August 5th, 1984

"I'd really appreciate it if you would tell me where you're taking me."

"Nope. It's nothing you'd expect."

"Then why are we pulling up to a place that's clearly a restaurant?"

George chuckled and pushed the break down of my car. "You'll see. Don't get out yet."

I watched him come around to the other side and open the door for me.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head with a smile. "Is this how you're going to be the entire night?"

"Possibly." He kissed my cheek when I shut the door.

When we walked into the unknown building, I immediately noticed the large opening inside with hardwood floors since all of the tables were pushed to the walls.

"What is this?" I asked.

"A unique restaurant." He said proudly.

I laughed. "I thought you said it's nothing I'd expect? I was expecting food, and here we are, in a place that serves food."

He laughed at my reply. "You'd be a good lawyer. As I told you, you'll see. We'll have fun, I promise."

I frowned at his comment about being a good "lawyer," but I didn't protest on it because I'm sure it would feed his evidence.

We were seated immediately and couldn't help but admire the place more. It was like a cabin and perfect for the colder weather that was soon to be here.

I could just imagine coming here with George in December, drinking hot chocolate, watching the snow fall...

"That sounds like a wonderful idea." He looked up at me with a soft smile.

I raised my eyes brows. "Did I say that out loud?"

"Mhm, and I think it's sweet." He leaned over and kissed me.

"You sure love to do that, huh?" I asked.

"What?" He questioned.

"Since I've come back, you just love kissing me," I smirked.

His cheeks pinked up a little. "I've missed you so much. I know I've said that a lot already, but I have," before continuing, he intertwined his fingers into one of my hands. They were warm. "No amount of kisses I can give you will make me feel better about what I've done. Honestly, you should be washing your face off every time I do."

I gave him a sad look, but I felt the same deep down.

And he still didn't know it.

I laughed to cover it up. "George, I love your kisses. They make me feel happy and loved. I used to not feel loved at all..."

He frowned. "Oh, yeah. I didn't hear much about that... you don't have to tell me right now. I can wait. I at least know the gist."

"No, I can tell you. Since we're starting over." I shivered a little since it was a bit cold inside.

"Here, take my jacket." He started pulling his off.

"No, it's okay. I don't need it."

"Yes, you do, here." He stood up, came over to my chair, and helped me put it on. It was super warm, giving me the chills as I put it on. I immediately smelled his cologne, and I gave it a good whiff. It put a stupid smile on my face.

"You gave me this jacket after our first date," I said. "Well, it was more like a double date."

He laughed. "DJ, I can't tell you how pretty you looked that day. I mean, honestly, I was so nervous around you. I just gave you my jacket without thinking."

I was blushing now. "Are you serious?"

"Yes!" He laughed. "I was trying so hard not to look at you the entire time. Andy didn't stop making fun of me when we got back to where we were staying. So I made a remark how hard he got when he saw Jeena."

I started laughing, and the waiter came over, so I had to keep myself normal while I told her I wanted water.

When she left, I went back to chuckling. "I hope they get married. I'd love to see her in a wedding dress, making Andy cry with her beauty."

"Do you want to get married?"

I was completely caught off guard. "What?"

He got embarrassed. "I mean, in general. Not necessarily with me, but... one day, would you want to get married to somebody?"

"I don't like weddings," I said. "I think they're tacky and make me feel all mushy and gross."

"Oh," he sounded sad.

I smirked. "But I've been like that even when I was a kid. However, I've also known that I want a big fat wedding when I find the right person."

His eyes squinted when he smiled. "I think that's adorable."

He shivered like he was cold. I started taking off his jacket to give back to him.

"No." He stood up. "Keep it on. I put another one in the car, I think.

"What?" I saw him start to walk toward the exit. "Baby, come on-"

He stopped in his tracks, as did I. He turned around and smiled at me. "Did you just call me 'baby'?"

I looked down at the table, thinking. "Yeah, I guess I did."

His smile was adorable, and I guess he liked that nickname.

He was back inside with another jacket in a few seconds.

Well, it was more like a suit jacket. But he still looked great in it.

"Well, now you look all fancy. Did you do that on purpose?" I asked.

"Maybe..." he smirked.

I laughed. "What is going on?"

He checked his watch. "You'll see."

A little while later, while we were eating our food, he spoke on a subject I had almost forgotten about. "If I wanted to, would you let me explain what happened?"

I didn't even need to ask what he was talking about. I frowned. "Maybe tonight. You know, not on a date trying to have fun?"

"Oh, yes, of course." He backed down like he had said something wrong. "Sorry."

"Hey," I took his hand. "Don't be sorry. I don't need an explanation at all. But if you want to for some kind of closure, I have no problem with it."

The smile that came back on his face was enough to make my heart melt. "Thank you, DJ."

The music stopped abruptly a few minutes after we finished our food.

I watched as a few couples stood up and claimed their spots in the large opening on the floor. New music started up.

"What's happening?" I asked.

He stood up and held his hand out. "Dance with me."

"What?" I was a little shocked but had a slight smile on my face.

"Deej, come on! Let's dance."

I took his hand, and he dragged me over. "I didn't know you could dance."

"I can," he took both of my hands and kissed me. "I told you, we're gonna have fun."

"You also told me you'd treat me like a princess," I laughed. "Was that supposed to be foreshadowing?"

"Maybe."

I was thankful all of the songs that came on were dances I knew. Jeena had forced me to go to a nonformal dance in school with her, and she taught me whatever I never got to learn as a kid.

If I had known such fairytale-like things existed like dancing, I would've learned them in under thirty minutes.

There weren't many people up, which gave us more room to move around. He was doing some crazy moves with me, like grabbing me around my waist with one hand, holding my hand with the other, and dipping me super low. Every time I would laugh extremely hard because it was so unexpected.

But when I would come back up with a silly smile on my face, he would look at me like he was so in love.

Of course, slow dancing had to happen. Not that I didn't want to, but I usually didn't like doing that.

But when my date was George Michael...

I lied my head on his chest, just beside his chin. I didn't even think. I just stayed there in his arms as we swayed.

His lips brushed my ear, and he whispered, "I hope you're enjoying this."

I lifted my head and looked at him. "I love this. I've never been taken on a date to dance before."

He chuckled. "Well, I'm glad I can be your first."

"I'll have to take you somewhere," I said, his arms tightening around my waist when the song ended. Everyone went back to their tables to continue eating or check the menu.

"You don't have to take me anywhere. I just want to make sure you understand how much I love you."

I clicked my tongue and looked at him innocently as he leaned in to kiss me once again.

"Why don't you go out to the car? I'll pay the bill." He said.

I nodded, and he handed me both keys.

When I got in, I turned on the radio and flipped through the stations until George came back, when I stopped at a commercial.

"Okay. We'll go back to Andy's place, and you'll let me explain?" He asked.

"Anything you want," I said.

That's when a familiar tune came on. My heart dropped, and my stomach started acting up.

George's face sunk a little when the sax line was on its second round, and his vocals started going.

I turned off the radio as fast as I could.

It was quiet from when he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street.

Then he cleared his throat awkwardly. "You don't like it?"

I frowned. "What?" But I didn't look at him.

"My song. Careless Whisper."

"Oh," I cocked my head to the side. "No, of course, I like it. I love it, actually. You sound perfect in it. I'm just..." I paused again. "I'm not ready to listen to it again. Not after what happened last time."

"Yeah, Jimmy told me." He said, dramatically staring out his window.

I gulped. "He did?"

"Yeah," George put his attention back on the road when he saw the light change. "He told me how devastated you were..."

I waited for him to continue. "That's it?"

"Mhm," he hummed. "Why? Is there something else?"

"No," I almost replied too quickly. "I mean, I'm just shocked he didn't make anything up."

He nodded, understanding.

We were quiet again, and I was playing with my fingers trying to form the next words I wanted to say.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Huh?"

"You have that look on your face when you have something to say that's bugging you."

I laughed. "You really know me, don't you?"

"More than you think." He smiled a bit.

"Uhm... I was just thinking, you know. Before I broke up with you... how you said, you would move in with me when I went to college."

I could tell he liked where this was going. "Uhuh, go on."

So I did. "I know this is super random, but... would you still help me find a place for us to stay? If, of course, you still would want to. I start school In a little less than a month, so I don't have too much time-"

"DJ, You're rambling again." He laughed.

"Sorry," I blushed.

"Don't be. And, anyway, I would love to move in with you."

I smiled. "Really?"

"Of course," he put a hand on my thigh, making me tense up. He took it off. "Sorry, do you not like that?"

"No, no, put it back," I said, then felt silly. "I mean, no one's ever done that before. It was a little shocking, I guess."

He put his hand back and smiled. "Anyway, Deej, we'll find the best darn apartment that's close to your university. But, far enough away where people won't realize you're dating me, and they won't follow us..."

I laughed. "Sounds good."

"We can start tomorrow. We could go back home to your place tomorrow if you want! The sooner, the better."

I couldn't help but get excited at how enthused he was about this. "George, you're so cute when you get happy."

We pulled into Andy's parent's house, and he gave my leg a good squeeze. "You're extremely cute every day."

When we got inside, we were greeted by Jen but went straight upstairs. Jeena and Andy were in his room doing who knows what.

We went into George's bedroom and shut the door.

I sat on his bed with him and faced him.

He sighed. "Here's what happened."