Taste (H.S. / A.U.)

Chapter 29

DOUBLE UPDATE: Chapter 29 & 30

ELOISE DUPONT

Everything Jade had handed me through the heavy curtain of the fitting room, a makeshift version of a door needed tailored in some way. The pants felt too long, the dresses too tight, the hems and necklines far too revealing. 

"Do we like plum? Is it good or does it clash with the red?" Ricky shouted towards Jade, not me, despite it was my own body that they were considering dressing. Jade had earlier told Ricky we wanted to veto red, yellow, and orange tones because the contrast with my ginger toned hair made my skin look too flush. 

How have we turned my cooking tour into a tour of shopping and consistently re-dressing me? Do we all forget suitcases have limited space? Or the fact that my loft only has three closets in the entire thing? No, these things are of no concern when the price tag looks like that, at least that is Jade's opinion.

Jade clicks her tongue while staring at me through the mirrored reflection, "you are wearing that to the next class. I swear that is going to be a good luck charm when you look that good." I was mid spin while looking at the current outfit. Personally, I could pick out twelve reasons why it was a bad idea.

"No Jade." I politely told her while she uncrossed her legs to come to me, instead I turned and began fumbling with the zipper to get it off while heading back to the fitting room. "It's white."

Jade scoffs as I draw the curtain and separating us, "it's cream Elly."

"Same thing. Also, it breaks like, every rule of cooking. Don't wear something like this when you are just going to stain and ruin it." The dress pools around me on the floor and I step out, grabbing the last article of clothing in the room, a dark blue number that will also be a no due to the low-cut cleavage number that it will have.

"Rules? That's ridiculous. Laundry services are available Elle. Also, you are young, hot, single, and in Thailand. Like, if you don't have an excuse to break the rules and be wild here and now, when do you?"

The blue material was stiff and I hated it from the moment it touched my skin, but I was going to appease my best friend and show her the choice. I slide open the curtain and find Jade sliding her fingers along another row of hangers, "no more Jade. I told you these were the last ones."

She huffs but then directs herself to me, a little deflated and defeated. "Fine, but, no not that one. You look like you were eaten by the fabric. It made you turn extra red." To any normal person, that would sound harsh or even rude, but not with Jade and I. I loved Jade and she was practically a sister to me, so I knew she was commenting on the fact that the blue boosted my pale and rosacea tones, and I would hate it. She was warning me so that I didn't fixate on it myself, because she knew I would. I instead nod and shuffle back into the room.

"Hand me the other one, not the lilac one, but the white one. I am buying it."

I ignore Jade but only for a moment because her hand snakes it way through the curtain, while she waves it at me impatiently, hoping a hanger with a dress will magically appear in the space. It does not. Instead, I take my time getting dressed before brushing away the curtain and turning to her, "no Jade. I said no."

Jade slides both hands onto her hips and pouts her bottom lip, "can't it be a yay, happy divorce present?" I shake my head. "Okay, what about, it matches what I want to wear that night, and then we can go out for drinks after the class and take cute pictures?"

I contemplate it, but also consider how much more frequently we have been drinking and having wine, and believe instead a night of not indulging might be better for us. Jade doesn't let me speak my mind though, because she snatches the hanger from my hand and holds it high above my head, not that I was reaching for it anyway. But, big sister wanted her way right now, and I knew already it.

"Elle, you looked damn good in this, and I think a new country calls for a new outfit, and this one screams Thailand Cooking Extravaganza. Just trust me on this one." I wondered if Jade was being extra pushy for any other reason, but the only thing that could truly come to mind is having a small photo op for a magazine or editorial. Either way, I will allow her to buy the dress, but that doesn't mean I will for sure wear it. Somehow, I am going to attempt to talk her into letting me wear something more rational, less cream, and with more fabric.

"Where did Ricky go?" I ask as Jade points towards the front door, a pacing Ricky was on the phone with scrunched brows, he was talking with his hand flying about and a look of frustration obvious. "His dad called, apparently he is fussy about whatever Judith did." 

Judith was Ricky's mom, and she lived for the sole purpose of causing Ricky's father headaches. They were married, but clearly separated, and everyone knew it. Conveniently they always were on opposite ends of the country and never were in the same room longer than for a photo, a handshake, and to ask about the weather. Ricky has dealt with it his whole life, but it doesn't get easier or less of a hassle for him no matter how often each parent calls to fly off the handle about the other one.

"I assume he is going to be in a bad mood, so I was going to let him go do his own thing, maybe like a game lounge or something weird that boys do. I don't know," Jade shrugs while swiping her card, ignoring the total and instead just charging it, "but I figured you and I can just settle into the air bnb tonight, watch a few episodes of Friends, and talk menu. We will just pick up food on the way back if you want, Ricky picked a few places that he knows you and I would prefer."

I liked the plan and did need to make sure I had a solid menu for the next class. Ricky said there were a few allergies with the clients for that one, so I needed to review my plan and make sure everything was copesetic. I had an extra day between today and the next class, which was nice at least, a little time to plan and prepare.

Jade scoops the bag from the sales person as they wish us a good day. While winding an arm around my shoulders Jade leans into me. "By the way, have you heard from you-know-who since your little rendezvous?" 

I shake my head, because it wasn't really a big deal, but Harry hadn't reached out again, and I was a little upset by it. I guess in my head he would have somehow, maybe sent another message and asking for my number or to see me again, but the connection went cold. I am to blame, because I never commented or liked the photo he posted from the aquarium. I felt it was too personal to comment on, because it would give everything away, but also by the time I saw it I overthought things and was thinking a like would be weird.

What is it like not having a brain that over thinks every single thing?

My hand ghosts over the pocket of my leggings where I feel my phone, because a part of me longs to reconnect with the boy that only a few days ago made me feel so special, so happy, and so alive. However, those feelings come with a price. When I was reading into the situation as being so wonderful, what if Harry thought it was just another night with another girl, and by tonight he has someone else in his bed.

I shouldn't even consider thoughts like that, because it led to me realizing there was a pang of jealousy and for what? A small part of me was jealous over the idea that my new FWB was going to do the same thing with other people? Absolutely ridiculous. The thought made me believe I was living out a dramatic episode of The OC or another teen drama where real problems don't exist, but only the fabricated ones that the characters create. 

"I could message him." I shrug, pretending the idea isn't as scary as it feels in reality. 

"Wait it out. He messaged you before, if he wants to see you, he will."

I consider Jade's words and wonder if that was reality. Would he reach out? He hadn't yet, so maybe that was a sign. Harry and I shared a really great night (and day) together, and although we decided friendship was the best option, maybe it was only what I needed to hear from him in the moment.