Ellie's dress seemed plain, but casual enough for the outing not to be mistaken for an actual date. It was a black and white polka-dotted dress that came just below her knees. She graced her waist with a black belt and used a few of her black and gold bangles to accessorize her arms. A pair of sliver, dot shaped earrings extenuated her ears. She lightly bumped the front of her hair and sprizted herself with two sprays of Marco's cologne.
After selecting a pair of black heels, giving herself several looks in the mirror and reassuring herself that tonight wasn't a date, she headed downstairs. Marco was just making his way up the steps as she entered the hall.
"Hey good lookin'!" Marco said, he looked her up and down, his eyes gleaming. "I guess you didn't need my help. A very non-date, yet casual dress. Yah look hot, Nash."
"Well thank you" Ellie said, giving a twirl. "But you do know looking hot isn't part of the evening."
"You nervous?"
"Now why would I be nervous? It's not a date. Remember?"
"Yeah, but yah haven't seen the guy in months. Frankly, I'm a bit nervous to see 'em myself."
"Well, I'm not you and I'm definitely not expecting anything further than tonight with him. Craig and I are each other's friend dates. That is all." Ellie said reassuringly.
"Okay. Wait…hey," Marco squinted, taking a few sniffs to the air. "Is that my cologne?"
"Yep! I like the smell!" Ellie said. Marco looked at her questionably. Before he could say anything back, the doorbell rang. Ellie didn't know why, but a knot suddenly formed in the pit of her stomach at the thought of it being Craig.
"That's him." Marco smiled all excitedly.
"That's him." Ellie nodded, inhaling and exhaling. Marco started down the steps first. Ellie started to follow, but Marco put up a hand in protest.
"Stay here, I want you to make an entrance." He rushed down the steps like a little kid on Christmas morning.
"You are impossible." Ellie giggled, shaking her head.
Marco reached for the door, pulling it open. Sure enough, there stood Craig Manning. He wore a simple black tux jacket with ruby red dress shirt underneath. He sported some slightly oversized dress pants and shiny black loafers; a Rolex watch nearly blinged on his wrist.
"Hey!" Marco greeted, all happy to see him
"Del Rossi!" Craig exclaimed. He and Marco hugged. "How's it been man?" Craig asked as they released.
"Pretty good, it sure hasn't been boring around here though."
"I'm guessing you don't have time to fill me in?"
"If you wanna get there on time, no." Marco joked.
"Hmm, I see. So where's Elle?"
"Oh, hey Ellie! Craig's-" Marco started, looking to the steps. Before he could even finish, Ellie was already making her way down into the foyer.
Through Craig's eyes, she was gliding down the steps, almost in slow motion. She had that bright, cheerful smile across her face, the smile that would always encourage him to smile along. She looked beautiful, even more beautiful than the last time he laid eyes on her. He wanted so much to run up and kiss her, but he couldn't. He couldn't let his emotions get the best of him.
"Wow," was all he could muster up. Ellie set foot off the last step and joined Marco's side.
"Thanks," she cheesed. "You look pretty wowyourself."
"Thanks. You, uh, you cut your hair?"
"Oh...yeah!" Ellie looked down at her neck-length hair as if noticing for the first time she'd just cut it a week ago. She looked back at Craig and noticed he too had made some grooming changes. "Oh…and you grew yours back!"It was true; Craig's hair was all grown out into neat curls, brushing just below his forehead. Ellie was slightly reminded of the old high school days when she saw them, but then reality had kicked in when she also noticed the fuzz also growing around his chin. "That and some peach fuzz."
"Yeah, people say it makes me look all mature and what not…and the hair…well, the hair I just haven't gotten around to cutting it yet." He and Ellie shared a brief laugh. "You look really great Elle."
"Thank you." They stared at each other for a moment, almost as if soaking in all the memories they'd shared together. Ellie's once lurching stomach had settled; she was calm as she looked at the rockstar
"Okay, yah crazy kids, don't wanna be late." Marco said, even though he enjoyed every moment of their obvious eye-sex. "Come on. Skedaddle." He encouraged, nearly pushing them out the door.
"Right, uh let's go Ellie." Craig said, snapping out of the trance. Marco handed Ellie her jacket and purse. She and Craig were soon out the door.
"Hey, we'll talk when you guys get back." Marco called after to Craig.
"Alright!" Craig shouted back.
"Have fun!"
Out on the curb of the apartment sat a fire red Porsche, Ellie could only guess was Craig's. She looked at it with amazement.
"You were serious about getting this thing weren't you?" She chuckled.
"Hells yeah!" Craig smiled. He made his way to the passenger side and opened the door for Ellie. She slid in and Craig closed the door behind her. He jogged over to the driver's side, opening his door. Before he settled in he looked over at Marco, who stood in the doorway of the apartment. Marco through up a thumbs up, Craig did the same. Craig eased in the car. A moment later, after revving up the vehicle, Craig pulled out from the curb and headed off.
"Don't screw it up man." Marco whispered as he crossed his finger and watched as the car drove further and further away from the apartment. Just then, Paige had joined his side, following his gaze of the car.
"Oh, he'll screw it up." She simply said, then walked off.
"Thanks, Paige…"