Chapter Six: Nerves
(Here is Chapter Six! I hope you all enjoy itJ)
"There is something breathtaking and beautiful about two people who are deeply in love with one another, not a care in the world, just happy, that they are with that special someone who make their opposite whole and complete."
"Tell me again why we are here? ", asked Balto as a cocker spaniel measured him, the long tape ruler wrapped around his waist and to his legs. One of Jenna's friends, namely Vanessa, hunted for Balto's address, dragged him out of his house, and drove him downtown to the men's formal wear section of the mall.
"Balto, if you're going out on a date with my friend, it is vital that you at least look presentable." She spoke sternly, the young wolf dog turned his head as the small dog measuring him scribbled down a few more numbers on her clipboard.
"Now will it be Black, Blue, Grey, or Tan?" she asked Balto, when Vanessa interjected, "Black please." The spaniel nodded and scurried to the Men's Suits.
Balto turned his head to see Vanessa, only this time she was circling him like a vulture, inspecting everything about his person.
"Vanessa?" Balto asked.
She looks up at him, "Yes, yes what is it?" her voice was gentle this time.
Balto licked his dry lips, "Thank you… I don't think I could be able to do something like this on my own… I really want to impress Jenna tonight and I do not want to seem so…plain with her."
Vanessa tapped his nose with a finger, "Silly, she wouldn't mind if you were dirt poor and lived in a card board box. But a little guidance never hurt anyone." She returns to inspecting him, her slender glasses reflected the light from the ceiling, giving the blue eyes under a beautiful glow.
"I didn't think you'd be the fashions expert in the group, I kind of always figured Bess would be." He chuckled coyly.
Vanessa couldn't help but giggle, "Bess is more of the beauty tips expert, and by god they work wonders." Balto chuckles again, the old spaniel returned with his pants and asked him to go behind the curtain and put them on.
"Hang on before that let me choose what will go with the under shirt." Vanessa speed walked to the other side of the department and with barely any seconds to spare, she returned placing a white dress shirt against his bare torso, then replacing it with a black, and finally a grey.
"White would better suit you, now get dressed, and let's see the results." She spoke shooing him into the curtain to give him some privacy (Let it be note that he is in nothing but boxer shorts and socks) Vanessa folded Balto's street clothes and placed them neatly on the seat next to the curtain.
"Um, why black Vanessa?" asked Balto from behind the curtain as he changed into the clothes.
"Because gray would just blend in with your fur, blue would be tacky, and Tan would make you look like you rolled in dirt. Black would help bring out your masculinity."
Balto's head poked out of the curtain, "I'm not masculine?"
Vanessa pushed his head back through the curtain gently, "No, no I am not saying that at all, I'm only saying that you have a bellied ferocity and manliness about your appearance and it's time to bring it out, don't you think?"
Balto blinked from behind the curtain as he pulled up the dress pants on himself, "Ferocity? Manliness?"
Minutes later…
Balto emerges from the dressing room, wearing an elegant black dress jacket with a white buttoned undershirt within it being shown through a large V in the jacket, black velvet dress pants that reached that covered to his shoelace, and the shoes were shiny and pristine under the store lights.
"Well…how do I look?" asked Balto as he showed himself to Vanessa and the seamstress.
Vanessa giggled a bit, "Like you are going to prom, but hey you look, dare I say, attractive, your eyes really bring the ferocity as the suit secures and shows your masculinity, and all in all, I am impressed."
Balto blushed slightly, "Uh…thanks I think ", Vanessa giggled once again and looked him over as the seamstress fitted the more looser parts of his attire, Vanessa stopped circling and fixed his collar, "Very nice Balto, in this case, the suit really does make the man. Now, let's get everything straight, you know where you're taking her to dinner yes?"
"Uh…"
Vanessa intervened, "I thought so, that is why I'm here, to make sure everything goes perfectly."
"Vanessa?" asked Balto as the seamstress finished what she was doing and him enduring several needle points.
"Yes?" she asks, staring up at him.
"Ever consider a career in festive organization?"
After Vanessa and Balto had purchased his formal wear and left the Men's boutique in the mall, she drove him straight to the most fanciest restaurant that Balto could actually afford and made reservations for 8:00 pm, then after, since Balto had no car of his own and yet had his license, she dragged him to her family's estate. Balto stared in awe, he had no idea that Vanessa lived high on the hog, and the house was large and looked as if it could hold 10 of Boris' rickety house.
"Before you say anything-", said Vanessa, diverting Balto's attention as they entered a large and very dark garage.
"My parents are rich, not I, and no, I don't like to have shopping sprees and spend several thousand dollars on junk I do not have use like those bimbos on MTV and also, these are my father's cars, he's only letting me borrow them." Vanessa flipped a light switched and, if possible, Balto's jaw looked as if it was going to fall to the floor like a toon. Around Balto were cars of several varieties: Hondas, Mustangs, Jeeps, BMW, every car imaginable seemed to be in this one enormous garage.
Balto closed his jaw and shook himself a sense of composure, "Wait, why is your dad letting you borrow his prized cars?"
"I told him about yours and Jenna's situation and let's just say…My dad is a sucker for romance stories."
Balto just blinked, "Riiiggghhhhttt…and I led a dog sled team."
Vanessa flicked his nose playfully, "No I didn't bribe my own dad…he's too wealthy to be bribed, and besides its only for a night, as long as you don't go for the Ferrari or that silver mustang near the door.
Balto stared at all the cars and then back at Vanessa, "Vanessa I…I can't accept this, I mean first it was the suit and the fancy restaurant reservations…but a car? I'm afraid that's where I draw the line, I can't just take these cars for a spin and then bring it back without repaying you, that wouldn't be fair for you at all…I mean, your offering a chance to give Jenna the perfect date imaginable to the female thought, but In reality…don't you think she would just like the fact that it's me taking her to a date, and not this primped fancy pants instead I mean-" Balto's words were silenced by two fingers on his lips.
"Congratulations Mr. Balto, you passed my test." Balto's eyes widened, Vanessa removed her fingers for him to speak.
"W-wait, I passed what? This was all a test? The suit, the reservation-", Balto was interrupted again.
"Now your over thinking things sweetheart, Balto I was skeptical at first but now I think you really are what Jenna needs in a guy, someone selfless and kind, not to mention a little dashing at times. I helped you with the dinner and attire because I wanted you to finally show Jenna that you could be debonair just for her. The car was the real test of selflessness and you passed with flying colors." Vanessa smiled sweetly; Balto still stared at her with disbelief.
"Now, show my friend a good time." She snuck something into Balto's paw and enclosed it around the object, breaking Balto out of his stupor. Balto stared down at what was in his paw.
"Vanessa, these are your car keys."
"I'm lending you my car at the least, just please be sure to fill it up on your way back home please and drive it back when you wake up tomorrow." Balto stared at the keys and then back to Vanessa and then diverting his gaze to her car, simple yet elegant, not some over the top prom limousine, just a simple machine and nothing more. Balto suddenly pulled Vanessa into a tight embrace, causing her to blush.
"Uh…your welcome, Balto." She patted his back as he continued to hug her.
Meanwhile:
In the Parker family household, Jenna picks out a dress for her first date with Balto, accompanying her are her mother, Sasha, Colleen, and Bess.
"So Sash, I heard Charlie is taking you on your first date together, are you excited?" asked Bess as she and Jenna's mother, Sarah, prepared Jenna as she picked out a shimmering in the sunlight silver gown and tried it on in the bathroom, giving the two females time to relax their aching paws.
Sasha giggled, "Well of course, He was recovering from the fight with those thugs in the alley for a majority of our relationship so far. But I cannot wait for what he has in store."
"I bet! He must have been planning this so carefully if he hasn't told exactly where he's taking you."
Sasha thought for a moment, "Well, all he's told me is to dress nicely. So maybe it's something really special."
"I bet Sasha, how is Charlie treating you?" asked Jenna's mother.
"Well, for the most part, like a treasure at the least." She answered, the cheeks on her face turning even redder.
"I bet, a lad like Charlie probably would be considering he is one of the most sought after males in the school, next to Huntie of course…" she spoke the last part under her breath, but Bess heard her as if she spoke it aloud.
"Huntie? You mean Hunter Sidle? That cute retriever mix on the football team with Blitz and Exile?"
Colleen blushed hard, "Um, never mind…Jenna! Aren't you done yet?" she called, trying to change the subject immediately.
"Yes and No, Yes being that I am done, and No I won't come out till you tell us the truth!" she giggled from behind the curtain.
Colleen crossed her arms and pouted, Bess and Sasha, along with Jenna's mother stared at Colleen, for a good 10 minutes before Colleen cracked under the pressure.
"OH FINE! Yes, Hunter Sidle, I have a HUGE crush on him, let's just say that."
Sasha blinked once, "Wait, haven't we established that already before?"
Jenna emerged from the curtain, "Yes, but it's so much fun seeing Colleen blush like that."
Stunned was the only words to describe the four female's reactions, "W-Wow Jenna, y-you-you, wow, you look…" Sasha was speechless.
Jenna emerged in a slender strapless silver dress, it went straight down to her ankles as she wore matching heels, Jenna's fur flowed neat and beautifully upon her shoulders, giving her an almost goddess aura, her amber eyes gave both warmth and safety, sure to captivate and awe anyone who would even glimpse into those sunny irises.
"My word Jenna, you-you look marvelous!" exclaimed Colleen.
"I think Balto is going to have a rough time not gaping the entire time!" spoke Sasha.
Amongst all the complements, a thought revealed itself in Jenna's subconscious, "What would Balto really think? Would I be too pretty for him? No, No, I can't think like that, I 'am sure Balto would love me no matter what I looked like, frumpy or unkempt."
Jenna blushed softly, her fur covering the blush as her friends and her mother threw out continuous comments about how lovely she looked, but one thought still stuck in her mind like a ugly habit…Would Balto think so…?
The night descended upon San Francisco quickly, the moon was brightest light in the sky as it only slightly over shadowed the city lights below it. Balto sat back in the seat of Vanessa's car, waiting for a light to shine green; he clenched his gut with his paw, trying to undo the aggravating knot in it. He was nervous beyond imagination.
"Ok, ok, you can do this Balto; this is your first date ever, act casual…" he breathes air deeply into his lungs and exhales just as the light changed to green.
Jenna and her mother were putting the last finishing touches to her look. Mrs. Parker brushed Jenna's beautiful crimson fur; a small tear suddenly runs down her cheek. Jenna notices this.
"Mom? Are you ok?" she asks.
Mrs. Parker quickly wiped the tear away, "yes hun, I am perfectly fine."
Jenna smiled softly as her back is faced from her mother, "Aw mom…" seemingly reading her thoughts, Mrs. Parker must be under the realization that she is growing up far faster then she intended.
Jenna turned around to face her mother and hugs her softly, "I'll be fine mom, I promise…" Mrs. Parker smiles and hugs her daughter tightly. Suddenly their ears perk to the sound of a car coming near the driveway, Jenna immediately rushed to the window and sees Vanessa's car pulling up.
"Vanessa? What is she-" Suddenly a realization hit her when she sees that Balto was in the driver's seat.
She couldn't help herself but smile, "Note to self…hug Ness till she can't breathe."
Balto unbuckled his seat belt and lied back against the seat, deeply inhaling air and exhaling. He looked up to the roof of the car as if trying to look through it to see the sparkling heavens above.
"If there really is someone watching me, please let this night go well…" Balto took another deep breath and exhale and grabbed the delicate looking bouquet of roses, he exited the vehicle and closed the door, taking another deep breath and walks up to Jenna's porch, as his paw reached the door bell, it started shaking.
"Relax Balto, Relax!" he told himself, his paw shaking even worse, until he finally presses the dimly lit button (After missing it four times), and a towering crimson furred Husky opens the door, his face rather stern.
"You must be my daughter's date…" his voice had a small bit of venom in it, Balto was immediately intimidated.
He tried to keep his composure, "Y-yes sir…", that failed miserably… the Husky stepped aside and allowed Balto in. Balto stepped through the threshold, feeling Jenna's father's eyes drilling into the back of his head.
"Suddenly tonight got a whole lot nerve wracking…"
(HEY EVERYONE! Cliffhangers! Yay! Ew…not really…I hate Cliff hangers, anyways this will continue soon, I hope everyone liked this one, Ciao and God bless!)