My Best Mate

Chapter 8: I'll Drive Her There

I wiped the sweat on my palms before knocking on the beta's front door.

I made sure to get both my hair and makeup an hour early so that I could go and spend a little time at Aunt Heather's.

Not a minute later, someone swung the door open.

Instead of an older woman, I was met by a guy whose eyes gleamed like the sea, with hair painted sun-kissed.

His pupils dilated at my sudden intrusion, and I acted the same.

He still had his bed hair and was only wearing a green V-line neckshirt. It had some wrinkles on it and was making his ripped chest and abdomen manifest through there.

His forearm formed surging veins as he tightened his hold on the knob, with his body still facing me.

I was so busy observing him that I didn’t notice his gaze wandering around, doing the same thing.

Gone were the leather jackets as my blushed shoulders and arms were exposed for the very first time.

There were no straps to support the long piece of cloth that was encircling my body—only the classy, sweetheart neckline that hugged perfectly around my chest.

Despite being bare on the upper torso, the dark blue dress was comfortable enough to wear from top to bottom. It didn't make any of my movement stiff, rather it softened the curves of my body.

I have two golden bracelets on my wrist, then one string of jewellery on my neck. The plain but striking necklace was enough to accentuate my visible but subtle collar bones.

My waist was narrow-looking but refined. Thanks to my dress being tight-fitted.

In addition to that, a blue lace belt was wrapped around my abdomen, making it more elegant.

The dress's waistline was comfy to feel because the skirt was in a suit style. It flows down to my legs and then to my feet, maintaining the same length throughout.

Adding to the simplicity yet sophistication of the dress, the perfect choice to wear to cover my new manicured toes was the slingbacks.

I wasn't comfortable wearing heels but this was an exception, a right match to my chaste feet.

My chestnut hair was ironed to form some loose curls, and then a handful of hair was taken both from my left and right hairline. My mother, Eve, pulled them at the back of my head—and secured it with a bobby pin—before placing a gold, ivory accessory comb over it.

Then for the makeup, I chose a rosy blush for my cheeks, and a thin flick eyeliner to accentuate my eyes. I finish it off—with a light, bronze eyeshadow—swept across my eyelids.

Then I applied some red tint and a clear lip gloss on my lips, finally becoming a full-fledged prom-goer.

I'm glad I watched some video tutorials yesterday.

When someone else's voice called my name, I quickly diverted my attention away from the beta. I greeted the person I was originally expecting to see.

This time, it was her turn to be awestruck.

“Nik, dear?” She puts her hand over her mouth. “Is that you?!”

Before I could answer, her high-pitched scream entered my ears. She ran up to me and hugged me.

“You look beautiful, Nikky!” She squealed before letting me go. “Isn’t she, Kyle?” She asked her son.

Kyle was still standing at the door frame with his eyes fixed on me.

“Kyle?” Her mother called again, hoping to get a response.

“I-It’s alright” He stuttered while covering his mouth with the back of his hand and looking away.

Aunt Heather started grinning after looking at his son, while I was happy seeing him flustered like that.

It wasn't my plan to impress him, but I did want to see what expression he'd make when he saw me all dressed up.

“Okay, okay. Let’s take some pictures. Do come in, dear. I'll go get the camera.” Aunt jogs from the living room to the second floor.

We went inside and I followed behind Kyle.

I said my greetings to Uncle Ian, who stood quickly from the sofa. He complimented me and asked me to sit for a while.

We talked while we waited before Uncle Ian focused on the television again.

We can hear Aunt Heather happily singing, she was busy rummaging around their room upstairs.

Kyle—who is usually stuck in his room all day when he doesn't have beta duties—is passing his time downstairs. He keeps marching back and forth in the kitchen area.

He wasn’t doing anything, but I could sense him looking at me now and then. I can't help but hold my breath each time.

I nervously sat there, arms straight while putting my hands on my knees.

Aunt Heather finally came down—carrying a small, lightweight compact camera. Her smile was huge as she walked my way.

The small photo session began and she immediately took several pictures of me.

From their well-lit back garden to the living room and anywhere she thought was picturesque enough.

She exchanges places with her husband and poses with me. At other times, it'll be Uncle Ian's turn.

I had the time to scan around the pictures and It is still hard for me to believe how different I look. if someone knew me and bumped into me on the streets, they probably wouldn’t recognize me right away.

After they exchanged places with each other, Aunt Heather wanted both her and her husband to be on camera this time.

Seeing Kyle was present in the room, she asked him to take one.

I thought he was going to refuse at first, but he quickly came forward and took the camera from Aunt Heather’s hands.

His voice from when he counted was music to my ears. I was so sure that I had already been grinning a lot even before he made the countdown.

I could feel my whole body freeze when Aunt Heather asked Kyle to go and get a few pictures taken with me.

My pulse quickened when he didn’t protest and was about to go right beside me.

My mind was bothered by the swift interest I saw in his eyes. But it didn’t take long before my mind flew elsewhere, and that was towards the growing energy on my back.

He settled at my right side, just a little bit behind me.

I prayed that the fast pacing of my heart wasn't that noticeable, especially to someone who had already shifted like him.

Mostly higher ranking werewolves are sensitive to sound.

When I slowly tried to focus on the camera, I saw Uncle Ian in the corner of my eye. He was shaking his head as he chuckled.

That’s when I realized that he might have heard it and probably was Kyle.

The moment the camera flashed, I didn’t ready myself and made a horrible expression.

We took several ones after that, but I did not bother checking. I already know what kind of horrible expressions I've been making throughout.

It was already quarter to seven when the photo session was done. Aunt Heather helped me retouch my makeup, so I could be on my way to prom.

Uncle Ian turned the television off and grabbed his car keys from the coffee table but Kyle got to it seconds earlier than him.

“I’ll drive her there.” He didn’t wait for their response and stridden across the living room and then out the door.

Aunt Heather grabbed my purse from the couch and gave it to me fast. “Go, go. You’ll be late.”

I kissed her goodbye on the cheek and thanked her. I drag my feet to the front door and their front yard.

I went straight to the back seat since I was expecting that I would be sitting there but it won't open. Instead, the passenger seat was unlocked and Kyle whose on the driver seat pushed it open.

Because he didn't say anything after that, I carried my skirt and slipped inside the car. Once I'd gotten comfortable, I shut the door and Kyle turned on the engine and set off.