Wishful thinking

I had hoped I'd be able to get together with some friends this holiday, but when I do, I really feel like an intruder. Everybody's got at least a significant other, if not a family. It's weird being the 7th wheel so often. So I'm home reading a book. Bored. Well-rested, but bored.

Wrote almost nothing today. Not even 1/2 a page. I think it might be like that til after camp is over, but that's all right. I'll pick up steam after that.

Elizabeth borrowed Louisa’s car for her date with Chris, as neither of them owned transportation. He met her in the lobby of her apartment building wearing jeans and a green polo shirt. Casual, but probably the nicest thing he owned beside his concert tuxedo. She donned a pale green blouse and gray Capri pants. She applied the tiniest bit of mascara and lip gloss, as she hated make-up and only ever wore it on special occasions.
Chris kissed her as they met up; this snog was as uneventful as the first had been. He told her she looked great, and he truly thought she did. The little make-up she had donned suited her and enhanced her natural beauty, and for the first time, he did feel a flutter of something for her. He placed his hand in the small of her lean back and wished there was more to grab onto. Her skin was lean and taut, instead of soft and fleshy, as he preferred. But he was grateful to have her on his arm and held his head high as he led her out to Louisa’s car.
Dimples was packed, as usual on a Friday night, so they headed to nearby Sardo’s, which was crowded, but less so than Dimples. They ordered some food, and put in their requests for songs to sing. It was loud and difficult to hear each other, but they managed to joke quite a bit about various events, people and goings-on in the music department. Chris told her about who the movers and shakers were, although she figured most of this out already. He entered his best guesses on who would win the concerto competition the next spring (Jack), and who would go on to survive the musical life. He had a lot to say about Jack, Maggie, Riley, Sophie, his roommate Quinn, and other prominent members of the orchestra, and most of it made her laugh until her side threatened to split. Chris was capable of spot-on imitations of Jack, Quinn, Dr. Bridge and oddly, Princess Riley.
Elizabeth had her turn to sing first, and she chose a Pat Benetar song. Chris was duly impressed, thinking she sounded just like a rock star. Next Chris sang Livin On A Prayer by Bon Jovi and Elizabeth laughed uproariously at his “rock star” voice. Later, they sang a duet together, Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong, and hammed up the original singers’ unique voices, which was a big hit, and then due to the crowd, Elizabeth only got one more song in. In between their own numbers, they got up and danced and they were having so much fun many people joined in, which wasn’t the norm at this particular karaoke bar. The two of them seemed to command the crowd’s attention and they became the leaders for the evening.
When they returned to campus, Elizabeth dropped Chris off at his house before she returned Louisa’s car to the parking lot and her own apartment. She walked with Chris up to the door. Chris felt a bit odd being dropped off, until she kissed him deeply and he forgot all about it. She hadn’t responded much to his two previous kisses, which had been only pecks anyway, but now she was taking the initiative. His hands made their way to her ass as her tongue explored his lips. It was the best kiss he ever had. When she pulled away gently, he whispered, “Wow.”
She smiled, noticing that her efforts had affected him. However, they hadn’t affected her. Chris just let her kiss him, without reciprocating. “Good night,” she said.
“Wait,” he put his hand on her arm. “Kiss me again. Please? That was awesome.”
She was glad he was intrigued and hoped this time he would contribute. She pressed her lips to his, and he did move his mouth a bit against hers, but she was still doing most of the work. There was certainly no spark. She wondered if Jack would do better and then felt guilty for thinking of Chris’s best friend while she was kissing him.
“You’re a good kisser,” he told her.
“Thanks,” she replied.
“I had a blast tonight,” he smiled.
“Me too,” she returned his smile. She did have a very good time. It was certainly the best date she had in a while, albeit completely platonic.
“Shall we do it again soon?”
She smiled. She loved spending time with him, but she hoped the magic would kick in soon. “Good night.”
“Good night.” Chris turned on his heel, shoved his hands in his pocket, and extracted a cigarette from one of them.
Elizabeth shook her head disapprovingly and left.