THURSDAY, FEB. 13th
A strange smell greeted me when I woke up. I sat up quickly and, knowing where the aroma was coming from, turned to Romance Central for answers, because it did NOT smell like breakfast.
Twelve white, lavender-scented candles had been placed decoratively around the vase. They made the vase glow, and the room smelled great. I noticed an eleventh rose and a little black box.
Cautiously, I approached the table and picked up the box. This was clearly not home-made as had been with the chocolates. This was too shiny and perfect for that. I opened the lid and peeked inside, half-expecting a ring. A pair of black spider earrings to match the barrettes sat inside. I grinned and set the box with the other accessories.
I quickly got ready for school and hurried to meet the boys. We finished our walk in record time, and I was more than happy to open my locker. A little tube rolled out. I knelt curiously and picked it up. I noticed an engraving on the side.
'Have fun, Sammy'
Surprised and a bit puzzled at the message, I popped open the lid. The shiny, smooth point of red lipstick peeked out at me. I knew what this was for. It was to go with the outfit! That's awesome!
"Hey, Sam?" Danny brought me away from my thoughts.
"Yeah?" I replied as I slid my new lipstick into my backpack.
"Well, after you go to the spa today, do you want to go out for dinner?" He invited. I smiled.
"Yes! Of course! I'd love to go!" I answered and gathered my things for homeroom.
"Great! I'll pick you up at six?" He asked. I paused.
"Where would we be going? What type of clothing should I wear?" I demanded.
"Well, I have a place picked out. I guess you could just wear the new outfit you talked about," he shrugged.
"Okay, that sounds awesome! Pick me up at my house. I should be done by then," I suggested.
Just like that, the entire school day had rolled by. I dropped my backpack off at my house, gathered my new outfit and matching accessories, and had my mom drop me off at the spa/salon place.
"Hey, sweetheart! My name is Michele," the polite red-head at the front desk offered.
"Hi, I'm Sam," I replied.
"Alright, Sam! What can I do for you?" She requested. I fingered the coupon and glanced down at it.
"The guy I like gave me this spa coupon and asked me on a date tonight for Valentine's Day," I answered. I handed her the coupon. She looked over it carefully.
"I'll tell you what! This is enough to get a full-body massage, facial, manicures, and pedicures! That boy is gonna have to love you after tonight!" She grinned. "Now tell me, Sam. Did you bring a change of clothes?"
"Yeah." I held out the bag with the new clothes and accessories.
"Oh! You're a spooky kind of chick! Alright, I can deal with that! So when is your date?" She asked.
"Six," I nodded. She clapped excitedly.
"Come on, then! We haven't got all day!"
So she quickly set me up with a woman who gave me a full body massage. Then Michele took me to another room where she smeared all kinds of creams and oils onto my face. She didn't place the legendary zucchini over my eyes, but she did pull my hair back in a towel.
Then a guy named Ryan gave me a pedicure and painted my nails black. He also did my manicure and painted my nails dark purple with lacy black designs.
Michele decided that I couldn't get ready at my house or something because she quickly shoved me into an empty room and told me to put on my date-night clothes. I did a I was told. Black skirt first. Purple tank top second. Gray Dumpty Humpty t-shirt last. I tightened the black choker around my neck and applied the red lipstick. Finally, I put the little black spider earrings in my ears.
"Sam, you look gorgeous! You really do, but what you need now is a hairdo!" Michele offered.
"But that wasn't on the coupon," I protested.
"I'm doing this for you as a friend," she replied. She sat me in front of a mirror. I gave a small smile as she pulled my hair back into a high ponytail. She pulled some hair down and styled it like side bangs before pinning it in place with two spider barrettes.
"There. Sam, you look great. If this guy doesn't fall head over heels for you, give me a call and I'll pound 'em!" She cried enthusiastically.
"Thank you!" I laughed.
"And don't forget to come back!" She invited.
"I will!" I replied. I grabbed my bag and exited the building.
DING DONG DING DONG.
I growled. That stupid doorbell was louder than my freaking alarm clock!
I flicked my hair over my shoulder and hurried downstairs to answer the door. I was surprised to find Danny in a white oxford shirt with black jeans.
"S-Sam! You look-" he stuttered.
"Whoa?" I guessed. He nodded enthusiastically and offered me his arm. "You don't look too bad yourself," I complimented as I took his hand. He led me to the park where he transformed behind a tree. He gently lifted me and flew to an abandoned apartment complex.
"Danny?" I questioned. Why was he bringing me here?
"Just trust me," he smiled knowingly. He landed on the third floor and began to lead me through the hallways.
"Danny!" I laughed. "Where are we going?"
"Hold on, we're almost there!" He assured. He stopped and carefully opened the door to our left. My hands flew to my mouth while I gasped.
A red blanket carpeted the floor. The windows had been replaced so that the moonlight shone in just perfectly. Candles and rose petals lined the walls. A picnic basket sat off in the right corner.
"I take it that you like it," he grinned.
"I don't like it-" he face fell, "I love it!" I launched myself at him and wrapped my arms around his neck in a hug. "This is amazing! When did you even set this up?"
"While you were at the spa. Tucker helped me make all of the food. I would have cooked it myself, but I was afraid it was become undead," he joked.
"Undead?" I questioned warily.
"Ghostly," he corrected.
"Ah. Well, let's get to it!" I beamed.
"After you, mademoiselle," he gestured to the room. I stepped over the threshold and shivered at an interesting feeling I got.
"Do you want to eat first?" Danny suggested.
"Hey, lover boy, you need to learn how to take the lead. This is your date. You tell me," I smirked. He shrunk back shyly.
"I think we should eat," he stated.
"You think?" I asked.
"We're going to eat," he rolled his eyes. I nodded approvingly. "I hope you don't mind sitting on the floor because that was my plan."
"Alright." I lowered to the ground and sat in the moonlight for the window on the left. Danny placed the basket between us and sat in the patch of moonlight on the right.
"Tonight's main course-" pause for dramatic effect, "salad sandwiches!" I clapped mockingly as he swept low in a sitting bow. We laughed, and he passed me my sandwich. We started to chat in between bites, and it wasn't long before my entire sandwich, bag of chips, and sparkling apple cider were gone. I don't know how long we sat there, but Danny spent more time listening then he did talking. I think we both enjoyed ourselves though.
Eventually, Danny had to fly me home. I got ready for bed and laid in thought, processing everything that had happened in the past couple of days. And truthfully, I wanted to get up again. Truthfully.
