The Outlier II

FOUR

"Loving you, isn't the right thing to do."

A package arrived while I hung out with Ashton in my house. We were sitting on my sofa, watching whatever silly reality show was on our minds when the doorbell rang.

I got up begrudgingly after Ashton attempted to argue their way out of it, too fatigued to argue back, I gave up. I swung the door open and saw a delivery man standing on my porch in a cohesive brown ensemble. Nothing about the man looked happy to be here.

"Delivery for Armin."

I nodded, the man sighed and continued, "sign here."

I took the pen from his hands and scribbled my signature carefully. He took the clipboard under his arm and thrust the box into my hands. He nodded a quick goodbye while I shut the door.

I wasted no time as I placed the box on my kitchen counter, slicing the tape with a knife and ripping the package open. The inside of the box was carefully packaged with wrapping tissue wrapping around its insides with a branded sticker keeping everything together. I tore off the sticker, making a loud crinkle.

The emerald green satin fabric was the first thing I saw in the box, and considering how massive the box was, I doubt it was the only thing in there. I lifted the fabric and, out of the corner of my eye, I could see a small note fall out. Throwing the fabric over my shoulder I picked the note up to see what it said.

The paper used was the kind of expensive cardstock that was complimentarily provided in high-end shops for gift-giving purposes. I know my mother better than to know she won't settle for a basic Primark dress. As I flipped over the note to see what it said, I could hardly act like it was a surprise.

Kai,

Here's the dress I've bought you for your school's dance.
Don't you dare wear combat boots with this, I've got you heels to wear with the dress.

Love,
Mum

Of course she bought me heels to wear with the dress, why would I think otherwise of her?

Perhaps it was the fact that I've managed to make combat boots work with every single outfit I've worn to a formal setting or the way I'd always bring a large bag to keep more comfortable shoes to help with the burden heels place on my walking ability.

I put aside the note to see the dress. The moment I let go of it, I could see that there was no article of clothing more beautiful. If I had the chance to buy a dress, there was no other dress I would've bought.

"That's a really pretty dress," I heard Ashton say from around the corner.

"It'll be really nice to wear on the day of the dance," I said. "When's the dance again?"

"This Saturday."

Shock encased every solemn inch of me as I came to a realisation. The dance was—

"Tonight," I shrieked. "The dance is tonight, Ash!"

"Go, quickly! Get ready. We have four hours," I shouted as I scrambled up the stairs. I mentally ticked off everything I needed to do.

I needed to shower. I needed to dry my washed hair— a feat that, in itself, will take at least an hour. I need to do my make-up, another task that'll take a minimum of forty-five minutes. I needed to practice how to walk without embarrassing myself. God, there was so much to do.

***

We were ten minutes away from being societally late. Five minutes late is socially acceptable, sometimes even expected, but ten minutes was pushing it— for most people, at least.