Starting Off Wrong [𝐠𝐱𝐠]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Aurelia was acting weird, weirder than usual. When we got back to the dorms, I told her that Everest had asked me out on a date and immediately it was like a switch went off in her. It was from happy to unresponsive. From then on, her responses were dry and weak, almost like she didn't even want to speak with me.

Then again, I have been acting weird too. Last night, I barely slept a wink. I had a few nights like this back home. Nighttime is the perfect time to do some thinking. You're in a vulnerable state, but all your thoughts straighten out and everything starts to appear a bit clearer.

Everything I have been thinking about with Everest become clearer.

I thought about him really hard, tossing and turning. Aurelia was right with what she said when I first met Everest. I was comfortable with him almost immediately. I assumed it was because I liked him, but the more I thought about it, I simply enjoyed his company. Yes, I did think he was attractive, but when I really, and I mean really thought about it, I realized that he wasn't my type.

Then, I tried to ignore my thoughts and go to sleep. I mean, I finally had a date with the boy of my supposed dreams. I should be grateful, right? Even if it meant that I had to push down the desires of dancing with a certain curly-haired brunette down into the deepest parts of me.

Like I said, I barely slept a wink.

"Woah, Odette," Magnolia says, placing her breakfast tray down on the table. "You look terrible."

She waves her waves in defense, trying to explain. "I mean, not terrible! Just like you haven't slept all night."

"I didn't," I sigh, staring at my glass of milk which is gently spinning in small circles.

"You should take a nap," Karina advises. "A nap a day keeps ... " She pauses as she thinks about the rest of her statement.

"Unfortunately, I can't." I slowly look up at my friends, ready to break the news. "I have a date."

From the corner of my eye, I watch Aurelia's reaction, which there appears to be none. She merely stares at her breakfast tray, maybe wondering why we're not speaking to each other right now.

I usually wake up earlier than Aurelia, but to my surprise, this morning when I woke up, she was already gone. I must have slept a bit if she was able to get through her routine without me getting up.

Once I went through my routine and made it downstairs, I saw her sitting at our usual table. Now, where could she have gone so early in the morning? I doubt the library is open, or any of the school halls. Could she have stayed in someone else's dorm room in the meantime? Maybe Suri's?

Magnolia drops her spoon and it's clatters onto the wooden table. "A date?" she asks. "A date!" Karina exclaims. "Please tell me it's with who I think it's with!" she excitedly screams.