No Matter What (Jaspar AU)

16. Candles

Joe Sugg
For the twentieth time, I changed my outfit. I had three different choices that I couldn't, for the life of me, choose between. I didn't have any idea where we were going, so I didn't know how I was supposed to dress. I studied my attire in the mirror. I was wearing my black skinny jeans with ripped knees and a vest. I had a black jumper over the top, which had white stars and stripes on the top half of it. My other options included a white shirt with the same jeans and a simple long sleeved t-shirt with some light blue jeans. I decided eventually that I had no other choice; I had to ask Zoe for help.

I walked out of my room and across the corridor to Zoe's. I knocked quietly on the door and was quickly greeted by the smiling face of Alfie Deyes. I hadn't even realised he was in my house.
"Joseph!" He beamed, "How are you today?"

I was quiet for a moment before answering. It was embarrassing enough having to ask my sister for fashion advice, let alone having Alfie here to witness it.

"I'm good, you?" I mumbled.

His smile grew even wider. I always wondered how it was physically possible for that boy to smile so much.

"Very well thanks!" He said cheerily.
He stayed at the door, looking at me as if he was waiting for me to speak. I guess he wanted to know what I wanted, so that he could go back to filling in his Hello Kitty colouring book, or whatever boring shit my sister and him get up to in their spare time.

I was about to open my mouth to speak, but thankfully Zoe got up and came to the door, probably wondering what was going on.
"Is something wrong Joe?" She asked. I could see the concern in her eyes. I hardly ever came to see her so I wasn't surprised she was worried about me.

"Um not really, I just sort of need your help with something." I muttered. She nodded, but didn't move anywhere. I didn't want to admit that I needed help choosing an outfit for a date in front of Alfie, so I really wanted her to come out of her room and talk to me in private. Of course, that wasn't going to happen since she was pretty much glued to Alfie.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Can I talk to you in private?" I asked her.

"I'm not gonna judge you Joe, you can say it in front of me." Alfie told me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, completely giving up on the whole idea of a private talk with Zoe.

"I don't know what to wear." I mumbled.

"To wear to what?" Zoe asked. I blushed bright red and shoved my hands into my pockets, looking down at the floor to hide my embarrassment. I rocked from side to side on my feet.

"Joe?" Zoe said.

"To wear on a date." I almost whispered.

"A what?" Alfie asked.

"A date." I said a little louder.

Alfie instantly reached forward and put me in a headlock.
"Aww is little Joseph bashful?" He mocked, laughing at me as he ruffled my hair. I pushed him off of me, annoyed that I would now have to redo my hair.

"Get off me you dick." I laughed. "I just need you to help me choose an outfit."

"Are you trying to look good for your boyfriend?" Alfie chuckled, once again ruffling my hair.

"I swear to God if you touch my hair one more time I will hit you so hard you'll never walk again." I threatened.

Alfie lifted his hands up in the air.
"Touché, Jesus!" He huffed.

"Leave him alone Alf." Zoe warned. She stepped in front of Alfie and he retreated, walking back over to Zoe's bed and lying on it.
"Come on, let's go see what you've got." She laughed. We walked into my room together and I sat down on the bed next to my clothing options.