The Literary Misadventures of Juniper Rosewood

3- Obnoxiously Sweet

"So he is essentially so full of self-importance that he just imposes himself upon you for the entire evening, assuming you have nothing better to do?" Circe asked incredulously. I nodded, without much enthusiasm. To be fair, I didn't have anything better to do, but that still didn't excuse Dalton's imposition. We were halfway to the cinema at this point, and I had explained all about the project that Mrs Harris had set us, and all about having to work with Dalton, who while being surprisingly enthusiastic about the whole thing, was still a general pain in the neck. Circe was ranting again, but I was hardly paying attention, just laughing at how her soot-stained hair was billowing madly over her face in the strong wind.

"You know what this means," She winked suggestively at me. I slapped her arm gently.

"Don't let your mind wander to such unsavoury places, Circe. I thought you didn't like him, anyway."

"I don't, but you have to admit this whole situation is the perfect set up. I wonder what Mrs Harris was thinking."

"I'm hoping that she wasn't."

"All that's left now is for him to invite you to a crazy party," She said, "That's what seals the deal."

"As if you know anything about this sort of thing," I scowled at her, annoyed, but she just laughed at me.

"You're so sensitive, Juni. I'm joking, of course."

"You'd better be," I grumbled, but I laughed with her too.

By this time, we had reached the cinema. It was a gleaming, gilded palace of refinery, at least on the outside. On the inside, the story was quite a bit different. The grand red carpet was more stain than it was carpet, and unfortunately the same could be said for the chairs within the theatre.

"I had to give my snack money to Dhanuk for a new pencil case," Circe said sulkily.

"You can share my popcorn," I said, and she grinned wildly, wiping her face so that the soot on her nose became even more smeared about her. I laughed, and she glared at me.

"What?"

"Maybe you should check yourself in a mirror before we go to see the movie," I said, "I'll wait for the popcorn and the tickets."

Circe rushed off and I waited in the line, getting plenty of buttery popcorn and tickets to a wholesome Pixar movie, which was the sort of thing we usually saw when we came to the cinema, if not a cheesy romcom. The attendee handed me my change, and I thanked him and went to wait for Circe. She emerged moments later, covered in significantly less soot and smelling of soap as opposed to a singed pencil case.

"What did you get tickets to?" She asked. I handed Circe her ticket and she gave a small squeal.

"Yes!" She pumped her fist enthusiastically.

"Come on, we'll be late."

The movie, while enjoyable, did not take away the gnawing feeling of anticipation and mild dread in the pit of my stomach. I had to tidy my bedroom, and let my parents know that I was going to be having a guest. And then make it explicitly clear to them that said guest was not my boyfriend. They were already suspicious of Rashid and Preston, and Rashid was dating Ingrid, and Preston was gay, so Dalton had very little chance of not arousing dubiety. I sighed quietly as we left the theatre, waving goodbye to Circe as we headed in opposite directions. I shot a quick text to my mother, letting her know that I had a friend coming over at seven. It was almost half-past six now, and so if I hurried, I would still be able to tidy my room a bit before Dalton showed up. Not that my parents would let him in my room anyway, but there was no harm in preparing. My phone chimed in my pocket, letting me know that my mother had texted me back. She was already pestering me with questions.