City Gurl

Chapter Twenty-Six

After what seems like forever, it's Saturday. Finally, some time with Byron. Alone. Let's see what Brianna thinks about that.

I put on some skinny jeans and a purple t-shirt that shows off my curves. I get into some purple ballet flats and put on a purple headband. I add makeup and nail polish. I brush my hair and leave it out so Byron won't think I'm a tomboy or anything.

"Bye!" I call and head for the door. The rest of my family are sitting and watching TV.

"Well, well, well, where are you going?" asks Mom suspiciously. "Not to a bar, I hope."

"No. Not to a bar. On a date," I say quickly, knowing my mother's hatred of bars. Especially after the Keith-and-Oliver-and-me incident. Somehow she forgave Keith but wouldn't let him drink until he was, like, 25 or something. Yeah, right.

"Ooh, with whom?" Keith wiggles his eyebrows. "That Harry guy?" Harry. I totally forgot about him! Oh, well. It's not like he likes me too.

"No! Not Harry! He's to. . .down there for me."

"Meow! Picky, picky, picky," Keith sighs.

"Who's the lucky guy?" asks my dad.

"Uh, this guy from school. His name is Byron." I answer.

"BYRON?" Keith screams. "That jerk in your grade?" Ok, then.

"Yes. And he's not a jerk!" I argue. Why do so many people hate him?

"Keith, let her date who she wants to date," Mom scolds. "But Evelyn, no funny business, ok?" I blush.

"Of course, Mom!"

"Good girl. Now go."

I run out the door and down all the stairs. In the lobby, Bernie is reading the newspaper, for once. Maybe he's, like, looking at the fashion section or something.

I wave to him and go outside to wait for Byron. It's a warm night, perfect for kissing in a horse carriage. I already imagined the moment.

Byron would smile at me sweetly and tell me how much he enjoyed the night. Then I would say something about how I agreed with him, but I would be talking about the things we did. Then he would look at me all serious and be like, "No, I enjoyed it because I was with you." A life-changing kiss would follow. Then we would get kids and all that fun stuff. Wonderful. If only-

"Evelyn?"

"Wha? Oh, hi Harry," I say guiltily.

"What are you doing out here at night?" he asks.

"Oh, uh, I'm just-"

"Hey, Evelyn!" Byron calls, getting out of a stunning red BMW. He sees Harry and frowns slightly. "Who's this?"

"I'm-"

"He's one of my friends in the apartment!" I say loudly, trying to cover up whatever Harry was gonna say.

"Oh," Byron glares at Harry a little. Harry looks confused.

"And who might you be?" Harry smiles weakly at Byron.

"I'm Evelyn's date." Byron states proudly. I feel like dying. Shut up, Byron!

"You are? Evelyn, why didn't you just TELL me you were going on a date?" Harry looks at me, slightly hurt.

"I just. . .didn't get around to it!" I chirped a bit to happily. "Now, uh, I'd bettergo." I dash to Byron's car and throw myself into shotgun.

Byron comes in a few seconds later. "What was that all about?"