Crimson Nightmares (#WATTYS2016)

Chapter Eight

Hi guys! Sorry for the late update, I had trouble logging on... 

"Love is in the air..." Natalie sighs with a strange satisfaction on her face.

I have already stopped trying to understand this crazy new friend of mine, so I just shake my head with a smile.

Kathy laughs next to me, and then nudges me in the ribs. "Spill the beans already!"

"Yes please tell us every detail! I want to know everything!"

I shake my head once again. Their excitement is contagious, even though I'm not sure if there's really anything to be excited about just yet. "Nothing really happened," I say then. Seeing their expectant expressions causes me to smile again. "They came over for dinner last night, and we talked a bit. He offered to give me a ride to school since I'm on his way anyways. That's it basically."

"Wow! I wish the mayor came over to our house for dinner! How was it? Did you get to meet his mom? How was she? I heard she used to be a model," Natalie rambles, then pauses to take a breath before continuing, "and OH. MY. GOSH." Her eyes widen as they focus on me, "Did you have to hold onto him the whole way to school?"

Both Kathy and I burst out into laughter.

"What?" Natalie looks at us with confusion.

"You'd swear you were the one who had to hug him all the way here," Kathy says. We erupt into giggles again while Natalie scowls at us.

"I had to hold onto him yes, I would've fallen off otherwise." I smile, deciding to throw oil on Natalie's fire. "He asked me to join him for a milkshake this afternoon..."

It works; Natalie's grin almost reaches her ears.

"This is so amazing! You're going on a date with the most eligible bachelor in this entire school!" She claps her hands together like a seal, and then continues her excitement-induced madness. "I am so happy for you! I don't think he's ever actually asked someone to accompany him to anything, not even for a seemingly innocent milkshake."

Kathy nods in agreement. "She's right; he's never asked anyone on a date that I know of either."

I don't know what to say in reply to that. Neither do I know what to think or feel. I don't have much experience with guys, having only gone on a date about twice. My father's illness had consumed my life for such a long time; I'd never given it much thought – until now.

To myself I have to admit that I really like Joshua. There's a strange connection between us, one I can't adequately describe. His reputation scares me a little though; a leopard doesn't change its spots. I'm new here, and I don't want to make a fool of myself with my naivety.

My mind is still spinning from the move and all of the adjustments I've had to make in this new country. I just wish I could speak to my father about all of this, he would have good advice.

I don't want life to pass me by either, just because I'm too scared to participate.

"Let's just see how this afternoon goes. It's not even a real date anyway," I say then.

From the looks on both of their faces I can see that they're already planning my wedding, and I smile in exasperation. "You two are incorrigible!"

They laugh at me, but smile conspiringly at each other. Then the sound of the bell, signaling the end of break saves me, and we make our way back to class.

After the last bell rings, I wait outside of the Geography class for Kathy and Natalie. We have hockey practice after school again. My friends join me and we make our way to the field on the other side of the school. We talk about the upcoming weekend's plans and the braai at the dam. Natalie had invited me and Kathy to sleep over at her house afterwards.