NEW STORY
Chapter 1: It’s My Life It’s My Choice
“My childhood friend? Why him? I don’t understand why I have to be stuck in this…” I said to my mother. “You have to, Nessa. He’s a wonderful man. Trust me.” “I should love whoever I want to! Plus, I haven’t seen him since the 4th grade… he moved mom. Our separate ways. Plus I’m in love with Chris.” “Well I’m sorry to hear that. You’re meeting him today and that’s final.” We walked into a coffee shop. “Hello, what would you like?” the waiter said. “Uhm, iced coffee with milk please. You?” my looked in my direction, “I’ll have the same in large please.” I smiled towards the person behind the counter, paid him and my mom and I waited. “Are we meeting him here?” I asked. I’m not ready to meet him… “No. Tonight at dinner. So that’s why we’re going shopping.” My mom smiled. I just sighed. “Two iced coffees with milk.” My mom and I grabbed our coffees and walked out. “I have dresses at home mom…” “A new one. To cover those tattoos.” You see here, I have a lot of tattoos, sleeves, legs, thighs, stomach and my mom doesn’t approve. ‘You’ll never get married looking like an art project’ she said. When I got my septum and lip pierced. ‘You’ll never find someone with those holes inside of your body. It’s ugly.’ That’s why I do these things. To piss my mom off.
We walked inside of the mall and I went straight towards Forever 21. Looking at the shorts and tops because it’s always hot in SoCal. “We came here for dresses, no other things.” I crossed my arms over my chest, “Mom, I’m 21 I can buy whatever I want.” Although I did find a dress that met my mom’s requirements. A black long sleeved dress that goes to about a few inches above the knee and over the knee black socks. I also bought beige wedges and my mom was satisfied, satisfied with what I got, most likely not with what I’m going to wear. As we we’re walking out of the mall I asked what time I was going. “At 6 o’clock and I told him he can bring you back anytime.” It’s currently 4.
When I got home it was 4:15. I grabbed my bags and ran straight to the shower putting on my playlist and setting it on the shower. We Are The End by Alexisonfire came on and I was singing along and came out after doing what was needed. It was 4:30 and I pulled out the blow dryer and blew my hair. Thank god my hair is already straight so all I have to do is curl it. 5 o’clock now I have to do my makeup. A smoky brown and golden eye shadow with winged eyeliner, light pink blush and nude lipstick. 5:20. Now my outfit. Black sleeveless dress that goes mid-thigh and the back of the dress is open so you can see mostly all of it. (If you guys have seen the dress of Hannah [Oli Sykes Fiancé] where she went to a wedding.) The over the knee black socks and the same beige wedges a beige leather jacket and a golden chain. 5:40. a sprints of perfume and double the deodorant. 5:45. grabbed my brown bag and stuff everything I needed and I walked downstairs. 5:50. I walked down the stairs and he was down there. Him as in Phil Manasala.
“You look wonderful.” Phil said to me. “So do you.” I looked at him, he was wearing black dress shoes, black skinny jeans, a white button up dress shirt and his face, he was so tan, his lips were so plump, his smile was so big and bright, and don’t forget about his eyes, his brown chocolaty eyes, and he grew out his hair to about his shoulders. “Uhm, Danessa. Are you ready to go?” he chuckled. “Oh- uhm yeah. Bye mom.” I waved in her direction and walked towards him, “Bye Stacey!” he waved and put his arm around my shoulder. “You changed a lot.” He looked down at me.” “You have also” I smiled. “So were we going?” “The restaurant on the boardwalk.” Fancy. I walked to his car and he opened the door for me and ran to the other side and got in the car. “Let’s go.”
The car ride was just small questions like, ‘how ya been?’ ‘How was high school?’ and small stories. We’re finally at the restaurant and we’re seated by a preppy blonde girl with big boobs and a tight skirt. “Can I start you guys off with any drinks?” “Blue Moon please.” I said, “I’ll have a corona thanks.” She smiled at Phil and walked away. “So, what do you now? Like do you have a job?” he asked resting his arms on the table. “I’m actually a bartender and a tattoo artist. Photography on the side for local shows.” I smiled and his smile grew. “That’s awesome! Do you have any tattoos?” “Yes, I actually have quite a lot.” I took of my jacket and showed him my sleeves. He ran his fingers over the patterns, just admiring them. “You have wicked tattoos, Ness.” I smiled as the waitress came back handing us our drinks. “A Blue Moon and a Corona” she smiled at Phil, “I’ll be back when you’re ready to order.” And walked away. “What do you do?” I asked taking a swig from my beer. “I’m lead guitarist in a band called Of Mice & Men.” Of Mice & Men sounded, “Familiar” “You heard of us?” “I think so.” “That’s cool!” he smiled. “So you tour a lot?” I asked, “Yeah, I go everywhere it’s fun.” I smiled. “So what do you think about this, whole thing.” I looked him straight in the eye. “I don’t know. It’s kind of weird how we’re forced into this ya know?” he said. “You have a girlfriend?” “Yeah. It’s kind of weird because I haven’t told her. I don’t know how either.” He looked down. “What about you, do you have a boyfriend?” he sipped on his beer. “Yeah, his names Chris. I don’t know how to tell him either. He doesn’t even know I’m here with you. It’s kind of weird how we’re forced into this... You know.” “Yeah, I understand. We both love someone else and it’s kind of fucked up for us to be doing something we both don’t want to do.” I chuckled. The waitress came back smiling at Phil, “What would you guys like to order?” “Can I just have the grilled shrimp with a side of butter and lemon please?” I said. “Yes you may, it also comes with a side of salad, soup, and steak.” “Uhm, steak please.” I smiled. “I’ll have the same.” Phil said smiling and giving her our menus. “Coming right up!” She winked at Phil. “Looks like you have a little admirer here.” I smirked at Phil. “Not my type.” I snorted. “Cute snort, punk.” “Shut up Philip.” We were both laughing till I heard a cough. “Who is this?” I turned around, “Chris.” “No, I’m Chris. Who is that?” “He’s my friend from out of town. We’re catching up. Problem?” “No. I guess you should’ve told me. Sent me a text, call, something.” He looked mad, I looked over at Phil and he was just looking at me. “I’m sorry babe. I know I should have.” I gave him a sympathetic smile. “Who are you calling babe?” a high-pitched voice came behind Chris, I looked at him and his eyes popped out of his head. “My boyfriend?” I said and she stood right next to Chris. “You mean, MY boyfriend?” She had short red hair with a nose ring dressed in high heels, jeans and a dress shirt. I looked at Chris who was chewing his lip. “Leave. Now.” I said looking at Chris with a death stare. “I’m sorry...” he whispered and walked away. I looked down at my hands on my lap, Why, why me. I said over and over again. Phil was now sitting next to me and put an arm around my shoulder. “I’m sorry Ness.” I started to cry. I put my head to the crook of his neck and inhaled his cologne. “Shhh don’t cry.” He rubbed circles around of palm and kissed my head. I finally stopped crying and wiped my makeup stained eyes. “I’m going to the bathroom to fix my makeup.” I got up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” I whispered. I made my way to the bathroom and got my makeup of my bag. I re-applied everything and walked out to the table and the food has arrived. He smiled at me. We ate our food in silence.
