Inviting Her Home

The next day I went to the station to meet up with Sophia and when I got there she was already there. She wore gorgeus red dress and I still couldn't believe that this girl was actually going out with me. When she saw she she smiled and that set my heart on fire even more.

„I hope I didn't make you wait Sophia.“

„Oh no, I just got here. I was just a bit nervous, so I came early.“

„Well, so was I. Shall we go?“

„Okay, let's do it.“

We started walking towards the cinema, which wasn't far apart from the station. I was thinking about holding her hand again, but I wasn't sure he was up for it if it was in the middle of a busy street with lots of people looking at us, so I didn't dare to make an attempt.

„D-Don't you want to hold hands Sato?“ Her voice sounded very faint when she said that and I was almost shocked to hear her that way.

„Of course I do, I just didn't know whether you wanted to do it here with so many people around.“

„Oh, I see. Sorry, I just thought you didn't want to.“

Instead of answering this time I was the one to grab her hand with resolve and so we were walking down the road once again holding hands and Sophia was noticably blushing, which looked absolutely adorable.

„Your hand is very soft Sato.“

„It's all the office work. But your hand is also very soft Sophia. It feels nice to hold.“

She was blushing even more now and it made me happy that she seemed to be pleased with my compliment, even if it wasn't much.

I had asked her before hand what kind of movies she liked and she told me that she liked all sorts of movies and apparently she watched quite a lot of them as well. I was more of a music person, but I liked movies as well. I asked her whether there was a movie she wanted to see in the cinema at the moment and there actually was, which made things a lot easier. When we arrived at the theater we looked at the movies that were currently running and Sophia pointed to the one she wanted to see. She had told me about it on the phone earlier and it sounded interesting. I actually recalled seeing a movie by the same director before and enjoying it, so I didn't mind seeing that movier either.

When we sat down in the cinema there weren't too many other people around. The movie was running for a while already and it was pretty early in the day. But I didn't mind that, since seeing the movie obviously wasn't the only thing on my mind at the moment. Sophia seemed like a different person since we entered the theater and she spoke with passion about movies, directors and actors. It made me smile that she was so passionate about it, but I understood her. I could talk with the same gusto about music, if noone stopped me. And I had no intention of stopping her and she only did so when the movie started. It was actually a rather sad movie and I was moved by it, but not to the extend that Sophia obviously was. She seemed near tears by the end of the movie and in that situation I couldn't stop myself anymore and laid my hand on the hand she had laid down on her arm rest. For a couple seconds she didn't even seem to notice, but then I could see her face turn so red, that even in the dark of the cinema there was no mistaken that she was embarassed by me touching her hand and I was wondering whether I overstepped some boundary but then I could her her whisper that I shouldn't let go and now I was the one to turn red all over and so we sat until the movie ended and the lights turned back on.

„I enjoyed that a lot.“ Sophia said after some time.

„Me, too. The movie as well.“ I was trying to make some sort of joke about it and still convey that I really liked holding her hand and apparently it worked, since she turned very red again. But she was smiling as lovely smile.

„I like holding your hand as well Sato. It's very reassuring.“

„I'm glad to hear that. Shall we go then?“

„Okay, let's do it.“

We stood up and slowly left the cinema and then the theater. It was still somewhat bright outside and the temperature was very pleasent. When we stood outside Sophia grabbed my hand again and we walked slowly down the street towards the station to go back to my place ultimately. In this moment I really wanted to kiss her, but I was hesitant since she still seemed a bit reluctant to really commit to the idea of our relationship, at least that was the impression I got from her. I didn't doubt that she liked me, but at the same time she always seemed to hold herself back and besides holding hands she didn't seem very affectionate towards me. And I didn't want to push her if she wasn't into the idea of being more intimate at the moment and so the situation occured that it was difficult for our relationship to really progress. I was hoping that inviting her home could build some more trust between us, but it wasn't certain to happen.

We took the train back to my station and from there it was a short walk to my place. When we stood before the building we just looked at it for a while, I think we were both pondering what we were about to do and what it could entail.

„Shall we go in?“

„Yes, let's do it Sato.“

We took the elevator to the fith floor and reachmed my apartment, which was number 501. I opened the door and let her in. We both took of our shoes and walked into the living space. She was looking around nervously, but apparently also very intrigued by the shelfs of records on the wall.

„Well, this is it.“ I didn't really know what else to say.

„I didn't expect so much stuff being in here.“ Sophia said, still looking around.

„I'm a bit of a collector, some might say a hoarder.“

„It all seems very orderly. It's nice to be interested in something. Better than having an empty space.“

I guess she was right about that, having things in life that are interesting to you are important and there is nothing wrong in displaying that, even if it manifested in a lot of shelf space collecting dust.

„Do you want to sit down on the couch Sophia? I'll get you something to drink.“

„Okay, thank you.“

„What do you like to drink? I probably should have asked earlier, but...“

„Do you have some juice? I love juice.“ She was very enthusiastic all the sudden and I couldn't help but smile at that, which she seemed to think I was making fun of her.

„Eh, don't mind me Sato. It's... It's not that important, anything is fine...“

„Don't worry, I won't make fun of you for something like that, I thought it was pretty endearing. But I happen to have juice, so one moment.“

I got out some orange juice I usually drank for breakfast and brought a glass of that to her and also had a glass of it myself. Then I sat down on the couch and we both drank our juice in silence.

„Thank you, Sato.“

„For what Sophia?“

„Oh, for everything today. I'm happy you allowed me to be here.“

„Of course, I why wouldn't I want to have the girl I like to visit my place.“

„Oh, of course.“ She still seemed reserved somehow. Like she was weighing every word I said for it's sincerity.

„Don't you believe that I like you?“ I asked cautiously.

„I-I do. Really. But it's still hard to believe. I'm so happy that I want to be cautious in case it doesn't last. I hope that doesn't sound strange.“ she answered honestly.

That made sense to me. The thought that Sophia might just disappear out of my life was something that scared me as well, but my reaction was to try to get closer to her, whilst she tried to keep some distance between us it seemed. But I hoped it was just a question of time until she came around and trusted that we both had a future.

„Shall I start cooking now? I'm getting a bit hungry.“

„Oh yes, but please let me help you a bit, I don't just wanna sit around.“

„Okay, I prepared some vegetables for you to peel.“ I had already expected her to want to help, so I indeed had planned to let her do the peeling. I brought over the vegetables and a peeler and she started to work on it and it seemed like she was quite experienced in doing this kind of work.

„Do you cook a lot yourself Sophia?“

„Hmm, yes. For me and my sister mostly.“

„Oh, you have a sister? I didn't know that.“

„Oh yes, she is a couple years older than me.“

„I have a younger sister. She still lives with my parents in our hometown. She is in her last year of high school now.“

„I hope I can meet her one day.“

„I hope to meet your sister, too, Sophia.“

„O-Of course. Someday.“ That sounded reserved again and I didn't continue to ask, but concentrated on cooking for now. When Sophia was done with peeling she brought the labour of her work over to me and the curry was soon to be done now. When everything was finished we set the table and started eating. The curry came out pretty good and Sophia seemed to enjoy it.

„Thank you for cooking Sato.“

„Well, you did help a lot Sophia.“

„Still, you did most of the work.“ she was slightly blushing again, adorable as ever.

„Probably a strange question, but why do you work at the flower shop Sophia?“

After I asked that question, she seemed to hesitate in the same way she did after what happened with the fountain on our first date.

„I like flowers I suppose? And I like helping people find flowers they like.“

„That's a good reason I think. I just work at an office doing something for someone, I rarely see any direct results from my work.“

„I'm sure it's still important.“

„Probably is, but it's very abstract and that's frustrating sometimes.“

„I can understand that Sato. I really like my work and I don't think I could work in an office. Maybe one with lots of plants around.“

„Well, I do have one plant on my desk.“

„Oh, what is it?“ She seemed very interested in my little desk plant.

„Some sort of little palm, I don't know the name.“ I suddenly felt foolish for even having brought it up.

„It doesn't matter as long as you take good care of it Sato.“ Somehow it sounded like she wasn't only talking about the plant.

„It survived for two years so far, so I guess I'm doing something right.“

„That's good Sato, please keep taking care of it.“

„Don't worry, I will.“

I looked at the clock and it was getting late already and Sophia apparently thought the same.

„I think I should go now Sato. I had a lovely day though.“ She was smiling when she said that.

„Me, too Sophia. I hope we can do something like this again.“

„Yes, I would like that, too Sato.“

I wanted for her to stay a bit longer, but I also didn't want her to feel uncomfortable or like I was forcing her to stay so I agreed and asked her whether I should walk her home, but she insisted I stay. I really did want to do it, but again decided to not force it and so I just went to my door and there she stood and turned to me to say goodbye and again I really wanted to kiss her, but it didn't seem like it was the right moment to do so. The thought of kissing her made me blush slightly and Sophia picked up on that.

„What are you thinking about Sato?“

Now I was blushing even more.

„Honestly, I was thinking about kissing you.“ Now Sophia was blushing as well.

„Oh, so that's it.“ She looked down.

„I know you probably don't want to do it and it's fine. But I like you and so...“

„I do want to... But I can't just now. But I'm happy that you think about me this way Sato. I should go now, bye Sato. See you soon.“ With those words she turned around and basically ran off, which again looked very adorable. I still didn't get to kiss her, but at least she wanted to see me again.