Chapter 11: A proper date
1169 Words
POV: May
***
"I just don't think purple is your colour, May!" Kat shouts through the door of the changing room.
I called her this as soon as I woke up, buzzing with excitement to give her the good news. She'd screamed in excitement and promised to drag me shopping after class.
So, here we are, trying on a dozen outfits so that my date doesn't completely crash and burn.
I've tried a couple of dresses, one disastrous jumpsuit and even considered a blouse and trousers combo, but nothing has been quite right.
I want to make the best first impression I can.
Kat throws another choice over the door.
"Now, I know this isn't your usual thing but let me know what you think. Maybe you need to push the boat out more."
I hold up the clothing.
It's an emerald green dress, long enough to reach my ankles. The neckline isn't as plunging as I normally wear.
"What am I showing up as, a nun?" I joke.
"Shake it a little."
Confused, I give the fabric a rustle.
Flashes of black sequin shimmer across the fabric when it moves. I look closer and I can see they change colour depending on the light, a walking illusion.
"It's amazing! Where did you find this?"
I slip it over my head and check myself out in the mirror. With a pair of heels and a clutch, I could pull off elegant.
Kat is beaming when I open the door to show her.
"I knew that would suit you! Everyone will be watching you. And it suits the restaurant a bit more."
She's right about that.
I picked a slightly upscale Italian, wanting something familiar but not too casual. I text Kiara earlier with the name, as well as my address.
"Let's go, then. I want to pick up a new lipstick and then I'm done."
Tomorrow can't come fast enough.
***
I step out of the shower, towelling the last of my hair dry.
Kiara will be picking me up in 45 minutes, just enough time to get ready.
I pat my face dry and throw on a bathrobe, pulling out my makeup.
I put a light blush on and highlights under my cheekbones. Black, winged eyeliner adorns my eyes and I swipe a thin layer of lipstick onto my lips.
It's the new one, a dark green one that sparkles to match my dress.
Then, I loop my hair into a bun, securing it with a claw clip.
All it takes is strapped heels and a handbag to complete the outfit.
Maybe it's a bit overboard but I've never been one to shy away from getting glammed up when I can.
My phone buzzes.
K: Downstairs
I grin.
I hope she's this excited too.
There is an old pickup parked outside. Kiara is holding the passenger door open for me.
She's wearing skinny jeans, with a smart shirt and leather jacket over the top. It hugs her form nicely and I can't help dropping my gaze down to her ass.
She spots me and frowns a little.
"You're a bit overdressed, aren't you?"
I laugh nervously. "Afraid I'll show you up?"
She doesn't say anything, just leaves the door open for me and gets in the driver's side.
I climb in, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think it was that much over the top. I can change."
I'm mentally going through my catalogue of clothes when she puts her hand on my knee. I look up, startled. Her eyes are warm and open.
"I'm being ridiculous, you look great. I'm just embarrassed. This is the nicest thing I own and you're still outshining me by miles."
My thoughts freeze. My skin is tingling where the warm of her hand is against my leg and the honesty in her voice makes me feel like melting.
"You look lovely, for what it's worth." Is all I can mutter.
That seems to be enough, as she sits back and starts the engine.
"Good. Let's go."
The restaurant is just starting to fill up when we get there. The server leads us to a corner. The lighting is gentle and there are small flower vases on each table.
I scan the menu.
"What are you thinking of getting? Maybe we could split a starter?" I ask.
"I'd rather get dessert."
"Why not both?"
Kiara glances up at me.
"I don't think either of us really need 3 courses. No, we'll get main and dessert."
I can't help myself; I look down at my stomach, wishing it was a bit flatter. Kiara's right, though. I don't need that much.
"I'll have a ham pizza then and just water."
"That sounds good." Kiara slides her hand across the table to link our fingers, signalling to the waiter with her other hand.
"Hi. We'll stick with water to drink and then can I get a ham pizza and one of the carbonaras?"
"Of course, right away." The waiter says, sliding the menus off the table.
"You don't have to order for me." I protest, although I can't deny it was nice.
Kiara shrugs, offering me the glass of water. The first sip is very chemical-heavy and I grimace.
"Oh, that's not good. We should get a bottle. Try it."
Kiara tastes hers. "There's nothing wrong with mine. Maybe it's the glass."
"I'll get them to change."
Suddenly, Kiara's hand goes tight on mine.
"Don't make a scene. It's fine." She whispers.
I put the glass down.
"So, tell me. What's going on in the life of Kiara?"
"Not a huge amount, sadly. The truck has an MOT soon. I'll be lucky if it passes, you've seen the state of it."
We both laugh.
"Yeah, it wasn't quite a limousine pick up."
"No, the thing's beat. But it was my dad's and I don't want to replace it."
"Is he still...?" I don't want to outright say out.
"Around? Yeah, don't worry. He's not the most emotional man so him giving me the truck meant a lot."
I can empathise with that. My parents are the distant type, too.
I have fond memories of us when I was younger but at some point, they just stopped being there. Work was the constant excuse.
"What about you? You still have your folks?" Kiara questions.
"Yeah, if you can call seeing them twice as year 'having them'. Even when I still lived at home, they were always busy."
I don't bother disguising the hurt and anger.
"Maybe they had a good reason. Maybe you were an annoying kid."
For some reason, the absurdness of her statement breaks me out of my mood.
"What?" And before I can help myself, I'm laughing.
She starts too, and then we're hiding our face in napkins to avoid drawing too much attention as we giggle away.
Without warning, splitting pain shoots through my head.
All I can see are yellow eyes, slitted like a predator.
"May? May!"
- Writer
