School was fun. We began the first round of questions, but it didn't take all period.
We asked our questions about which city was north of Canada against team #10, who didn't get the answer. Team #3 did and got one point. It was an easy question. We did answer our question from team #10, and it was a tricky one that we knew. Which city was supposed to be a perfect square but ended up with part of its territory removed? That's Washington, DC. Duh.
We managed to get 2 other points from missed questions. This put us in the lead, with 4 points. Team #3 had 3 points, while most other teams had 2. One of the questions did get refused as it was too much about the specifics of the town, but Mrs. Sanchez blocked it when it was asked and gave the two points to team #7.
I think I had fun. Lyndon sure did, and Olivia seemed, I don't know, away. Like, she couldn't focus today. Maybe it was her periods? She didn't talk about them. Like, at all. Ever. Marge did, Edith did, and even Mindy used to.
But Olivia was more private with that kind of thing. I knew she had them, as I saw pads once in the garbage can in her bathroom. Granted, it could have been her mother, but I also saw fresh pads in her bag a few times. Most girls have them. Granted, I do too, in case my menarche arrives when I am at school.
The evening eventually arrived, and the plan was clear. My parents would drop me at his place. I had to go home first and eat supper.
I did, nude, but after supper, I refreshed my makeup and got dressed. Only wearing my sundress was vetoed by my parents. "Keep that for future dates," but I got another dress, a bra top, which revealed less skin and which they approved.
I could see their point. He is a hormone-filled teenage boy after all, and I am a still-booting-up teenage girl.
I put on nice shoes, not my dancing shoes I usually wear, and I even got a purse from my mom that fit my dress to put my phone and some makeup in in case I needed a freshening up.
I also got a pad in case cosmic irony decided I would get my menarche on my first date ever.
My mom came to drop me off too and was also astonished at the size of the house, but also that both cars were BMWs. The other one was a car, not an SUV.
They wanted to come to the door, but I managed to get them to just wait in the car. Edith wasn't pampered like that, I reminded them. "We knew Ellie; we don't know his parents."
"I'll be fine," I said.
When I rang, Lyndon answered the door, and when he saw me, all he said was "Wow."
"Hi Lyndon."
"Hi Julie. I am so happy to see you."
"Good. I am delighted to see you too."
He actually saluted my parents. "Should I go talk to them?"
"That will only encourage them to be even more annoying," so I saluted them, and we got inside.
I got to meet his mom. She is younger than his dad.
"I am happy to meet you, Julie," she said.
"Likewise."
"Call me Samantha."
His father also presented himself as Andrew.
"Hey, that's my father's middle name," I said.
"I like him already," he said, laughing.
"We'll be in the movie room, keeping it clean," said Lyndon.
His parents wished us a good evening, and we went into the room above the garage, upstairs.
It was like an actual movie theater, with a white screen taking most of the wall at the back of the room, opposite the front of the house, and a projector on the ceiling. Huge speakers were all around the room to give a surround sound effect.
Comfortable seats were placed in rows, and they looked more like movie theater seats than actual sofas. Only the seat portion didn't lift like in movie theaters.
The DVD player was actually behind us.
"This is wonderful."
"I know. My dad is a major movie fan, and this is a gift from my mom for their anniversary," he says.
"How nice," I reply.
"So, you wanted to talk. Should I, should you?" He says.
"Well, Lyndon, I have things to say, but I would like to hear why you asked me out first."
"Are you kidding me? You are brilliant, funny, and nice; you don't play games, you push me to be better, and you are so hot."
"I am?"
"Well, to me."
I laugh. "Ok, how long have you known me?"
"Well, I didn't know you last year. I don't think we had classes in common."
We didn't. I don't know why. Maybe it's just the shuffling of groups.
"I had classes with you 2 years ago," I say. I was aware of him then, but I didn't really see boys then.
"It could be. I don't remember you much from then."
I take a deep breath.
"Can I ask you personal questions?"
"Of course."
"When did you start puberty?"
"Oh, that kind of question. I think in 5th grade? At first, it was just some, well, hair, you know. But then growth spurts, and I think my voice began dropping in 7th grade? I mean, it was awkward for a while."
"Ok, so 5th grade. Good. When do you think you finished it?"
"I don't know. Maybe that, 7th grade? Maybe 8th?"
"Fair enough. Did you know women have their puberty sooner than boys?"
"Oh, I knew..."
"Right, you saw them develop. You were early for boys."
"Oh yeah. I was the tallest boy in my 6th-grade class."
"You are still among the tallest," I said, wondering how it could work between us... I am 5 foot 2, and he has a good foot on me.
"Yeah, but not the tallest."
"Do you know when I finished my puberty?"
"I don't know. That's when you get your first period, right? That's mostly the end of it? For us, it's not clear, but girls, you know."
"Yeah, pretty much. So, can you guess when I got my first period?"
"I guess 7th grade? Many girls got it then; if not, maybe 8th grade?"
"Listen to me well, because this impacts us. I didn't have my period yet."
"Oh, how come?"
"I had delayed puberty, Lyndon. You didn't notice me 2 years ago because I looked like a child back then."
"Oh. Are you okay now?"
"Well, I will be. But I still have something missing."
"Your periods."
"Well, yeah, but no girl is looking forward to that," I said, laughing.
"I bet. My mom has huge cramps. It looks painful."
"My mom isn't so bad, so I hope I get that from her."
"I hope so too. So, what are you missing?"
"Desire, Lyndon. I don't have sexual desire yet. I don't have the push to date or to kiss. I don't find you attractive yet. Sorry. It's not your fault; I am just not booted up yet. I don't feel ready for dating yet... I'm not sure if I have the same crush feelings other girls my age do."
"Oh, why did you say yes to the date then?"
"Are you angry at me?"
"No, confused."
"Good. I said yes because you are the kind of guy I wish I would desire. You are nice, smart, and funny. I hope I like tall guys; if so, I am served with you. You look handsome; I can tell you that. I feel like you are the kind of guy I should fall for. But my body isn't ready for that. But maybe, if we get to know each other, by the time I am ready, we could be close."
"I see."
He thinks for a few moments.
"First, thank you for sharing that. Second, I will take that as a compliment."
"That I shared with you?"
"Sure, but I meant that you find me handsome and stuff. And that you want to be close."
I laugh. "Right."
"And I think you are one of the coolest girls at the school. I don't know if it's your delayed puberty, but most girls gossip and complain all the time. You always seem in a good mood, and when you are not, you don't become, I don't know."
"Bitchy?"
"Yeah, but I meant angry? Like, last year, I was mostly in group projects with a girl who kept yelling at me, even when it wasn't my fault at all."
"I know the type."
"With Olivia and you, I feel, I don't know, safe?"
"You didn't ask Olivia out."
"I don't like Olivia that way. I know she is your friend, but it's you I like."
I smile. I can't tell him that she is gay, but I could see it. If he likes nice girls, well, Olivia is guarded with boys. Plus, her clothes are a lot more bland.
I could see it. I still needed to lose a few pounds, but I wasn't overweight anymore.
We talked some more. He doesn't date much because girls don't seem to see him. He did go on a first date last summer with a girl he worked with, but it was a disaster.
I laughed and asked for more details..
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"You are not at all like the other girls."
"No, I suppose I am not. My endocrinologist admitted that since I am getting older, I might have more emotional maturity about it."
"Maybe I see it."
"Good."
The date was a disaster because both of them went there for different reasons.
He mostly played the "be interesting" card. He has since learned to mostly play the "be interested" card. I commented that his reaction to my story showed that he succeeded. It made him smile.
On the other hand, she just wanted to make her ex jealous by going out with a guy taller than him.
"Ouch. That's not nice."
"No, it's not. She didn't care about me."
"Like me."
"No, that's not true, Julie."
"I don't desire you yet."
"No, but you care about me. You didn't lie, and you didn't pretend to do anything. You didn't hide your condition and string me along until you were booted up. You were honest. You were always honest with me."
I laugh. "I told you to step up with the renaissance work, or I would drop you from the team."
"Exactly. And it's what I needed. Can I share something?"
"Please, I just dropped a bomb on you," I say, smiling.
"When my father's first wife died, apparently he turned into a major depression."
"I can't blame him."
"No, but my mom pushed him out of his grief, and it's how he got better. It might not work with everyone, but it worked for him. It's how he ended up asking her out."
"Wait, how did they know each other?"
"Oh, right. She was then his boss. His performances were slipping, and she was pushing him to focus on work, you know?"
"He worked for your mom?"
"Yeah, but then, she was focused only on work, you know? He had to convince her to have a love life."
"My parents have a company together."
"That's cool. I think you mentioned it one day because I was somehow aware of that. Import, right?"
"Yeah, when I came with Olivia."
"Right. I do pay attention," he says, smiling.
"So, that first date you had?"
"Well, a disaster. She did go back with her ex, so I guess that I didn't mess up too much."
I laugh. "Or you messed up so much that she decided he wasn't so bad."
He laughs. "Could be. I've learned a lot since then."
"Good. I am learning a lot now."
"Like what?"
"How to just sit and speak with a guy I like and who likes me."
"That's good."
"It is. How long have you liked me?"
"Since that day that you asked me to step up."
I scoffed. "Really?"
"Hey, not because you did so. But I was ashamed, so I couldn't look you in the eyes, and I sort of, well, noticed you."
"You mean you saw my breasts."
"Well, to be honest? Yeah. I am a guy."
I laugh. "You sure are. It's funny. I don't have desire, but I've been thinking of you as my potential future boyfriend since even before that."
"For real?"
"Yeah, it's why I wanted you to step up. Because I was placing you in a sort of holding pattern. Something to aim for. It was driving me crazy for my sister to date, for my friends to date, and for me to not see anyone. Well, I decided to see you as a possibility."
He smiled. "I like that. The idea that you decided to see me. "
"You did too."
"No, I had desires for you."
"And other girls."
"Perhaps, but I didn't like those girls. I mean, as a friend. It's you I enjoy the company of."
"But that's the same thing. The part that you like more about me is the part that made me say yes to the date. I enjoy your company. I don't desire you, but I do like hanging out with you. You desire other girls, but you don't ask them out. You asked the one you like hanging out with."
He thought hard. I like that.
"I guess you are right," he says.
I decide to be honest. "And I like that you think before answering. I think that's something attractive."
He smiles. "You might be sapiosexual, Julie."
"Huh?"
"Attracted to intelligence."
"Wow, I learned about asexual, demisexual, graysexual, and allosexual recently, and now, allosexual."
"I don't know what 'demisexual,' 'graysexual,' or allosexual mean."
"Oh, allosexual means fully sexual. Like, you have sexual desires. It's, like, neurotypical. It means no reduction in sexuality."
"Ok, fair enough. Like "cisgendered," meaning not transexual."
I didn't know the term, but I liked that. "Cool to know."
"And the other two?"
"Well, asexual is 0% sexual, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, demisexual is only sexual when there is a relationship. Like, when you are in love, you behave like an allosexual, and when you are not, like an asexual."
"Right, so demisexual is like half sexual," he says. I like that he reformulates.
"Yeah. And graysexual is like a demisexual, but not as closed off when not in love," I said.
"Oh. I see. And just for the record, I might be allosexual, but it's not like I had sex or anything. I don't have all the answers."
"Well, you have more than I do. I am still technically asexual, but I hope not to be any day now."
"You think it's coming soon?"
"Look at you, all interested in my sexuality," I say, laughing. He blushes but says nothing.
"No, I get it, Lyndon. Don't worry. I hope it's soon, because my, well, sex dreams are clearer and clearer."
"You have some?"
"Don't you?"
"Oh, I do, but I am allosexual."
"About me?"
He blushes some more.
I laugh and put my hand on his shoulder. "Lyndon. My clearest one occurred the night I first came here. I could even see your living room, just not much else. "
"Oh, mine are a lot clearer, and no, I won't give you details."
"Fair enough. Would this be a good moment to start the movie?" I said.
"It would be a perfect moment. Did you ever see The Princess Bride?"
"A princess movie? Really?" I said.
"Great, you haven't. I'll go make the popcorn, and you'll see a major masterpiece."
He left me alone for a minute, and I stood up to look at the room a little more.
My first impression was one of opulence and sophistication. As I looked at the screen and the speakers, I got a new idea. The wires were simply stapled to the baseboard, but since they were white and the wires were white, they blended.
My issue, however, isn't that this is what they picked; it's how randomly the stables are placed. Higher, lower, vertical, slanted, every foot, every 2 feet, one that missed the wire so another one was placed, and the original wasn't removed.
The wires for the ceiling projectors were also tucked against the ceiling. The only reason we didn't really notice them lowering to the floor is that an artificial palm tree was placed in front of where the wire dropped. And the palm tree? It was covered in so much dust that some of that dust seemed to have dried in place. Like it cooked in the sunlight.
Don't think I was judging them, though. My family has a lot less stuff. My point isn't that. It's like they bought a big house because they could and don't know how to maintain it. How to take care of it.
There was a DVD cabinet that had seen better days. There was visibly a doorstopper at the bottom that scraped against the front bottom plate. The whole cabinet appeared slanted, as if years of use had warped the frame. It was lockable, but the key was in it, and the little eyelet to put on a keyring was broken. I hesitantly pulled the handle, and the right door opened, revealing a ton of DVDs. But what puzzled me the most is that the lock... was engaged. With the frame bent, the tab from the lock no longer prevented opening the door. At all.
I looked closer and noticed that cardboard pieces were placed under the front bottom plate, probably to bend the cabinet backwards so the door would stay closed. I almost struggled to close it back; it's like the door could easily open while locked, but I needed to turn the key to close the door. Weird.
I got to sit down on my seat before Lyndon arrived. I wondered if I should open up about naturism but decided against it. And not for the reasons you think.
My fear wasn't that he would be repulsed and kick me out. My fear was that he would be thrilled and embrace it. I certainly wasn't ready to be nude in his company, whether he was dressed or not. This would wait.
He came with a single huge bowl of popcorn.
"Air popped," he said.
He gave me the bowl and went to the shaking cabinet. I noticed that he didn't turn the key either. He quickly got the movie, placed it in the DVD player, and left the cabinet door open.
After turning on the projector, he asked. "Do you prefer subtitles on?"
I pondered. "I don't think so, then; I read and pay less attention to the screen."
He got excited. "No way? I am the same, but I think my dad has hearing issues, so he prefers them on."
"Could be."
He started the movie and sat next to me.
It is now one of my favorite movies, so I won't spoil it for you if you didn't see it (how could you?), and I won't make a fool of myself by not properly doing justice to the movie (how could I dare?).
I actually blamed my parents for not introducing me to this movie earlier (how dare they not?).
It's clear that Lyndon knew it by heart, as he could voice some of the most famous lines. "Mostly dead," or "as you wish."
Or "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepared to die."
Such a fun movie.
We both went for popcorn a few times, occasionally touching. He could have apologized, and I told him not to. "I am not made of glass."
In a slower moment, after the popcorn was gone (mostly eaten by him), he asked me. "Would it be completely improper for me to wrap my arm around your shoulders?"
I almost melted. Yeah. I did. This was my potential future boyfriend, ladies and gentlemen. He knew I had problems, and instead of assuming, he asked.
"Yes, but why ask like that? You go ahead."
Good behavior should be rewarded.
So he did. And I liked it. I even, dare I say, leaned a little more his way, and by the end of the movie, I had my head on his shoulder. Leaning against it.
And guess what? I liked it.
When the credits were rolling, he removed his arm.
"I am guessing it would be really improper to kiss you, Julie?"
I thought. "Lyndon, let me make something clear. I will not accept you kissing me, or anyone else kissing me, until I am fully booted up. I don't have desires yet."
"I get that, and I respect that."
So, I leaned forward. He leaned forward.
"I am not sure what's happening," he says.
"Well, you aren't about to kiss me, that's for sure."
He looked at me, confused. I laughed a little, even if only to free myself of my nervousness, and I quickly planted a kiss on his lips. Not a long one. Just a small one.
I pulled away, and he tried to reestablish the kiss, but I told him "no."
He stopped.
"Thank you," he said.
"I don't want you to kiss me, but you wanted to. I thought I could give you one, but on my terms."
"And I thank you for that."
I smiled. "This was my first date, Lyndon. And I couldn't have asked for a better one," I said.
He offered me his hand. I thought he wanted to shake my hand, but he took it and helped me up from my seat.
"I had a great time too. Would I be too bold to ask you for another one tomorrow."
"Well, tomorrow I have a family dinner, and no, you can't come. I'll think about it, Lyndon. But if I can be honest, it would be too fast. I need to digest it. To know how I feel. What about next week? It would be after my recital, which would give me some time to reflect, and maybe this time we can actually go out."
"What would you like to do?"
Now, that is the great question.
"Do you play badminton?" I asked.
"A little, why?"
"Maybe you could find a place to play badminton with me? Just for fun."
"Sure, and perhaps go for a walk."
"Now, that is something I enjoy doing. A lot."
He smiles. "Me too. Would you like to go roller skating?"
I laugh. "I never even tried that."
"Well, I could teach you."
"Ok, perhaps. It's not a bad idea."
I texted my dad to come pick me up, and we went into his living room. His mother was in the kitchen, emptying the dishwasher. So, even a board member handles the dishwasher. Good to know.
She stops and comes closer.
"Did you like the movie, Julie?"
"I did, very much. Thank you."
"Did my son treat you right?"
I smiled. "A real gentleman."
"I tried to raise him right. Did you have fun, both of you?"
"We did," said Lyndon. "I'll clean the popcorn bowl after her father picks her up."
"Good. Did you want anything to drink, Julie?"
"Oh shoot. I forgot to offer you something to drink."
But I wasn't thirsty. I do drink a lot during the day to cover my hunger, so in the evening, I drink less.
"It's fine, Lyndon. I would have told you if I was thirsty," I touched his arm. "You did fine."
I looked at his mom, and it's clear to me that she didn't miss that. Her face was one of pride.
There was tension, so I asked her what it meant to be a board member.
She laughed. "So, I was a CEO. That's a job. You make tough decisions, you hire people, and you fire people. You get loans; you find clients. It's more than a full-time job. But the perk of being a CEO is that you get respect. And sometimes, the board of a company is afraid of their future, so they hire a former CEO, like me, to help guide them in whatever storm they face."
"Oh. Like a substitute CEO?"
She laughs. "No, but you aren't that far. See, when I was CEO, I had authority. If I made a mistake, it was my fault. As a board member, I have no direct authority. All I can do is offer my ideas and, well, vote on their ideas."
"I see," but I didn't. And she did that for quite a few companies.
When my father arrived, both of my parents got out of the car and got to meet Lyndon and his mom. I don't know where his dad was at that moment, but his car wasn't in the driveway. Maybe he left to go to the store during the movie?
The conversation with Samantha was quick. With "Lovely to meet you" all around.
We left, and I found Edith in the back seat of the car.
"You came?"
"I didn't want to miss the gossip, but I didn't want to impose at the door. He is cute," she says, in approval.
In the car, I had 6 ears on me. I told them of the movie, that he was respectful. Of the movie theater room (including the wiring and the dust and the shaky cabinet). I mentioned he asked to put his arm around me. I told them he understood my delayed puberty and was respectful.
I even confirmed that I didn't talk about naturism and that I had my next date the next weekend.
The only thing I didn't tell them about was the small kiss I gave him. I keep some privacy...
We all undressed at home, and for some reason, the story changed to Edith's first date with Charlie. A story I had never heard, but which isn't my place to tell. Sorry, guys.