Reggie could not take his eyes off her.

She didn’t seem to notice how much he was staring, ever since they had met up at the Metro Museum of Modern Art for dinner. The Museum had a small restaurant on the top floor, and Reggie planned for them to eat and then look at some art together afterward.

He was pleasantly surprised that she had sincerely wanted to have dinner with him. Especially after her evasive rejection and exit from the coffee shop, he figured she didn’t want anything to do with him outside of school.

He didn’t specifically call their outing a ‘date’, but the way they were both dressed indicated it was something more or less of one. He had brushed his dark hair so that it wasn’t sticking out at any weird angles, wore a pair of nice khaki slacks and a blue button up shirt. She had done something different with her hair from it’s usual braid, and she was even wearing heels. He’d never seen her wear heels before.

Alanna continued to look through her menu. She hadn’t said much since they sat down. So he only stared, waiting for a chance to compliment her.


After the waiter came to take their orders, Alanna smiled politely at Reggie and he blurted, “You look beautiful tonight.”

Her smile faded and she took a sip of her water, before answering, “Thanks.”

He couldn’t help but to have that heat rise in his cheeks again, feeling like his compliment was all wrong. If her reaction was any indication, it was. She was beautiful, but she was so much more than a pretty face. She was intelligent, talented, kind. She was perfect.

In class, they would fire up conversations about science, philosophy, art, and other interesting topics. But now she was so quiet and contemplative. He hoped that he hadn’t upset her.

They ate dinner with minimal conversation. Mostly because it was rude to speak with a mouthful of food. The communication between them thinned to just looks, nods, and smiles regarding the quality of their meals. He tried to give her a bite of his prawns but she politely turned him down. She did let him steal a bite of her pork chop though, and gave a small laugh at him for it. At one point, her hand was so close to his that he considered lightly caressing it, but lost his nerve.

As soon as he paid the bill, he thought for sure she would just leave and call it a night, but she asked, “Do you know if they still have the exhibit on paint-spattering?”

“Yeah, its downstairs in the left wing,” he felt himself smile in relief that she wasn’t leaving just yet, “Want to check it out?”

She nodded.


They considered the various paint-spattered canvases on the wall in more silence. Reggie’s thoughts often wandered to Alanna and he couldn’t help but to stare at her again. What was she thinking?

“What do you think?” she asked, beating him to it.

He blinked a few times rapidly, “It’s...uh...chaotic.”

“But there can beauty in chaos,” she looked at him and smiled.

She didn't know how right she was as he returned it they continued to look at art.


As the evening slipped by, they seemed to become the only patrons left at the museum, not having seen anyone else for while in the wings. They were halfway between the art nouveau and metallic wall hanging exhibits when Reggie asked, “So, how was your group?”

“What?” Alanna asked, a bit startled as if she had been interrupted while in the middle of thinking of a solution for an intense chemistry equation, though all she was doing was staring at a sheet of steel design hanging on the wall.

“The group you had to meet with last night. What exactly is it for?”

“Oh,” she sighed, “It's for…music appreciation.”

He felt himself grin, he didn’t know she had an interest in music. He would have to play piano for her sometime. Maybe he could write a song for her, “What kind of music do you like?”

“I’m a fan of many genres. I think jazz is my favorite, though. There’s something really smooth and soothing about it.”


He felt a volt of electricity at her words, which sent his heart racing. Jazz was his favorite kind of music too! He had to stifle a laugh, thinking that they had so much chemistry together after being chemistry partners.

“Speaking of music,” Alanna said, seeming to brace herself, “Why was your sister trying to 'butter up’ one of the Battle of the Bands judges?”

“What?” he choked out an awkward laugh, being caught off guard.

She played with the hem of her shirt, breaking eye contact, “The other day, you said she was trying to that…with a judge who frequented the coffee shop.”

He remembered what he had said, but didn’t know why Alanna did, “Evelyn Jane will do anything to get what she wants.”

“What does she want?”

“To win.”

Reggie felt even more awkward talking about his sister’s ambitious nature on a date, well not an official date, rather a cultured excursion with a girl he was very much interested in.

“I like to win too,” he added, hoping his words would make her think him ambitious too. Girls liked that didn't they?

She gave a light laugh and leaned in closer to him, as if sharing life advice, “Well no one wants to lose now do they? Saying you like to win is like saying 'I breathe air’ or something else equally as obvious.”


Reggie all of a sudden, caught a glimpse of the girl he had been chemistry partners with as she shook her head in amusement. This was Alanna Thackery.

“Alanna…”

She turned and regarded him with a raised brow, waiting for him to finish his thought.

“I like you,” he gestured toward the whole of her, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. This was the moment of truth, “l like you a lot. You are the most amazing girl I have ever met.”

He could plainly tell she was surprised, as if she couldn’t believe him. Her eyes were round, her mouth slightly agape before she realized it and snapped it shut.


She sat down on a nearby museum bench, looking dumbfounded. He smirked, secretly loving this effect he had on her, and took a seat next to her to pretend to study the same wall hanging and give her time to absorb his admission. Then, he felt her breath on his ear; it sent goosebumps up his arms. She was cupping her mouth as to share a secret with him, “I like you a lot too.”


What happened next Reggie couldn’t begin to explain, maybe it was just instinct but all he knew was that Alanna felt for him the way he did for her and his heart was on fire.


He stood abruptly, pulled Alanna close and kissed her, and kept kissing her until they were backed into a corner of the museum and stayed that way until closing time.