The Memoirs of A Hathaway Book I (COMPLETED)

Chapter 17: We All Love Something We Can't Have

Chapter 17: We All Love Something We Can’t Have

 

Nora POV:

 

I was nervous. Very nervous. I couldn’t even run a brush through my semi-dry hair. I felt like the air had left my lungs and I was about to dive into a bucket full of ice. The sound of Leila’s voice brought me back from my pending ice shower.

“Are you really going to wear that?” She asked a look of disgust on her face. She collapsed on my four poster bed and rubbed the back of her hand across her sweat drenched face.

“What’s wrong with this?” I asked looking down at my outfit. I had decided to dress casual. I had on a pair of my favorite ripped jeans and a white button up blouse with quarter sleeves. Leila laughed, “ It looks like you’re about to go horseback riding that’s what’s wrong with it.”

I sighed and frowned at myself in the floor length mirror, “ I’m doomed. Maybe I should just tell Ivan I’m sick or something.”

Leila sighed, again wiping sweat from her brow. I frowned some more. It was not even hot in the room let alone outside, “ Are you okay Leila?”

Leila shrugged her shoulders, “ I’ve had a killer headache for the past few days and I just feel like I’m sick. I’m sure it’s just stress from all this royal bull crap my mom is making me go through. My problems are not important right now. What’s important is to make sure that you do not totally bomb this date. Didn’t he tell you to bring a towel?”

I bit my lip and nodded as Leila stood up and headed towards my very small closet. Two seconds later she emerged with a stack of clothes in her arms.

“Here. Put this on. It’s perfect for the weather outside and it screams first date.”

She tossed the garments and I quickly caught them. I unfolded the red lace long sleeve shirt and black capris.

“Don’t you think this is a little too much?” I asked feeling my heart race. Leila smiled, “Trust me Nora. It’s perfect. Just wear you hair down. You don’t even need makeup. Your lucky to have perfect shaped eyes that don’t need to pop out any more than they already do.”

Leila was dead set on her outfit choice and within 10 minutes I was combed, dressed and ready to go. Leila growled, “ My stupid mom! I’m sorry but I really have to go Nora and take care of this. Good luck. And remember to just be yourself and have fun.” She kissed my cheeks and scurried from my room, phone already plastered to her ear. It was easy for Leila to say be herself. She had been on dates before. I had only been kissed twice in my lifetime and they weren’t all too special. They were both on stupid bonfire party nights when we would play spin the bottle. Alana told me I was crazy to play that game. That I should wait and let my first kiss be special. Yet, I was too consumed with curiosity. Now I regretted not waiting. I regretted not having a more memorable first kiss. The doorbell to my families small on campus house rang and my stomach did a million backflips. I hesitantly took a deep breath and walked to the door. I was scared. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. But I really liked Ivan.

I opened the door and smiled. There stood Ivan with a single yellow rose. I felt my cheeks flush and my heart pound even more.

“You didn’t have to get me flowers.” I said bringing the rose up to my nose to smell it.

Ivan chuckled, “ Well I didn’t bring you flowers. I brought you a flower.”

I laughed, “ Ok, Mr. English teacher.”

We laughed in unison. Soon we were walking down the stone paths of campus towards the woods. We talked about everything. About Russia, about my family, about guardian training and school. Our conversations came easily and soon I no longer felt that nervous ache in the core of my stomach. I no longer worried about making a fool out of myself. Ivan was smart and had many interests. We both liked to draw we concluded and we shared many other likes and dislikes. It was amazing to have so much in common with such a handsome looking guy. I didn’t even realize when we finally stopped walking. I was shocked. I had spent my whole life at the academy but I had never seen such a beautiful place. The moon shown off the tiny lake that sat right in the middle of a circle of trees. On the shore there were candlelit and a small picnic set up. I was shocked. It was amazing.