Free Girl in the White Dress: Sam's Story by Nikki D. Walker Page A

him.
                  “You heard me.” What kind of sadistic first date was this? A few more singers went up. Some were good. Some were bad. Then it was Danny’s turn. He got up and would not tell me what he was singing. I heard Bon Jovi come on. Sweet. He had better not screw this up, I thought to myself. I loved Bon Jovi. When he started singing, I was surprised yet again. He seemed to be full of surprises. Tim came over to sit with me. I did not realize he was still there. It was only a little strange, since I was on a date with his brother.
                  “So, you and Danny, huh?”
                  “First date,” I said. “But he’s great.”
                  “Yeah he is. Just don’t break his heart. Or I will have to personally kick your ass.”
                  I laughed. “I’d like to see you try.”
                  “Would you like me to run into you again?”
                  I flinched remembering the bruise on my ass from that day. “No, that’s ok.”
                  Danny finished the song and came to sit back down. He shot Tim another look. Tim stood up and said, “I will leave you two alone.” I very much needed a sibling decoder.
                  “Ok,” Danny said. “You’re up after this person.”
                  I gazed daggers at him. “I know I couldn’t possibly have heard you correctly.”
                  “You did. And you can’t not get up to do it.”
                  “Why not?”
                  “Because secretly you know you want to sing.”
                  “Oh really? You know me that well already?” Part of me wanted to kill him and part of me knew he was right. I loved karaoke but when I was drunk and did not remember it. I was definitely still quite sober and would most likely embarrass myself. “Ugh, fine. What am I singing?”
                  “Now that, I can’t tell you.”
                  “And why not?”
                  He smirked. “Because that’s no fun.”
                  I could not actually be mad at him because, in all honestly, I would have done the same thing. We were a lot more alike than I would have guessed. The woman singing “Black Velvet” was done and it was my turn. I could already feel myself turning red.
                  I was standing in front of the prompter and heard someone yell, “Go Sam!” Danny was a dead man. As soon as the music came on, I wanted to laugh. Karaoke to Britney Spears. Priceless. “Hit Me Baby One More Time” could not have been a better song. My rendition was sad but that was ok. I rocked it.
                  I went to sit back at the table and only saw Tim. “Are you ok?” he asked.
                  “Fan – freakin –tastic. Where is your brother?” I demanded. “I’m going to kill him.”
                  He laughed. “He went to get you another drink. He figured you would need it.”
                  “Good boy.”
                  Danny came back to the table and Tim cleared out. The rest of the night was fun. We ended up shooting some more pool before we left. He drove me back to the dorm and was a gentleman and walked me upstairs. I actually did not want the date to end.
                  “I had a nice time, Danny.” How cliché.
                  “Even with the singing?” he asked.
                  I smiled. “Yes, even with the singing.”
                  “Good.” Now was the usual time awkwardness sets in on a first date. I was waiting for that standard awkwardness but there was not any. He leaned in and went for the kiss. Wow, he was confident. His lips were soft. Damn, he was an awesome kisser. He pulled back slowly. “Goodnight,