Don't Stand So Close (completed)

Chapter 2

I was officially an adult. My 18th birthday was last Wednesday and my parents and I had a small celebration at the restaurant, which was closed for my birthday. Starla was there, my mom's sister and her husband and her single brother, my grandparents, my parents, and Joey from school. Joey started hanging out with our group of friends last year. We've all gotten very close. I didn't want other friends there. My mom couldn't understand why I didn't want to invite more people but I've never been one to enjoy big crowds. Also, my best friend and Joey were really my two favorite friends. The others were fun to hang out with once in a while but I didn't feel the kind of connection to them that I did with Starla and Joey. Also, it was Wednesday, a school night.

But today, is Saturday and Harry has arranged to take me and Starla to dinner and a Fiona Apple concert. Look, I'm kind of an old soul. I know Fiona Apple isn't trendy nowadays but her music is awesome and I've been a big fan for a few years. So, when I found out she'd be having a concert at a small venue downtown this Saturday (today) it's all I could talk about. And when Harry overheard me telling Starla about it he interrupted us saying that he could get us tickets because he wanted to go too.

It had been seven months since I'd first met Harry and my crush was no where near being stifled. In fact, a few months after the first time I stayed with Starla at his house it was summer break and we both stayed with Harry for an entire week together and it was magical. I became very comfortable with Harry that week. I realized I was safe in his presence and that my crush was just a crush. He didn't share my feelings and for some reason, just knowing that I was safe around him and knowing that he'd never look at me in any other way made me feel more secure and confident around him, as if he were an uncle. Well, a hot uncle if there is such a thing.

"Not that dress Rowe. Come on. This is your first big night out as an adult!!" Standing in front of my mirror in my bedroom I'm being critiqued by Starla for my attire. I'm wearing a burgundy dress with a paisley pattern that's kind of loose on me. It ties at the top but I've left the strings hanging. The sleeves are ¾ length and the hemline goes to my calves, effectively covering most of my body. It's cute and comfortable and I can wear boots with them because it's getting chilly out. This looks like the perfect Fiona Apple ensemble to me.

Starla steps behind me and meets my eyes in the reflection. "This one. This dress is perfect. If you don't wear this dress I'm not going with you." She shoves the dress into my arms and steps back with a huff, crossing her arms over her chest with a pout.

The dress she handed me was the intended dress, originally. Until I put it on and realized my cleavage was on show (what little cleavage I have). It also hugs my waste and is quite decidedly shorter than the burgundy one. It's a Kelly green color, ribbed (kind of like a soft sweater, which is why I even bought it in the first place), long sleeve with a deep v neck and the length is mid-thigh. I hated that I looked really good in it for some reason. I'm used to hiding my body but this dress doesn't hide what I've got going on in the least.

I sigh and turn around to look at Starla who is wearing a black halter jumpsuit and heels. Her 18th birthday is still a few months off. She looks so put together and more mature than I could ever pretend to be.

"Fine. But what shoes do I wear with this?" I look down at my bare feet as Starla jumps up clapping her hands, "These..." she is scurrying toward my closet and pulling out my black heeled booties. I roll my eyes. The heel is low luckily, so I won't have trouble walking in them but I was really hoping to wear my boots. I don't know if I have a choice with Starla threatening me to not come.

I pull the burgundy dress off and go to put on the green one when Starla stops me, "Nuh, uh. Makeup and hair first. Then you can slip the dress on. Don't you know the rules dummy?"