Dinner was weird. I mean, I've never had steak and Idaho potatoes before, which was what they were having for dinner. Everyone, except for me, sat down at the table grabbing their fork, stabbing it into the steak. Nathan had already taken a stab at the steak and started to cut it when he realized I wasn't sitting next to him. He looked up and saw me standing.
"Aren't you going to eat?" he asked walking over to me.
"I . . . well . . . I've never had steak before," I said feeling a little awkward. I mean, I was standing by myself wondering what the heck I was supposed to do when the rest of the family was eating.
"You haven't?" he raised up his eyebrows.
I shook my head no.
"Well then have some of my Dad's finest."
Nathan lead me to my seat next to him at the table, and as I sat down he pushed my chair in. I looked at the steak. I grabbed my fork debating whether I should stab it and then bring it to my mouth or I should stabbed it then cut it with the fork. I watched Nathan cut his steak, I did the same.
"So Ellie," said the woman who had her hand on my forehead earlier, who I found out was Nathan's Mom. "Where are you from?"
I panicked. LA is a big city compared to here. But will Dirk find me?
"LA."
"Los Angles?"
"Uh huh."
Everyone's forks dropped, and then looked at their father. The father was a strong man. You could tell he worked hard at what he did -- whatever that was.
"Those Californians don't have anything good in their state!"
"Dad!" Nathan hollered.
"Sorry son. It's just that--"
"Dad, let's rewind and start on a good foot this time," said Lauren interrupting her father. "Dad, introduce yourself to Ellie."
"I'm Robert."
"I'm Theresa," said Nathan's mother turning her head towards her other daughter.
"I'm Lanie."
"I'm Lauren, of course you know me," Lauren smiled. "And this is Stinker."
"My name isn't Stinker!" a boy yelled. "I'm Noah."
After all the introductions dinner went by in a breeze. Nathan and I volunteered to clean up dinner. Well, I should say Nathan volunteered us. I washed the plates and cups while Nathan washed the silverware.
I felt a spray of water on my forehead. I blinked my eyes and then turned to find Nathan holding the house from the sink with an idiotic grin on his face.
"You looked like you needed some water."
"Did I? Well you do too." I splashed some water on him and ran out the door -- laughing.
Nathan ran after me with a sponge in his hand threatening me with it. I just laughed, thinking about all the crazy things you can do with a sponge. He caught up with me when I stopped to see where he was. I fell to the ground, laying on my back calling, "I surrender! I surrender!"
"It's about time," said Nathan and then squeezed the sponge onto my forehead. He then laid down next to me. "My birthday is tomorrow and I don't want you to get me anything."
"Why not?"
"I don't want you spending money on me. You're the greatest gift I'll ever receive."
I turned my head towards him, at the same time her turned his head to me.
"Really?" I asked.
"Really."
Nathan stood up and then helped me up. After I was back on my feet, he still held my hand and then toke my other one. I looked at him and stared into his eyes as he looked into mine. Nathan's head slowly started to come closer to mine as I mine, in response to his, came closer.
That was our first kiss.
The kiss wasn't a greedy one it was a sweet one. I wanted to keep it and put it in my pocket for all time and eternity.
When Nathan backed away I still stood in amazement. It was . . . was . . . cool. I smiled.
"Wow . . .um. That was unexpected," I said stupidly.
"Sorry, I um . . ."
"It's okay," I said as I toke his hand we walked until I heard my name.
"Madeline."
