Ugly Secrets, Pretty Lies

Eight

"This is so good," I moaned, sinking my teeth again into the double chocolate pastry with butterscotch icing.

 Andy laughed. He sat opposite me in the café, holding a mug of bittersweet hot chocolate with cinnamon shavings. 

"I knew you'd like it. I mean, who can turn down chocolate like that?"

I ignored him and continued eating. "I love this café."

"And I can't believe you've never heard of this café," he countered. 

Some time earlier, Andy and I had left the Masquerade Party. He brought me in his Mercedes to this very beautiful medium-sized café named Rose Céleste, owned by a woman in her mid-fifties. Her name is Gentille and she is very kind and sweet.

"Do you come here often?" I asked.

Andy smiled softly. "All the time. I..." He paused, as if debating whether to say whatever he wants to say, then said, "I used to come here all the time with my Nana. A couple years ago, she passed away, but I still come here a lot. Gentille is very nice. She's like a grandmother to me. She's the one who comforted me when Nana passed away. I call Gentille Grams."

I put down the pastry. "I'm sorry."

He shakes his head, although his eyes grew misty through his mask. "It's fine."

"You must miss her a lot."

"Of course I do."

I wanted to kick myself. Of course he misses his Nana. What kind of person am I to ask that question? Me and my stupid mouth. 

"Aren't you going to eat that pastry?" Andy asked, snapping me back. 

"Oh yeah." I picked up the pastry again and took another bite. The air between us somehow grew thicker. Tension crackled and the silence became awkward. To be honest, Andy reminds me of Blake Anderson and it's nice to know he actually has feelings. On the other hand, Blake surely has none. I know I'm being mean, but he's such a player anyway. 

"Can you take me home?" I asked Andy. He shot me a dazzling smile. "Duh. Who am I to leave such a pretty lady behind on the road?" I rolled my eyes, cramming the last bit of the pastry into my mouth. He handed me a napkin and I wiped my mouth. Andy stood up. "Hey, where are you going?" "To pay." "No, I can. This isn't a date, so I can pay for my own food." "Ah, but Crimson, this is my treat to you." He winked. "But-'' I tried to protest, but he shot me a look. "If you want to pay s9 much, then next time you can pay." I grudgingly agreed before the words sank in. My eyes widened. Next time? Does that mean we'll see each other again? Before I could answer myself, Andy had already came back. 

"Ready to head home?" he asked. 

"Yep."

"Let's go."

I picked my purse up and waved at Gentille who waved back. 

"Come again soon!" she said.

"We will!"

It was cold outside, the wind biting at my exposed skin. I shivered. 

"Cold?"

"What do you think," I said, teeth chattering.

Andy laughed and shrugged off his leather jacket. "Here." "Won't you be cold?" "Nah. You can have it." I smiled and took his jacket, slipping it on. It was a bit big, but then again, I was a bit small. I zipped up, then looked at Andy again. He unlocked his Mercedes. It was parked right in front of the café so we didn't have to walk. I climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up before leaning back and closing my eyes. I felt the engine rumbled and start and the car move. 

"Where do you live?" 

"Rochester Avenue."

"Oh, I know that part of town."

"Good"

The ride was mostly silent. I mostly looked out the window at the passing cars and trees. I saw the familiar pavement of the avenue I lived on.

"Which house?"

"The one second to last on the avenue."

Andy pulled into the space in front of my house. I flushed a little. My house wasn't very big and it was slightly shaggy. I unbuckled and got out of the car quickly. "Thanks for the ride, Andy." He tipped an imaginary hat at me and said in a horrible British accent, "Anytime, Crimson." I laughed and watched as he drove off. Then I turned, walking up t9 my house and unlocked the door. It was late, nearly midnight, but Mom wasn't home. I sighed, closing and locking the door behind me. I made my way through the dark house and upstairs to my room. There I flipped on the light and my room instantly blazed up. I headed to the attached bathroom and undressed, then took my mask off. I washed the makeup off my face and watched the colory liquid run down the drain before pulling on some pajamas. I placed the mask on my bedside and climbed into bed, pulling the sheets up.

  I'll return the mask and dress tomorrow, I thought tiredly. Then sleep dragged me down and I let it.