First Love (David & Liza)

Chapter 5

October 9th, 2015 / Friday

I walk out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body after taking a long, relaxing shower. As I reach out to take my make-up bag the thought that I haven't talked to my parents for two days pops up in my mind, causing nothing but guilt. My eyes frantically roam around the room in serch of my phone before finally landing on it. I quickly dial my mom's number and I'm not surprised by the fact that she picks up right away. It's like she's already knowing I'm about to call and have been waiting by the phone.

"Hello, sweetie! How are you? Is everything ok? How's school?" She sounds cheerful, but I don't miss the worry in her voice.

"Ummm... Hi, mom! I'm all right, everything is fine." Just the thought of them not being home with me forms a huge lump in the middle of my throat. I make a sad attempt to swallow it, but in result it only gets bigger and bigger. "I just miss you guys so much. How is dad? Do you have a good time in LA?" I respond, doing my best not to cry.

After all these years of my parents occasionally leaving me alone for several days, I've actually never got used to them being away from me. We are very close and when they go on one of their business trips, I end up missing them more than the previous time. In moments like this I feel very lonely and upset and really need someone's shoulder to just lean on and cry my eyes out. And I'm glad that most of the times that person is Gabbie.

"Your father says "Hi" back to you. But we are very busy that we don't even have time to explore the city. Are you sure that everything is ok, sweetie? You sound a little strange. Do you need us to come home? Because if you do I can make some arrangements and we'll be home in no time." I shake my head, but remember that she can't really see me through the phone.

"No, no, no, mom! I'm fine. Actually, I'm waiting for Gabbie. We are going out." 

"That's great, go have fun with your friends." When she makes a little pause and let's out a sad sigh I hear my dad's mutted voice talking in the background. "Sweetie, it's really nice talking to you, but I'm sorry... We have to go now. But we miss you very much! Call me again tomorrow to tell me all about that "going out thing", ok? I love you!"

"I love you too, mom. Have a nice night! Bye!" I end the call and wipe the stream of tears on my cheeks with a tissue.

After I take a few deep breaths to calm myself down, I sit in front of the mirror to start the long and painfull process of getting ready. First, I blow-dry my hair, deciding to leave the waves fall freely. Then my full attention move on to the hard job as I like to call applying the make-up – foundation, black eyeliner, mascara and a little bit of lipstick. After what feels like hours, I put everything back in the bag and glance at the piece of clothing, laying on my bed. The cute light pink lace dress is just waiting to be shown to the rest of the world. A smile creeps on my face when I think about how excited and proud of herself Gabbie was when I got out of the dressing room dressed in the clothes she picked. I'm so blessed and right now extremely grateful to have her for a best friend. Not only did she found the perfect outfit for me, but she also puts up with my pretentious demands. Not too long, not too short, not too revealing, not too slutty - it seems like the list don't have an ending.

I glance at the clock above my bed, suprised it shows that it's exactly 5:30 PM. Time really does fly fast. My phone beeps beside me and then lights up with a text from Gabbie.

"Picking you up at 8."

Great! That means I will have enough time to film the video for next week and then finish getting ready for the party. Luckily, today I have the perfect topic – "What to do when you're home alone". It's kind of suitable for the situation I'm in right now.

If I put on the dress now it will definitely get wrinkled and probably stained - don't ask me, even I don't know how I do it, so I decide to put on a shirt and a pair of sweatpants instead. As I set up the camera in the middle of my room, my phone beeps and lights up with another message.

"Did you enjoyed the movie?" 

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, because the text is from an unknown number. What should I do now? Should I respond? While I ponder of what to do, I get another text.

"And I'm not stalking you at all." 

David! Ok, now I'm just shocked. And on the verge of hyperventilating. How did he get my number? Should I respond? And most importantly, why is he si interested me in the first place? Before I can type an answer, another text pops up on the screen.

"You do know that when you open a text, the other person can see that, right?"

 A big smile appears on my face. I'm busted, so I decide to play it cool.

"I don't like scary movies. And how exactly did you get my number?" 

I send the text and my smile widens even more when a few seconds later I receive his response.

"I have my ways. Will I see you at the party tonight?"

Oh, he's going too?! Actually, it is completely logical, because Zane and Heath are his friends.

"You're the stalker, so you must already know that."

Is this what normal people call flirting? I'm I flirting with David?

"In that case, I can't wait." 

I know I'm not very familiar with all this "flirtation" stuff, but... Dang it, he is pretty good! And handsome, and nice, and cute, and his body... No, no, no! Right now I have a video to film and I can't do it properly if he is in my head. I close my eyes and slightly shake my head, trying to get him out of my mind. After a few seconds I open them and it seems like it's working. I press the record button on the camera, smile and greet my viewers with the usual "Hey, guys! It's your girl, Liza! Coming at you!".

After about 2 hours of filming and lot's of bloopers thanks to the thoughts of one particular brown-eyed boy, I turn the camera off and glance at the clock again. Gabbie will be picking me up in 15 minutes, so I have to hurry and change my clothes. Thank God, the dress fits me perfectly. I grab my favourite white jacket and put my wallet and keys in a small white backpack. One last look in the mirror to check if I've managed to damage my make-up, the reflection causing a smile on my face. Actually, I'm happily surprised, because it's not actually as bad as I thought it would be and most of all I don't look like the usual me. Tonight there are no comfy clothes and no messy buns. 

"I'm here and you know I don't like waiting." 

The phone buzzes in my hand and another text from Gabbie makes me turn off the lights on my way out of the room. I hurry down the staircase and through the front door, not forgetting to lock it when I step outside.

"Oh, my God, Liza! You look amazing! Turn around so I can see the whole outfit!" Gabbie yells from the iside of her car. I giggle and do what she says, making her gasp loudly and clap her hands in excitement. "You're slaying it, girl!" 

"You have to let me shop for you more often!"  She says, starting the engine when I sit next to her.

"I will definitely have to think about that option. But I can't lie! You really do have great äwesome in fashion." I reply, putting the seatbelt on and earning myself another set of claps.

"Uh, yeah! Thank you for finally noticing my greatest talent. I've been telling you this since 9th grade!" I roll my eyes at her comment, but she just sticks out her tongue at me before she starts driving. "Are you nervous?" Gabbie asks me a few minutes later. I look at her and casually shrug my shoulders in response, pretending that it's not a big deal.

"You can't fool me! I know you are, because you play with your hair more than usual." She says, stopping the car in front of a random house. Apparently, I'll be failing miserably every time I try to hide something from her. "Enough talking. Let's go party!!!" She yells almost making me deaf before she gets out of the car. Sometimes I wish I have just a little bit of her enthusiasm. I turn around, my eyes landing on the house, my brain repeating "I can do this! I can have fun too!" like some sort of mantra. Suddenly a tap on the window snaps me back in reality.

"Come! Now!" Gabbie commands, making me get off the car with a loud sigh.

Well... Here goes nothing!