Well. I know I haven't updated this story in like... An entire year. My apologies. Also... I never write in first person anymore. So it was a little more difficult than I would have liked it to have been, but I'm still getting back into it. Hopefully I won't take freaking forever to update again. :)
Shopping and a Necklace
Ugh. It's been so awkward with Anthony recently. I don't know what to do. I know I'm being super dramatic, but since therapy didn't work out, I haven't the slightest clue about what I should do. It's complicated.
He doesn't avoid me, but I can tell that every conversation, it's hard for him. And it's hard for me, too. To see him like this. Because of me.
Prom with Jem. Dates with Will. Awkwardness with Anthony.
I bite my bottom lip, flipping through my copy of Great Expectations, seeing the words on the page in front of me, but not really reading or comprehending them. My mind is elsewhere.
Sophie. Maybe she could talk to me. Help me get my mind off things.
Me: Hey, you busy right now? Do you want to go shopping?
Sophie: Nope. That sounds awesome. Need a ride to the mall?
Me: Yeah that'd be great.
Sophie: Pick you up in 10! Bring your walking shoes!
I smile at her enthusiasm, and get ready. She picks me up right when she said she would, and greets me with a smile.
"How are you?" she asks, as I slide into the seat.
"Stressed. What about you?" I gaze out the window as we pass through the city. Sophie has insisted on going to the largest mall in New York, so I have no doubt that we will be there for awhile.
"I've been good. Therapy is going well. I've never felt more self confidence." She grins widely, keeping her eyes on the road as she enters the freeway. "And the movie! It's a year early! I'm so excited!"
"Yeah." I sigh, and she glances at me.
"You okay?"
"Not really. It's just, Will, and Jem...and now my best friend Anthony. I don't know what to do." I laugh bitterly. "I'm being a bitch right now, aren't I?"
She shrugs. "A little. But I don't mind. It would be hard to choose. What are you going to do?"
"Apparently I'm going to prom with Jem, on a date with Will, and ignored by Anthony. Truth to be told, I miss him the most." Pressing my lips into a line, I lean back against the seat. "What would you do?"
"I'd pick the one I can't live without. The one who I couldn't live without."
I think for a moment. If I had to choose, it'd probably be Anthony. But I haven't got romantic feelings for him.
"This is hard," I reply, covering my face with my hands.
"You could always try to balance Jem and Will, make up with Anthony, and hope things don't go wrong." she suggests. "Though that may not be the best choice. Sometimes you can't have everything."
Sighing, I reply, "I know. I really shouldn't think like this. I'm way too lucky to have found three guys who like me."
She laughs softly, eyes sparkling. "I'm not jealous, don't worry. I'd rather just like one guy, and have him like me back. Much less drama."
"Right now, that sound a heck of a lot easier than what I have," I reply. "Let's talk about something else. What kind of music do you like?"
Laughing, she covers her face with her hands. "Anything by The Backstreet Boys. Don't judge, but they're my favorite band. I literally screamed when I found out that they were getting back together."
"The Backstreet Boys are awesome," I agree. "I love The Wanted, too. It's a shame they have gone on hiatus."
"It is," she agrees, pulling into the parking complex of the mall. "They were all so cute."
"Oh, he was adorable!" I exclaim, pushing the door open and stepping outside of the car. "You're famous. Have you ever met him?"
"Oh, no. I'm not that well known. An aspiring actress, they call me. But I'm super excited to be filming in only two weeks! And imagine, being in London! I've heard it's beautiful!" Pushing the double doors open, we enter the mall, and it's filled with shops. I've been here before, but only looking for specific things. Now, I have time, and we plan to go through the entire mall, so I don't know whether to be scared, or excited.
"I'm so excited," I grin, following her, as we enter the first boutique. "I've never been, and I can't wait to go with you guys, and film the movie."
"And all the guys that are in the movie," she swoons, and I smile, pushing some dresses on a rack aside. "I don't really have anything in mind to buy. What are you looking for? I know this mall by heart. Anything you want, I'll know where is the best place to get it."
"I kind of need a prom dress. For when...I go with Jem," I reply. "Is this the right place to look? I don't go shopping very often."
She widens her eyes. "Oh, honey, no. Come with me. We're going to get you the most gorgeous prom dress in history." Taking my arm, she pulls me out of the store, and down the main part of the mall, before stopping in front of one store. "This is it. Prom Perfect. I always buy my dresses here."
This really isn't my kind of store, because honestly, I'm more of a jeans and t shirt girl, but let her take me in and sort through the racks, trying to find me, in her words, "the perfect prom dress."
After trying on dresses for what seems like hours, I finally decided on a royal blue chiffon dress, floor length and flowy. The waist has a silver ribbon, and the top is a tank top with a sweetheart neckline. I know this is the one.
"Jem isn't going to be able to take his eyes off you!" Sophie squeals, as I pay for the dress, and we exit the store. "Well, he admires you a lot already, so that wouldn't ever be a problem.
Nodding, I check the time. "Oh wow. It's almost seven. We've been here for awhile. Do you need to be anywhere, or are you free tonight?"
"Seven?! I'm so sorry, Tessa!" she grabs me by the shoulders, and shakes me, just a little bit. "I forgot! I agreed to go to dinner with Gideon! And I'm late!"
"Go, then. Don't worry about me," I say, smiling at her. "You don't want to keep him waiting, do you?"
"Of course not! But...I would feel horrible for leaving you here. You don't have a ride home!" she clasps her hands together. "I'll drive you home, and then come back this way. I'll be a bit late, but I would never just leave you here."
"Sophie, it's fine. I'll catch a taxi, or call someone to pick me up, or even take the bus. Just go to your date!" I assure her, turning her around, and pointing to the entrance beyond which her car is parked. "I'll be fine. I wanted to look around a little bit more, anyway."
She still looks worried, and I give her a small smile, then she asks, "You sure? I would feel so bad if something happened to you."
"Nothing is going to happen to me. I'll even call Jem, if it makes you feel better," I reply, pushing hair from my face. "I'll call him right now, if it will get you to go to your dinner date."
"Okay. You win," she grins. "Wish me luck."
"You don't need luck. I know you will do fine," I reply, turning away, and heading to a department store, to find a necklace or something that goes with the dress, and calling Jem at the same time.
"Hello?" he answers the phone. "Tessa?"
"Hey, Jem. I was wondering if you could come to the mall? I was here with Sophie, and she had to leave, so I don't really have a ride back home." I reply, and I feel butterflies in my stomach, just talking to him over the phone.
"Of course. I'm not doing anything right now. Are you still looking around, or should I just pick you up? I mean, either is fine," he asks.
"Well, I'm actually in Macy's right now," I reply, entering the doors, and heading to the jewelry department.
"Great," he says, his voice surprisingly filled with enthusiasm. "I'll meet you in there."
Hanging up the phone, I pick up a necklace, and compare it to the dress, for color and style. Doing the same with several others, I can't help think of Jem, about seeing Jem again, but then I think of Will. It's like I can't help but think of one, then my mind thinks of the other, too.
Pushing both from my thoughts, I go back to looking for accessories, when I hear someone approach. At first, I don't think much of it, but when the person stands next to me, and clears his throat, I turn.
It's Jem. "Um...Hey," he says nervously. "I thought I might come in and...well I can't really help you with shopping, can I? Perhaps for moral support?"
Laughing softly, I greet him with a smile. "That's fine with me. It's always nicer to have someone else here, other than just yourself. But I'm afraid you might get bored."
"Don't worry. I won't," he assures me. "What are you looking for?"
"Just a simple necklace, or something, to go with my dress," I answer. "For prom," I add, and he blushes.
"I...still need to get my tux. What color is your dress? I also have to get the corset." He replies, looking at me with somewhat intense concentration.
"This color." I show him the fabric in the shopping bag, and he looks at the dress, to me.
"You're going to be so pretty in the dress," he smiles, and picks up a box from the table. "What about this necklace? It might look good, but then again, I don't know much about fashion, so you probably wouldn't want to listen to me."
Taking the box, I click it open, and take out the necklace. It's a simple design; two interlocking hearts, encrusted with crystal. It's perfect.
"I like it," I say, replacing it in the box. "It's going to look great with the dress. I'm really excited for prom, Jem."
He grins, his silver hair falling across his forehead, and into his eyes. "I can't either. I've never been to prom. Have you?"
"Nope," I admit, as I head to the cashier, and pay for the necklace, before we head out of the store, to his car. "It's a first for me, too."
"It's hope you don't mind going with me," he says, a blush coming across his cheeks. "I know you really like Will, and if you want to go with him, I completely understand. You guys are both my friends. I want you to be happy."
"No, no," I reply, placing a hand on his arm, as we approach the car. "This might sound crazy, but as much as I like Will, I like you too."
"It doesn't," Jem murmurs, turning to me, and leaning down to place a soft kiss to my temple.
"Really?" I ask, extremely surprised.
"Not at all."
OKAY I KNOW IT WAS SORTA CRAPPY. But I hope that you liked the idea of it? It's going to get better, I PROMISE.
I'm going to update The Royal Feud soon. Check it out if you love the whole, feuding family thing and courting a lady thing without all the dying at the end of Romeo and Juliet!
~Jillessa Heronstairs~
