This Side Of Paradise

'-_five_-'

I got back from school and speed through my homework and notes that need to get done. Pickles leaps into my lap and nuzzles his head into my stomach. I hold him and stroke his puffy tail till he starts to get annoyed and goes to lay in my oversized purse-like bag, which I have an extra pair of jeans, a jacket, and fluffy socks. Sometimes it will sprinkle and get muddy out here and I don't want to be gross if Aidan has any plans for after the game. Finishing my homework, I look at my phone and see a text from Aidan, I changed his name to Bae. I deem us official and the way Aidan talks to me makes me feel like he does too. So Bae, it is.

Bae: see u tonight, beautiful. ;)

I leave the message at read because I'm not so worried about losing him and I don't want to get distracted as I get ready, I only have about an hour. I lay out a pair of frayed blue jeans, a cream long sleeve t-shirt with a gray sweater, I add a pink-maroon scarf and brown ankle boots to finish it off.

I jump into the shower that's steamy and warm on my skin, I turn down the heat so it doesn't leave my pale skin splotchy and red. Red dye still seems to seep out of my hair every time I wash it and I know it will end soon, but it's frankly annoying. It swirls around the drain and looks like fresh blood spinning and spinning to just disappear into tiny little holes. I brush my teeth while letting my conditioner set, indeed I know brushing my teeth in the shower is weird but it lets me get more things done at once instead of wasting time.

I towel dry my hair, braid it tightly and blow dry my scalp and the multitude of braids. I put on my makeup base, apply gold eyeshadow and pink lipstick. I don't want to go bold and dark, I want to be soft and innocent. I take out my braids once I am all done. Makeup, done. Clothes on, done. Light perfume and lotion, done. I release all the bands and my hair starts to flow down my back. Red and glossy while remaining curly and not frizzle, exactly why I blow dry in braids if I am in a rush. It's just a little damp but not bad. I spray some anti-friz hair spray and rake through my locks with my fingers.

I'm about to head out the door, but I rush back to my room and grab my bag and go to the kitchen and grab a banana, a water bottle and some crackers and through them in there randomly. I tell my parents I'm leaving, acknowledge their mumbled 'love yous' and leave. 

~(later)~

When I get to the stadium I check my phone and see the time, it's 7:33. The game should just now be starting, I believe. I shoot Aidan a text telling him I am here, I grab my bag and shut my car door and lock it. Putting the keys in my bag, I hear a low growl. I turn around looking for maybe a dog that some of the kids bring in the bag of their truck, but I stop when my bag starts to wiggle. I peer into my bag and see Pickles stretching out and turning over, getting my clothes hairy while smooshing my banana. I glare at my cat, about to unlock my car and put him in there but decide that it would be cruel to leave him in the car in the cold. I put my bag on my shoulder, hoping that Mr. Pickles doesn't have to eat, pee, or poop while in my bag. Also that I don't look Mr. Pickles.

I walk up the bleachers and I spot James sitting there. I want to ask him why he's not on the field like everyone else, but I turn around and walk down the bleachers before he can spot me. I walk to the other side of the bleachers and sit down. Pickles at my side, poking his head out, deciding it's too cold and going back in my bag to further destroy my belongings inside.

30 minutes pass and no sign from Aidan, no text, no call, nothing. I stare at my phone flustered and confused. I try not to text him too much because I don't want to seem crazy or paranoid, but I shoot one text and I thought it was very calm and pleasant.