23 Chasing Cars

Without hesitation, I jumped right into his playlist. He laughed at the sight of me scanning through the songs on his player.

"Like a natural," he commented.

I rolled my eyes at him and continued what I was doing. Usher's song Climax was booming throughout the car and was just belting out the song as we sang with it. The night was still young, and people were on the road to go home.

We can't decide, or I can't decide where to eat. Obviously, I wasn't really planning to get into second dates, so my spills were not ready. I need to update it.

He took me to a restaurant where a big slice of pizza with a sign "Pizza Club" outside was blinking with lights. The place was along the road, and it was bustling with people. We scanned around to find a vacant parking space, but to no luck, we found none.

Dominic apologized because he did not make a reservation ahead of time. I looked at him with an "Are you joking?" look. He did not have to be sorry about it. Who would also expect something to happen?

I consoled him and asked if we can just have a drive-through over a fast food restaurant and eat in the car. We just have to find a nice place to park.

Dominic's face lit up, and his smile went back as he reversed the car. We had takeouts from a local fast-food restaurant. I ordered my favorite chicken nuggets and french fries, while he had chicken wings and potato chips.

The smell of the food filled the car, and we were smiling at each other as we realize we were already hungry.

"Just a moment, we'll get there soon," Dominic assured me as he took a familiar road. I know where we were going, and my heart was beating like crazy from the excitement.

I did have my doubts earlier about coming here with him. I'm scared of where this is heading, and sometimes I am not sure if I am ready for what's to happen. I also don't want to assume things with Dominic. Right now, if you ask me what I feel, I would just straight answer you, I am happy. Would that be enough answer for now?

I am happy, and I don't care what we are, nor I care about what lies ahead. I just want to freeze the time and live the moment.

We entered the gate. The guards who were posted there greeted us with a smile after seeing two familiar faces who visited two nights in a row already.

Dominic parked his car at the same spot where we were last night. He turned off the engine and opened the windows on both sides. The cold wind from the airport rushed inside, and I never felt more alive.

Seeing everything from this spot, I don't think I would get used to how mesmerizing the view is. It feels different when you see something so busy in the morning turns silent as the night goes.

Dominic took our food from the backseat and handed me my share. We are chuckling at how the night turned out.

After getting full, Dominic asked me if I want to go out of the car, and I agreed. We both stepped out from it, and I felt my hair standing as shivers run through my skin. It was a chilly night, and the cold breeze was not forgiving.

Hugging myself, hoping to bring a little heat to my body, I was surprised when a warm cloth suddenly draped around my shoulders. Since when did Dominic prepare this blanket?

I looked at the brown fabric and then at him.

"Well, for the record, I did have a plan on taking you here, after we have our dinner at the Pizza Club restaurant." He shrugged his shoulders and patted my head.

I warmed myself with the blanket while Dominic was leaning on his car while watching me. He then smiled and climbed up the hood.

"Are you sure that's okay?" I asked.

He offered his hand at me, asking if I could go up with him on the hood. I was hesitant at first, but he was persistent that I took his hand and went up with him.

We were both now sitting as we watch the airplanes taking off, their lights fading into view as they swim in the sea of clouds. The sky was clear with the stars spreading across its vastness, and the moon was nowhere to be found.

We were both leaning on the windshield as we listen to the songs playing out from the car.

Nic was just talking about his studies and how his family. We have a lot in common, I think. We were conversing when all of a sudden, we both fell silent. Not because we have nothing to talk about, but I think we both feel like the moment was just too perfect to even mutter a single word.

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol was humming through the night. That moment, I closed my eyes to feel everything. The wind, the night, him sitting beside me, and my heartbeat. It was calm but is more alive.

"If I lay here.

If I just lay here.

Would you lie with, and just forget the world."

The song was perfect at the moment. Without thinking twice, I leaned my head on Nic's shoulder. I could feel him tense up from the contact, but he immediately relaxed.

The song continues, and without a sound, I uttered a prayer. I want the whole world to stop for a moment. I want to just slow down and let me live this feeling for a little longer.

We just stayed there for quite some time, when Dominic said something.

"Andi?"

"Yes?"

"I still think there is something about you."

"Me? What do you mean?"

"There is something about you, and it's making me feel things. I like you, Andi."