The Goldy Project

Chapter 16

"That's settled then, a double date it is." I've been staring out the window for the past hour of Maths whilst Sadie has been just going on and on, and to be quite honest I wasn't listening at all. But it looks like I've just been caught as I finally look at Sadie, after repeatedly nodding throughout our whole conversation, and now I'm showing her quite a puzzled look which is pretty amusing for her.

"Huh?" I say with a look of pure confusion, not really sure if what I heard was correct, I swear she was talking about biology homework five minutes ago.

"Have you not been listening this whole time?" Sadie says, obviously frustrated.

"Sorry, that tree is very... Distracting. Anyways did you say a double date?" I say as we pack up our stuff, finally leaving our lesson to go to home. You have no idea how long I was waiting for this moment, my stomach can agree. We walk out the classroom towards our lockers.

"Yes, to cheer you up Jade! You haven't been yourself recently, you've been really quiet." Worry starts to spread on Sadie's creased forehead. I hardly hear her though as Hunter walks past coming out from the library and my heartbeat quickens and drums increasingly loud in my ear. He notices me, but before I can break a nervous smile, he looks straight ahead and walks away from me, leaving the waft of peppermint behind him. I look back down, annoyed at myself for getting my hopes high.

"Jade, I know that it's not only that tree outside that's been 'distracting' lately. You probably don't want to talk about it, but I am here y'know, as your best friend." I look at Sadie, and find myself yet again annoyed at myself, I haven't been keeping her in the loop lately, and she was my best friend who used to know my life inside out.

But maybe telling her would only confirm my worst fear, which I don't want. My life was perfect right now, so how could I explain to Sadie that even though I have the cutest, most loving, best thing in my life, my heart aches for a certain lip-pierced, peppermint boy every time I see him.

No I can't tell Sadie. Maybe because I already know the outcome, and I can't let it happen. I can't ruin it- let him ruin my life.

"Sadie, stop worrying your little head. I'm fine, just feeling a bit under the weather, I really want to get out of school, and summer is so close. But to keep you from worrying, sure, let's do this 'double date' thing." Sadie instantly smiles, hugging me a little too tightly.

She links her arms into mine and hauls me all the way home. As we reached my house, she informed my brother that we were having a double date, which James quickly retreats back to his room, probably trying to sort out some reasonable articles of clothing which looked half decent. Meanwhile, Sadie has taken it upon herself to fully transform me without my consent. She first rampages through my closest and finally picks out a short coral dress and black pumps. She then curls my hair and applies winged eyeliner and a light pink lipstick shade on my lips.

"And now for the big reveal" Sadie finally lets me catch a glimpse of myself. She truly has transformed me, I look a little more alive, much more alive than I've been lately.

"Mwah mwah, molto Bello " Sadie speaks with an authentic tone, although she mocks me, she has an Italian heritage therefore she can speak fluent Italian.

"It's been a long time since I've heard you speak Italian, meaning I must look good." I laugh.

"Oh you look more than just 'good', believe me. These hands have just created art." Sadie says, still mesmerised by her makeover. She then rushes to get her stuff.

"Okay, well now I have to get ready and look good, I'll be needing a miracle basically. I'll meet you and Ryan at Billy's, five o'clock, okay?" I nod, and she goes to the corridor to meet James just in a towel out from the shower. She blushes slightly, but gives him a quick peck on the lips and runs downstairs. James still seems a bit hazy after their kiss and just stares at the shut door from where Sadie ran out.