Work Text:
The house smells of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil. My mom's making Peking Duck, Aaron's favourite dish, along with many others, like char siu bao.
I'm in my room, scattered with different kinds of paints and canvases, along with my messy bed, which I have to clean up since he's going to see it.
I've burned some incense sticks, and so the smell of the food won't cling to my clothes.
Jessica's on the phone with me, helping me decide my outfit for my first date with Aaron. That's right, Aaron Cai, the school's golden boy and the medical prodigy.
"I still can't believe I'm going on a date with him!" I exclaim, shaking my phone, while Jessica chuckles.
"Get ready, Jenna! He'll be there soon. What have you finally decided on?" She asks.
"Ugh, I can't seem to choose!" I pick up an off the shoulder fancy blue dress with white flowery embroidery my mom bought me for special occasions. It comes down to my knees.
"How does this look?" I ask.
"It's perfect! You should TOTALLY wear it and pair it with some white sandals!" Jessica exclaims as she looks at her watch.
"Look, I should go. I have a violin class soon. Good luck Jenna, hope it goes well!" She hangs up before I can say goodbye, but that's normal. I can never talk to her for longer than ten minutes, and even that's asking for too much.
I call my dad to iron my dress, while I decide to put on my makeup and jewellery. I really hope this goes well.
If I die of embarrassment, cast a spell on everyone so they forget. Please.
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I walk down the stairs, and I look to see Aaron in a suit. He's holding a bag, with blue polka dots.
"Aaron! You're here!" I say, looking him up and down in confusion. Why is he wearing a suit?
"Is this too much? Am I overdressed?" He asks, looking worried.
"Well, we're just painting," I say, chuckling lightly, "but you look good. Like, really good." My face is red, isn't it?
His face flushes. "You do, too."
"Jenna, I-"
"Come sit, Aaron!" My mom rushes in from the kitchen, wiping her hands.
"Of course, Āyí." He says, and I lead him there, as if he hasn't been here like a hundred times. God, what am I doing?
He pulls out a seat for me. What. A. Gentleman! I bite my cheek to keep my smile inside as I thank him.
He keeps the bag on an empty seat next to him. I wonder what's in it?
As he sits down, my mom hurriedly comes carrying his favourite Peking Duck, and I can see his mouth watering.
My mom finally sits down, sighing from a long day's worth of work.
"Start eating, both of you!" My mom exclaims, pointing at the dishes.
"Before I start eating, I wanted to give this to you." He pulls out a box of chocolates from the bag, handing it to her.
"Oh, thank you so much, Aaron! But you didn't have to bring this, you're always welcome!"
"It's no trouble at all!" He says.
I greedily start picking up some of the dumplings my mom has made, but she glares at me.
"Aaron, why don't you pick first?" My mom says, smiling.
"Of course, Āyí." He says, picking up a few pieces of Peking Duck, along with some sauce and pancakes.
"If you don't mind me asking, Āyí, where's Shūshu?" he asks, sipping his water.
"Oh, he's gone on a work trip for some time. The house is quieter already!" She winks at us.
He laughs politely, picking up another dumpling.
This is good, great, even. Nothing can go wrong now, right?
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As we walk up to my room, he keeps straightening his suit. Maybe he's nervous just like me. But how could he be? I'm the one who should be nervous.
I close the door behind me, and he looks all around the room.
"Oh my god, Jenna! All of these paintings are so impressive." He says, looking at them with genuine awe.
"Thank you, Aaron. I really appreciate it." I say, smiling behind the cabinet, grabbing some paints.
"So, should we start?"
I've already set up a canvas and brushes. There are two chairs placed next to each other.
Both of us sit down, our shoulders brushing.
I pretend not to notice while I start opening the paints.
As I open one, it splashes, and it lands all over his suit! Oh god, oh god, what have I done?!
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I'll grab some paper towels! I'm so so sorry, I swear it was an accident!" I say, tearing the paper towels.
I start wiping off the paint carefully, and he chuckles.
"Relax, Jenna, it was an old suit anyways! It's fine."
"Oh, but it must have been so expensive!" He puts his hands on my shoulders.
"It's okay, really." He says, reassuringly looking into my eyes.
He gently takes the paper towels from me, and throws them away.
I cough to break the silence, and continue to set up the paints.
"Jenna, can I talk to you about something?" He asks me, his tone serious.
Oh god, what could this be about? My heart pounds in my chest, and I start fiddling with the brushes.
"Yeah, sure, what's up?" I say, trying to sound like I don't care, but I do. I care so much.
"Is this . . are we . . what I mean to say is are we official?" He asks.
"Uhh . . ." What do I say, what do I say?
I blink. "You mean . . .?"
"Like boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"I thought we already were." His body relaxes, purely from relief.
"God, I've been wanting to do this for so long." He cups my face with his hands, and asks me.
"Jenna Chen, may I have the pleasure of kissing you?"
I nod, and he presses his lips to mine.
I gasp, and he deepens it even more. I didn't know this could feel so good.
I thread my hands through his hair, and he holds me tighter, like he never wants to let go of me.
He pulls away, and tucks away a stray strand of my hair.
"I love you so so much, Jenna, and I don't think I could ever stop."
"I love you too, Aaron Cai, ever since I've met you."
He smiles, and I can see the dimple next to his cheek.
Now I know why everyone yearns for love. It's like a warm blanket on a cold winter day. It's giving someone the power to destroy you and to trust they won't use it.
I start crying tears of joy, because of all of the emotions running through my brain that I can't describe.
"Oh, Jenna, don't cry." He pulls me against his chest, rubbing his arm over my back over and over again. His embrace is so warm, and the ease I feel in his presence is so comforting.
I pull back, and I sniffle and say, "Back to painting?"
He chuckles, and grabs a brush.
"Let's do this."