Getting closer to the balloon was when Elodie could see the whole surprise - a table set up inside with food on it, something he probably prepared. A simple act that brought a bigger smile to her face. Or not so simple. It must’ve taken him a lot of time to do this, to prepare everything… for her. A thought that was still scaring her - getting closer to someone, not as friends. That’s what would always happen, she’d do something she doesn’t want just because she’d get scared and ruin things, good things. Just like she did with Theo, like she would’ve done with Lyonrad if that whole thing wasn’t fake. But that’s not what she wanted to happen now, with him. He really did make her feel something she never felt before. From the genuine happiness when she was around him, excitement seeing his name whenever her phone would ring to inability to look away and hide a soft smile without making it too obvious, which was something she did now.
His words, you deserve nothing less than the best, were replaying in her head as she carefully took a seat and watched him concentrating on the ballon, looking away to the side the moment he brought his attention back to her and took a seat across from her, a smile still on her lips. She only looked back when he handed her the glass, chuckling at his words and doing the same thing he did - lifting her glass up. “To our first official date,” she quietly repeated after him, quickly bringing the glass to her lips in attempt to hide a shy smile. Their conversation soon moved back to her questions, mainly about the hot air balloon piloting, right on time so she wouldn’t think about the fact they’d be so high up in just minutes when she was afraid of the heights. But that didn’t change how she was feeling about this date, there was nothing that could change that.
“I’m sorry… Sounds like she was a lovely lady,” she quietly said with a sweet smile, noticing how he said she was. “How did you know her? Did she also teach you how to cook or is that what you learned from your endless travels?” With a cheeky smile, she curiously asked before taking another sip of orange juice. As his stories came to an end, stories she could listen to anytime, she slowly looked around the moment he slowed the balloon, taking in the breathing view. Her hand rested on the edge of it, as if that would help with her fear, getting lost in the scenery, a soft smile not leaving her lips. “I love it…” she whispered, staying the way she was until she realized what his question really was and quickly looked back at him, chuckling to herself. “The food. I love it! You really didn’t have to do all of this but it’s… it’s perfect,” looking down, she took the last slice of pear. “How did you know pears are my favorite?” Giggling, she leaned back, keeping her gaze on him. “I honestly don’t know what’s more delicious… and I should probably mention that I’m… maybe, just a bit afraid of heights,” pinching her fingers together, she smiled shyly before looking to the side again, at the clouds they were above and quietly adding, “But I do love this."
@benitz786