Keep Calm and Carrie On

Chapter 5 - Jealous, Much?

"I can't seem to zip this up. Maureen, help, please?" Sadie asked, trying to fit on her purple glitter dress. 

Mauee walked over Sadie, zipped the dress up, and said, "We rarely see you in a dress, Sadie. This is so weird! How will you look like with makeup on on prom night?"

"She's going to look gorgeous that day! Hey, Cars, is this dress too short?" Natalie asked.

Carrie shook her head and groaned. "You girls are so lucky. I don't even have a dress yet! I can't believe you guys bought dresses the same night I went to a football game and almost got hit by a car."

The girls are in Carrie's house to have their weekly so called "girls' day." They try out clothes, do their nails, watch chic flicks, eat, play board games, and listen to music.

"Today, we're watching The Proposal. Ryan Reynolds; squeee!" Natalie exclaimed, switching on the DVD player.

In most parts of the movie, Maureen would spoil the good parts.

"Shush, Mau! We're watching!" Sadie said.

Suddenly, Carrie's phone rang. "I'm going to get this outside, girls. I'll be back; go on and continue watching." 

She left her bedroom and dashed to the kitchen.

"Carrie! It's Nath. Are you busy?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"Not really. And why are we whispering?" she asked back.

"I need your help. Tonight's the premiere night for Ice Age 4. My hired date bailed. She's sick and in the hospital. If my manager Scooter Braun finds out, well, he's going to kill me. So, Carrie. Will you walk the red carpet with me?"

"Seriously, Nath. What is with you and girls in hospitals? Just kidding. Okay, I don't have a gown. I don't have shoes. You know what, I don't have formal clothes at all."

"Don't worry about that. Come down and open the door."

Carrie did exactly what she was told to do. She trotted down the stairs and opened the door. She found a large, rectangular box wrapped in a ribbon on top of the mat. A small "Carissa" was written on the corner of the box. Beside the box, there was a paper bag. She set her phone to her ear and said, "Nath, did you send these?"

"Yeah. Hope it fits you. Oh, I have to go. You have 2 hours to get ready."

"But I didn't even say yes yet."

"Oh, you haven't? Well. Pleeeaaaseee, Cars? Please please please?" he pleaded.

Carrie covered her mouth as she giggled. "What time are you going to pick me up?"

"Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'll pick you up at 7."

"One last thing: Could I tell my friends about this? They're going to wonder."

"Why don't you bring your friends with you to the red carpet? Oh, Siva's going to need a date, too."

"Okay. I'm off to get ready now. Nath, thank you so much for these. Really."

"Sure, love. See you later."

Carrie ran up the stairs and explained the situation to the girls. Maureen started hallucinating. "I'm gonna see Siva again." she muttered to herself. This time, it was Maureen's phone that rang.

"Who's this?" she asked.

"Guess who?" the unknown caller asked back.

"Zayn Malik? Taio Cruz? Will Smith?" 

"Bloody hell, Maureen. It's Siva."

"Oh. Hey, Siva."

"I'm wondering if you'd want to go to the red carpet with me tonight?" he asked concisely.

Maureen hesitated. After a long pause, she said, "Sure."

After Carrie has taken a shower, she opened the white box. A strapless satin gown with a sweetheart neckline and a long, bubble, hem skirt rested inside it. Unzipping the back zipper, she slid herself inside the gown. Surprisingly, the gown fitted. It hugged her curves very well. Then, she took out a shoe box from the paper bag. Inside, there was a pair black, rhinestone-studded pumps. Grinning, Carrie left the bathroom leaving the girls' mouths agape as they saw her.

"Oh my word. Where in the world did you get that gown?" Natalie asked.

"Not the gown, silly. The pumps. Those must've cost a fortune!" Sadie said.

"You girls look wonderful." Carrie told the girls.

They waited downstairs and watched T.V. to pass time. Then, the doorbell rang. Natalie shut off the television and opened the door. They found Nathan, Siva, Jay, Max, and Tom, eyeing them from head to toe.

The girls gasped, seeing The Wanted for the first time. A perfect bonus was they were looking extra sharp tonight because they were wearing tuxes. 

"Ready, ladies?" Nath asked, and stepped aside. 

A black, shiny limousine was parked in front of the house. The driver opened the door, leading us in. 

Carrie was the first one to step inside. Hurriedly, Nath overtook Max to be able to sit beside her. Then, Siva grasped Maureen's hand and led her inside. 

"So, Carrie. How have you been? Everything good?" Nath asked and traced patterns along the back of her hand. 

"I'm doing great. My friends are very supportive about the break up." Carrie replied, and glanced up. She saw Maureen giggling. Siva probably told her a joke. Sadie was fumbling with her cellphone. Then, Carrie caught Natalie glancing at her, jealousy all over her face. "But it can't be. What can she be jealous about? She loves her boyfriend Ricky." Trix thought.

Little did Carissa know, Natalie has always liked The Wanted's Nathan Sykes. She was jealous at how Nathan chose Carrie over her. They were both normal, beautiful 16 year old girls. But why her? Natalie stole a glance from Carrie and Nathan again. Carrie's head was rested against Nath's shoulder as they talked. She looked out the window, heart being crushed to pieces.