Overjoyed

Chapter 6 - Free your mind and join us

I sat on my sofa soaking up the silence. Courtney wasn’t speaking to me, and I could honestly say I didn’t mind. I had texted Dan the address and I was waiting for him to text me back with the details. Instead, he did me one up and called me. “Hello there, its Daniel here” he said in the most serious voice and I couldn’t stifle my giggle. “Daniel? That’s so proper. I like that” I said. “It is my given name, Eliza” he said, “Could you be ready by four? I’ll feed you I promise.” “I’ll be ready” I replied.  “Brilliant” he said and I could hear his smile through the phone.  “See you later, Daniel” I said and ended the call.

Courtney abandoned the silent stance she had taken against me as her inquisitive nature took over. “Who is Daniel?” she interrogated and crinkled up her nose. “A friend” I replied casually and headed for my room to find a suitable outfit.

As I was rummaging through my closet Courtney burst into the room, her face full of question. “A friend? Since when do you have male friends?” she asked, rather insensitively. I shook my head dismissively and her expression softened. “You’re seeing him this evening?” she probed, “What is it, a date?” I rolled my eyes. She looked resigned to the fact she wasn’t getting anything out of me and said, ‘Come on, you won’t find anything to wear in there” she said, motioning towards my closet. I followed her into her room where she picked out an adorable silver backless dress and a pair of black pumps for me to wear. “Go get ready” she said, handing me the dress and shoes and stalking out of the room.

I had just finished applying my lip gloss when the doorbell sounded. I could hear Courtney’s gasp when she answered the door and saw Dan. After about thirty seconds I heard her excuse herself and like clockwork she was in my doorway. “That’s Daniel?” she said, her mouth ajar, “last week you’d never even heard of Bastille, when did you get time to befriend the lead singer?” I sighed. “Courtney I…” I began and she cut me off, “Is that what you were doing last night while I humiliated myself? Were you with him this morning? Where are you two going?” she questioned. “Courtney, we have to go. I don’t want to make Dan late” I said, exasperated, “and thanks, for the outfit” I added.

As I stepped into the living room Dan stood at the kitchen island, when his gaze met mine his jaw went slack. A blush crept up his pale cheeks and he looked down shyly. “Hi” I said.  “Hi” he mumbled, “Eliza, you… you look lovely.” My heart swelled at his shyness, he was adorable. “Let’s get going” I said softly.