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Ekko was frantically pacing back and forth in his room, his mind a hundred thoughts a minute as it processed what today really meant for him.
Okay Ekko, calm down. It’s just a date. Not even! We’re just, uh… hanging out! That’s right, that’s right. Hanging out. Just the two of us. With no one else. Just you and the prettiest girl you’ve ever known... Who in the fuck am I kidding?
He was scouring through his closet for the best clothes he owned. Ekko really wanted tonight to be perfect, and that meant being presentable. After all, you could only have a first date once and firsts are important; especially when your date is your childhood friend and crush.
The setting summer sun shone through his window, blanketing the city in a golden hue. This summer was his last one before he went off to college. Ekko thought back to a week ago; when Jinx first “asked” him on the date. It was a scene he had been replaying for the past 24 hours:
Friday evening. He had stayed behind in the room, despite the last bell ringing long ago, so that he could enjoy the silence. He could overhear some of his classmates crying and giving their goodbyes. He wasn't emotional when it came to stuff like this, especially since his high school years were definitely not the best, but the idea that this would be his last time ever stepping into a high school classroom tugged at him. He began gathering his stuff and took one last; savoring the whiteboard, the desks, and the chairs. A bittersweet memory.
BANG!
Ekko practically jumped out of his skin as he turned to see what made the noise. The culprit of the assault on the door was none other than the blue-haired terror and bane of every teacher: Jinx. Her freckled face was plastered with her trademark smug, impish smirk, sharp canines peeking through. She had run into the room with such speed that the doorknob had made a hole in the wall.
“Me, you, tomorrow at 6:00. Make sure to not be late,” she said with a wink.
Ekkos's jaw dropped in disbelief, his face red as a tomato at her brazen display of confidence, making it hard for him to put words together. His heart was raging against his ribs, and just before he could get out a response, Jinx left the room just as fast as she entered.
The wink part was his particular favorite moment from the memory. Something about it just made his stomach do flips, and he hoped he could see it again today. Looking at the clock, he realized he was about to be late. Rushing to get going, he quickly put something on and walked out with his skateboard in hand onto the street; all while never noticing that something of importance was missing from his room.
Okay, now just got to see her. Wait. Where am I meeting her again?
—
Ekko quickly began to fear that this date was not going to be your stereotypical movie-then-dinner date. He had looked for her at her home, but Vander said she had already left. He went to the arcade where Vi and Caitlyn were to see if they knew anything, but they hadn't seen Jinx all day. Jinx's initial demand was cryptic enough, but after messaging her to ask where she was, he was left with more questions than answers.
Pow-pow: date activity numero uno: u got till 8 to find me or else mr. stuffy-wuffy here gets it >:)
The text confirmed his worries as it was followed up by a picture of the secret plush cat he slept with, its striped fur being blown by the wind.
"WHAT THE FUCK?" He screamed.
Where did you get that? he texted back
Pow-pow: Where else silly? I felt pretty bad taking him, he looked so comfy sitting on your bed. Better get here quick, or else he takes some skydiving lessons. I'll be waiting ;)
The smug contact photo of her that he took stared at him, providing the next image of the cat being held by the nape of its neck over a railing; the streets far, far, far below. That cat was something he was not gonna let die today. Fortunately, he recognized the area of those streets and the building's railings: it was the high school. Unfortunately, the school was on the opposite side of town and it was already 7:00.
Ekko grabbed his board, ran like his life depended on it, and began to skate. He kicked and pushed as fast his legs would let him all while avoiding all the cars and people in the way. There was no way he was letting that plush fall.
–
By the time Ekko had reached the school, he was beyond out of breath, but the sight of Jinx waving at him from the roof with the cat in hand gave him a second wind. He bolted to the front doors of the school, only to find them locked.
"Shit!"
He checked his watch: 7:55. The sun was almost completely gone from the sky as the night set in, some stars peeking their heads to watch him struggle. Quickly looking around for any other way to the roof, he spotted the pipes and window ledges on the side of the building. Cause of college applications took the most of his time, he hadn't been able to practice parkour for months; he prayed that muscle memory would come in clutch. He lunged and climbed with the finesse of an expert, making use of even the tiniest ledges and crevices. Halfway up the building, he caught a glimpse of his watch.
7:58
If there was anything such as a third wind, it definitely came to Ekko at that moment. Now lunging his way up the mountain that was the educational institution, he finally made it to the top. Standing in front of him was Jinx, her arms crossed and her free, unrestricted hair falling all the way to the back of her knees. Ekko stared at her brilliant pink eyes while gasping for air, unable to say anything, but one thought occupying his mind:
God, she’s hot
“You almost didn’t make it. Had Whiskers here worried sick,” she said, finally breaking the silence.
“So", he gasped, "care to explain how this is a date?”
“Well, me and your bedtime friend here had fun - and I personally think he was excited to try skydiving. What about you?”
She ended that question wearing the same smirk she had when she asked him out, reigniting the adrenaline that pumped through him when he was busting his ass across town.
“Though I can’t believe you still sleep with a plushie. Nothing wrong with it though, I just didn't think you'd have one...”
“You don't remember, do you? You gave me that, back in fourth grade. How could I just stuff a gift from the hottest girl in town in a box?” Ekko responded, with a smirk of his own this time.
Jinx was caught off guard at Ekko's sudden confidence, her pale skin turning a bright red under the moonlight. Not wanting to lose control of the situation, she sat down next to him while leaning in, though she still had embarrassment written on her face.
“Well maybe, the ‘hottest girl in town’ thinks you aren't so bad looking yourself. And just maybe, she wants to be your girlfriend.”
“Will every date be like this?”
“Maybe. If I feel like it. Is that a problem?”
“Nope. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The two gazed at each other in the moonlight, getting lost in the other's eyes, their stomachs performing Olympic acrobatics. They leaned into each other, with Jinx taking the initiative and grabbing his hand, and ended their first date with their first kiss.