know how he gets. I'm sure he's just.. in one of those moods. Don't worry. You can come and tell me."

"Thank you. That.. that means a lot." He nodded, his smile growing.

"She's always been like a sister to us, I'm just glad you're finally doing something about it."