9
Cooper
The warm water runsdown my body in the shower while my brain is hung up on my first kiss with Luna.The way that everything felt right, it was like the pieces fell into place when our lips touched.My brain was consoled after constantly overthinking my dynamic with Luna for the past few weeks.Her every touch was sending alarms to my brain, wondering if she wanted to be something more or if I was alone in this feeling.The way she leaned into the kiss said otherwise.
I wanted to take her on a proper date as a boyfriend, but she strongly disagreed.You planned most of our hangouts when we were friends.Now, you are going to leave planning our first date to me.Looking at her adorable face being stern melted my heart; I couldn’t say no.
I dry myself off and put on my best shirt and trousers, and spray myself with my favourite cologne that I only save for special occasions.I kiss my Mum on the cheek before I say goodbye to her and drive to Luna’s house.I make a pitstop at the florist to get her sunflowers.
I ring the doorbell and take in deep breaths.In and out.I hide the bouquet behind my back so that I can surprise her.She opens the door, and my breath is stolen by how she looks.She is wearing a maroon velvet dress that reaches right above her knees.‘Hi, Coop, you want to come in?’
Warmth travels to my cheeks.She called me my nickname for the first time.I step forward and slip my hand behind her waist to hug her.I kiss her cheek before pulling back from her.The door closes behind me, and I reveal the bouquet, which gets me a squeal from her in return.
We walk towards the living room, and the house is empty.‘Are your parents not here?’
‘They are on a weekend trip to Scotland, on a date.’She leads me to sit on the couch.‘Did you want to do the activity first or eat first?’
A chortle escapes me.Forever the organised-Luna.I shake my head.‘Up to the discretion of the planner.’
She smiles with a wide, mischievous grin.She is up to something.‘Okay, give me a second.’She walks up the stairs to her room and comes out a minute later.‘Can you please close your eyes for me, Cooper?’Her voice is faraway; she hasn’t yet reached the end of the stairs.
‘Okay ...’
‘Okay, now, open.’Her voice is closer.
I open my eyes, and my attention falls on the chess set that she is holding.It was a luxury chess set, the board made of metallic bronze with the checkers coloured blue and bronze.
‘This is for you.’
I stay frozen, my mouth wide open.My hand is mid-air, reaching towards the chess set but not entirely grabbing it.‘But why?’
‘Because you love chess.’Her smile hasn’t faded.She places the board on my lap and sits next to me on the couch.
‘But this looks expensive, Luna.I can’t take this.’I don’t deserve this.
She places a hand on my arm.‘Of course you can.This is a small appreciation for everything you do for me.’
My throat burns.No one has ever been this thoughtful.No one has noticed or been interested in my hobbies before.But all it took was one day, one conversation for her to know exactly what I like and to bring me joy with it.I clear my throat, holding back the tears.
‘Hey, look at me,’ she whispers.She cups my face and turns it towards her.She leans forward and presses her lips onto mine.I let go of the chessboard and hold her chin.We pull apart, and I am out of breath.She looks down, her dimples making a reappearance.She looks up again to meet my eyes.‘You deserve this and much more.I like seeing you happy.Moreover, we haven’t even gotten to the best part yet.’
I scratch my head and watch as she takes the board from my lap and places it onto the table.She opens the board, takes out the custom-made metallic pieces and starts placing them in the correct positions.I stare in bewilderment.The last time we played chess, she was learning it for the first time.‘Did you learn chess?’
‘Do you want to play a match and test it out?’A playful smile dances on her lips.I like seeing the version of Luna that is herself, not hidden behind a strict guideline.
We play four matches, which end in a tie, and she knocks me out with the tiebreaker and takes the win.I feel like I belong when I’m with her, she cares about me – what I like, what I don’t like and my feelings.And I get the feeling that she is the kind of person who sticks around for life.
She surprises me with homemade Pho for dinner, which blows my mind away.Her only response to mywhy?is that she knows it is my favourite dish and that she wanted to have a go at making it.I down the entire bowl with a smile frozen in place and thank her for being the best.
We end the date by slow dancing in her living room to the violin version ofMystery of Love.She fits perfectly into my body as if we were carved together as a statue and broken apart into two clean pieces, which found their way back together.I couldn’t have asked for a better date.
