Redamancy

1️⃣9️⃣

evie's pov
a familiar pattern of curls catches my eye.

i stand there, frozen in shock as noah turns to stare at me, a packet of nerds in his hands. my jaw slightly drops in shock. i've never seen him look so attractive.

he had one hand in his pocket, the other holding the nerds, his big hands swallowing the packet, making it look minuscule. due to the awkward angle of the box and the airpod, his hands were placed in a way that displayed his veins that spread all the way to his arm, that was concealed by his sweater. he wore black baggy pants and a grey sweater, that perfectly hugged his broad shoulders and arms. despite his sweater being baggy, a faint define of his collarbone was still visible. and don't even get me started on his back. he was turned to the side and i could already see his back muscles, but only a glimpse before he turned to face me. his silky curls perfectly framed his face , as well as his glasses that enhanced his bone structure. despite his dangerously masculine figure, his glasses softened his look and gave him a cuter appearance. he squinted his eyes at me.

he looked me up and down before letting out a snicker, displaying his slight dimple on his right cheek.

i can feel my face paint bright red. this is genuinely the most humiliating situation i've ever been in. i consciously pull my shoulders forward, worsening my posture due to the fact i wasn't wearing a bra. i then zip up my jacket and look back up at him. he analyses me for what seems like hours, both of us stood in shock and silence. he looks at my legs and his eyebrows drop. but before i can let him make fun of my outfit. or my look in general, i let my annoyance take the best of me.

"why are you always everywhere?" i ask, genuinely annoyed at him.

do you ever see someone you find so attractive it makes you angry? that's exactly what was happening here. just looking at him made me insecure. i didn't need him to make fun of me and make me feel worse than i already did, so i finally gain the confidence to move and strut past, shoving him. i attempted to push his shoulder, but due to our height difference it didn't work very well, and instead i just awkwardly grazed his lower arm.

"wha-?" i hear him mutter behind me as i strut, making an extremely conscious effort not to trip, due to the fact i could feel his eyes burning into me, watching me.

i walk towards the counter and drop the basket off with my dad.

"i'm leaving"

"excuse me?" he asks.

i completely forgot he was my dad because i was so engulfed with annoyance. instead of asking politely, i just walked past the checkout and left the store, picking up the pace as i walked outside. i ran to the car and unlocked it, sitting inside.

i take the deepest sigh of my life before putting my head in my hands, rubbing my eyebrows and muttering under my breath.

i've never been more motivated to look good.

i get home and immediately throw off my shoes. and put on my pajamas. i set my alarm for 5:30 in the morning, determined to look the best i ever have. laying on my bed, i scroll through tiktok, trying to lay off the massive amount i just ate for dinner.

my phone buzzes

Instagram
[ben.keats1]
hey.

my heart drops as soon as i receive the notification.

i open my mouth in shock and immediately press on the notification, desperate to know why he's texting me.

[ev1ecampbell]
hi

[ben.keats1]
how are you?

[ev1ecampbell]
i'm great, how are you

[ben.keats1]
good.

my fingers lay on top of the keyboard, contemplating how to keep this conversation going. until ben starts typing again,

[ben.keats1]
so i was just wondering, are you busy tomorrow night?

my eyebrows fumbled. what is he trying to ask?

[ev1ecampbell]
don't think so, why

[ben.keats1]
me and a few friends are having a party at my house, some people from your school will be there.
well a lot of them actually.

was i getting invited to a party? this is genuinely the first time a boys EVER asked me out, and it was to a party.

[ev1ecampbell]
a party on a tuesday?

i say, trying to remain cool

[ben.keats1]
yeah lol, we have the day off on wednesday. teacher training or something like that.

...

[ben.keats1]
anyways you should come, bring a few friends. it won't be too late don't worry lol.

[ev1ecampbell]
okay, sure

[ben.keats1]
oh and, don't dress too fancy. it's just a get together ykwim?

[ev1ecampbell]
okay great, i don't have many fancy clothes anyway lol

[ben.keats1]
yeah i figured

in furrow my eyebrows at the mesaage, slightly offended. i mean i know i don't dress the best but wtf?

[ev1ecampbell]
??

[ben.keats1]
joking lol. just i've never seen you wear a dress or something, and you don't post on your instagram either. so i figured you're reserved.

i smirk. he was looking at my instagram?

[ev1ecampbell]
right, lol

[ben.keats1]
see you tomorrow then.
(❤️)

i was conflicted. on one hand, i've never been to a party and my parents would not let me, on the other, this was my chance to look my best and make a move on ben. after seeing noah today i needed it. i immediately text grace. my fingers moving faster than light.

IVE JUST BEEN INVITED TO A PARTY, PLEASE COME!

i text her.

What?

TOMMOROW NIGHT
BEN INVITED ME. THE ONE ON THE BUS I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT
HERES HIS INSTAGRAM
🔗ben.keats1

I didn't realise you knew him so well?
Where abouts is it? my parents will not let me!
It's tuesday as well? What are you talking about?

we have the day off wednesday
tell your parents you're coming to mine and we'll get the bus, his house isn't far from mine

You know where he lives?

he sent me the adress.
PLEASE COME!!

Okay fine

THANK TOU I LOVE YOU!!!
read 7.27 pm

slightly offended by bens comment, i spring up and open my closet. i didn't have lots of fancy clothes, but i had a few dresses that i never wore. i can't believe he "figured" i don't wear fancy clothes? this is my chance to look my best and prove him wrong.

i weave between the hangers of my clothes until i reach a pair of tight, flared jeans that i was yet to wear. i often bought clothes in real life when i went shopping with lulu, knowing i would never wear them. these were all just backup clothes. i always felt like i had to put on something i wasn't with her. but despite that, tommorow night i was confident i was going to wear something that wasn't me.