Chapter 6: Eva
1364 Words
When Amber told me she had arranged the double date, I almost dropped my phone.
“You’re kidding,” I said, staring at her as if she had just announced she’d found a cure for every disease on the planet.
“Nope. Friday at seven. Just like I said.”
My breath hitched, and my heart started pounding like I’d just finished a marathon.
“You... You’re serious?!”
“Eva, please don’t make this a huge deal,” she said, rolling her eyes. “It’s just a meetup.”
“For you, maybe. For me, this is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Amber smirked faintly.
“You’ve got some weird priorities.”
“You’re the best,” I mumbled, throwing my arms around her despite her annoyed expression.
“Calm down, or I’ll change my mind,” she huffed, gently pushing me away.
From the moment Amber confirmed the date was happening, I couldn’t think about anything else.
Every evening, I played out scenarios in my head: what to talk about with Jayden, how to make him notice me, what I’d do if I said something dumb.
With each imagined scenario, my anxiety grew.
This felt like a chance that would never come again. I knew I couldn’t count on it—guys like Jayden didn’t notice girls like me. But something inside me whispered that this was my shot. My miracle.
“Sam, I’m going to meet him!” I whispered into the phone, practically breathless with excitement.
“Who?” he asked sleepily.
“Jayden. Jayden!"
“Right. I thought you meant the Pope for a second there.”
“Don’t you understand how important this is?”
“Eva, breathe,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “You’re still alive, so you’ve got a chance.”
“It’s all because of Amber. If it weren’t for her, this would never have happened.”
“Did you tell her how amazing she is?”
“Yes. She almost backed out.”
Sam laughed.
“Then don’t you back out either. Just be yourself, okay? You’re awesome.”
“You say that like it’s easy.”
“That’s because it’s true.”
I stood in the middle of my room, surrounded by piles of clothes. Nothing looked right. Everything felt wrong.
I grabbed the first thing that caught my eye: a fitted black dress with long sleeves. Classic, simple. A safe choice. But as soon as I put it on and looked in the mirror, a wave of doubt crashed over me.
“Your legs look too thick,” my mom’s voice echoed in my head. “That dress makes it obvious.”
Frowning, I peeled it off.
Next, I tried a tank top and jeans—my go-to casual combo. But when I saw myself, it didn’t feel right either.
“Too tomboyish,” I whispered to myself. “Guys don’t like that.”
Off they went, tossed onto the growing pile on my bed.
I tried a skirt and a top. The skirt was cute—pink with lace trim—but the top didn’t sit the way I wanted it to.
“You look ridiculous,” the voice said again. “Like a kid trying to dress like an adult.”
Sighing, I tore those off too.
Every choice felt wrong. Every glance in the mirror brought more doubt. The critical voices in my head played like a broken record:
“Someone like Jayden isn’t even going to notice you. Why are you trying?”
I collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in my hands.
“Enough,” I told myself. “You should wear what you like. Forget what anyone else thinks.”
Standing again, I walked to the mirror with renewed determination. This time, I picked what felt right: shapewear tights, a flouncy pink skirt with subtle patterns, and a black turtleneck that flattered my figure.
For shoes, I chose my chunky black platform boots—90s-inspired, comfortable, and a little edgy.
When I looked in the mirror again, the doubts whispered louder than ever.
But I looked closer.
“You can do this,” I told myself softly. “You’re beautiful. Even if you don’t feel like it.”
When I walked out of my room, Amber was already waiting by the door.
She gave me a once-over and nodded approvingly.
“Not bad.”
“You think so?”
“Eva,” she said, rolling her eyes. “If anyone’s going to look bad tonight, it won’t be you.”
I smiled, feeling a small surge of confidence return.
After our Spanish class, Amber’s phone buzzed. She pulled it out, frowned, and held it up to me.
“Do you see this?” she asked, showing me the message.
“What?”
“They want to move the date to Jayden’s place.”
Something in my chest tightened.
His place? I’d pictured everything—the cozy bar, the dim lighting, the kind of conversation that might finally make Jayden notice me. And now... What was I supposed to say when I walked into his personal space? It felt invasive, like I was barging into his life uninvited. What if I said something dumb? What if he thought I was just another fangirl?
“Amber...” I started, panic creeping into my voice.
“Eva, this is weird.”
“Please. Let’s just go. We’ll leave by 11. I promise.”
Amber rolled her eyes.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes! I know you don’t like this, but it’s just one night. Let me have this. No drama, no arguments. Just endure it.”
She stared at me for a long moment, then sighed.
“Do you realize going to their house is a bad idea?”
“Please, Amber,” I begged, clasping my hands together like I was praying. “I promise it’ll be fine.”
“Fine? We’re walking into the house of two grown men, one of whom is famous for his antics. You really think this ends well?”
She squinted at me, then grabbed her phone.
“Fine. But we’re setting up a safety net.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re telling Ellie where we’re going. Sharing our location. If we don’t check in by 11, she calls the cops.”
Ellie was one of our classmates, someone we hung out with occasionally. I was surprised, but honestly, it seemed smart.
“Okay. Let’s do that.”
Amber typed the message out loud:
“Ellie, listen. Eva and I are going on a double date. Plans changed—we’re going to their house now. Here’s the address.”
She turned the phone to me, showing the next part:
“We’ll share our location and check in at 11. If we don’t, call the cops.”
I nodded. She hit send, and a reply came almost immediately:
“Are you guys insane? Fine. Just keep me updated. And don’t drink yourselves stupid.”
Amber smirked.
“Classic Ellie.”
“Thanks for thinking of this,” I said, feeling slightly calmer.
“Just don’t lose your head. That’s the best way to thank me,” she muttered, slipping her phone into her bag.
I turned on my location and sent the link to Ellie.
“Better,” Amber said, leaning back in her chair. “Now if one of them turns out to be a psycho, we’ve got a backup plan.”
I rolled my eyes, but inside, I was grateful for her practicality.
She smirked.
“And if I start arguing with someone?”
“Please, Amber. Not tonight. Let’s save the debates for later, okay? Just hold out until 11.”
“Fine,” she sighed. “But you owe me for this.”
“Anything,” I said, and this time, she smiled a little.
I sat beside Amber, feeling my fingers go cold despite the warmth of my turtleneck. Time stretched out like melted caramel, each second bringing us closer to that door.
His door.
Jayden. Not his voice. Not the stage.
The real person.
- Writer
