— ! shortstop

lorenzo: if you're gonna actually drive it, get the zenvo

it was a question. definitely a question ... one that lorenzo had fought from asking himself, and maybe for good reason considering he didn’t have much of a clue as to how to answer it. he’d imagine the same could be said for maritza, considering how she stumbled over her words and her nerves were visible to the eye. their relationship meant a lot to him when they dated, and their friendship meant a lot to him now that they had reconnected; maybe even more, this time around. they both have an almost shared past, and that sort of companionship is something he’s been missing since moving to the west coast. but just because there is this sense of precedent and that feeling of ‘i know what you’re going through’, it doesn’t always mean that there are true feelings there. it may all be a facade; a matter of convenience and the mind tends to trick itself into thinking real feelings are there when they aren’t. lorenzo couldn’t tell where his heart and head lay, but he knew he felt something deeper than something on the surface for maritz, and it went well beyond just knowing that she understood his struggles. ❝ yeah, i guess i have, ❞ he said, cautious as his eyes moved her fingers playing with her jeans to her eyes, ❝ i mean, i have, yeah. there’s a lot to think about when it comes to us, like us, us, ❞ he teased for a brief moment, a smirk directed towards her, ❝ i’d be lying if i said i haven’t thought about you every week i’ve been here. you’re this same sweet, spontaneous girl i’ve always known, but there’s something more too. something i’m less familiar with, something i also can’t stop thinking about. ❞ he confessed, his eyes steady on hers as he exhaled slowly, leaving it up to hear to respond however she wanted to. or if she wanted to respond. lorenzo wasn’t a beat around the bush type of guy, so he was going to be honest and upfront with her, but he was also being careful of what he said. on the off chance she’d be entirely opposed to his sentiment, he wanted to make sure he didn’t say anything that he couldn’t take back, either.

the lights of the city buzzed past them as his foot kept on the gas, safety first, but it was a short ride that lorenzo knew like the back of his hand now. he was getting well accustomed to this corner of california which allowed for a part of his racing mind to be put at ease; at least there was one more thing to be confident about. the little mom and pop joint reminded him of his mother, and despite that subject being the opposite of good ‘first date’ conversation, it brought him a sense of comfort. as he parked, he flicked the engine off and took a second look at himself in the rearview once keenan got out just before he did the same. for whatever reason he was nervous, he was, and that wasn’t something lorenzo parker was very used to. stepping up onto home plate to bat for a national title? no problem. but apparently going out on a date with keenan vanderbilt? yeah, that was enough to shake him. but her teasing brought him out of his hazy thoughts as a smirk slipped across his face, licking his lips, ❝ if i do, you’ll never stop lookin at me with those eyes, ❞ he teased too, making the short trek over to her as they made strides to the front door, ❝ but i guess i’ll take my chances, c’mon, ❞ he said, this time with a genuine smile before opening the door, making a show of it as his arm was extended, like he was ushering her into the building, his fingers signalling her to take his hand, ❝ you’ll like it here, i promise. they’re got the best pie in town, i’m just the added bonus. ❞

lorenzo: what are the two you've narrowed it down to, rich kid?

lorenzo: if i forgot smth it's bc you forgot to tell me about it

keenan’s response surprised the raven haired boy; it was probably the most genuine thing she had ever said to him, and it was about their date. lorenzo couldn’t help the smile that slipped across his lips before she was even done with her monologue, of which he listened to with intent. she really did want to go out on a date, and not just with anyone, but with him specifically, and beyond simply fueling his ego, it made him confident in wanting this date just as much as she did. for as long as they’d known each other, the prospect of going out was nothing more than a comedy. when it had transformed into a real idea that they both wanted was beyond lorenzo, and he simply didn’t care. with a firm nod, his smile now shaping into a smirk, he followed and opened the driver’s side door before slipping onto the leather. having been injured in the cheesecake factory fire, lorenzo hadn’t had many opportunities to get out of his apartment, let alone spend some time with someone as new and exciting as keenan, which only made the nerves pumping through his body race. ❝ just so ya know, i was wicked happy that you wanted to go out with me tonight ... and i’m definitely cooler than most of the guys around here. ❞ he said with a laugh, smiling over at the brunette just as he turned the key in the ignition, roaring the engine to life, ❝ but you are too, i’m a lucky guy. even to just win ya over with some pizza and my company, i’m glad you’re here, alright? now don’t expect me to get so mushy again. ❞ he teased just before getting onto the main road knowing that it would be a quick drive, about a mile away.

LORENZO: i got coerced into getting an ass cheek on my ass cheek, so there's that

❝ sure, however you wanna sell it to yourself. you can call it your key to success, i’ll keeping calling it your desire to impress me. ❞ lorenzo said, this time with a smile hidden to her as she walked past him through the door. if this back and forth was any indication as to how their night would go, the raven haired boy may end up enjoying it more than he would have thought otherwise. as his suede boots, an upgrade from his typical Nikes, hit the sidewalk, lorenzo kept his pace with her once again, keeping in mind that she was strutting about in heels and he was a head taller. ❝ all that ‘lovely’ pda? not a chance, ❞ he said with a laugh, his eyes meeting hers with an incredulous grin, ❝ it’ll be a surprise to even me if i hold another door open for ya. that is, unless you finally admit that you were hoping i’d ask you out on this date and you were thrilled to say yes when i did, ❞  he teased, unabashed despite his eyes ghosting to the sidewalk as he continued his pace towards his nissan gtr as it was now in their line of sight; the car was the one thing he let himself keep from home and not sell once he lost his mother. he pulled out his keys and pressed the button on the remote to unlock it, crossing past her to get to the driver’s side, ❝ last chance to back out and pretend like this never happened. but you’ll be missing out on my great company and a good pizza joint across town, so, i say you get your cute little ass in the car but that’s not entirely up to me, ❞ he smiled, his forearms resting against the hood of the car as he looked at her. there was no foul intent behind his words, but it was his attempt at assuring her that she need not go through with anything that she didn’t really want to; they’d been joking about it for awhile, but he wanted to be sure it wasn’t the truth.

keenan’s poor attempt to suppress her smile would have otherwise made lorenzo crack too, but he held firm as his smirk never left his lips. he knew that this date would entertain a bit of pageantry amongst the two of them, but that was part of the fun and appeal of going out with her in the first place. ❝ so you’re admitting that i even have a chance at that in the first place? ❞ he asked, his shoulders rising and falling in an exaggerated shrug, that smug look etched on his face as he looked the girl over briefly, ❝ seems to me like you’re the one who’s given this date with me alotta thought, kee. ❞ enzo needled, moving aside so she could lock the door behind her, uncaring of her eyes washing over his figure; if anything, it only further proved his previous thought. before he could even register what she had said, keenan turned on her heel and it left lorenzo following quickly behind, keeping up with her strides easily as he was taller than she was. ❝ i’m an all-black kind of guy, but i’m sure you knew that considering you picked out something that would match what i would be wearing. ❞ he found himself easily teasing her back as their banter was like a game, but still he didn’t forget that this was, after all, a date. so he took the liberty of reaching the exit before her so he could open the door, his arm extending in a grandiose show of allowing her to step out before him, ❝ i didn’t have to stalk you for an outfit idea so everyone would know that we’re on a date, i can make it obvious all on my own. hopefully that’s not a problem for you? ❞ he asked, head tilted in question as he narrowed his eyes for a second.

LORENZO: so there won't be enough time for either of us to back out last minute lol

LORENZO: alright, deal. that's the only way i'll get one too, so there's a lot riding on that competition. when is it?