One Day in California

I was standing in front of my apartment, waiting for James to pick me up. He asked me out yesterday. I lift my arm, checking my watch ticking to 9.55. I was 10 minutes earlier, James must be on time.

Tin tin

I tilted my head towards a white Mercedes Benz as I heard it honking in front of me. The window slid down and James appeared, waving his hand sheepishly. He's wearing a black loose T –shirt with white tiger's outline on the chest.

"Hey" I greeted him, James arose from his seat, walking towards me and clicking the handle as he let me seated inside his car. I'm so touched, he treated me like a princess. Then he gets in and say "Udon?", I give him a nod and a smile by answering "Yes" , clicking the seatbelt.

We were in silence during the ride. James parked his car and lock his car as it "beep" once. There's a small Japanese Restaurant with blinking LED lights "Hanami Udon" and pink acrylic sakura flowers hung above the entrance. We bring ourselves inside, some waitress and waiters bend their body, greet us "Irasshaimase!" which means Welcome to the store in Japanese. An Asian waiter with pink Japanese kimono approaches us, leading us to the seat. The lighting is bright and clear, the air was thick with the scents of so many different flavors. I love Japanese Food, but still prefer Sushi than Udon, it didn't pop –up in my mind when James asked me out yesterday, I supposed to tell him I want Sushi.

As I'm waiting for my food, I listen to the noisy chatter of all the people sitting around me. The restaurant is small, and I was starting to feel clausterphobic. I don't like crowds especially in a small room like this.

"So,.." James crossed his arms on the table, looking into my eyes. I can see a pair of green eyes he has, like emeralds shining under the lights. "Steffi, did you live alone all this time?" he seems like getting used to talk to me since I open up myself for them, Cara and Jane are included.

"well, back to San Frans I didn't. I lived with my friend in San Frans" I answered, my fingers playing the chopsticks.

"I see. I thought you were alone all this time.."

I lift my head looking at him at the eyes, "haa... so you wanna say I do look like a woman with no friends, do you?" I groaned, narrowing my eyes.

"No ! No ! I didn't say that" James widened his eyes, were looking so shocked at the moment I blame him. I was just teasing him, he looks so serious about it.

I laughed. "I feel insulted" shrugging my shoulders.

"I didn't mean to say that . Sorry !" he added, trying to defense himself, I became pity on him.

The waiter delivers out our foods, served them on the table. The aroma of the Spicy Seafood Udon is making my nose drool. I flip the chopsticks and start eating.

We spent less than an hour inside the restaurant, it's too crowded, people were queuing up in front of the entrance. I saw no people lined when we first arrived. I and James buckling the seatbelts on, "So, want to do something before we go back?" he stared at me, looks like he doesn't want to go home, I can see it from his expression.

"Ummmm" I muttered, should I tell him I want to visit Universal Studios Hollywood ? since Lily said I was pathetic back in Santa Monica while I ride the Ferris alone. Okay, I admit it. it's really really pathetic, thus there is no fun coming to a Theme Park alone. I want to at least once visit the Universal Studio in L.A. before I move. "Universal Studio?". His eyes were shone in excitement, "LET'S GO" speaking vigorously as he starts his engine and stroking the steering wheel. I didn't expect he would be so excited about it, he does look like a typical 30 y.o. mature adult. I kinda like him right now, but not in that way. I mean like him as a friend. He is nice, friendly and good looking.

Universal Studios Hollywood Logo Hang tight, I feel giddy with excitement like every fiber of mine being was vibrating with anticipation. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins. I'm so excited, feel impatient while James started to park his car in the open space. An exhilaration wired on my body, I slammed the car door as I can see the Theme Park towered in front of me, there are a lot of thrilling rides I want to try. We walked through the entrance and queue for ticket. I poke Jame's shoulder and pointed at Jurrasic Ride. "should we?" I whispered, James paused, he tilted his head following my gaze and say "Let's Go" the same excited as me.

We both queued about 15 minutes for the ride, experiencing the movie –based Jurrasic World. Then, we ride the craziest roller –coaster which trembles James while we finished the ride, can't stop teasing him about it. Then, The Simpsons Hometown, etc. We spent about 5 hours inside the Theme –Park.

In the last but not least, I experience Ferris Wheel with James. I have to tell Lily when I got home. The sun was about to set, it is the time when the sun ends the journey in one part, the clouds makes sunset look more pretty with the shade of eternal yellow –brown colored sky, setting of the sun shows how an end of the journey can be so beautiful. The other Ferris' passengers are mostly couples, some were holding hands, some were kissing by the glow of the sun sets. I and James are no more than Friends. James pokes my cheek, I tilt my head towards him, we are now staring at each other.

"Steffi" he said, eyes gazing at me. My heart starts pumping, his emerald eyes are like stars shooting me inside the heart. I was wondering, what is he going to say? Why does he look at me at the eyes like that? Is he going to confess? I don't like him that way, please don't say anything regarding to a confession. He blinks once, "I was about to ask you..." he leans his back and clears his throat like he finally realized we are in some awkward moments, so stop staring at me like that.

"Do you have a crush?"

My heart pumps faster than before, cold sweat was about to burst –down from my forehead. The word "crush" echo –ing inside my head. I feel like I'm in every teenager's drama.

"Why? Why would you ask?" playing innocent, I have to stay cool and calm. He will not notice it. James gives a smile, "I am ...curious?" lifting his eyebrow. He is just curious about me, think I should tease him a bit since we are too much in countless awkward moments.

"I ....." I drag my voice, making him curious. James' eyes widened, demanding an answer. "Don't..." snorted a laugh.

James nods his head and smiles, eyes staring at the sun –set. "it's beautiful" he said, changing the topic. I tilted my head, following his gaze, "Yes, it is".

James drives me home. I watch the view outside the window, leaning my head on the headrest.

Los Angeles –the city that never sleep, there are still pedestrians around the city waiting by the streetlights, walking on the pavements, some kids running with cotton candy, and girls group with matching silky tight dresses walking towards the open bar. It's pretty chilly this month, how could they survive wearing that? I wonder. I will miss this city, especially how I spent the night watching the night view, where the moon and stars are clearly seen.. and it reminds me of Noah. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, please make me stop thinking about him.

The car lurched stop in front of my apartment, I clicked the seatbelt off and left as James about open the door for me like he did earlier in the morning, but he paused as I rushed out. I wave my hand at him and mouthed "Thanks" walking backwards slowly, then turned my body and disappear behind the arch –designed door.

***

It's tiring, a full date –day with James. I was relieved that James didn't say anything at the Ferris, it would be hard to reject a nice guy like him because I don't like him that way. Should I tell him that I will move out by the next 4 months ? I bet he will stop liking me that way, guys usually hate Long –Distance –Relationship.

I stretch my arms up to the air, my body aches since we were walking all day at Universal Studio. We have so much fun by the way, which makes me want to sleep earlier today. I threw myself to the bed, hugging my bolster tightly and close my eyes. I'm fast asleep.

TING TONG

TING TONG TING TONG TING TONG

The doorbell abruptly woke me up. I clenched my jaw, hitting my pillow on the bed. Ten thirty p.m. in my bedroom. I stood up, wearing my blue Elmo –slippers, walking towards the door with eyes half –opened. Who the hell will ring the bell at this time?

TING TONG TING TONG TING TONG

I will slap them in the face if they appeared useless. "YES !!! I'M COMING !" I yelled and moaned at the same time. I unlock the door, twist the knob and there's Noah standing with a big smile.

"Surprise !!" holding a paperbag with some groceries as I can see a long bread popped up from the bag.

"Are you about to picnic right here? AT NIGHT ???? URGHH" I groaned.

He walked in and slammed the door slowly, bending his body to take off his sneakers. "you just woke up?" he snorted, "I am ....Sorry..." smirking at me.

"hmmm..." I nodded, still half asleep.

"You sleep earlier today.." he added.

"Yess I am tired. thanks for asking" I moaned.

Noah put the bag of something in the kitchen. I threw myself on the bed, feeling my cheeks on the mattress, kicking my legs as the slippers fell off from my feet. Noah come approaches me, resting his chin on the mattress, we hit an eye contact when I open my eyes checking him. I giggled and lurched away from him. He frowned, looking slightly put out. I turn my body so I could see the ceiling of my room, he did the same beside me, then we both tilt our head and eyes hit on each other again. It's weird, I can feel the happiness inside my chest and how grateful I am being with you right now. I was somehow trying to avoid it, but it happens and I can't stop thinking of you. My cheeks burned hotter. Noah reached out to touch my flaming cheek, then I smacked his hand away, eyes blazing and say "You haven't take any permission to touch me"

"Do I need one?" he asked, snorted a laugh. He stretches his arm and press his fingers as I can hear his bones popping.

I change a topic, "What do you want to do tonight?"

Noah flared his nostrils. "I wasn't trying to picnic here. I found your fridge empty with only 2 bottles of soju and a can of coke earlier when I visit here so I bought something for your fridge. I thought you are too busy for some groceries"

I could hear my heart –throbbing inside my chest, but still trying to remain calm which is tough. Noah closed his eyes, "Let me sleep for a while, it's a tiring day. Please wake me up in 30 minutes" he said as his long arm reaching my bolsters, he turns his back at me and fall asleep.

30 minutes later, my alarm woke me up. I stretched my arm to reach my phone and turn it off. "Noah" I called, shaking his shoulder.

"NOOOO-AHHHHH" I raised my voice, Noah slowly open his eyes, rubbing his eyes like a toddler.

"What happen??? Where am I?"

I clicked my tongue, "You are in my apartment. Don't play dumb"

"okay.." he chortled. Noah slid his legs, stepping on the floor as he yawned. He scrunched his eyes tight, stretching his arm to the air.

"Bye Steffi. Don't forget to eat your breakfast" he said as he put on his sneakers and about to leave. I hold his sleeve, he turned his head towards me and tweet "What?"

"Thanks" I said, we are looking at each other for few seconds. He finally blinked an eye and say "Just promise me to go to the Halloween Festival... in next 2 weeks.. with me..." he stuttered, then lift his thumb and smiles widely, silly like usually.

Halloween Festival? Is that for real? Is that going to be a haunted house or something ?

I give him the best smile I had even though I look so ugly in sleepy –face.

"Okay" I promised, nodding my head.