Just Now

II

"Ven, I already have the 'the proper attire' here. It's almost 6. Why am I still here?"

I watched Venice as she was looking for something in her drawers. I looked around her room and noticed the peeling red paint, the smoothed bed, the picture of us in her bed side. Ven and I became bestfriends the moment I stepped foot in Southbridge.

I was walking around the town. I asked directions to this blonde girl who was wearing a pink blouse and black skinny jeans. "Excuse me."

"You're excused." Then she looked at me, from head to toe and raised her eye brow. "Oh, darling. You need me in this town."

"I found it!" She was holding a pair of scissors. "Nif, you need the 'proper looks', ok? You haven't had a date for ages. Hell, I think you never had a date before."

"Ven, no! I love my hair." I pouted.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall." I gazed at the mirror and saw a girl with a hair that was probably set on fire. I closed my eyes.

"Get on with it!"

---

I lied down on my couch and checked my phone. I got six text messages. Hihi. I'm flattered. Two from Ven, telling me to remember all details of the date. One from my mom, saying she'll be home late. Three from an unknown number.

Hey Jennifer. You don't know me but I do know you. Don't be scared.

My friends and I will teach you things that a girl needs to know

Go to the bathroom and open wide your--

Maniac. I deleted the messages. I dropped the phone on my head when I heard the doorbell. I sat down and sighed. The bell rang for the second time as I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a dark green knee-length dress with my favorite black sneakers. My hair was cut short up to my shoulders. "Confidence."

I went to the door and opened it. I saw someone not Yolo.

"Good evening." It was Luke. He looked surprised, too.

"How the hell did you know my address?" I suddenly heard a horn that I know by heart. Ven. I slapped my forehead and sighed.

"I didn't even know this was your house." He sighed as he ran his hands through his black hair. "My friend set me up with a girl in a green dress."

"You know what, nevermind." I was about to close the door when Luke stopped me.

"Hey wait! You cut your hair for this, why waste the effort?" He smiled sweetly.

"I never thought you can be such a nice guy when you're not wet--" Me and my big mouth. "I mean--"

He offered his hands and a bouquet of flowers. "My name is Luke."

Oh well. I'll take back what I said. I smiled at him. "I can have an officer after all."

---

We were facing each other at this elegant and expensive restaurant, Liana's. It's impressive but a cliche. I was bored to death but my hunger is winning anyway.

"So, is this friend of yours named Venice?"

He smiled and said. "No. It was Yolo. He even reserved us here."

"Oh."

"You want to go somewhere else?" He smiled again. Argh, he's too hot!

"First, answer my question." He looked at me and waited. "Do you have a super power to read people's mind?" He laughed and it was a beautiful sight.