"Stuck In The Friend-Zone Again and Again"

"When I Go Out"

^^ read the question (we had a competition in class and the winner got their equation put on the test. Guess who won bitches?! My teacher added "pretend" and my French teacher heard and said that was rude and everyone should change it)

I dropped Lauren off at her house, then drove back to the Hemmings house.

Luke heard the door and rushed to meet me.
"Hi babe!" He greeted cheerfully, giving me a hug. "How did it go?"
"Really well," I replied, pecking his cheek. "I think you'll love the dress."
"Can I see?" He asked eagerly.
"Not yet," I said with a smile. "You'll have to wait until I'm ready."
He pouted but I just laughed, reaching into my purse and handing Luke his change.
"There's the leftovers," I stated, slipping off my shoes.
He shoved the bills in his pocket. "I was worried you wouldn't spend it."
I laughed. "It meant so much to you I couldn't dare not."
Luke smiled.

"Do you have time for a quick cuddle before you start getting ready?" He asked, taking my purse and setting it on a chair by the door.
"What time does the party start?" I asked, checking the time on my phone.
"7:30," he answered.
It was only 4:30.
"Let's watch a few episodes of Friends," I suggested.

Luke and I curled up on his bed, watching Friends on his laptop until 6.
"Well," I said, peeling myself out of Luke's arms. "I should probably start getting ready."
Luke pouted again.
"You're gonna be thankful for it later," I chuckled as I walked out the door.

I started by curling the ends of my hair so that the top half of my hair remained naturally straight but the normally crazy curly bottom became neat and glossy.
Then I went to work on my makeup.
Grace had sent me a Sephora gift card for Christmas, and I had years of beauty vlogger tips under my belt.
Foundation, concealer, cover up, bronzer, powder, you name it, it was on my face.
I even did the slightest bit of contour to compliment the highlight.
I penciled in my brows as well, which I would normally never attempt.

Before I added anything else, I wanted to put my dress on.
I pulled it on and struggled to zip it up, finally managing to get it all the way up.

Then I tried a silver and black smokey eye, which actually turned out pretty good, especially with my inch+ long lashes thanks to mascara.
Thankfully, my cat eye turned out fabulous on the first try, which was pretty much proof that the universe wanted me to look amazing that night.
A swipe of rep lipstick and a spritz of perfume later, I was ready.
I looked at myself in the mirror, and smiled at my reflection. Thank you beauty vloggers.

I went back to my room and found a pair of black ballet flats, sitting them out. By this time, it was 7:15, and we should have been leaving in 5.
"Luke!" I called on my way down the hall, shoes in hand. "Are you ready?"
"I will be a minute!"
"I'll meet you downstairs," I told him, descending to wait by the door.

Liz happened to walk by and stopped, looking at me for a moment.
"Paris!" She exclaimed. "You look beautiful!"
I laughed bashfully, looking at my toes. "Thank you."
"Wait till Luke sees you," Liz smiled knowingly, walking away again.
I heard Luke on the stairs just then. "Alright! I'm ready to g-"
He froze when he saw me, his jaw dropping. "Woah."
I giggled nervously, my cheeks tinging red.
Luke hopped down the rest of the stairs, encircling my waist in his arms.
"You're breathtaking," he whispered, his blue eyes staring into mine.
"Thank you," I smiled, breaking eye contact as I always did when I received a compliment.
Luke grabbed my chin firmly, but not roughly, and made me hold his gaze.
"Really," he breathed. "You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."
I blushed again. "You hang out with models," I pointed out.
"Exactly," Luke smiled at me, making me blush even harder.
He kissed me, holding my face in his large hands.
He pulled away after a few moments. "Though I'd like to do this all night, I want to show off my gorgeous and wonderful girl even more. I'll be the envy of every guy in there. And I can't wait to dance with you," Luke said.
I laughed. "Let's go, you goof."