"First Date"
I really should be banned from the society of "real girls" all over the world. How can I not have a single normal dress which is more formal than the ones for the beach? All I have are those kind of dresses which you put on over your swimsuit or bikini or whatever you are wearing, so that you don't have to walk around the streets almost naked. I officially became nervous. Very nervous. I look at my watch. 4:30. Okay. I have 3 and a half hours which means one hour to shop. I drop every other piece of clothing in my hands down on the floor and rush to my bedside table. I open the drawer and pray to God. Yes! Yes! I have 100 dollars left. It's perfect because I only need a sexy dress. My black heels from Taylor's birthday will be used perfectly fine. I don't waste any time, so I just grab the money and put on a pair of jeans and normal T-shirt. I get my purse and keys and car keys and go through the door as fast as I can. I start the engine and go down the street. Where should I go? A mall? A vintage shop? Do I know any vintage shops? When was the last time I went shopping or even had time to get lost of the clothes that don't fit me anymore and have to be replaced? I can't even remember. My wardrobe is a total mess. I just get whatever I want by pulling my hand in and out without even looking. If I don't like it that much, I just borrow something from my mom. Thank God, we are the same size.
Anyway, I see "Starbucks" on my left and suddenly feel an urge for some coffee. What's the big problem, anyway? I will have 15 minutes less for finding the right dress. How hard can it be? Right?.. I park the car and sigh when I get inside and see there's no queue. As I get my drink and happily take the first sip, I decide to just walk down the street and explore the shops. That way it would be a lot easier.
Stupid, not going in there, eww, oh! This one looks decent. It's called "RockBabe" but it doesn't look metal or anything. I am just about finished with my coffee, so I drop it in the nearest bin and enter the vintage shop. Dresses, dresses? I see two - a pink and a yellow one. Eek! I say goodbye the most polite way and almost run out. This is going to take a while.
After 8 shops, I finally find the one. I know it's the perfect place just by gazing through the glass windows. There it is. The one dress which I need. It's very elegant but yet not too far from casual. It's black and it stands a little higher from the knees. It has a big dark-colored flower, made of cloth, on the right shoulder. It's perfect. I go in and ask immediately to try it on. Fortunately, they find my size and I go to the changing rooms. It fits perfectly and I think it looks pretty enough. The prize is acceptable, so I hurry up and go pay. I leave and get into my car. I look at the clock- 6:00. I have two hours to get ready. I think I will make it. I have almost started the car, when suddenly I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. It's a text…from Troy.
"Can't wait to see you. xx Troy"
But how? I don't remember taking his number or giving him mine. Even so, I smile like I have just won the lottery and text him back.
"How did you get my number?"
After a minute so, I get an answer.
"Just helped myself out."
What the hell? Who said he could do that without asking for permission? That's my fucking phone. 6:15. I put the Blackberry somewhere on the back seat and start driving. I have to look beautiful. I have to have enough time. I have to start driving. And so I do.
I take a long shower but not a too long one, wash my hair the best way I can and shave my legs as perfectly as I can. I get out of my bathroom and leave the door open because of all the steam. I lay my dress down on my bed. I get out the shoes. Tights? No. A purse? Yes. I have only one black, so I put it next to the dress. Jewelry? A simple necklace. It's enough. The hair? I'll straighten it up a little but nothing else. I don't want to look like a shiny new doll after all.
7:15. I have time but not too much. I blow-dry my hair and decide to let it be like the way it is. It looks fine. I put on my dress. And then the necklace. I start doing my make up. Not too much, Gabriella. Mascara, eyeliner and my favorite lipstick. That should do it. Some perfume? Of course.
7:55. I'm ready and I hear someone knocking on my door. I quickly put on my shoes and place some money, my keys and phone in the small purse. Thank God, it's not that small.
I open the door and feel my mouth turning into an "O" form. I didn't think he could get more handsome but I guess everything's really possible. I want to say something but he does it before me.
-You look amazing. You really do, Brie.
I smile big and make one step forward. He gives me a red rose and I can't truly believe it. He is serious and I still can't get my finger around it. How? Why?..Still the same questions.
-Thank you, Troy. You really shouldn't have.
-I know.
I sigh and smell the lovely rose. A happy sigh and a perfect smell. He puts his arm forward and I take it willingly without giving it a second thought after gently putting the rose into the nearest vase, full of water. I close the door and we start making our way to his car- black BMW. So far, so good. He opens and closes the door for me. After some seconds, Troy starts off the car and gives me a smile which I return.
-So, where are we going?
-It's a surprise. But I'll tell you this-first something to eat and then some time underneath the stars.
I stare at him with my mouth widely open for the second time tonight. He notices it but keeps on driving without making our eyes connect. Okay, fine. I give up. I just ran out of words to describe this, this situation or whatever. I don't know how to even name it. Just…. The radio starts playing Maroon 5's "She will be loved" and in the end of the song Troy parks the car in front of a little restaurant which I haven't been to before. It's called "Perfect Black" and it looks wonderful. He has made a reservation, so we soon enough take our places around a small table, situated next to a big window with beautiful green curtains, decorating it. As I look outside and hear the sound of the menu, placed in front of me, I think to myself what a truly spectacular night for Albuquerque it is.
We order and drink some ice tea. I know what conversation I want to begin with, so I do it without hesitating.
-So, while I was watching "Sex and the City" this morning, I don't know why but I began thinking about my first day in East High two years ago.
The look on his face suddenly changes. He remembers. That's good.
-What about it?
-Just the morning, of course. I didn't stay until the end of the classes.
-And?
-Well, still until this very day I can't truly explain to myself why you and everyone else had to go there. You had to ruin everything before it even had started. I would have understood it if I had been in East High for a while and you grew to having something against me. But right from the start?
-It was very complicated.
-Complicated how, Troy?
-It was the beginning of high school. Everyone wanted to find their places in the social circle. Everyone wanted to say or do something which would make them special in the others' eyes.
-Including you?
-Yes, including me. I heard you were coming and I felt anxious. I wanted to do something, anything. I wanted to make everyone laugh and look at me with different eyes. So, I just went online. In the beginning, I didn't think I would find any information but I eventually did. And I couldn't let it go.
What a bastard. A true and simple bastard.
-I'm sorry, Brie. I really am and you have to somehow believe me. I know I can't take back what I did even though I want to.
-I know that. I just wanted to ask. That's all.
The salads arrive. And we share a few minutes of silence. I think now it's the time to start discussing the present situation. I want everything between us to be clear.
-So, tell me, Troy.
-Tell you what?
-Tell me about everything which happened and made you do this with me..now.
He takes a sip from his drink and avoids my eyes, while doing so. I can see that he just got nervous. But I want to hear it no matter what.
-I never hated you. I don't know why you thought so but I never did. I bullied you and hurt you-physically and emotionally but I never felt anything for you. I was neutral. I did it because everybody thought I had to do it. And then something changed. I started looking at you in a different way. And I am sure you saw it, too.
I stare at him for a quick second and then at my hands. It's true. It's the real truth. I just didn't have enough courage or confidence or anything to admit it to myself.
-I haven't hit you or 'met' you after school for a very long time. And during that time I wanted to sort my feelings out. The feelings I had for you. They were finally there and I couldn't act like I didn't care or like they don't exist at all anymore. I got tired of that. And finally gathered the courage to tell you. Everything.
-What do you expect from me, Troy?
-I don't expect anything. I just want you to take this ride with me. I want "us" to work out.
-It just sounds so… crazy.
-I know. But it won't hurt to just try.
-Yes.
I smile and take a sip from my drink. However, I don't move my eyes from his the whole time. And just decided I absolutely want to take this ride. With him.
We laughed, he touched my hand twice and an hour later me and Troy happen to be again in his car. He is taking me somewhere but, of course, wouldn't tell me where exactly. All I know is that it is a place, underneath the stars. Wow, can he get any more specific? .. The song playing is Switchfoot's "On Fire". It is one of my favorites, so I turn the volume up a little and then look at Troy for a millisecond. He is smiling and keeping his eyes on the road, as he should be, so I can tell he doesn't mind the tune. I get out my phone and look at the clock- 9:45. I frown a bit but then remember my mom never mentioned curfew because I never saw her.
-Is something wrong?
I put my sell back in its place and look at him.
-No, no. Nothing's wrong. I was just looking at the time.
-Well, you shouldn't worry about that because we're here.
Troy stops the car and I get out immediately, not wasting a minute. I look around. It is dark but still I can see everything there is to see. We're in the middle of a beautiful field, outside of Albuquerque. The sky is dark blue with stars everywhere. I can sense Troy behind me and can feel his breathing on my neck. He suddenly but gently whispers:
-Do you like it?
-I love it, Troy.
I close my eyes, turn around and kiss him. I can't explain it this time because it is so much more. I feel his hands and I am sure he feels mine. Inside I know it is something. There is definitely something. I pull away and meet his electric blue eyes. I feel my smile and take a look at his.
-I will be right back.
Troy turns around and runs to his car. He returns with a blanket which he sets on the ground. Then we take our places, next to each other and I gaze at the sky.
-This is so beautiful, Troy. Really. I didn't know about this place.
-Well, it's one of my favorites. I come here whenever I have the chance to, especially at night.
-Why?
-To just think.
-About what?
-Everything. School, basketball and most recently..you.
I look at him and feel my cheeks burning once again. I have to stop doing that.
-I don't know what to say, Troy.
-Then don't say anything.
I smile and nod. Then his hand touches mine but I don't pull away and want it to stay there as long as possible.
-Hey, Troy? Can I ask you something?
-Anything.
-What are we going to do from now on?
-What do you mean?
He frowns a bit like he knew this was coming. However, I continue anyway.
-On Monday. How's it going to be?
-I don't know. How would you like it to be?
-I am not sure. But I think we should wait a bit until we make this thing, "us", official.
-Yeah, I agree.
-We'll act normally and then when we reach the right moment, everything will happen naturally.
-Yes. Absolutely.
Troy parks his car gently in front of my house and I gaze at my home. No lights on. She's still working. God.
-So, I guess I will see you at school, Brie. Do you want me to pick you up?
-I don't think we'll be very "undercover" if we arrive in the same car in front of everyone.
He laughs a little under his breath and stares at the wheel while I am gazing at his perfect hair.
-Sorry. I forgot.
-I had the best time, Troy. Thanks for everything.
-No problem. I am glad you liked it.
This time he kisses me but it lasts a little longer which I don't have any reason to object against.
-Goodnight, Troy.
-Goodnight.
I slowly get out of the car and wave at him before getting my keys out. I open the door and turn on the lights, while reaching the conclusion in my head that I won't get much sleep tonight.
To Be Continued...