Trouble In Paradise

Chapter 22: That Perfect Suit

As we made it to our room, I put down my bow. (Joshua said that I could have it, along with all of the paint-arrows. This guy is really generous.)

"How did you do that?!" Maxwell half asked, half shouted.
"Skills, Queen. Skills." I replied with an eternal smirk.
"Dude, did you even see how you took out the four of us? It was freaking insane!"

"He took out four people?" Jessica asked, astonished.
"Yup. He was all, PEW PEW PEW. Then, he used a woman as a shield. Then he continued his PEW PEW WHOOSH! Then he was all like Batman and s**t."

"Looks like we got ourselves a hero." Jessica said jokingly.

"Well, I have to go to the suit store and get my suit." I said, blushing.
And I did just that.
*************
I found the suit store (after getting lost countless times) I went in and was immediately greeted by an Italian. "Welcome! You have golden ticket?" He said with his Italian accent.

"Uh.....si?" I said, a little over overwhelmed by this man's happiness.

"Ha ha! I like you already!" The Italian roared with laughter. "Come, come. I take you to the special section."

Before I could think of escaping, the man dragged me through a door that read, "Winner Only". Inside was a variety of exquisite suits that would make any man green with jealousy. Even I am impressed.

"See what you would like, then call Antonio. Okay?" The Italian man smiled.
"Okay." I said as I watched the man leave me to a forest of expensive suits.

Which one should I take? All of the suits seemed to be men's size, probably because they wouldn't expect a teenager to win, or even come to this exotic island. I roamed around, looking around for that perfect suit.

There was Italian dress shirts, shirts with golden etchings, overcoats of many materials and ties that could be with any kind of shirt. To be honest, this was a hard decision. The suit that fit my needs was everywhere. I just had to find it.

"You have been very long here. Is everything up to standard?" The man asked. I checked his name tag and it said Antonio. So he is Antonio.

"Yes. I'm just having a hard time deciding for a suit."
"Ah, this is to impress a lady, no?"
I blushed. "How'd you know?"
"We Italians know love when we see it."
"I'm sorry, but I don't love her. I think."
"You think of her everyday?"
"Yes. The way she smiles brightens my heart, every word that falls from her lips is like velvet....."

I realised that I was drifting away. "I..... I'm sorry. I'm just-"
"No need to explain. Here, let me help."

Antonio showed me different combinations of suits which quite stunned my brain. But then, I found a suit. Its design was of black leather and much like a coat. The coat reached just above my knees, the back part just underneath my knees.

"This coat....." I wavered.
"Ah, this is an English Trench Coat. Designed in the first World War for English commanders. Now, it is designed for modern day fashion. To be honest, this is a wise choice."

I could just imagine me in that suit dancing with Jessica, waltzing around the room as we delved into each others eyes as we drift like a painting in motion.

"I'm taking this suit." I said proudly.
"Of course. The shirt?"

I looked around for a shirt with ease that went with the English Trench Coat. The shirt I chose had golden collar points and was made of silk, little flower like patterns by the arms. "This shirt, if you don't mind." I said.

"Si." Antonio said with a smirk. "Now just a pants, tie and shoes. An overcoat is optional."

I scavenged the special section for a pants and found a good looking pants. According to Antonio, this is dress suit pants. It was a blackish-ash colour. "Can I take this one?" I asked.

"Yes. Now come. We do not have much time before we close."

I looked for a tie that matches the shirt and to be wise, I took a tie that was black from the top and became a black-maroon as it lowered with floral designs. I gave the tie to Antonio and started searching for shoes. The perfect was nearby. The shoes was coal-black with pointy ends. In basic words, it is a pair of normal church shoes.

I decided to get nothing else and went to try my outfit on. Antonio showed me the way to the dressing room.
***************
When I came out Antonio studied my very intently and hummed to himself as circled around me. "This is an excellent suit, my friend!"

He gave me a mirror and I was wondering who was that handsome man in the mirror.

Oops. A little conceited today, are we?

"I love this suit."
"Good, now go impress your girl!"

I blushed profusely before I went to the cashier. She gave me those things where you can keep your suit in and a shoebox for the shoes. "Thanks." I flashed a smile. She just smiled back. I went out the glass door, feeling proud that I have a perfect suit.
*************
When I went into the room, the first thing I noticed was that Maxwell was gone. Only Jessica eagerly awaited my grand arrival.

"So?" She asked. "Did you get your suit?"
"Yes." I said.

Now how am I going to ask her? Butterflies swarmed my stomach like a tornado.

"Chad, are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I'm just looking for a beautiful dress to go with this suit."

Jessica's eyes widened, her iris growing bigger. "Yes! I'd love to!" She squealed as she hugged me tightly.

I hugged Jessica back, my arms slithering around her waist as she pressed her hands by my neck.

"I think I came at the wrong time." Said a voice behind me.

Jessica and I awkwardly let go of each other.

Maxwell stood with his suit in his hands, sadly.

Why was he sad?

"Chad asked me to go with him to the Rondor Ball."

Geesh. Way to go to make it obvious, Jessica.

"Uh, good for the both of you." Maxwell said, his eyes wet.

"Max....." I started.
"No. It's fine Chad. It really is." He stormed past us and into the bedroom. Jessica just looked at him with despair. Am I missing something?

"Jess, what's going on?" I asked.
"Max is........"
"What? Tell me, please."
"He is..........having a crush on me.

Oh God, Chad. What have you done?

I rushed to Maxwell, hoping to calm him down.

I found him lying on his bed, face into a pillow, with audible crying. "Max?" I peeped.

"Go away, Newman." Maxwell sobbed.

Instead, I sat down next to him, rubbing his back. "Talk to me. Do you have a crush on Jessica?"

"No. I'm just.......jealous."
"Jealous? Why would you be jealous?"
"It's just that.......you guys make such a good couple. And I can't find anyone that can fill my heart."
"Hey, don't worry, Max. You will find that special someone in your life."

He looked at me with crystal rimmed puppy eyes. "I will?"
"Of course. You just need to find her."

That's when Maxwell cried even more. This really bothers me. The guy is seventeen and he has not even had a girlfriend before.

"Don't worry. I'm here, pal and I'm never leaving." I said softly as I gently hugged him until he slept.

_______________________
Hey all you awesome readers! I would just like to say thank you if you have read this book until now. I greatly appreciate it. I am soooo sorry for the update that was nearly two months long. Writer's block is taking its toll when you have to think for two books. Now is the time for me to hear your thoughts.

What do think of this chapter? Will Maxwell tell Chad his secret? How do you think Chad will react since he's stuck in the middle? PM me to share your ideas for the next chapter: The Rondor Ball.

That's all from me (for now). SCREW CALM AND GO CRAZY!