"Are you nervous?" Kaylen teased from the doorway, startling Hayden.
"Would you stop sneaking up on me?!" Hayden growled over his shoulder. The truth was, he was very nervous. This was the first date he had been on in months and he wanted to make a good impression.
"I don't know what you're so nervous about," Kaylen continued. "It's not like you've never been on a date before."
"Who said I was nervous?" Hayden asked her, looking at her in the mirror.
Kaylen just smiled, "I know you, and I know how you are....you're nervous."
"Well, if I was, your reminding me every 30 seconds wouldn't be very helpful, now would it?" Hayden shot back.
Kaylen shrugged with a small smile and left the doorway.
Hayden grabbed his jacket and headed down the stairs.
"Are you leaving?" Alie, Hayden's mother called from the kitchen.
"Yea, Ma- see you later!" Hayden called, opening the front door.
Hayden had been embarassed to admit that he had not even asked Kristen where she lived, he had had to ask Kaylen for the address, amid relentless teasing.
It was just a short five minute drive to Kristen's place and soon Hayden was pulling into the driveway.
Kristen was already standing at the sidewalk.
Hayden jumped out of the car to meet her.
"Ya know, I would have come to the door like a proper gentleman," Hayden said smiling.
Kristen smiled back, "it's no big deal, I just decided to get some fresh air, its a nice evening."
Hayden opened the car door for her, Kristen still smiling and thanked him as she got in.
Hayden rounded the vehicle and took his place in the driver's seat.
"So, I was thinking, we could get something to eat after the movie if you want," Hayden suggested.
"That sounds good to me!" Kristen replied.
"So, what kind of music do you like?" Hayden asked, fiddling with the radio knobs.
"Just about everything, except country...not a big fan," Kristen answered. "I love Our Lady Peace, Radiohead, Coldplay...."
Hayden grinned, "those are actually some of my favorites as well."
Kristen looked at him with surprise and smiled.
The two laughed and talked of their favorite places in Toronto and found they had a lot in common. Hayden couldn't remember a time he had been around someone so much like himself.
Soon, they arrived at the theater and walked up to the ticket counter.
Hayden ordered their tickets and handed Kristen her ticket.
"Do you want anything from the concession?" he asked.
Kristen shook her head that she was alright.
They headed into the theater to get good seats.
"Where do you like to sit?" Hayden asked.
"Usually, middle of the theater, about 5 or 6 rows from the top," Kristen answered.
Hayden shook his head at this and smiled, "that's just about where I sit too, but Kaylen always whines because she wants to be near the front!"
The two found seats in the middle, near the top and sat down. The theater had a few people but was not overly crowded. Kristen couldn't help but notice a few girls a couple of rows down from them who kept looking up over their shoulders and then whispering and giggling.
"So, I guess you get recognized pretty often," she replied.
Hayden had been completely unaware of the girls and their activity, "Some times moreso than others. There will be days I can walk around an airport and no one will say a word to me and other days, 30 or 40 people will swarm me."
Hayden smiled at Kristen's wide-eyed expression, "it's okay though. The people are usually very nice."
Kristen shook her head in disbelief - the thought of being under that type of scrutiny both amazed and frightened her.
Hayden couldn't help but just watch her with amusement and what was quickly becoming adoration.
The more the two had talked that evening, he had seen that Kristen was very reserved but also very confident and independent -an often unlikely group of traits.
At that moment, the lights dimmed and the previews began.
The film turned out to be incredible. There were action scenes, comedic scenes, romantic scenes....through it all, Hayden had found himself looking over at Kristen to watch her reactions.
Wow, what is going on here? he thought to himself. He was truly becoming affected by her...and loving every minute of it.
The movie finished and the two walked out of the theater.
"That was excellent!" Kristen smiled.
"Yeah, it was," Hayden answered.
The two headed for the parking lot in which Hayden unbeknownst to him, got more smiles and looks from female passersby.
"So what's next?" he asked.
"Hmm...what would you like?" Kristen asked.
"Are you hungry?" Hayden asked, Kristen nodded.
"Let's head over to Bedford's...have you been there?" Hayden asked.
Kristen replied that she had not.
"It's a great place, good food, owners are really nice too," Hayden replied.
They were soon in the car and headed for Bedford's.
"What's up man?" Bedfords' owner Joe shook hands with Hayden as the two walked in. Hayden introduced Kristen.
"Nice to meet you, get anything you guys want, its on the house! In honor of your homecoming!" Joe answered brightly.
Hayden grinned and thanked him. Kristen was once again astonished to see the treatment that Hayden had received.
Hayden and Kristen found a table nestled between the bar and dining areas. All four television screens were showing the big Maple Leafs game.
Kristen looked up at the T.V. and smiled, "I have heard about your affinity for hockey."
Hayden smiled, "well, I am known as the guy who has seen every Maple Leafs game in the past 10 years." He suddenly got a more serious look on his face.
"....but something more important currently has my attention," he said looking her in the eyes.
Kristen looked down, she coudl feel herself starting herself start to blush.
At that moment, Joe brought over appetizers and drinks for the two.
"Thanks Joe," Hayden said.
"No problem, glad you stopped in to visit!" Joe replied, smiling.
"My family has known Joe for over 20 years," Hayden explained to Kristen. "I actually worked here when I was a freshman.
Kristen nodded and smiled as she took a bite of a mozzarella stick. "This is really good!"
Hayden grinned at her.
The two enjoyed their food and drinks and soonafter decided to leave. Hayden left a generous tip for Joe at their table and helped Kristen into her jacket.
"Thanks again Joe!" Hayden called as he headed out the door, Joe waved from the bar.
Kristen and Hayden began walking down the sidewalk on Yonge Street.
Hayden reached down and gently took Kristen's hand. She accepted and their fingers intertwined as they walked further down the sidewalk.
Hayden looked at his watch, "well, what do you wanna do next?"
Kristen looked at him, "I probably should be heading back to my place. I have an early class tomorrow."
Hayden shook his head in slight disappointment, "yeah, I should probably be packing."
Kristen stopped in her tracks and looked up at him. "That's right...you are leaving tomorrow....you didn't mention it all night."
"I didn't want to...because now, I'm really not wanting to go," Hayden said, taking a step closer to her.
Hayden leaned in, Kristen feeling his warm breath on her cheek. The two looked at each other for a split second before Hayden completed the distance, touching his lips to her's.
The two stood there for a moment, enveloped in their kiss, Hayden's arms pulling her in, closer to him. Kristen accepted his advance and put her arms around his neck.
Hayden finally pulled away and smiled. Kristen opened her eyes and looked at him in awe.
"I kind of forgot we were standing in the middle of town," Kristen looked around, reality returning to her in her embarassment.
"That's alright, all the better," Hayden smiled, leaning in for another quick kiss.
They made their way to his Jag which was parked on the corner and began the drive to Kristen's.
Soon, they arrived in front of her apartment. Hayden stopped the car and sat there for a second, looking at the steering wheel.
"Would it be alright if I call you tomorrow, from L.A.?" he asked.
Kristen smiled, "I would really like that."
Hayden pulled her in for another kiss, one that lasted for several intense moments.
Kristen was the one to pull away this time, trying to regain her senses, "I should be heading inside now." She sat there for a moment, just smiling.
He smiled back at her. "Alright, well, I'll see you next week....but I'll be calling you tomorrow night."
Kristen nodded and smiled. "Have a safe trip," she said opening the car door.
Hayden grabbed her arm one last time to pull her in for a kiss, knowing he wouldn't get another for at least a week.
He then pulled away and smiled, almost a bit embarassed at his lack of composure and display of aggression.
"I'm really going to let you go this time," he laughed and she replied with a smile.
She walked around the car and waved as he started his engine.
She walked to her door and opened it. It wasn't until she was safe inside that Hayden pulled his car into the street to begin his drive home.