Love Across The Ocean : The Gap Between

3

My on call (Stacy) had succeeded in getting me an outfit, Stacy had really outdone herself this time; she had managed to find the perfect outfit to make me  feel confident and sexy.  I was wearing a tight black dress that showed off my curves and had a hint of cleavage that would definitely make Chad take notice. She had carefully applied her makeup to make my eyes pop, and my lipstick was glossy and red. I looked like a million bucks, and I was ready for my date with Chad, the handsome bad boy jock and player! 

I turned to Stacy with an air of newfound confidence and quipped, "Well, if I don't get a kiss from Chad, I'm coming straight back here and kissing you instead!" Stacy laughed and replied, "Don't worry, if you don't, I'll kiss you twice" I punched her lightly in the arm and smiled. "You're the best, Stacy. Now let's go have some fun!" 1 hour to spare, which surprised me but then I realised, I gasped and panicked "Stacy we haven't done my hair !" Stacy being Stacey fixed it within 20 minutes by curling it and putting it in a half up half down fashion, I looked at myself in the mirror when everything was done and gasped, I couldn't say anything "Marie, you're beautiful." I felt complete, finally a good friend.

We both got into Stacy's car and made our way to L'escale Restaurant & Bar, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but I was also excited to see Chad again despite my efforts to stay away from him as he is a known player.  I never thought I'd get a chance with him.

Suddenly, Stacy turned to me and asked bluntly, "So, are you a virgin?" I was taken aback by the question, and I hesitated before reluctantly admitting that I was. I hadn't talked to anyone about it, but it felt good to be able to be honest with someone.

Stacy looked at me in shock as I revealed that I was still a virgin. I hadn't had the courage to open up to anyone before, but I felt comfortable and safe with Stacy. I took a deep breath, and then told her everything that had happened with my ex-boyfriend William. I told her how William had forced me into giving him oral sex, and how I had gone to the police and he had retaliated by revealing my personal secrets to everyone, including the time I had been sent to hospital for drinking bleach and more. He had made me look like I  was "demented, crazy and evil" telling all my friends that I was demented and evil too, forcing people to stop hanging with me till I was all alone I felt as I was worth nothing, with half the country thinking I had been to mental hospital but the truth was all I wanted to do was be loved by him and he made it look although I was the bad guy by telling me I was a shit girlfriend often all I wanted was to be accepted and it had ruined my reputation in England. This was why I was so determined to remain a virgin; I had been traumatised by the experience.

Stacy was filled with rage at hearing of William's actions. She put her arm around me, and promised me that she would always be there for me and that they would get through it together. She promised me that I would never have to experience something like that again, and that she would always be there to support me.

The two friends talked for a while about what I  had gone through, and how I was feeling about it all, truth is I still haven't fully recovered sometimes at night I see William, he visits my dreams, well not dreams nightmares and I see that memory play again and again on loop it is though I am in hell, sometimes I  wish I could just end life. Stacy was determined to help me learn to love and trust again, she smiled and soothingly said " This date with Chad, it's your first step Marie, I am proud of you" She wants me to be able to move past my traumatic experience. She promised to always be there for me, no matter what. With a newfound strength, I smiled and said

 
"Let's go get this date with Chad," revving up the engine. As we were nearly at L'escale Restaurant & Bar.

Stacy dropped me off and told me to have a good time. I made my way to the restaurant door. As soon as I saw Chad, I felt my heart skip a beat. He was even more handsome than I remembered. He was wearing a crisp white shirt and blue jeans, with a navy blazer that fit him perfectly. We talked and laughed while we enjoyed our dinner, and I felt my walls slowly start to come down. We talked about our lives, our dreams and aspirations, and I was surprised to find out that we had a lot more in common than I thought. He smirked "Give me a second I need to go to the bathroom"

I waited. 5 minutes. 10 minutes. 20 minutes... where was he,?

Just about to leave as I thought he had ditched me and there he was in a horse ridden carriage, he reached for my hand, "May I?" I think I had found my prince charming , at least for now.