Hard Boy ✔️

37

you'll never love yourself half as much as i love you

Aurora Holland

It took a long time for me to get ready. I was constantly pacing, forgetting that Katherine was in the room, and freaking out over my date with Carter.

I'm surprised Katherine stayed as long as she did, as I'm sure I was quite annoying with how back and forth I was. But she stayed, and she helped me choose between two outfits I chose out (helping me make the final decision, as I ultimately chose), and even helped when it came to my hair and makeup.

It was much different from what it would be when Paige helped me get ready for different things. Usually, I just did every little thing Paige wanted me to, even if I was against the choice of clothing or makeup style.

With Katherine, she let me choose everything. She only put her say in it if I asked for it or if she knew I needed help with a decision. It helped me a lot, despite how it seemed as my nerves were all over the place.

My fingers repeatedly ran up and down my dress, looking at myself in the mirror. I looked pretty good, although nothing like I did when Paige would dress me up.

"What if he doesn't like it?" I asked no one in particular, my eyes running up and down my body over and over again as if anything was different.

"He will," Katherine said from my bed.

I turned and looked at her, seeing she wasn't even looking at me. Katherine was lounging in her pajamas, scrolling mindlessly on her phone. She wasn't originally going to be here for this long, but after my constant panicking and freaking out, she said she wanted to be here when I got back from my date to make sure I was okay.

Therefore, she's staying the night.

I could tell she was nervous. At some point, before I started getting ready, my dad let me use his car to run to her house and gather some things. I stayed outside in the car, respecting her wishes while she ran inside to let her mother know and grab what she needed for the night.

When we got back, she was very hesitant about putting her belongings anywhere. It was just a small bag, a pillow, and a blanket. I told her I had plenty of pillows and blankets, but she said if she was having her first sleepover, she wanted to have the full experience.

I feel bad for leaving her at my house alone, but she assured me it was okay, considering this was her idea. It took a lot of convincing, but I finally let it go, and my nerves immediately shifted back to the date with Carter.

"What time is it?" I asked, my breathing shaky from how nervous I was. My stomach was erupting in butterflies to the point I felt it throughout my entire torso.

How is it possible I'm that nervous?

"6:57," Katherine responded.

"Oh god, it's so close," I whined out, turning to her. I twirled my ring around my finger, finding myself fidgety all over again. Just as I was beginning to get rid of the nerves, I was now feeling them all over again.

The date hasn't even started yet, and I'm a wreck. Carter's literally never going to talk to me again when he sees how much of a doofus I am!

"It's okay, Rory," Katherine assured. "I'll walk down with you if you want."

"No, you're okay to stay here." I walked over to my window, glancing through the blinds. "Fuck!" I exclaimed, seeing Carter's car pull up. "He's here!"

"That's great! Go downstairs!" She scooted to the end of the bed, forgetting about her phone. Her big brown eyes were wide, a giant smile covering her face as she looked at me. "He's going to fall in love, I guarantee it!"