Chapter Twelve:
September fourteenth, one day before the big party. TenTen and I were hanging out after the long tiresome day. "You and Pein seem pretty close now," She trailed on. "Yeah, I guess, but I only see him as a friend," I lied to myself. I wouldn't let him have me though, I would be giving in. "Do you have a dress for the party?" She said quickly changing the subject. "No, not any new ones anyway," I answered. She grinned. "You know what that means," "Shopping," We smiled at the same time.
"How much money do you have?" She asked. "I have a hundred in spending money, the rest is for bills and groceries," I replied. "Great! I need to pick out something too, so it'll be so much fun!" She giggled. "I normally would make my own, but I don't have the materials...or time," I said. "Don't worry! We'll pick out something so gorgeous together!" She beamed. It was a shame Temari couldn't come but she had to help her brother Gaara. She said he needed to go to the hospital for some tests. If she were to win an award it would be 'Best Sister of the Year'. "So, who's going to take us," I asked. "Crap, the bus stop is five miles from here and I don't have a car," She moaned. "Shit!" I muttered.
"We could always ask Pein to take us on his harley," She suggested. "Yeah, but there's a problem! There's twoof us!" I pointed out. "He has another one, maybe you could ride one!" She said lamely. "Yeah sure! I'm going to get myself killed," I said sarcastically. "Okay, you go with Pein and I'll meet you there at five okay," She stated. "What am I supposed to do until then?! Where are we going to meet up?" I asked. "Okay, meet at the fountain and look for dresses while you're waiting," She replied. "Alright," I sighed.
"Well, I better get a head start!" She she said and walked down the road. "Bye!" I call out. "Bye!" She replied back. Now, I have to ask Pein if he'll take me to the mall. Wonder how this will go... Plus, I have to ride on his motorcycle... I'm terrified of them but with him I always have a safe feeling with him. I took the stairs. The elevator takes so long that by the time it gets to your floor, it's faster to the stairs. I approached his door, At least that what he told me his room number was...507... I hope this is right!
One...Two...Three! I gathered my courage and knocked. "Wait! Damnit!" His voice rang out. I had a growing thing for him. He slammed the door open, he was in nothing but his boxers and his hair was wet. He just came out of the shower. I blushed, I wasn't used to seeing a male's chest. He had a six pack, I could tell he put a lot into his pyhsical features. It also exposed a giant X-shaped scar on his chest. "Konan! Oh sorry, what do you want?" He asked eagerly. "I'm sorry, I guess I caught you at a bad time," I answered shyly. "No, no, not at all!" He replied. "Well, I don't have a car, so I was wondering if you could take me to the mall on your harley," I asked quietly. He looked at me. "Alright, put some jeans on and I have a spare helmet. I doubt you have any leather jackets so you'll have to use one of mine," He sighed.
"Why leather?" I asked. "So if you fall, the leather's gonna save your ass," He stated simply. "I'll come back when I'm done changing," I said and waved goodbye. I raced down the hall to my complex. Opened my door and raced to my closet snatched my pair of jeans and tossed my skirt and tights in the wash. "Good, good," I muttered to myself and sprinted to his room.
I knocked and he was standing my the open window, but what he was doing almost made me want to slap him. He was smoking. "I'm here," I said. He quickly stopped and dumped the cigarette in the ash tray. "Faster than last time," He teased. "Yeah, yeah," I retorted. He hadn't me his jacket, helmet and a pair of sunglasses. I slipped on his jacket it was a bit big but it was comfy. He insisted to let him adjust the helmet and I put on the sunglasses and we walked out to the parking lot.
"Before we ride, I can feel you're scared, you haveto go with the flow. When I lean, you lean. When I sit straight, you sit straight. Got it," He instructed. I nodded. "Also, do notput your foot on that pipe," He gestured with his foot. "Unless you want to burn your feet," He continued. I nodded again. He climbed on and I followed suit clutching him for dear life. "Relax," He said calmly. "Okay," I whispered. I shut my eyes tightly. I felt movement beneath me and Pein telling me to relax over the roaring engine.
"Konan, you're not relaxing," He growled. I tried to do what I was told. "Still hang on tight just don't tense up and lean into me so much," He yelled over the engine.
I was putting my trust in him. If the bike slipped, I was toast too. No, can't tense, I have to be calm. "That's better," He said. Suddenly, everything felt so wonderful. The pump of adrenalin. I see why people ride now. It's not so bad.
Until we had to turn. "Lean," He commanded. I obeyed to the best of my abilities. When instinct is telling you 'ARE YOU NUTS!' and the expert is telling you ,' LEAN!' it's very hard.
After many twists and turns later we finally made it to the mall. Pein parked his motorcycle and we left the helmets with the bike, even though I told him someone could take them. He said no one would dare unless they had a death wish. He wrapped his arm around my waist and I felt myself glow with happiness inside. "So, you're going to get an outfit for the party, right?" He asked. "Yup," I answered. He smirked. "You know, I have a band," He said slyly. "Really?" I replied. "It's called Akatsuki. I was wondering, if well..." He said trailing off.
"If I'd like to join? Well, if that's you're question, then the answer's yes," I smiled. "I'd like that," He said dreamily. I looked at my watch, still four thrity. Half an hour before TenTen comes. "You know, I was wondering what, maybe you dreamed of being when you were a bit older?" I asked staring into his elegant eyes. "Well, I was planning of maybe taking my old man's footsteps or...promise not to laugh," He said. "Yes, tell me!" I demanded. "Lead in a metal band," He sighed. "Those are respectable choices," I said trying to hold back the giggles.
We passed a dress store and Pein groaned softly as I walked in. He waited outside not wanting anything to do with it. How typical. The teller smiled and asked what I was interested in. I told her that anything not to expensive but still pretty was fine. She brought me a gorgeous lavender corset dress. The skirt part of the dress was made of taffeta and the corset was made of silk. "Would you like to try it on?" She asked. "Yes," I breathed. "You might need help with the laces in the back," She stated.
I stepped into the dressing room and closed the door. I put it on and the teller helped me with the laces, how embarrassing! When I was done she spoke," You. Look. Like. A. Movie. Star," She breathed. I looked at myself in the mirror. I did look beautiful.
The dress had long sleeves that hung down at the end. It fitted my shaped perfectly. The corest patterns were faint flowers that glistened in the light and the lavender taffeta shimmered ghostly by my feet. "Can I show my friend?" I asked. "Sure," She smiled. I walked to the edge of the store and called to him, "What do you think?" He just stared.
"You look wonderful," He called out. Then all the sudden TenTen came running in. "Oh my God! You look awesome Konan!" She complimented graciously. "Thanks!" I replied. "You must buy that," She declared. "Alright," I breathed. "How much is this?" I asked. "Two hundred fifty dollars, hun," She said. I felt like I was going to cry. I know it sounds petty but... "It's okay K-chan, I'll help you pay!" TenTen said. "But then you won't have enough money left," I sighed. Pein walked in the store. "What's wrong?" He asked suspiciously. "Konan doesn't have enough cash to by the dress," TenTen whispered.
"How much is it," He asked me. "Two hundred fifty," I replied shortly. He opened his wallet and handed me the two hundred fifty with a sigh. "Pein, you don't have to!" I said desperately. "It's fine," He sighed. He then muttered something about girls under his breath. "T-thank you," I stuttered. I handed the lady the money and went to the dressing room to get back in my normal clothes. The lady soon after packaged the dress in a bag and waved bye.
"I'll pay you back," I whispered to him. "No need, your happiness is enough," He replied. "We just need to pick out TenTen's dress then we can go, okay," I assured Pein who was getting annoyed.
TenTen picked out her dress quickly enough. She went more for the dancer dress. It was an cut an inch above the knee with halter straps. The colour red really suits her as well. Pein sighed in relief that she had enough money and wouldn't have to suffer another blow to his wallet. I still feel bad that he won't let me pay him back...