My Sweetest Downfall

Chapter 8

October 1, Saturday, 6:15 pm.

I had 15 more minutes to double check everything. My mother would even check in on me every now and then. Honestly, she even was even more excited, and nervous, than me.

I was in my room, putting on my everyday mascara. The only thing I added was some thick eyeliner with very little neutral shades. I did not want to try to look too ravishing to anything of that sort. It was just our first date; there was nothing to be excited about.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

My hair was braided on one side of my head; I wore this earth-toned bohemian dress with my combat boots. No way was I giving that up.

"Couldn't you at least change those shoes, Scarlet?" My mom pointed at them horrendously.

I snickered, "Well, Caleb didn't say anything about the footwear. Only the dress."

"You really have no intentions of stop fighting back, huh?" Mom teased.

I shrugged with a roguish grin as I giggled.

Soon afterwards, the doorbell rang.

Suddenly, the hurried pumps pf blood started gushing down my veins. My heartbeat was raising, and I had no idea why.

Come on, Carly. This is nothing. It's all casual. What the hell are you stressing yourself about?

The mere thought of how Caleb seemed to be so prepared for tonight streamed back into my mind.

As I got home from school yesterday, I found a blue note stuck to the screen of my laptop.

'Pick you up at 6:30. Wear a dress. See ya! ;)

- Caleb'

That note, alone, was enough for me to sleep with a huge grin across my lips. By nine, I was already lying down on my bed when he sent me a text.

From: Caleb

Still up?

From: Scarlet

Obivously. Hahaha! What's up?

From: Caleb

Just got back home from our interview in Ellen. How was your day?

From: Scarlet

Normal school bullshit. Craving for some mint chocolate chip ice cream. HAHAHA!

From: Caleb

Honestly, does your stomach have no rest? HAHA

We basically talked until 2 AM. It was like every normal conversation, if I exclude the tours and all. But to feel like someone really wanted to know how your day was, it somehow sends a sense of sycophancy. I could hear in the tone of his voice how excited he was for tonight. All I knew was that he has planned so much, I did not want to disappoint him.

"Scarlet, Caleb's here," Mom yelped through the halls.

"I'll be right there," I fixed my hair as I put my cellphone inside my handbag, frowningly looking at my reflection in the mirror.

Here we go.

I went downstairs calmly, looking at my watch every now and then.

6:25. 6:25.

I could hear the chatter of my mother's voice and Caleb's low responses.

"Hey, Caleb--..."

He was in his tucks, with a vest inside and his coat hangered on his arm. His hair was shaggy in a neat way, and had the sleeves of his polo folded. I could feel my heart beating faster, my jaw dropping slightly that it was oblivious to Caleb and Mom; I must have stared at him for a few longer seconds. I was in complete awe.