Eleanor <3s Elizabeth 2

I shift uncomfortably as I force my way through the mass of people. It's the monthly street festival and that means people, lots of people. I push aside to urge to turn and run from the crowds and the loud festival noises and slam the button at the crosswalk. My stomach is in knots as I scan the crowd. Maybe she decided not to show? maybe she-

No, you're being ridiculous. There's Eleanor, wearing a white sundress. Eleanor, standing near the intersection where we're supposed to meet. Eleanor, my...say it, Elizabeth; Girlfriend, you're going on your first date with your girlfriend Eleanor.

Her eyes light up as she notices me and about a dozen other people start to cross the street. She straightens her posture and runs her fingers through her hair self-consciously. She doesn't have to, though. She looks beautiful.

"Hey." I say, waving my hand.

Eleanor repeats the gesture. "Hey."

Come on, Elizabeth. Say something nice. "I like what you did with your hair."

"Thanks." Eleanor replied, brushing her hair back over her left ear. "That's a really nice dress."

"Oh, it's nothing." Jesus, Elizabeth. Just take the compliment.

"So I was thinking that we could get some food and maybe take a walk."

"That sounds good."

I keep close as the two of us walk past street vendors, musicians, performance artists, and people selling anything from books to temporary tattoos. Eleanor seemed entranced by the whole atmosphere. She would jump from stand the stand, looking at the wares and talking to the vendors like it it was nothing.

Finally Eleanor seemed to settle on the the notion of finding something to eat. This suited me just fine, I hadn't had breakfast so I was pretty hungry. Motioning to a grey-haired man Eleanor held up too fingers and pointed to a menu item, some kind of flat-bread with what looked like mushrooms, garlic, and sour cream.

"I hope you don't mind, I figured we'd try something new."

To be honest, I did mind a bit. But it was hard to get annoyed with Eleanor when she did that kind of thing, she was so damn earnest about it. Excitedly, she held out a finished sandwich for me to try. I took a cautious bite as she watched for a reaction.

"So?" Eleanor inquired, tilting her head.

"It's good." I affirm, nodding my head "how about yours?"

"Pretty damn great, if I do say so." She replied, wiping away some stray sour cream that had managed to found it's way to the tip of her nose.

Finishing our sandwiches we rounded a corner leading into the park. A barbershop quartet sang an old Beach Boys song to a small group of adults, while the children ran through the grass with painted faces. Overhead two model planes buzz above the treetops, occasionally swooping down and almost touching the small pond in the center of the park.

As we walk I feel her hand in mind. Her fingers gently interweaving with my own. I do the worst thing I could do. I panic, I draw my fingers back. "Sorry, it's just..."

Eleanor smiles and takes a half-step back to give me some space. "It Feels weird, right?" She asks in a reassuring tone. But I can tell I hurt her.

I shake my head in confusion. "Yeah-I mean, no it doesn't. I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed."

"That's fine, we can go sit down."

"I'd like that."

We sit in silence for what seems like forever. The sound of music and laughing children only deepens the sensation. Each second is an agony. I want to tell her that it wasn't her fault and that I was enjoying myself.

Before I can work up the courage she sprawls across the grass. "You like Radical Miss, right?"

They're only my favorite local band. "They're pretty good." i reply as I shift myself so I'm facing her prone form.

"Well, a friend told me they're the surprise closing act on stage B."

"Really?"

"Really." She nodded. "want to see if we can get a good view? I bet if we go to the library we can get a good look at the stage and avoid the crowd."

Eleanor hopped up and led me by the hand up the stairs that connected the park to the library. From there we went up to the walkway that joins the library to the community center. Several other couples were there, and sure enough it overlooked stage B. Eleanor rested her elbows against the crosswalk and I could see that she was giving me a sidelong glance as I made myself comfortable. I needed to say something.

"Hey Eleanor." I began, settling beside her.

"Yeah?"

"I've really enjoyed our date." God, if she only knew.

"I'm glad, I thought maybe I messed things up." She replied, gently touching the small of my back.

"No, it was nothing like that. I should be the one apologizing."

A sly grin crept across her face. "Well, you can always make it up to me."

"What do you mean?"

Eleanor leaned in and gently pressed her lips to mine. I close my eyes and let her embrace me, and embrace her back. Our tongues gently explore each other before parting, all too soon. I hope I get another chance to apologize like that.