Small Problem -8- Curfew!? (Patreon)

Small Problem

Part 8

I took a deep breath and stepped out of my room. I looked up and smiled slightly at Chad. My eyes went from the floor up to Chad’s face. Not sure when my tastes changed, but he really is a gorgeous boy.

Chad stood as I stepped into the living room. He grinned and said, “Hey, Amanda. You’re very pretty today.”

I smiled and said, “Thank you. So are you.”

Chad chuckled and grinned at me.

Feeling my face turn red, I said, “Oh! I meant to say handsome!”

Chad laughed. “I don’t think anyone’s called me pretty before.” I thought that Chad was definitely pretty. Should I let it bother me that I was somewhat overdressed compared to Chad? Chad had taken a shower and put on a clean t-shirt and jeans, while I had gotten my hair and nails done, put on a nice, sexy skirt with a pretty top, and wearing my best, well only, high heels and spent time getting my make-up perfect.

We hadn’t left the house yet, and my investment in the date was already much higher than Chad’s. Thinking back on my dates with Charlotte, I at least wore a buttoned shirt. Different times, I guess.

I stepped close to Chad. He grinned and presented the small bouquet of flowers to me. Except for a few hospital visits, nobody had ever given me flowers before. He said, “I got you these. I hope you like them. I didn’t know what flowers you like.”

I took the flowers and inhaled their fragrances. “These are beautiful, Chad! I tend towards pink roses, but these are perfect.” I blinked a couple of times. When did I favor pink roses? When did I become fascinated with cute boys? Do I still have nanites floating around in my brain?

Mom reached out for the flowers. “Here, honey. Let me put these in a vase for you.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Mom had a mile-wide smile as she took the flowers. Her reaction to Chad is certainly different from her reaction to Owen.

We stood around for a moment of embarrassed silence. Then Chad said, “Well, my Dad’s waiting, so we probably should go.” I had to think for a moment. Chad’s too young to have a driver’s license. For some reason, I stupidly thought all boys magically can drive a car. This is a different set of dating dynamics.

I smiled at Chad. “I’m ready!” He slid his arm around my waist. I got a tingle at his touch.

Mom held out my white purse. Cathy had decided the white purse should be my casual date purse. I took a quick inventory of the contents to find it was already pre-loaded with a compact, gloss, some “mad” money and a cell phone. Mom said, “Don’t forget this.”

As I closed the purse, I said, “Thanks, Mom.”

Chad took my hand. A boy holding my hand was such a new and unexpected experience. I liked it. It gave me a sense of security.

Mom gave Chad a stern look. “It’s Friday night so you need to have her home by eleven.

Chad grinned and said, “Yes, ma’am.” Being told I have a certain time to be home by ruffled my feathers a bit. But then, I’m not forty-seven years old anymore.  With a tug from Chad’s hand, we left my house. It’s official. I’m on a date. With a boy. Oh my God.

Mixed thoughts flowed through my mind as we approached the car. Kids really don’t drive roadsters anymore. I half expected a modern muscle car with wide tires sticking out past the wheel wells and a rumbling exhaust. But Chad isn’t driving, of course. So it made perfect sense to approach a brick-red Dodge Journey with a middle-aged man at the wheel. Brick red is such a dull color.

As Chad opened the back door for me to enter the car, he said, “Dad, I’d like you to meet the prettiest girl in school, Amanda Moore.” I slid across the seat to sit directly behind Chad’s dad.

Chad’s dad said, “Nice to meet you, Amanda. You’re all Chad talks about.”

“Dad!”

I looked at Chad and giggled. I looked at his dad and said, “Nice to meet you too, Mr… Mr…”

His dad chuckled. “You can call me Mr. Daniels.”

I giggled again. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Daniels.” I grinned at Chad as he slid across the back seat. The actual back seats were folded to make storage space. He put his arm behind my shoulder and playfully poked my nose.

As he drove away from my house, Mr. Daniels said, “Chad’s told me a lot about you. I’m sorry to hear of your father’s recent passing.”

I sighed and said, “Thank you.”

Chad leaned forward and said, “I think he was assassinated by an international cabal of doctors mad that he was going to put them out of business!”

Mr. Daniels looked taken aback. “How awful! Is that true? What was your dad’s job?”

I poked Chad in his ribs. “Will you stop? His job title doesn’t make sense to most people. Basically, he was a mad scientist trying to play God. He actually died from hubris and stupidity. Besides. That’s Cathy’s dad. My parents died in a house fire.” Am I being too hard on myself? If I hadn’t been stupid, I’d still be a man and not on a date with Chad. Okay, stupid isn’t always bad.

Obviously embarrassed, Mr. Daniels said, “Ah. Well, I’d stick with the international cabal story.” I nodded.

After that, the rest of the drive to the Cineplex was in silence. Chad held my hand the whole way. We parked temporarily at the front of the Cineplex. Chad jumped quickly from the car and ran around to my door. He opened my car door and extended a hand to assist me out of the back seat. Navigating in a miniskirt and high heels was a bit more difficult than I thought it would be.

As I stepped away from the car and into the mob of kids gathering around the theater entrance I heard Mr. Daniels call to Chad. “Hey, sport. Come here a second.” He lowered his voice as Chad leaned into the driver’s window, but I could still hear. “She’s a sweet little girl. You need to hang on to her.”

Chad grinned. “That’s the plan. I’ll call you when we’re ready to be picked up.”

Mr. Daniels said, “You kids have fun.” Harrowingly avoiding running over a few kids, Mr. Daniels drove away.

I felt so exposed in my high heels and miniskirt! I’m used to wearing more clothes than this when out in public. Every boy was staring at me. But most girls seemed to be dressed like I was. The way the boys dressed ran the gamut from holey t-shirts to ties.

I gratefully took Chad’s hand when he offered it to me. It’s been a while since my last date, and I wasn’t a girl then. I’d forgotten how much dating was a spectator sport. I gripped Chad’s arm tightly.

As we entered the Cineplex, the noise level rose even higher. Why are kids so damned noisy? I looked unsteadily around. This place was packed. Well, it was a Friday night. And I definitely wasn’t used to having boys stare at me. I held Chad’s arm more tightly.

Someone in the crowd waved, and I heard, “Chad!” Chad waved back at someone, and we headed in that direction. We arrived at a table with three teen boys accompanied by three teen girls.

One of the boys shouted as we got close, “Hey, Chad! We just ordered pizza. Want to join us?”

Chad looked down at me. “Is that okay?”

I really didn’t want to get in a mob, but I nodded and said, “Sure.” I wondered if other girls just agree with their dates even if they don’t want to. The boys all gave me huge grins.

Standing behind me and holding my shoulders, Chad said, “Guys? Have you met Amanda?”

The boys grinned sappily at me, and all three said, “Hey, Amanda.”

One of the girls said, “She’s our newest cheerleader. I saw you at the tryouts. I’m Wendy. I’m on the squad too.”

I nodded towards her. “Oh yeah. I remember you.”

One of the other girls folded her arms and rolled her eyes. “Oh great. Another cheerleader.”

Wendy chuckled. “Don’t mind her. I watched your performance at the tryout. I think you’ll do great.”

I smiled at her. “Thanks.”

Chad put his arms around me. “I know she’ll do great.” He kissed the back of my neck. Nuzzling my cheek, Chad said into my ear. “Hey, grab us a couple slices of pizza.” Pecking order established. I sighed.

I asked, “Meat lover’s or spinach?”

Chad made a face. “Meat lover’s, of course!” I giggled as I turned to pick up a couple paper plates.

I shook my head as I placed three slices of meat lover’s pizza on a plate. I put a small slice of pepperoni on a plate for me.

“Thanks, babe,” said Chad as I handed him his plate. He turned back to talking to his friends about the upcoming football game next Friday. The first game of the year.

My feet were already starting to hurt a bit, so I sat at the table with the other girls. That struck me as funny. The “other” girls. When I was a teen boy, I was petrified by girls.

Wendy gave me a knowing look. As she took a sip from her bottle of water, she asked, “So. Where did you and Chad meet? We haven’t had a game yet.”

I swallowed my bite of pizza and said, “We met at Marcia’s birthday party.”

Wendy nodded. “I meant to go to that. But I was out with my boyfriend instead.”

I looked over at the boy I’d seen her with. “I can understand that.”

After several minutes, I looked over at Chad and the other guys and said to myself aloud, “Do they ever stop talking football?” I was never into sports.

The girl who was less than thrilled to see another cheerleader said, “No.”

Checking the time on my phone, I asked, “Anyone know when the movie starts?”

“What movie?” asked Wendy.

I said, “That Tommy Kincaid movie Shoujo Commando Izumi.”

Wendy said, “Same movie we’re going to. Starts in about forty minutes. After the movie, you want to go bowling with us?”

I shrugged. “That’s up to Chad.”

Wendy frowned at me. “It’s your date, too, you know.”

“I honestly don’t know what his plans are,” I said matter-of-factly. Wendy just nodded.

As if on cue, Chad turned to me and said, “Hey, babe. We should probably get in the snack line before it’s too late.”

I frowned at him. “I was beginning to wonder!”

“Sorry, babe!” He bent down and kissed me. I shook my head. If you think a kiss is going to just fix everything… well, okay. I’ll let it slide this time. And the jury is still out on being called a babe.

We hurried over and got in line. Naturally, we were sandwiched in between several of his football friends. And not just the ones we had pizza with. Maybe it’s a bad idea to date a football player. He wrapped his arms around me, pulled me close and rested his chin on the top of my head. I know I’m being wishy-washy, but I think I need to give it more time.

Chad kept his arms around my waist as we picked out a tub of popcorn and large drinks for each of us. I wasn’t sure what to think as he kept getting congratulated on his choice of girl. They’re talking about me as if I wasn’t there and an award or something.

Finally, we headed towards the auditorium. Our specific seats were already bought, and fortunately, none of Chad’s friends were close by. I didn’t want an audience as I snuggled against him. Is my desire to be close to Chad genuine or a product of left-over nanites? And does it matter?

Chad didn’t even hesitate about sliding his arm around my shoulder. I smiled at him as I snuggled into the crook of his arm. He pulled me closer. I felt a slight feeling of annoyance thinking of all the time wasted as a man when I could have been enjoying being held by a cute boy. I gotta get these left-over nanites turned off.

The movie was fun and action-packed. Tommy Kincaid was hilarious. Then the action slowed down, and the movie slipped into a love scene. I could no longer handle it. I looked up into Chad’s eyes. He smiled and bent his head towards me. His warm, soft lips touched mine. I moaned softly and pressed my lips harder into his. His tongue slipped between my lips, and I sucked on it. Oh my God! To think I’ve been missing all this. Why didn’t I invent these nanites sooner?

I didn’t notice when the house lights went up and with some pissed off clean up people waiting on us to finish necking. Chad nudged me a few times. “I think we need to go, babe. It’s 10:30 anyway.”

“Okay. If we have to.” Holy crap. I was in such a dreamy state. I totally couldn’t have cared less about my curfew. She’s not my mom! She’s not even my wife anymore. Curfew smurfew.

Laughing as he tried to stand me up, Chad said, “Let me call Owen to bring the car around.”

I suddenly stood up straight. Terrified, I shouted, “Owen!?”

Chad chuckled. “Cathy told me to say that.”

Frowning, I said, “I’m going to kill her!”

Chad laughed. “Let’s get you home first.”

All the way home, I clung to Chad. We kissed and cuddled. It was crazy how I felt. Would all that desire for Chad die off after he went home? I guess I’m about to find out. Actually, I hope it does. I don’t want to pine for Chad if he’s not around.

Mr. Daniels drove up to the curb outside my house. He grinned and said, “Five minutes to spare!”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Daniels!” I squealed.

Chad stepped out of the car and hurried over to help me out. “I’ll walk you to your door.”

I grinned at Chad as I took his hand, and he escorted me to my front porch.

I threw my arms around Chad’s neck when we reached the porch. “Thank you for the wonderful time, Chad! I really enjoyed it. Just curious, though.”

Chad grinned at me. “What about?”

“Where did that girl keep getting all those bazooka rockets?” I giggled as I stared into Chad’s eyes.

Laughing, Chad said, “You’re not supposed to ask those questions. I’m glad you had a good time, though. Would you like to go out again?”

My arms still around Chad’s neck, I said, “Oh, I’d love to!”

There was a pause of several seconds as we just stared at each other. Then Chad leaned his face towards me. I closed my eyes as his lips touched mine. I felt such an incredible tingle as we kissed. I didn’t want this moment to end. Chad ran his fingers through my hair. I gasped for breath.

Chad’s dad honked his horn a couple of times.

Chad pulled away and smiled at me. “I think my dad is ready to go.”

I waved towards the car. “Tell him it’s okay for him to leave.”

Chad laughed. “No, goofball. He has to take me back home.”  Chad disengaged from me.

“Good night, Chad. Thanks again!”

Chad bent down and kissed me once more. “Good night, babe. Catcha later.”

I stood on the porch in a pink stupor and watched Chad walk back to his car and then drive away.

As I entered the house, Mom was standing by the couch tapping her foot and arms folded. “You’re late.”

My mood destroyed, I shouted, “I am not! We were five minutes early!”

Mom swatted at my hair. “The curfew is inside the house by eleven. Not standing on the porch for half an hour sucking your boyfriend’s tonsils.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” I said with a scowl. “I’m an engineer. You have to explain these things.”

Mom rolled her eyes when I said I was an engineer. She swatted my backside. “Go to bed.”

I frowned. “Yes, ma’am.” I hurried down the hall towards my room. Cathy met me in the hall outside my bedroom.

She laughed. “Yeah, Mom caught me with that same nonsense about being in the house. But hey, girl. Dial it back some. You’re just fourteen.” She looked over my shoulder. “Mom’s looking at us. Tell me everything tomorrow, okay?” She ruffled my hair and ran to her room.

I grinned as I shut my bedroom door. What an incredible night I had. I sat on my cot and fell right to sleep.

*  *  *

End of Part8 of Small Problem