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Eric walked out to his car in a partly uncomfortable suit. It was scratchy, tight, and heavy in multiple different places. It was driving him insane, but it was the only nice suit he had, despite having a load of money. He was taking Rachel out on a nice dinner date. No specific reason. He just wanted to. He felt like she deserved it. Eric opened the car door and got in. He checked himself in the mirror before going. Making sure his hair looked good.
The sun was starting to set. He had to get going. He started driving. He didn't like the silence. He could only hear the tires running over the gravel on the road, other cars doing the same, and the strong wind blowing his hair back. He put his sunglasses on. It was getting dark out. He had nothing to be shading. He knew that. He just wanted to look cool with his suit and his badass sunglasses on.
He finally arrived at Rachel's house. It was a nice house. Two stories, with a garden beside it. It was decorated with many kinds of flowers. Dandelions, roses, tulips, and the rest he couldn't identify. He was smart, but not that smart. He walked up to the front door. It was made from dark red oak. It was beautiful. Every time he saw that dark color of wood, he thought of Rachel. It was her favorite kind of wood. She had so many decorations in her house made of that wood. Eric almost knocked on the door, but he quickly realized that he forgot something. He left it in his car.
He walked back to his little ash green minivan, opening the backseat car door, hoping it was still there. He looked down at the first seat. It was there. Eric felt a sense of relief. He was scared he left them at home. It was a bouquet of her favorite flowers, roses, dahlias, and daffodils, all in pink and orange.
Eric ran to her door, brushing himself off and fixing his suit. He wanted to look good. He nervously rang the doorbell. Although they had been together for almost a year, he still got butterflies just thinking about her. He loved her more than he had ever loved anyone else. It was a new feeling for him, and he wasn't sure how to handle it.
Rachel opened the door, and Eric smiled, trying to read her expression. She seemed confused but flattered. Rachel took the bouquet and examined it. Once she realized it contained her favorite flowers, she hugged him. Eric hugged back, smiling. She smelled like wet grass, but in a good way. He was glad she liked them. He was a bit nervous she wouldn't like them or that he was wrong about what her favorite flowers were. But it was all okay.
Eric then told her he wanted to take her out to a nice restaurant. Rachel's eyes lit up, and she pulled him inside, telling him she was going to get ready. Rachel excitedly ran to her room, leaving Eric on the living room couch to wait.
Eric looked around, admiring her decorations. She had some pictures on the wall. Some were of her when she was a little girl, her and her family, and her and Eric. That picture of them was from so long ago. About four or five months. They were in Rachel's car, having some beer. Eric remembered that day so well.
It was past midnight, and the sky was cloudy. The stars covered the sky. The two had been at a friend's house, just having beers and hanging out. They stayed for a little bit too long, and Eric had gotten drunk. So they got into Rachel's car to leave with some beers in their hands. Once they got in, Rachel turned the radio on. I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys started playing. Eric was so drunk he started singing along. Rachel turned the music up and rolled the windows up to not disturb their friend's neighbors. Eric sang his heart out to Rachel, giving her kisses in between verses.
Eric remembered getting embarrassed when Rachel had told him the day after what happened. She obviously found it hilarious. He remembered her laugh. Her sweet, airy laugh. It sounded so smooth and soft. It was pleasing to hear.
After a couple of minutes, Rachel walked into the living room wearing a short dress. It was black and had lacey sleeves. The built-in belt around her waist made Eric realize how curvy she actually was. She had a pair of black heels. They made her appear at least an inch taller than Eric. She was already almost his height. Her hair was up in a well-put-together bun. Her makeup was a natural look. It went well with her oval face shape and caramel-colored hair.
Eric was too stunned to speak. She was gorgeous. Beautiful. Amazing. But he wasn't sure how to tell her. Before he tried to say something, she walked over and kissed his cheek, grabbing his hand and pulling him out the front door with her.
They got in the car, and Eric turned on the radio. I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys started. He thought of that night again. When he was drunkenly singing to her. Just to remind her, he began singing along. Rachel later joined in as they drove to their date.