Kate

"Jillian! Jillian? Do you know where my green earrings are!" I call downstairs. After a few minutes without reply, I finally run downstairs to find her. "Jillian? I can't find my earrings and he'll be here any minute. Where are you?" I call a few times. I finally find her sitting on the bench out back. She's leaning over, reading a piece of paper, her back to me. I call her name one more time before I see the look of concern on her face, and stop in my tracks. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen that face, and it was never good.

I take a step backwards, thinking it best to leave Jillian alone for a while, but she hears me. She turns around, takes a breath and smiles a nice fake smile.

"Kate, what's up hon?"

"Oh nothing. Don't worry," I reply, turning to go back inside.

"You've lost something. What?" she asks. Sometimes I hate the way she can read me, and the fact that she's a witch doesn't help.

"My-uh- my green earrings- you know, the dangly ones? I put them on my dresser last night and they're gone."

"They're on your other dresser," she replies, and I give her a questioning look. "You're just nervous. I don't know what happened last night, hon, but don't worry. Go tonight and have a good time. Everything will be fine. Now go get your earrings and find your shoes- he'll be here soon."

"Right. Er, thanks, Jillian," I say. I don't know if that was a family thing or a witch thing, but she amazes me sometimes.

The doorbell rings just as I'm putting in the second earring, and I call to Jillian to get it, even though I know she's already doing just that. I get downstairs as fast as possible, in these shoes, at least, to find a very handsome-looking Jarrod standing by the door, trying to appear calm. He looks different, I think. I attempt a smile.

"Hi," I say quietly.

Jarrod doesn't reply at first; his mouth is slightly open and he's got an odd look on his face while he's looking at me. I feel self-conscious and nervously finger an earring.

"Oh-uh, hey Kate. You-uh- you look…." He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Amazing."

"Thanks," I reply, feeling a bit more comfortable. He didn't need to say that. Maybe he does still like me, I think, and finally figure out what's different about him: he's not wearing his glasses. "You don't look too bad yourself," I note, and watch as his cheeks redden a bit. "You're not wearing your glasses?"

"Uh, no. My parents bought me contacts." He sounds like he wants to say more and I wait, but then nothing comes out and I can't comment because it's been a few seconds; I'll sound awkward. Like you're not already, I think. Damn.

Luckily, Jillian calls my name and I go into the kitchen to find her.

"Okay, here's your purse," she says, handing me the little clutch she made for me last night. "Have fun, and don't forget to smile."

"Thanks, Jillian, I'll try," I respond, giving her a quick kiss and turning back towards the front door, and Jarrod.