Things I Can

03 : Getting Ready for Dinner

"Remember our agreement, Taylor. You have to go home before dinner," Dad warned me about dinner with his old friend just as I was about to get into the car. I'm going shopping with Karlie Kloss today, who's my best friend.

"Yes, Dad. Have a nice day."

I gave Dad a quick kiss on the cheek before getting into the car and ordered Tom to hurry up and drive the car, to get away from dad as quick as possible.

The car Tom was driving stopped right in front of the Kloss family residence. I decided to wait in front of the gate and immediately called Karlie to get out as soon as she can. Karlie only appeared a few minutes later with a simple outfit that always looks amazing. I opened my car door and let Karlie in.

She smiled at me. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Tay. I had to find my purse first."

"It's okay, Karl. So, ready to go shopping?" I asked with a cheerful face.

Karlie chuckled and nodded her head excitedly. "Let's go!"

━━

Robin looked at his stepson who seemed fast asleep on the sofa with the television still on. Harry looked very tired. His face was pale and he was fast asleep. It must have been that last night he couldn't sleep, as usual. Anne, Harry's mother, will arrive in New York tomorrow, along with Gemma.

Now, it's just the two of them in New York, Harry with Robin. Robin walked over to Harry and shook Harry's arm while trying to wake him up.

"Harry, wake up. You haven't had breakfast. You have to eat. After that, you can sleep again." Robin said.

Harry stretched slowly and without opening his eyes, the handsome boy said, "I'm still sleepy, Rob. I'll be up in an hour."

"Don't you have an appointment to meet a girl named Kendall this afternoon?" Robin asked.

"Looks like I can't come to see her. I'll explain it to her later. Now, with great respect, can you leave me alone? I love you and forgive my insolence but, really, I'm so sleepy. All night long, I did nothing but made songs for my band's latest album."

Robin took a deep breath. "But, you still want to come with me to dinner with my best friend and his little family tonight, right?"

"Robin, when have I ever let you down, anyway? I'll come with you, okay? Have a nice day, Dad." Harry rose to his feet and staggered toward his room.

Robin chuckled at Harry. Harry indeed is very compassionate about music and also when it comes to love, but who would have thought he would also have a big heart for his family?

━━

Tom's car stopped in front of a restaurant. Karlie and I got out of the car to have lunch together. We were just hunting for clothes. Karlie got three kinds of clothes that she liked while I got two kinds. I love shopping with Karlie. She's a girl who really has a lot in common with me. I think Karlie and I are perfect siblings. I got distracted when I found a Kendall Jenner.

She once came to my concert and hey, who doesn't know The Kardashians? Sitting alone without an escort. She looks very restless. She fiddled with her cell phone, trying to reach someone, it seemed.

"Tay, you find a seat and I'll order food for both of us," Karlie said.

I nodded my head without turning towards Karlie, but instead I walked towards Kendall. Kendall noticed me and she smiled when I arrived in front of her.

She got up and called my name, "Taylor?"

"Hi, Kendall." I greeted.

Unexpectedly, Kendall gave me a warm hug and whispered, "I didn't expect to see you here."

"It's nice to see you again, Kendall," I said.

She pulled away from the hug and asked me to sit on the empty chair in front of her.

"Are you alone?" I asked kindly.

"I'm waiting for my friend here. But, it looks like he overslept. He hasn't answered my calls since an hour ago." Kendall replied with a disappointed face.

"Ah, yes, are you all alone too?" Kendall asked me.

"I'm with my best friend, Karlie. She's ordering food for us. Would you like to join us?" Kendall sighed and glanced back at her cellphone.

"It's half past two in the afternoon. I have a shoot in thirty minutes. I better go now. Tay, really, I'm so happy to see you again. I can't wait to hear the songs on your new album." I chuckled at Kendall's words. It's been a long time since she claimed to like all of my songs.

Kendall got up and gave me a brief hug before saying, "Bye, Tay. See you again next time." She walked out of the restaurant.

Kendall is actually pretty fun. She's very friendly, even though some people will judge her and say she's arrogant and petty, but in reality she's not. She's absolutely beautiful and lovely. Shortly after Kendall left, Karlie came with a waiter who took our order.

━━

"Harry! Wake up! You promised to come with me to meet my old friend! You must wake up!" Robin tried to wake Harry.

Robin didn't think that Harry could sleep that long without having breakfast and lunch. Just imagine, it's already six in the evening. Harry was still fast asleep too.

"Harry! Wake up, lad!" Robin pulled the blanket that was covering Harry, making Harry squirm slowly and tried to pull the blanket back but, Robin was dexterous enough to throw the blanket to the floor. Harry can't sleep without a blanket. Without a blanket, he could get cold. And he always sleeps shirtless.

"Robin! Give me back my blanket!" Harry rose from sleep with his eyes still closed.

"You've got to get up and get ready, Harry. We're having dinner at my old friend's house. Did you forget what you promised me this morning?"

Harry tried to open his eyes slowly and looked at Robin slowly. Robin put on a pitiful face. Robin knew Harry couldn't stand that expression on his face.

"Alright, fine, I'm awake. Give me thirty minutes to get ready. You can wait for me downstairs," Harry said weakly.

Robin smiled broadly, triumphantly. Harry was an obedient boy.

━━

"Aren't we just having dinner together? Why do I have to wear a dress?" I folded my arms across my chest when I saw Mom who had prepared a red evening dress for me to wear tonight.

"It's a special dinner, Taylor. You have to look your best. You have to succeed in attracting the young man's attention. Who knows, maybe he's your soul mate." Mom teased with a smile.

I rolled my eyes. "Dad said it's just dinner, Mom. Not a matchmaking event. Isn't dressing naturally and who I really am what is much better?"

"You want to have dinner with Dad's friend in your usual T-shirt and those cotton pants? Taylor, that's really embarrassing. Your style outside and inside the house is drastically different. What if your fans find out? They'll make a joke out of you."

"I love their jokes," I said sarcastically as I grabbed the dress Mom had prepared and walked toward the dressing room. I hope tonight's dinner ends soon.