First Encounter (A Perri Kiely story)

Chapter 4

Perri had completely forgotten about the briefing. He had told Vanessa he would meet her in his room just before so they could arrive together that gave him a little under 3 hours to get back to his dad's house, get changed and return. He had called the car which would be on its way. He hopped on the spot and tried to warm up his cold hands as he scanned the distance for the familiar silver Mercedes. His phone rang and he struggled to move his fingers to pick up the call.

"Ash" greeted Perri, "I can't come to rehearsals tonight, I've got this DOI thing"...Perri blushed "No it's not a date, I haven't even asked her her name...well she doesn't know that I know!...you're as bad as Jord these days,...yeah I'll see you tomorrow." He hung up and scowled, he regretted telling his friend about her. He just hoped he would keep his secret.

Perri's room in his dad's house was a mess. He had dozens of rejected outfits on his bed and floor and was searching his wardrobe for more when his dad popped his head through the door.

"Woah Pel, it's been a long time since I saw your room like this!" He laughed.

"Have you seen my black Gucci shirt?" Pel asked, ignoring his dad's comment.

"Your mum came round and put all the ironing in the spare room champ" he said and dived out the way before he was barrelled over by his son. Perri returned with a smart black designer shirt on a hanger. "Out to impress are we?" His dad asked as Perri found a pair of dark blue jeans and black air force 1's to complete the look.

"No, but the cameras will be there." Perri lied. In actual fact he hoped all of the support team would be there because it would mean that she would be there.

His dad gave him an odd look, clearly not believing his son, who had never worried about what he was wearing quite so much before.

"Ok well, enjoy your evening son, see you tomorrow."

"Dad wait" Perri shouted and chased his dad down the landing. "Wish me luck." He asked, his dad dropped his mouth open.

"What? Are you performing?" he asked, Perri shook his head.

"Just do it please?"

"Good luck Pel"

"Thanks!" Perri smiled and hugged his thoroughly confused dad. He returned to his room and put on his lucky socks, they were threadbare now but he always wore them on the first night of any show or tv performance. If a stylist gave him socks he would wear his under them. Just one of his many superstitious rituals he performed for luck and he wanted all the luck he could get tonight. He checked his slicked back hair for flyaways, checked his trainers were double laced and checked his teeth, even though he had just brushed them. He put on his heavy white gold chain and slipped his large puffa coat on giving himself a final once over in the mirror. He took a deep breath and left the house.