Olive's P.O.V.
It was time for my date with Leo already, and I had no idea what he had planned. I honestly was feeling odd about it. I kept trying to get my head into the right mind frame, but it somehow kept going back to Lucas. Last night's events kept playing in my head. He seemed so serious when he, in not so many words, said he'd change for me. I know that I was just reading too much into it. He just probably didn't want to leave.
"You look cute." Hailey snapped me out of my thoughts.
I had decided to wear a floral patterned, light pink dress with a small jean jacket and wedged sandals. Hailey had done my makeup giving me a more natural glow. She said I needed to look more of the innocent girl next door type for this date. I didn't see why. I should just be myself not some innocent version. I had to use a lot of makeup to cover up the marks Lucas had left as well.
"I don't know Hails. Is this really okay?" I sighed, not feeling as excited as I thought I would.
"Yes, go out and explore, see what you like. Julius was only one guy. You need to see what else is out there, aside from Lucas. Don't feel guilty, and enjoy yourself!" She scolded me, knowing me all too well.
"Yeah, okay." I reluctantly caved to her words.
The doorbell rang right at that moment, having Hailey squeal with excitement as she raced to the door. I walked slowly behind, seeing Leo standing at the door, dressed nicely. He had a pair of slacks on with a button up shirt. He was a more casual formal, which worried me for where we were going.
"You ready?" He smiled widely at me.
"Yup." I nodded grabbing my small brown purse off the hook by the door.
Leo held his arm out for me, which I took with a slight reluctance. I knew once I did, this date would really start, and I was feeling pretty nervous. I was worried that the makeup would melt around my neck revealing the deep purple mark Lucas left me last night. I would almost think he did it on purpose. I took his arm, placing my hand in the crook of his elbow.
"Where are we going?" I asked him,
"There's a new restaurant I want us to try. My mom's friend is the chef there." Leo answered me as he opened the car door for me.
I was worried he'd take me somewhere fancy.
"That's cool." I smiled at him as he closed the door.
I took a couple deep breaths trying to calm my nerves before Leo entered his car on the driver's side. He drove us to a very elegant looking restaurant with glass walls near the entrance and very modern decor inside. We were sat quickly despite the large crowd waiting in the foyer. It made me feel bad for them all. I don't like having that much privilege.
"This place looks really nice, don't you think?" Leo asked me as he opened the menu before him.
"It's very elegant, that's for sure." I opened my menu, wanting to pass out from the sheer lunacy of the prices. "Leo!" I scolded him. "This is way too much."
I shook my head crazily, still astounded.
"Don't worry about it. Remember the chef is friends with my mom." Leo tried to ease my worries, but I didn't like the idea of him spending so much money on me.
I stared at the menu a while longer, unable to decipher what half these dishes are. I also still couldn't stomach the prices of most of them.
"Leo, I really don't know what to order." I bit at my lip as I kept looking at the menu with furrowed brows.
"I can order for you, if you like. I think I know what you'd want." He offered and I quickly nodded my head, trying not to make a fool of myself here.
Leo ordered some food I couldn't pronounce when our waitress came by with some white wine. I'm surprised they allowed him to order considering he's not 21. I also really hate white wine.
"What do you like to do for fun Olive? Surely going to parties isn't the only thing." He winked at me. I laughed, shaking my head no.
"Yeah, definitely not. I like to read. I love to go on runs. Hikes are my jam, as well as camping. I also like to fight." I was on a roll, and had forgotten to stop myself before that last one.
"Fight?" He raised a brow in question.
"Mhmm, like in a ring." I explained, trying to avoid his blue eyes.
"Hmm, I can't picture it." He told me as he took a drink from his glass.
I hadn't touched my wine except to taste it, and confirm that I still hate it. He didn't take his eyes off me the entire time. So I think he caught how offended I was by his words. I'm definitely a fighter and I thought I gave off an intimidating aura, but I guess not.
"What about you?" I asked him.
"Oh, that's easy. I like to watch sports at the stadium. I love watching scary movies. I also like to spend time with my friends playing football or soccer. You know I actually have a baseball scholarship?" He raised his brows at me like I should be impressed, which I was.
"That's awesome. I want to see you play one day."
"I would like that." He smiled back.
Our plates were brought out and I wondered where the rest of the food had gone. The portion seemed likely to feed a small child more than an adult. I couldn't believe how expensive the food was for so little of it. I picked up my fork wondering what exactly it was that Leo had ordered us. The meat was very tender, cutting like butter against the knife. It looked good, but tasted a little too gamey for me. I ate it all, not just because I was hungry, but because I wasn't going to have Leo waste any money.
Leo paid for the overpriced food, making me feel guilty, but he didn't think of it at all. He left a nice tip which gave him a plus in my book. He grabbed my hand, leading us out of the restaurant and towards a busy strip mall across the street. I hate going shopping. I never did much shopping as a kid or a teen. Now as an adult it's the last thing I want to go out and do. I mainly order clothes online because I hate feeling like other people are watching what I pick to wear.
"What are we doing now?" I asked him.
"Thought we could look around and see if there was anything you liked." He offered.
"I hope you're not planning on buying me anything else. That meal was very expensive, Leo!" I scolded him and his poor use of money.
"Liv, you don't have to worry about it. Money isn't an object I have to worry about." He assured me, making me feel slightly disgusted with him for a moment.
"Tell me you didn't just say that." I stopped walking, forcing him to take a step back so that he wouldn't pull me forward.
"What?" He seemed genuinely confused.
"Just because you have a lot of it doesn't mean you need to spend so much of it. For example our food just now, aren't you still hungry?" I asked, hearing his stomach rumble.
"Maybe a little, but I am fine." He shrugged.
"That was way too much money for too little food. I am not trying to be ungrateful, but I also don't like to spend too much money." I sighed, feeling this date wasn't going the best.
"I understand, Liv. I am sorry I made you feel uncomfortable." He squeezed my hand as he spoke. I could tell he meant it, but honestly, Leo doesn't know me well at all.
He still has this nice sweet and innocent image of me in his head that is very inaccurate. I feel like that's the version of me he wants, this non existent one. Leo is sweet, and he's been through a lot with his dad. I know that I can lean on him, but honestly I don't know that he understands me that well. This date has proved just that to me.
"How about you pick where we go next? Obviously, I'm not doing the best job." Leo laughed nervously as he scratched at the back of his head.
I looked around, trying to think of where to go, when I saw it in the distance. The dim lighting inside with the neon sign overhead called to me. Jimmy John's Arcade.
"Let's go there." I smiled up at him, excitement rolled through me for the first time. Leo smiled back at me as he noticed where I pointed.
"Are you sure that's where you wanna go? I won't go easy on you." He teased, making me laugh.
"I'm sure."
To make my point I pulled him by his hand towards the arcade with a giggle. I was hit with the familiar scent of sweat, Windex, and whatever was spilled onto the dark blue carpet, soaked up by the padding underneath for all eternity. I took a deep breath, transporting myself back to when I was a teenager and would go to the arcade Friday night's, determined to beat the high score on pacman. Of course, I was always alone when I went, but I'd run into someone at the arcade and strike up a conversation or two.
Leo and I played many 2 player games, from street fighter to racing games. Leo wasn't kidding when he said he wouldn't take it easy on me. He was good at these games, making me question how often he'd been to an arcade. That's not to say I lost every time, but Leo definitely had more victories than me. I laughed at his comments and the way he tries to block my view to win a few times.
"Cheater!" I pushed him playfully. "I could have won that one if you hadn't covered my eyes."
I laughed as I complained, my cheeks hurt from all the smiling. I looked at my phone realizing we'd been here for almost 2 hours now. I had wanted to get back to mom before 2 but now it was 3. I looked at Leo with my smile fading.
"I need to get back to my mom." I sadly admitted.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, Liv. I know it's important you spend as much time with her. Let's go. I'll take you to the hospital right now."
He walked so quickly I practically had to sprint to keep up. I appreciated that he wanted to get me back to mom so fast. Leo is a sweet and caring guy, and although the date had not gone well at first, it ended wonderfully. The arcade was just what we needed to let loose and enjoy each other's company.
Leo stopped right by his passenger side door, he leaned down towards me, getting so close to my face again. I didn't move as he leaned in, letting his lips meet mine. I was curious to see how they would feel. They were soft and warm, like plush marshmallows. The kiss was short and sweet, leaving me with a light blush on my cheeks.
"Thank you for today, Leo."
I smiled up at him as he opened the door for me. He shook his head no at me, making me furrow my brow for a moment.
"Thank you, Liv. I know it was not going great until you took us to the arcade " He smiled at me, shaking his head no. "Let's get you back to the hospital."
My phone rang as he came around to the driver's seat. It was the hospital.