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nShe felt a little tremor of nervousness shake her. She hadn't been on a date in forever. How did she dress up? How did she act?

nShe wished she knew where they were going so that she could better prepare for tonight, but she would just have to think on her feet. Regardless, she knew that she would have fun with him.

nThe rest of the lectures she had to sit through during that day seemed to pass right through her ears.

nShe hadn't been able to focus much lately since things were finally getting good again with Elias.

nShe didn't want them to go down a dark path again because that wasn't fun at all.

nBeing without him was painful, and she didn't want to ever go through that again. It made her want to enjoy these good times even more.

nWhen her lab ended, she nearly ran to her dorm, dodging around other students as she crossed campus.

nShe had an outfit in mind at least, but she had to fix up her hair and makeup too. She wanted to look as good as she possibly could.

nTonight was special, and it was one that she would remember for a while. She just hoped it turned out as well as she pictured it would in her head.

nThe door to her dorm didn't even shut before she started yanking off her backpack and tearing her clothes off.

nShe pulled open her closet and reached inside to grab a maroon dress that she bought the other day. It wasn't anything special. It was on sale, but it did look cute.

nIt came down to her knees and flared out at her hips while remaining fitted up top. She paired it with black boots and put on a silver necklace to add a little flair.

nAfter glancing at the time, she hurried to the bathroom counter and started working on her hair and makeup.

nShe hated having to rush while working on her face. It was the one thing she needed to take her time with so that she didn't mess up.

nThankfully, she only messed up her eyeliner once and had to fix it. Practice definitely made perfect.

nShe was far from looking as good as Zoe, but she did look a lot better than she did weeks ago.

nAt least she could do simple eyeliner and eyeshadow now. All of that contouring stuff was way out of her league still, though.

nAfter doing a few paces and turns in front of the mirror, Alyssa convinced herself that she had done all that she could for herself for tonight.

nIt was time to head out to the parking lot anyway. She grabbed her phone and purse before leaving, trying to breathe as calmly as possible as she strode to the parking lot.

nShe counted this as her first date. This was the first relationship that she put her heart and soul into, and she hoped tonight would tell her if that was a good idea or not.

nShe didn't want her heart broken, especially by Elias, who could do far more damage than any other boy she had ever known.

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"I am one lucky bastard.

"

nAlyssa snapped out of her thoughts and looked up to see Elias peering out of his driver's side window at her.

nHe rested his elbow on the bottom ledge, leaning back casually. Of course, he still looked so calm and collected.

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"I don't think being stuck with me is something to be considered as lucky,

" Alyssa commented before walking over to the passenger's door and getting in the car.

nShe looked over at him to find him admiring her once more, causing a blush to flare up across her cheeks.

"Stop it.

"

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"You should get used to being ogled at,

" Elias replied as he took her hand in his, resting it on her lap. He sped out of the parking lot.

"You're beautiful.

"

nAlyssa wanted to hide behind her hair, but she coaxed herself to push it back from her face instead. There were some things that she needed to own, and she wanted to think more highly of herself.

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"You look pretty dashing yourself,

" she said as her eyes swept over his dark, ripped jeans and black button down. She liked seeing such clothes on him. Their fitted nature appealed to her eyes. The black belt on his hips also made her feel warm in certain

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"Thanks, sweetheart,

" Elias smirked, flashing her a smile before turning back to the road as he drove away from campus.

nAlyssa knew that he was plainly teasing her to make her bashful, and it was working. She smoothed down the end of her dress with her free hand, catching his eyes admiring the flash of bare skin of her thigh. The sight of that made heat flush through her.

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"I'm guessing I still have to wait to see where we're going?

" she asked as she glanced out the window. She had no idea how far out they were going to go.

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"You'd be correct,

" Elias replied as he turned down a back road that took them away from the center of town.

nAlyssa didn't recognize this area. She looked over at him.

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"You're not taking me out to the middle of nowhere to murder me, right?

" She couldn't help but joke.

nHe was lucky that she trusted him, or she would be very wary right now. Instead, she was just impatiently excited to see what he had in store for them tonight. The sun would be setting in about an hour.

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"Not my style,

" Elias replied in a serious tone before cracking a smile. He gave her hand a squeeze.

"I'll let you know when we're close.

"

nAlyssa nodded and smiled to herself, watching the town give away to more nature and forest.

nShe suspected they weren't going to the movies or a restaurant. They probably drove for a good thirty minutes when Elias finally said something to her.

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