For Him

Chapter 7

Ezra

"He's a stalker." Sebastian said with a deadpan expression.

"Yep." Dawn confirmed with a nod of her head.

"Well, you guys' opinion don't matter. I thought it was cute that he cared enough to research me." I said.

They both studied me for a second then seemed to come to the same conclusion and their faces nearly slit in half as they- none too manly on Sebastian's part- squealed.

"Ezzy has a crush!" The outburst accompanied by Dawn's fake swooning and Sebastian fanning himself as if he couldn't handle his own body's temperature. The deep scarlet blush that stained my cheeks at their accusation made them tease me even more. To make the situation worse, we were in the middle of our school's hallway where curious passers-by would glance at us questioningly.

When he sobered up, Sebastian said, "I don't blame you, he is a hot piece of dark and mysterious ass!"

We were talking and talking so we didn't hear when Paige, Sage and Seth walker up to us. I wouldn't have noticed them until Dawn mentioned the 'crush' again and I heard snort sounding behind me.

"Crush, what crush?!" Seth demanded heatedly.

"Oh… Seth when did you get here?" I asked.

"Answer me!" His tone made a whimper escape from my pink lips. Tears welled up in my eyes; he has never spoken to me like that before.

Before my tears could fall, his angered expression softened, and he pulled me into his arms.

"It's okay," he murmured into my hair, "I'm sorry."

"Um... Ezra has a crush on Killian." Dawn said with a nervous chuckle.

"What... Who is this Killian?" Paige asked.

"He's the guy that our Princess ditched us for yesterday." Seth said and although I couldn’t see his face, I knew that he was gritting his teeth.

I was relieved when the bell rang and interrupted the very tense atmosphere caused by my three guys. Seth gathered me into his side and he started walking to our homeroom class. I stopped moving my feet, resulting in the group's stillness as well.

"We have to drop Dawn off at her class." My voice came out smaller than I would want but they heard, and our immediate direction changed.

No words were spoken until I told Dawn that I would see her at break. She nodded and entered her class, giving me one last look. Paige and Sage broke off from the group and made their way to their homeroom while the three of us made it to our class just as the late bell rang.

"Cutting it close aren't you guys?" Mrs. Jean asked, smiling.

I gave her a tense smile. We took our respective seats and Mrs. Jean spoke about something's that I didn't catch because I was too busy trying to figure out why in the world Seth would react as he had.

**************

By lunch, I had come up with nothing.

Nothing.

But I didn't get to continue pondering because Seth ordered lunch for me as an apology - although he didn't say that it was. It consisted of my favourite pineapple-lunch-pancakes and a tub of peanut ice cream.

Of course, that made me feel a lot better and have was rewarded with a hug from me as a thank you.

I was happily munching away when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find a petite girl with raven hair and blinding smile. She had her hands behind her back as if she was hiding something.

"Ezra Knight." She stated.

"Strange girl."

"This for you." She said as she removed one of her hands from behind her to produce a note.

I looked at her for a second, my eyebrow raised, then took the note. The hand writing was beautiful and as I read, I felt the heat blossom in my cheeks. It read:

Hi beautiful,

I am not trying to come off as creepy so bare with me. My mom pulled me out of school today to help her shop for a thing that had been planning for months now but I never really cared enough to find out about. On our many stops we happened to enter a jewelry store. I thought, 'Mom, why do you need more jewelry.' But then I saw it. A pair of earrings that would make your already dazzling self more gorgeous. So, I HAD to buy it for you. I am requesting that you wear it to that thing when you accompany me as my date.

Killian.

When I looked up, the girl had removed her other had and in it lay a black box with a shiny orange ribbon tied into a bow. I tentatively took the box and set it on the table. I hesitated for a few seconds before gently untying the ribbon and removing the top.

I couldn't contain the little inhale of air that seemed to echo in my mind. The bluest of diamonds that matched the color of my eyes. They were accented with smaller silver diamonds that added shine to the piece and made my eyes water. Someone whistled making me look up. I didn't know who it was, but when Dawn and I made eye contact, we let out the highest pitch of sound that I have ever heard.

After we had calmed down slightly, Sebastian shot and screamed, "Shopping!"

The three of started talking excitedly about my dress and Dawn and told Sebastian about Ms. Rio. He wanted to meet her, and I told him that I started work that evening so when he dropped me off, he could meet her. Then it suddenly hit me, I didn't tell my parents. I raised a finger to stop the conversation, took my phone out and called my mom.

"Yes honey."

"I have a part time job and I start today but I forgot to tell you guys."

"Where is it?"

"At the mall. A place called Maria's."

"Employees?"

"Just the owner. Ms. Rio."

"Why do you want to work there?"

"I love fashion."

"Do you trust her?"

"I do."

"Then I approve."

"'Kay. Thanks mommy! Love you." I sent a kiss to before I hung up.

My friends were looking at me with smirks, but I didn't care, she's my mommy.

*************

Sebastian, Dawn and I were making our way to Sebby's car when Sage spoke.

"We're coming with you." Stopping Dawn mid-sentence.

We couldn't really say anything to that so the next I know, the six of are standing in front of Ms. Rio. Introductions were made and then she dragged me into the employee dressing room. She stripped me then redressed me in what she called 'The Ultimate Customer Attractor'.

I was dressed in a short pleated red skirt that would have shown a lot of leg if it wasn't for the pair of black thigh-highs, she forced on me. A stark white shirt with the shop's logo on the left breast pocket. She was rummaging through some boxes before pulling out some black ballet shoes.

"For comfort." She said.

************

"Mom! I'm home!"

"Welcome home dear! I'm in the kitchen!"

When I walked in her back was to me, so I cleared my throat and when I saw her turning, I spoke.

"How do I look in my uniform?"

She blinked for a few seconds before she squealed and pulled her phone out for pictures. We talked about my first day at work and she interrogated me about my date with Killian until my dad came home.

After dinner and my shower, I found myself pondering on whether I should text Killian. I typed up my first message and sent it before I could back out.

When's that thing?

Three weeks from Friday.

What should I wear?

You would look great in anything Ezzy.

Stop making me blush Kian.

Kian?

Your nickname from me. Do you like it?

I like it.

We texted back and forth until my eyes couldn't take it anymore so I him 'goodnight'. Well I hope it was good night seeing as every letter looked the same to me. The last thought that seemed coherent in my mind was:

Happiness.