Troubled Souls // 5SOS

XIV ∞ Date

• Beth •

"What do I wear?"

"I dunno."

"What I am supposed to do when he gets here?"

"Answer the door, probably."

Maybe Skyping Jade wasn't the best idea. I feel like it's stressing me out even more.

I turn to the screen of my laptop, where I can see her glancing down at her phone, and give her a dirty look, which causes her to hold up her hands in defense.

"Man, Ashton and I don't really go on legit dates. We just kinda hang out. I know about as much as you do about this whole thing."

I groan in frustration and flop back on my bed, covering my face with my hands. "Jade, what am I gonna do? This shouldn't be so difficult, it's just a stupid date."

"Hey," Jade replies, pointing at me through the screen separation. "It's not a stupid date. It is important, you have every right to get frustrated over it. Let's just start from the beginning and break it down. Where are you guys going?"

"The arcade," I reply, sitting up and pulling myself together. "You know, the really big one in the mall?"

"I know the one," she answers with a nod. "My brother and his friends go there after school all the time. So, we know you don't have to get super dressed up, yeah? Shorts and a t-shirt?"

I nod, pulling myself up and heading over to my closet. Well, I have plenty of t-shirts, that's for sure. I grab two of my favorites, a gray one with a full moon on the front and a black one with the sleeves cut off that reads "Smells like the only Nirvana song you know." I take them both by the hangers and bring them back over to the desk to present to Jade.

"Which one?" I ask, holding them both in front of my chest.

Jade bites at her thumbnail as she considers the two options. "Black one," she finally decides. "Wear it with some shorts and maybe a sweater, it gets chilly later at night."

"Okay, mum," I scoff and she rolls her eyes. I turn the computer around to face the wall so I can pull off my sweatshirt and sweatpants and change.

I pair the shirt with a gray cardigan, a pair of high waisted denim shorts, and white Converse high tops. I flip the laptop back around and show off the outfit.

"Cute," Jade says approvingly. "Not too intimidatingly hot, but just enough. I like it."

"Thanks, man," I say with a laugh.

"When's he gonna be there to pick you up?"

Before I can reply, I hear the doorbell ring. "Now," I answer. "I gotta go, I'll talk to you later."

"You'd better," Jade replies before hanging up. I shut the lid of my laptop and turn to my mirror, checking my makeup and fixing my hair.

"Beth, I think that's Michael," I hear my mum call.

"Yeah, just give me a sec," I call back. I grab my purse and shove my wallet inside, hurrying out of my room as fast as I can.

I practically fling open the door and mentally slap myself for not even attempting to contain my enthusiasm. Michael has his jean jacket on over a black t-shirt with some band logo on it and his usual black skinny jeans. He runs a hand through his bright red hair and gives me a nervous smile.