The Darkest Green

Chapter Eight

I rush inside. "Mom! I'm going to be with a friend tonight! He's picking me up at six!" I yell as I run to my room.
"Wait!" My mother calls. "Did you say he? Are you going on a date?!" She squeals. She almost sounds more excited than I am.
"No, mom, he's just a friend," I lie, shutting my door. I feel like we could become something more than friends.
I pick out a nice sun dress from my closet and some flats. I throw them on and look at myself in the mirror. I think I look good enough.
But then I remember what Pepe wears. I would look ridicules next to Pepes dark, worn skinny jeans and leather jacket. Instead of the sundress I go for a more edgy look and throw on black skinny jeans and my only band tee, a Twenty One Pilots shirt of course.
After I touch up my makeup I think I look about ready. I do my homework as I wait eagerly for six. I can't help checking the clock every 5 minutes.
Two minutes before the clock strikes six, I get a text. Its Pepe, telling me he's waiting outside. I jump up in excitement and run for the door.
"What are you wearing, Lola?" My mom asks before I can leave.
"Clothes..." she knows this is not my usual attire.
"But it's your first date! Shouldn't you wear something nice?"
I role my eyes and leave, not answering her question. I look up after closing the door to find Pepe leaning against a small black car.
He looks at me up and down and then opens the passenger seat door without a word. I jump in eagerly.
He gets into the car and starts driving.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"What are you wearing?" He responds, ignoring my question.
"You sound like my mom," I say. "I'm wearing clothes."
Pepe looks over at me and glances up and down again. "You don't normally dress like that."
"I was going for a more edgy look..." I tell him. I feel embarrassed.
"I like how you normally dress," he says, eyes fixed on the road. "We're going to the park. There's an ice cream place there."
I'm shocked. It sounds great, but it doesn't seem like the place Pepe would want to go. Have I been reading him all wrong?