I sit there waiting for some sort of answer. For Sam to tell me what to do. My frantic sobbing finally stops but all we’re left with is the silence. I had just put everything I had been feeling and thinking out there for Sam to hear.
   “I want to tell you something.” I look at Sam who had finally broken the silence I had made between us. She looked sincere. “I’ve watched you for so many years. So many years Ivy. I’ve watched you become this amazing and beautiful person. I’ve watched you come and go from my house so many times and so many times I could have said something when I wanted to but never did. And here you are confused and putting your heart out on the line when I’ve been too scared to do it myself. I’ve watched my brother obsess over you and comfort you when you’ve needed someone and I wanted to be that person that you ran too when you needed to talk. I thought I was being irrational and thought that you would never notice Luke’s little sister. But now you have noticed me and now I have no idea what to do. Do I take advantage of the situation? But I really don’t want us to end up like me and Kayley and besides you’re still confused.”
    I listen intently to what Sam was saying. Luke telling me that she had a crush on me and actually listening to her was two different things. “Can you answer a question?” I nod. “Do you see me as Luke’s sister or do you see me as Sam?” I think about this. A few weeks back I would have said that I knew her as just Luke’s sister but now I could see her as Sam as her own person separate from her brother.
   “Sam. I see you as Sam.”
    “Now you’ve answered me I’m going to throw something out there. You can say no but if you have an open mind would you like to go on a date with me?”
    A date? A date. A date. The words resonate through my mind but no matter how many times I think of it, it still remains the same two little words.
     “Earth to Ivy.” I snap out of the daze trying to find a voice to answer the question. Do I stay safely in the known, the status quo, the friend zone or do I take a leap into the unknown?
    “I’ve decided. Samantha I would love to go on a date.” I watch her beam before she pulls me into a hug.
    “Just one piece of advice don’t call me Samantha” she laughs.
     “Deal.”
   

    So what do people wear on dates these days? I think to myself. In fact I’ve only been on two dates in my entire life. One of those was when I was fifteen with my lab partner who I had felt bad for and one with Luke which to be honest just felt like two friends enjoying dinner together. I have had boyfriends but they lasted to briefly to even consider the dating stage. Sam hadn’t given any details away about what she was planning. In fact since the party me and Sam had barely seen each other, she had told me she wanted to plan things perfectly and that apparently meant building the anticipation up. I hadn’t spoken to Luke either but that was because of his own stubbornness. I didn’t know he could act so stubborn, he knew that if he had feelings they would never be reciprocated. But back to the biggest matter what do I wear tonight? I decided to be informal and wear some black jeans and a top I had just got, it was as smart as I was going to manage with my wardrobe.

   “Where are you going?” Sophie asks from the sofa.
     I wasn’t totally ready to tell her yet that it was a date but I didn’t have to lie either. “Out with Sam” I reply half truthfully.
    “Can I come?” her eyes light up.
    “No not tonight sis maybe Sam could come over for your party instead?” I suggest.
    “Oh yes. Can you ask?”
    “Sure.” I say before heading out for the date.

     “So where exactly are we going again?” I push as Sam drives higher and higher up into the wilderness.
    “Wait and see” she replies for the fifth time.
    “But the last stop was 2 miles back.” I peer out at the darkened road.
    “Yes Ivy I’ve lured you out here to abduct you and have my wicked ways” she laughs almost wickedly.
     “Haha funny" I say sarcastically.
    “No really you obviously haven’t seen the handcuffs and rope in the glove box.” The seriousness in her voice makes me wonder how serious she was about that but I laugh anyway. “Who says I’m joking?” I watch as she glances over to me. I keep my face emotionless before she starts laughing. “The look on your face was priceless.”

    “Wake up sleepy head. You’re supposed to sleep after the date not before” I hear Sam say gently shaking me awake. “Come look” Sam requests holding the door open for me. I get up and out of the car and in front of me thousands of little dots of light are sprinkled in the darkness.
    “Wow" I mouth.
    “It’s pretty nice up here isn’t it?” I nod. I’ve never seen the city from this high before. “I used to come up here to think when I was discovering myself. Jump up” she says patting the car bonnet, I jump up dangling my legs over the side. She returns with a hamper, it was full of goodies. I spot a Hershey bar and grab it.
    “My favourite” I gleam.
    “I know.” I glance at her. “You’ve been coming to my house my entire life and you don’t think I take any notice of you or in this case what you like to eat?” I suddenly felt embarrassed, I wouldn’t even know what her favourite food was.
     “I wish I could say the same” I admit.
    “I bet you know more than you think. How about my favourite colour?”
     I think back. “Purple?” I ask remembering the colour she wore the most.
     “Correct! How about food?”
    I search my memories for times we’ve eaten together. I recall when she came around my house after graduation with Luke and my mom had served a dish and remarked ‘isn’t spaghetti your favourite Sam?’ “Spaghetti  carbonara?”
    “Mamma mia perfecto” she attempts a terrible Italian accent.
    We sit in silence for a long time looking out onto he twinkling lights. I instinctively reach out for her hand which Sam willingly allows, it felt nice.
    “By the way” I say breaking the silence. “What would you say if I said Sophie invited you to her party? You don’t have to I mean it’s going to mainly be balloons and kids and parents standing around” I continue.
    “I’d love to.”