17 Last Times

⤹19❁ Now

I am so excited to share this chapter with you! I love it so much!

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𝓓𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓪

I spent the whole next day preparing for the evening. I wanted to present myself as elegant and feminine as I only could. I've buried the leathers and bunny ears in the past. Today, I know better than to chase after someone. I want to be respected for who I am, not how desperate I am.

In the morning, Rayna and Connor helped me choose a dress, which I am proudly wearing right now. It's black and maxi with a square neck and long lantern sleeves. It clings to all the right places around my waist but remains flared all the way down. I think it's beautiful and very flattering.

Later during the day, I curled and coiffed my hair into a low bun, the sort of hairstyle associated with brides. I enhanced the arrangement with a few green rhinestones that I stapled on with my Blinger. Then I applied the minimal amount of make up to my face, which comprised of mascara, lip gloss and some blush. I finished off the whole look with fake emerald jewelry, green heeled sandals and a clutch of the same colour. When I looked in the mirror I didn't see the ill-tempered girl from the past. I saw a woman.

At eight on the dot, there is a knock on the door. I grab my clutch and leave.

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We are enjoying our food at The Liminal — a locale I've never been to before. Apparently it was named this way because it's neither a restaurant nor a pub. It's just a place in between where people can gather and spend some time before they head off to their designed destinations. I really like the idea.

On our way here Nathan wouldn't stop complimenting my outfit. He took at least a dozen of pictures of me and then asked a random stranger to snap a few of us standing together. I found it really sweet.

He gifted me a stupidly enormous bouquet of red roses, which I had no choice but to leave it at home.

As for Nathan himself, he naturally didn't disappoint. He put on a snowy cotton T-shirt, which he tucked underneath the waistband of his creme, smart trousers. An unbuttoned and neatly ironed, grey shirt added to the elegance of his attire. He even swapped his habitual black boots for a pair of white sneakers. I couldn't get enough of how handsome he looked this evening.

"More water?" he asks as I finish my starter.

I nod my head, slightly embarrassed because I can't get a word out with my mouth full. I grab a serviette and mask my lips with it. "Yes please." I let out of quiet laugh as he chuckles at me.

"Are you having fun so far?" His eyebrows lift.

I swallow the food. "Yeah. I really love it in here. The music is beautiful, too." I beckon towards a tiny stage, on which there is a woman playing an old piano.

He grins at me. There is a glint to his eyes that tells me there's something more.

"What is it?" I ask, equally curious and excited.

"Well–" he sets the jug of water back on the table, "–they won't be performing only music tonight." His voice is enigmatic.

I frown at him.

A tiny smile pulls at his lips. "I know how much you love poetry, so I thought you'd like to hear some of it live."

My eyes widen. "Are you kidding me!?" I almost shoot up from the chair. "Live poetry!? Promise me you're not lying!"

He gives a chuckle. "I promise that I am not."

I bite my lip, thrilled. "When does it start?" I question, already impatient.