Erika was nervous.

This would be her very first date, her first date ever.

Even more so, it was her first date with someone a little older than her.

Although he was around the same age as her brother, she couldn't help but feel young.

Erika wasn’t sure if she should drop the formality and be comfortable with him, or keep it

formal, since it seems more appropriate.

Or better yet, should she just skip out on the date and tell Derrick, her date, that she couldn’t

make it because… because of what?

She was already waiting at the meeting spot.

The meeting spot being a café called Open Happiness that was only a few minutes away from

the university that they both attended.

Erika could have chosen any other place since he told her she could decide the meet up place.

So she had picked this café because she felt comfortable here and a park was within walking

distance.

She loved visiting and taking evening walks in that park.

Also, Erika just wanted something light to eat, and not for Derrick to spend so much money for

something simple.

She didn’t want anything fancy or to dine in at a fast food joint, and so, a café was a better

option.

It was a more light-hearted and cozy option, in-between.

 

Erika really didn’t know what to do.

It’s not like she dislikes Derrick, she did like him.

It’s just that, she wasn’t sure if he liked her back.

Since this date was more of a “Thank you” date, because she had helped him on a big project

and he wanted to thank her by treating her out.

Now that she thought about it, it wasn’t even a date.

This was more like an outing, a hang out, a get together, well, it was just a get together with just

the two of them.

This made Erika calm down just a bit.

In her mind, she kept telling herself that she would treat it like any other get together, but for

two, and not a date, although that is only with two people, too.

Erika tried to keep focus and not think too much of it.

Or even too much into it.

She just thought about the words that Derrick did say, which he would treat her out.

He didn’t mention anything about taking her on a date, so all in all, it wasn’t a date after all.

 

Feeling relieved, Erika let out a deep breath, but regained her composure once she saw Derrick

entered the café, and spotted her.

Despite thinking of it as a get together, her heart started beating rapidly and her nervousness

returned anyway as he walked over while smiling and waving her way.

She held her breath and returned the same gesture, while hiding her nervousness, and telling

her brain to calm down her heart.

Derrick greeted Erika and she greeted him back.

The two sat across from one another, all smiles, not sure on what else to say.

They were looking around and about them, and not at one another, letting the seconds ticked on

slowly by between them.

Before Erika could ask him about his day, Derrick asked her if she had already order.

Erika shook her head and told him, “Ahh, no, I wanted to wait for you before ordering.”

The two then made their orders and waited for it to arrive.

 

Not wanting the silence to fall upon them again, Erika asked Derrick about his day.

From there on, the conversation between the two of them went on smoothly.

Even when their order arrived, it didn’t disrupt them at all.

The two continued to talk and got to know one another much more throughout their meal.

Even when they finished eating, they were still conversing with one another and time flew right

on by.

Erika felt comfortable talking with Derrick.

Her shyness and nervousness went away, and she was able to relax and enjoy herself.

It seemed that Derrick was enjoying himself as well, and Erika smiled to herself.

“What are you smiling about?” Derrick asked her, smiling as well.

For a moment, Erika froze, but calmly answered him, “Oh um, I realized that I was having a great

time. So I didn’t realize that time flew by so quickly, because I usually take my evening stroll

around the park near here at around this time.”

Derrick smiled at her and said that it was all right.

She continued, “Thank you for treating me out. I really enjoyed talking with you. See you

tomorrow in class. I’m going to take my walk now.”

Before Erika could get up, Derrick suggested that he would like to join her on her walk.

Since they were done with their meal, and spent a few hours at the café already, he wanted to

go together for an evening stroll, if that was okay with her.

Derrick was feeling excited, shy and nervous all over again, but she wondered why he would

want to walk with her around the park.

Not wanting to reject him, and she wanted to spend more time with him, she told him it was fine,

and he could join her in her walk.

Derrick smiled, and he paid for their orders, before Erika was able to pay for her own, and they

left the café and headed towards the park.

 

Once the duo reached the park, their conversation died down, and became a steady stream of

words here and there.

It wasn’t awkward being them; the two were simply enjoying the scenery while walking.

There were only a few people at the park doing whatever they were doing, so it wasn’t as noisy

as it would be earlier in the day.

They walked alongside one another, but there was at least eight inches of space between them.

With this quiet moment among them, their mind was left to wander and their heart feeling at

peace.

Well, Erika’s heart was somewhat at peace, but it was a happy kind of peace.

As for her mind, it was busily having fun playing and walking around by itself, totally ignoring

her heart’s emotions.

She knew what she was thinking and feeling, but she wond