Chapter 18 - The Creek (1)

Hastily, Adrianna wore her dress and combed her hair. She rushed outside, picking up her black ballerina flat on way and slipping them on while walking to the car outside. She called out to tell Ed, who was in his bedroom, that she was leaving. Adrianna chuckled when she heard him growling at her for disturbing him.

She ambled to the car as Okashi and Niiya watched her in admiration. Seeing Adrianna in a dress was such a rare occasion that Niiya had to take a photo and set it as his phone wallpaper. He couldn't resist getting out of the car to go to her.

"You l-look mes-merizing A-Adrianna," he said, while stuttering. He, reached out for her hand, inviting a smirk from Okashi.

With her long hair falling to her waist, it was the first time he had seen her dressed up. She looked gorgeous. Her petite face was surrounded by a glow as her long and slender legs carried her towards the car. He held out his hand to help her climb in the car, worrying that she might stumble in her dress. Adrianna sat in the front with Okashi while Niiya had to satisfy himself with sitting in the back because his stupid sister had insisted on driving.

"Girl, you look beautiful! Why don't you toss that wardrobe of yours into the jungle and let me buy you a new one?" said Okashi as she turned her father's Porsche sports car onto the main road.

Adrianna laughed heartily at Okashi's suggestion. She couldn't even imagine a life without denim. Niiya, on the other hand, was playing with Adrianna's hair that had fallen to the side of the seat. They drove to the creek with Okashi teasing Niiya every now and then about his crush. Adrianna joined them, not knowing who they were talking about.

"Niiya, did you meet your crush today?" asked Okashi with a smirk.

"Hmm… I did…" he answered, as he played with a strand of Adrianna's hair.

Okashi glanced in the back and noticed what he was doing. She teasingly said, "You know, in olden times, men would cut their girlfriend's tresses and keep a lock in their possession as a sign of love. Often, they would keep them in their coat pockets or wrap them around their finger. Niiya, you should also do that."

Startled at Okashi's discovery, Niiya gritted his teeth and withdrew his hand from Adrianna's hair. He hated when his sister meddled in his affairs that were related to Adrianna.

"Okashi, drive the car nicely!" he chided, but Okashi just laughed.

Adrianna also joined in on their joke. She said, "Niiya, I've got an idea. Why don't we, that is, Okashi and me, set you up on a blind date?"

"What the hell? Am I that old? I don't need blind dates! I can find a girl for myself!" retorted Niiya.

Then he added, "Why don't you set up a date for Okashi? She hasn't liked a single boy that has approached her."

Now the entire conversation became focused on Okashi. "Well, I am waiting for someone who can sweep me off the floor."

"What does that mean?" asked Adrianna.

"He should literally be able to sweep me off the floor. You know, like those hulks with muscular arms and broad shoulders – they are my dream come true!" she said unabashedly.

Adrianna stared at her friend as her mind went back to him. There was a moment of strange silence amongst the friends.

"Why are you staring at me?" asked Okashi, breaking the silence.

"Because you talk too much Okashi!" replied Niiya, defending Adrianna. "Now drive the car carefully."

Okashi turned her gaze back to the road as Adrianna returned to her sulking mode. Niiya looked for her strand of hair again and stroked it softly. He was actually contemplating cutting off a strand now. He chuckled inside and let out a breath of cool air. Tonight, he would ask her to go on a date with him. She looked so lovely in her dress that he was barely able to control his urge to hug her and kiss her. He had bent forward to kiss her hair when Okashi braked the car, making him crash into the front seat.

"Okashi!" he shouted at her.

She looked behind to find him rubbing his left eye. "That is what happens when you don't wear your seat belt," said Okashi as she jumped out of the car. "We have reached our destination, you dreamy head!"

Adrianna laughed at his situation and offered to help him. Feeling a slight pain, he had covered his eye with his hand. Adrianna looked at the effected spot and blew over the spot. Niiya forgot all about the pain, as he melted like ice cream on a hot summer day. He could feel something growing in his pants. Could it get any worse?

"Niiya, there is a slight swelling. I hope they have ice. Wait here. Let me fetch some for you." Adrianna hurried towards the only beer counter she could see. She returned with ice cubes for Niiya, who held them against his swollen eye and walked like a jelly next to her until they reached where Okashi was standing.