CH 8

Gia felt nervous as she took a shower, getting ready for her date with Rory’s friend. It wasn’t the fact that she was meeting someone for the first time that had her nervous however, it was the fact that she had another dream last night. She remembered it so vividly. They danced, and it was like magic as they swayed together. The way he looked at her made her feel so beautiful. The whole atmosphere was magical. Formal dresses, a huge ballroom eloquently decorated. The sight of her mystery man in a tux, his hair slicked back and looking so fine, it took her breath away. Her body quaked slightly as she braced herself against the shower wall. Why did she have to leave? In her dream, in the back of her mind she knew that she would have to wakeup soon, and she wanted to leave on her own terms. He spoke to her, his voice so deep; it touched a place in her heart as it entered her ears. She told him her name; she saw relief in knowing it in his eyes before she turned around and walked away. Now she sighed as she pressed her forehead against the cool shower wall, trying to clear her mind of the mixture of emotions she was feeling from her dream. She shook her hands out to relieve some tension she felt built up. She got out and dried off and got dressed. Sighing again she looked into the mirror. “OK Gia you can do this, the man in your dreams is not real and you need to find someone real to go out with.” She told herself before turning around.

“Oh my god Gia you look beautiful!” Rory exclaimed as Gia stepped out of the bathroom. Gia had on a long black skirt that was slit up the back to just above her calf. She wore it with a red v-neck sweater that showed off the curves of he cleavage. Her braids were down and she had on a pair of red earrings that dangled elegantly from her ears. “Thank you.” Gia said as she moved to put on a pair of black boots. “You look beautiful too.” She said looking up at her friend. She had on a short floral skirt and a light pink top. “Thank you but now I’m going to have to compete for attention the whole night with you going. Maybe I should rethink my plan here.” She laughed. “Yeah maybe you should.” Gia mumbled. Rory’s head shot up. “Oh no you don’t! You are not backing out of this Gia; I worked way too hard to find the perfect guy for you. No way are you not going!” Rory said with her hand on her hip. “OK OK, lets just go then!” Gia said standing up and grabbing her purse before heading for the door.

Gia sat across from the very attractive man Rory set her up with. Steven seemed like a nice guy. He reminded her of Mario Lopez, tall, dark eyes, nice build and sexy dimples. He was dressed in a nice suit and by the way he kept staring at her, she was sure he was attracted to her. And from the light conversation they had had, Gia found out that he was a successful business man, a kids soccer coach on the side, all in all he seemed to be perfect. “So Gia, Rory tells me that you work with kids?” Steven inquired, breaking Gia from her little analysis of him going through her head. Gia smiled. “Yes, I’m a programs director at a group home for kids who are waiting to be adopted. The kids are so wonderful. I love all of them. It’s so much fun, I just really love what I do.” Gia said smiling at him. “It sounds like it, you have a sparkle in your eyes when you talk about it. It’s a very beautiful thing to see.” Steven said leaning into her slightly. Gia blushed. “Thank you.” She whispered.

Gia looked over at Rory who was making out with her boyfriend Devon and her chest began to feel heavy. She wanted that, to be kissed like that. But then she looked over at Steve and she knew that she didn’t want it to be with him. She knew it was silly but she wanted it to be with the man in her dreams. Her heart was with him. “Gia, are you alright?” Steven asked. Gia refocused her attention onto Steve and nodded her head. “Would you like to dance?” He asked. Gia was reluctant but she nodded her head and smiled. They got up, Rory pulled away from Devon’s lips and smiled up at her. “You two have fun.” Rory said slyly. Gia made sure that her best friend only saw her glare before she took Steve’s offered hand and fallowed him to the dance floor.

As Gia and Steve swayed to the music, all Gia could think about was the dance in her dream. How magical it felt and how the feelings of being in that mans arms felt. The feeling was so strong that as she was wrapped in Steve’s arms, she didn’t feel the same comfort and warmth as she had in her dream. Her mind was rushed back to the present when she felt Steve’s head pull back and his hands reach up to the back of her neck, pulling her face to him, and firmly pressing his lips to hers in a kiss. She froze, not allowing his tongue entry when he attempted to push it in, causing him to pull back. “Gia what’s wrong? I thought we were hitting it off.” Steve said, his dark eyes scanning her face. “We are, but this is just too fast for me, I’m sorry but I need to take things slower.” Gia said. Steven nodded his head. “I understand.” He said. He smiled at her and took her hand, heading back over to Rory and Devon. “You guys, I think Gia and I are ready to call it a night.” Steve said. Rory looked over at Gia. “What happened?” She asked. “Nothing I’m just really tired and I have to work tomorrow that’s all.” Gia said. Rory eyed her but nodded her head and she and Devon stood up.

After Rory said goodbye to Devon and practically stormed into she and Gia’s dorm, Gia turned and faced Steve, as they were now left alone. “I had a really nice time tonight. We should do it again sometime, I’ll call you.” Gia said. Steve smiled. “That would be great, I had a good time too. I’m sorry about the kiss, I’m not usually that forward, it’s just, you’re so beautiful and I think you’re really nice.” Steve said. Gia smiled and leaned in to kiss his cheek that was so inviting. “It’s OK, I’ll call you, goodnight.” She said before turning and heading into the building.

“What is wrong with you?” Rory instantly began attacking Gia when she walked in. Gia’s eyes glared over at her. “Don’t start Rory, I told you I wasn’t sure if I was ready.” Gia said. Rory shook her head. “When will you be ready Gia? When are you going to get over Kyle?” Rory shouted in frustration. “It’s not about Kyle!” Gia yelled back, fighting back tear at the mention of that name. “Then who is it about?” Rory asked. Gia sighed. “I don’t know.” She said softly. “Well you better figure it out Gia because I know you, and you are not happy. Sure you love your job and your friends but you need more than that. And life is passing you by. You need to figure out what would make you happy and go for it!” Rory shouted. Gia looked down sadly. “You’re right, and I think Steve just might be the person that will do that.” Gia said. Rory smiled and nodded her head slowly. “Good. OK I’m going to bed Gia, think about what I said.” Rory said and turned to go get ready for bed. Gia plopped down on her bed and sighed. “Steve makes me happy.” She said to herself with a smile on her face. Her smile soon faded and she shook her head sadly. “No, he doesn’t.” She breathed. She closed her eyes tightly and prayed that the person who truly made her happy would invade her dreams again tonight.