The Summer Moon
Chapter 20 -

Malia

I awoke abruptly to my phone ringing the next morning. I groaned and rolled over, grabbing my phone off of the table. Without looking at the caller ID, I answered, "Hello?" with a grumble.

I instantly regretted it when I heard my mother's voice on the other end of the line, "Darling, that is no way to answer the phone, I've taught you better manners than that." I practically wanted to smack myself now, preparing for a lecture from my mother, but surprisingly she just accepted it and moved on when I mumbled "Sorry mom."

"How are things going over there? I was watching the news, seems like the city is getting a lot of rain," my mom continued, reverting to a classic topic of conversation for us; the weather. Really, we didn't have a lot in common or many things to talk about that didn't start arguments.

"Oh yeah, I've mostly just been studying. How's your conference going?" I asked her next. My mother proceeded to go on for the next 5 minutes telling me all the boring details of her conference, from the speakers to the colours of the place settings at the dinner tables. I could feel myself dozing off again and it took all of my effort to stay awake. "That's great mom," I said when she finally stopped talking.

"Have you been out with your friends at all?" She asked next and I paused before answering. I think she was trying to ask about Brayden, but there was no way I was opening that can of worms right now.

"A couple of times, nothing exciting though. We went to the mall once." It wasn't a total lie, Savanah and I had gone to the mall, and I had been out with some friends a couple times. I mean Ty and I were sort of friends I guess, and Emily - oh my god Emily! I hadn't called her since running into Ty at her party. I suddenly felt awful. I had been so consumed by Ty the past couple of days that I may have ruined the first real friendship I'd made here.

I zoned back into my mom's rambling about all the fashion pieces she had already picked up at different boutiques in Europe. "Mom, actually I'm going to meet Alana and have to leave now, can I call you later?" I interrupted her when she paused briefly.

My mother scoffed at me and I could tell she wasn't happy to be cutting our conversation so short. "Actually, Malia, I'll be out later today, but I will call you when I next get a break. You know I'm very busy over here."

"Of course mom, talk to you next time," I said, then hung up the phone, grateful that the conversation was over. I quickly jumped out of bed and threw on a floral summer dress and slid on a pair of black shorts underneath. I brushed through my hair and applied a thin coat of make-up, threw my wallet in my backpack, then dashed through the kitchen.

"I'm going over to Emily's," I kissed my dad's cheek as I passed by him and grabbed a banana. He gave me a smile.

"Okay honey, will you be home for dinner? We're having lasagna," my dad replied, and I paused in my steps. I'd have to come home to get ready for my date tonight, and Ty was picking me up here. My dad was bound to notice me leaving with him, which meant I had no choice but to tell him.

"Um actually no," I turned to face him and awkwardly leaned against the door frame. "I'm actually going out with someone tonight," I mumbled quickly. My dad looked up at me with a surprised look on his face. Savanah came running into the room suddenly, obviously overhearing what I'd said.

"Who?" She asked.

"Um, this guy Ty? I met him a few days ago," I explained slowly. I felt my cheeks turn pink as I remembered the afternoon at the airport.

"Tyrese Blackwood," My dad actually smiled and I was shocked. "He's a fine young man Malia, I hope you enjoy your night," I stood there unsure how to respond. This was not a dad's usual reaction to his daughter going on a date. Although my dad and I hardly had a normal relationship anyway.

"Oh my Malia, this is so exciting! Shoot, I'll probably still be at work when you're leaving." Savanah turned to my dad and continued "I want pictures!" My jaw just about dropped open.

"There is no way you're taking pictures of us!" Savanah and my dad burst out laughing but I balled my hands into fists and stood my ground. "It's just a date, we're not making a big deal of this," I argued while my face flooded with embarrassment. But I'm sure the embarrassment I'd feel if they actually tried to take pictures of me and Ty, like this was a high school prom, would be much worse.

"Well you never know, you might want those pictures at your wedding" Savanah said next. Oh my god, I felt like I would die if I stayed here any longer.

"It's our first date, we're not getting married!" I shouted, stomping my foot on the ground. My cheeks felt like they were on fire. Savanah and my dad looked at each other like there was an inside joke between the two of them and burst out laughing.

I rolled my eyes at them. "Whatever, I'm leaving now. I'll be home later," I said, calling behind me as I headed out the front door. I took a deep breath as I closed it behind me and tried to calm myself down, then hopped on the bicycle and began pedalling down the street.

I pedalled into Emily's driveway, then hopped off and leaned my bike against her garage. I recognized Jesse standing outside on the porch off to the side of the house. He gave me a strange look and waved in my direction. I waved back politely, "Is Emily home?" I called towards him.

"Oh yeah, she's inside," he said, gesturing towards the front door. I walked up the front steps and knocked on the door, then waited for her to answer. I was already mentally preparing my apology. I felt so bad about forgetting to call her after the party.

"Malia!" Emily shouted as she jumped towards me and wrapped her arms around me. I guess she wasn't too upset. "How are you?" She asked eagerly as she pulled back to smile at me.

"I'm good, how are you? I hope you're not busy or anything," I smiled back at her and quickly shook her head at me.

"Not at all, come on in. I just finished up breakfast." I followed Emily into the house and she led me up to her room. "Emily, I'm so sorry I forgot to call you after the party," I said, giving her a weak smile as we came into her room. "Been busy with Ty?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Well um.." I began, but I didn't know how serious Ty and I were. Should I be telling people we're spending time together? Technically, we hadn't even been on a date yet. I didn't even know what to call us.

Emily let out a laugh. "Of course you have been. But seriously, it's no problem, but I want all the details now. Tell me everything!" Emily finished with a squeal as she flopped down on her bed. I couldn't help but smile broadly at her, I was eager to talk about Ty with someone who actually knew who he was.

I proceeded to tell Emily about meeting Ty at the airport, leaving out the more embarrassing moments though. Then I told her about kissing in the bushes beside my dad's house, running into each other at the party, and then the amazing night we had together after the party. Emily stared at me the whole time with a huge grin on her face, eagerly listening to every word I said. Her jaw dropped open as I finished with "We're going on our first official date tonight." "OMG!" She shouted as she jumped up and put her hands on my arms. "What are you wearing? You have to let me do your make-up and hair!" She clapped her hands together excitedly and I laughed. I was grateful to have a girlfriend here to help me with these things. I would've asked Alana to help me with these things if I had still been back in New York. Although, I don't think she would be as excited as Emily.

I let Emily straighten my hair and pin it half up. She'd done a similar make-up to the night of her party with a smokey eye and some dark red lipstick. I told her all about my dress and the shoes I was planning on wearing. My stomach was filled with butterflies, I was eager to see Ty tonight.

"You look so hot, he's gonna melt!" Emily shouted out and I rolled my eyes. She was exaggerating, but I had to admit I did look pretty good. Emily wished me her best and reminded me that she was expecting a phone call tomorrow. I laughed and promised I wouldn't forget this time, then thanked her for the makeover and rode my bike back towards my dad's.

When I ran inside the front door of my dad's house, I went straight to my room. Ty would be here soon and I felt myself starting to get anxious. I really hoped tonight would go well. I really liked Ty. An ache surfaced in my stomach as I thought back to my first date with Brayden. I had been excited then too, only for the relationship to end in a total disaster when he cheated on me. I felt totally heart broken after Brayden, it made me nervous around Ty. But I wanted to trust Ty, and truly I felt way more connected with him than I ever felt with Brayden.

I pulled on the black dress I bought at the mall and a pair of strappy black heels. I turned to the mirror to take one last look at myself and grinned. I looked amazing. Ty would love it. I grabbed my purse then headed to the windows at the front of the house to wait for his arrival.

"Honey you look beautiful," my dad smiled at me as he sat on the couch reading a newspaper. I smiled at him and whispered "Thanks," then turned back to see a sleek black Audi pulling up outside. My heart pounded in my chest, here we go.