Chapters Ten, Eleven and Twelve cover one 18-hour period between Brinna & Zach. The author has requested they be posted over three consecutive days so that the reader doesn't have to wait any significant amount for of time for the three parts to conclude. Enjoy!
Lessons Learned, Ch. 10: Date Night Part I
Our experiment had been rewarding, and mutually beneficial, I thought, as we neared the end of our final study session. My work study would end this week and, with it, the use of the office. I would be expected to return the key by Friday.
"Brinna?" Zach asked tentatively, "What are you doing next Friday night? You know, to celebrate the end of term?"
"Nothing really. When you graduate mid-year, they don't hold a graduation ceremony or anything, so it's just another weekend for me. Why, what's up?"
"Well, I, uh, you know I'm not going home for another week. I wondered if you might want to go out and have dinner with me next Friday night?" He cleared his throat. "It's my twenty-first birthday."
I took so long to consider the idea, that Zach became nervous and began to fidget. With the exam period fast approaching, classes would be done soon, meaning our ban on socializing outside of class would end. Next Tuesday would also be the last time we'd see each other in class. Would there really be any harm in going out and, more importantly, going out to celebrate Zach's birthday?
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. Just forget I said anything. I'll see you in class next week, okay?" Jumping to his feet, he moved to grab his backpack. I immediately felt bad for overthinking it instead of simply saying yes, and grabbed his upper arm to stop him.
"Yes. Yes, I'll go with you."
"You don't have to go. I know you didn't want us to see each other socially. I shouldn't have asked. " He wouldn't look at me.
"I want to go with you. I'm glad you asked me." I ran my hand up and down his arm as I stepped in to press myself against him. "It'll be fun." I kissed his clenched jaw. "I'm sorry you thought I didn't want to go. You just caught me off guard."
"Really?"
"Really," I said firmly. "Where're we going?"
"Can it be a surprise?" He finally looked at me, a boyish smile on his lips.
"Sure. But if you can't tell me where we're going, can you tell me what I should wear? I mean, are we talking taco truck sweatpants, or campus food court jeans, or what?" I teased.
"Wear something pretty. And sexy," he added, the boyish smile becoming a lot warmer."And what time should I pick you up?" I chuckled at the look on his face. He still didn't drive or have a car.
"Ah, yeah, I forgot. How about seven?"
"All right. I'll need your address though." It was peculiar, I thought, that Zach and I knew each other so well, intimately, yet we'd never exchanged phone numbers, let alone addresses.
He scribbled the details on a piece of paper, handing it to me. It was fun to see the excited anticipation in him for something unrelated to our little study sessions.
"I'll see you next Friday?" It came out as more of a question than a statement, signaling the wavering of Zach's newfound confidence.
"You bet. But you're going to see me in class Tuesday first." I grinned, then kissed him lightly on the lips, letting him deepen the kiss. His arm came around my back, hand resting on my ass, pressing me hard against him. After a minute, we broke apart, a little breathlessly.
"It's going to be a long week without, uh, without studying with you," he told me.
"You'll just have to jerk yourself off on your own," I said with a laugh. "Dream about me."
"Count on it," he said. Grinning, he let himself out.
Tuesday arrived, and we blazed through our final exam. I felt extremely confident we had both aced the class, in more ways than one. Dr. B gave our research paper back after we turned in our tests. Zach grumbled about only receiving a ninety-eight. He was an overachiever in every way.
"Are we still on for Friday?" he asked as we stood in the hallway, basking in our academic bliss.
"Yeah, see you at seven, your place. Zach? Good luck with your finals, not that you need it."
"Thanks, Brinna. See you." He gave me a last lingering look, while considering whether to kiss me, I thought, but he turned and hurried away instead. I found myself affectionately smiling softly at his retreating back. He could still be so shy at times.
Friday rolled around, at last. Zach's prediction that, between our exams and missing our meetups, it would seem like a long week, was absolutely correct. Discontinuing our sessions caused an unexpected feeling of emptiness, giving me a taste of life after we went our separate ways.
Now that exams were done, I had more time to think over Zach's upcoming birthday, along with his request to wear something pretty and sexy. I chose my outfit carefully. After all, it wasn't everyday a guy turned twenty-one.
I was dressed in a short, black, low-cut dress with a pair of black kitten heels. There's only so much torture I will endure in the name of sexy. High heels are where I draw the line. Also, I didn't want to be taller than Zach tonight. My wavy red hair was reasonably under control, cooperating for once when I styled it. I chose my long wool coat to wear against the cold night.
In addition, I'd carefully chosen my intimate apparel, specifically selecting lingerie that I knew would excite Zach. However, if he wanted to see under my dress, he would need to demonstrate the confidence that we had been developing throughout the semester.
On the drive over, I had time to reflect on my nervousness about the evening. Zach and I had been intimate for the past four months, yet this was our first date. Sure, we'd had an off-campus dinner together, but that included his grandfather. That could hardly be called a date.
Arriving punctually at Zach's apartment, I knocked on the door, which he opened immediately. That told me I wasn't the only one feeling anxious about tonight's date.
"Brinna! You look beautiful, wow."