Chapter 20: Is it Your Time of the Month?
Their relationship remained the same up til this point. Alexandra and Pogue are mockingly labeled as "husband and wife." They seem to be together wherever they are. Tyler and Teresa are finally showing P.D.A. (Public displays of affection). Elliot and Caleb acted like an old couple. Everything seems peachy as rose-tinted glasses. It is December third. The Winter Formal is in two weeks. The three Sons of Ipswich already asked their loves to be their dates. Reid Garwin only did formals and dances as a way to score. Naturally, he has to reconsider things because of Browen. He was holding out to ask her. He wanted to play the casual manner as if the formal meant nothing in his life.
It was history class when Reid decided to ask Browen. They were sitting in the classroom. Browen was paying attention like the studious person she is. Reid was rehearsing in his head what to say. Hey Browen, you know the dance is coming up, LAME! Do you have a date to the NO! There's no one else who can dance as well as me, too arrogant? Listen, I'm hot, you're hot, it makes sense. NO! He never really asked for a date. The girls seemed to attack him as soon as the formal date was announced.
Browen saw the struggle on his face and his silence for most of the class.. What is he thinking? Is he actually paying attention to class? Reid snapped from his thoughts and saw Browen looking at him. "Can't help but stare at me huh sweets?" "Actually, I was waiting for you to blow a gasket in your head." "Oh, you're the only one who can deep think now? Well pardon my poor excuse of intelligence." "Why are you so agitated today? Is it your time of the month?" Browen teased. "I'm starting to think it's yours," he snapped. Now Browen began to fuss. "Hey, don't take your frustration on me. Just because you're having a bad day doesn't mean you get to lash on me. What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said defensively. "Liar." Might as well and just ask Garwin. "Will you fuckin' go with me?" he rapidly mumbled. He wasn't even looking at her when he asked. She caught what he said and knew what he meant. She didn't want to rub it in his face and ask to speak more clearly. She knew it took a lot to ask and put his pride aside. "Yeah," she said looking at the professor casually. Browen was learning to read his expressions and tones as if she knew him for a long time.
Fast forward to lunch, the gang communed to their usual table. Alexandra asked the big question, "So Bro, do you have a date yet?" Browen sat there to build up the suspense. "Browen?" Alexandra asked. Browen pretended like she didn't hear her and picked at her nail polish. "Browen!" Alexandra nearly yelled. "What? I'm sorry Alex. Did you say something?" A flustered Alexandra replied, "Yeah, do you have a date?" "Yeah," Browen said flatly. "Who?" "Does it matter?" "Yes!" "Pity." "Browen!" "Fine, it's Garwin." "Really?! That's so cute! I knew it, I knew it! Now we can all go together!" "No, we're not. This isn't a package deal." "Please!" Alexandra pouted. "That's not gonna work."
"At least can we go dress shopping together? And sit together at the formal?" "Fine, as long as it gets you off my back." Browen looked to Garwin and imitated Alexandra when she squealed with delight. Reid was happy that Browen didn't act like, well Alexandra. It's bad enough he has to do the whole formal thing.
The weekend came and the main prerogative of the girls (mainly Alexandra) was to buy dresses. Elliot as well as Browen reluctantly tailed behind the giddy Teresa and Alexandra in the dress shop. Alexandra had a mountain of dresses to try on. Teresa had a handful. Alexandra would try each one on and model it for Elliot and Browen. Elliot would kindly give her opinion, but Browen would say "It sucks," to each dress without even looking at them. Teresa just tried on and model herself in her fitting room.
Teresa settled on a pastel purple strapless a-line with silver sparkle on the bottom trim. "At least, it isn't pink," Browen congratulated. Alexandra was still contemplating many choices. "Guys, you would make it faster if you actually shop too." Elliot gave in and started to look around. Alexandra gave a hard stare at Browen. "Fine, look I'm looking," she pretended to go through the dresses. Elliot tried a few and found one. It was a turquoise silk deep V halter with a navy brooch.
The Sons were approaching the dress shop. Why? Alexandra demanded Pogue to be there to help pick a dress (one of the boyfriend privileges least desired). Since Pogue didn't want to go down in flames by himself, he begged the others to join. Surprisingly, even Reid agreed. They walked in. Elliot and Teresa were sitting on lounge seats. Caleb and Tyler joined them. Pogue walked up to Browen. "Where's Al?" "Pretending she's a super model." "I am not!" Alexandra yelled from the fitting room. Pogue went to check on Alexandra. Reid then walked to Browen. "Did you get one?" "Nope. I don't shop with an audience. I'll probably swing by after dinner alone."
After another grueling hour, Alexandra found her soul mate (the dress). It was a white, sweetheart top and a mermaid bottom with some ruffles. The girls were about to pay but their counterparts insisted on paying. The group split up. Teresa and Browen took the dresses home and had dinner. Browen opened the front of the house. "Where are you going?" Teresa curiously asked. "Out," Browen said. "Oh, okay, have fun." Teresa secretly knew what Browen was doing.
Browen went back to the dress shop. She was able to shop better with peace and silence. She decided to go to the fitting room with a few dresses. Reid walks into the dress shop. He looked to see if Browen was in there. He thought maybe he was late or early. Browen exited the fitting room to the three angle mirror. Browen thought out loud, "This is why I hate shopping." "You and me both, sweets" Reid blurted. Browen turned around and said, "What are you doing here?" "I overheard you say that you were coming later." "I didn't say you needed to, too." "I know." He was thinking of something sharp to say. "Well, if I'm going to be seen with you, don't you think I should have a say?" It was Reid's way of showing interest without being submissive.
"A free way of criticizing me?" "You could say." "So?" She spun around. "I don't like it either." "Good." She went back to the fitting and tried one another. Browen came out with another dress on. It was a nice dress but something missing. She turned and looked for Reid's opinion. "Not bad, if you want to be lame and unoriginal." Browen rolled her eyes and returned to the fitting room. She put another dress. She walked and stood in front of the mirrors. Jackpot! She liked the dress very much. It was a dark green halter (high collar), low scoop back, and had a straight down skirt. She smiled at herself. So, she turned and posed a hand on her hip. "Judges?" "It'll do," he dully said and turned away. Damn, she's hot.
Browen knew he liked it. She changed into her regular clothes and brought the dress up to the cashier. "How will you be paying Miss?" Browen opened her mouth but heard, "She won't." Reid took out his credit card (paid by father of course). "No, you're not," Browen contested. "Shut up. I don't want to hear you complain later on how the others were paid by their boytoys," he gave the credit card to the cashier. "See, too late," he teased and signed the receipt. They walked outside of the store. "Such an asshole," Browen said. "Such an ungrateful little bitch." "Thanks," she said flatly. Reid smiled.