HIM

CHAPTER 63

I didn't think that I would see him here
I thought he went back to Canada and why was he here? Didn't he work in Minnesota?
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Just doing some shopping. And you? I thought you went back to Canada ."
"No, I am going there this weekend."
"Okay."
"Can I sit with you?"
"Of course." I wasn't really comfortable with the idea but I couldn't tell him not to sit with me.
"So, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"I was doing some shopping, I needed new clothes, I am not a fan of shopping but I had to do it."
"Yeah."
"And you, what are you doing?"
"I told you, I want to buy a dress."
"For what?" He asked. What are these questions? It's none of his business.
"Is that an investigation or what?" I asked trying to make it sound funny but I actually wanted to know why was he asking.
"Just a question."
"I am going to a party with Harry." I said. I didn't want to tell him that we were going to the prom that he and Karen were supposed to go to. It may seem a little Exploitative.
"Ah okay." He seemed sad or angry, I don't know but the look in his eyes changed.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing." He said hesitating.
"Okay." I decided not to push him.
We sat silently for a couple of minutes. I did not feel comfortable while I was eating and he just sat like this watching me.
"Do you want to eat something?" I asked with a full mouth which was not a feminin thing.
"No, thank you."
"I am sure the way I asked you made you lose your appetite." I said.
"No, don't worry." He said laughing.
"So, what university are you gonna go?" I asked trying to break the silence which was building walls of awkwardness around us as if tightening the air I breathe.
"I have applied for more than one university but I want to go to Stanford University." He said. This can't be real.
"And you?" He asked
"Actually I didn't apply for any university except Stanford university. But I am applying for another universities like Harvard, Texas or Florida state university, alot and alot of universities but I want to go to Stanford."
"That can't be just a coincidence." He said and his eyes lightened up as if he just found that he won the lottery.
"But my grades aren't good enough to go there actually. And still you are bigger than me a grade." I tried to tell him that he shouldn't be so ambitious that we will be together in the same university. Moreover, I lied about that my grades aren't good enough because I had really good grades.
"Oh, no one knows. Maybe we end up in the same room in the student accommodation building." He said.
"Maybe." I said though I knew it was impossible because the rooms were for girls only or boys only.
"How is Karen?" I asked him.
"She is okay." He said.
"Good, and how are you doing together."
"Not really well, because I travel alot and long distance relationships don't work most of the time."
"You said it, most of the time and not all the time, you can work it together because you are so good with each other and you both deserve to be in such a good relationship." I said and I meant it.
"I don't know. I don't think we are going to stay together."
"No, don't break up with her."
"I can't stay in that relationship."
"Anyway it's none of my business but I don't want to see her heart broken." I said and I felt sorry for her.
"No, I didn't mean that."
"Never mind." I said. I know he didn't mean that but I wanted to end that conversation, it was not comfortable to talk about it for neither of us.
I finished my meal and we talked about different things like how I met Harry, why I left Minnesota and how life in Canada is like. I felt that we were getting closer and closer, as friends.
"I gotta go." I said. I was getting late and I didn't buy a dress yet.
"Why?"
"I wanna buy a dress."
"Oh! C'mon." He held my arm and walked really quickly that I was going to stumble more than once.
"Where are we going?" I asked confused.
"Just wait." He said. We went to corridors and passed by a lot of shops. We passed by places I didn't they actually existed in the mall. We finally reached a small clothes shop but each and every detail just made it look as if it was a fashion maison. I felt as if I was entering a fashion show. The dresses were awfully beautiful. I haven't seen such beautiful dresses even in the big shops.
"How did you know that shop?" I asked
"The owner is my mom's friend's daughter."
"Is she the designer of all these dresse?" I was astonished.
"Yes." He smiled simply.
I had an eye on each and every dress there, they were all amazing. I didn't know what to choose or what to try. Too many choices.
"I don't know what to try." I told Chris.
"Choose anyone. We can stay here for as long as you want."
"I can't, mum will come to drive me home in half an hour."
"Call her and tell her that I'll drive you when we are done." He smiled.
"Oh thank you." I hugged him. He is so kind, I couldn't help not hugging him.
"Welcome." He said.
I called mum and told her that I met him in the mall and I'll ell her everything when I go home. When I finished the call with mum, i turned around to see that Chris was holding a dress which was incredibly splendid. I don't think I am good enough for that dress, I will make it look less beautiful than it really is.
"I don't know." I said.
"Don't you like it?" He asked.
"No, I love it. But' I will make it look bad."
"What? You are kidding right?" He said.
"No."
"Just try it." He said handing me the dress.
"Fine."
I took the dress and tried it in the changing room.
"How is it going inside?" I heard Chris asking.
"I have finished but I am not sure yet." I said.
"Don't worry, I won't laugh. It will be hard though." He said laughing.
"Shut up." I laughed too. I walked out of the changing room hesitantly, I wasn't so sure if I looked good. I was looking down and when I looked at Chris I saw that he was watching me move in an awe. His eyes were about to pop out of his skull, he was just staring at me as if he has never seen a girl wearing a dress before. I didn't know he was looking at me like that because I looked so beautiful or so awful.
"Ha? What do you think?" I asked.
"Are you kidding me? You look gorgeous."
"Really?" I looked downward as I blushed and I didn't want him to see my tomato-red cheeks.
"Yes, of course. That's the one no doubt." He said.
"Okay, as you say."
"No, what do YOU say?" He said.
"I gotta look at the mirror one last time."
"Okay, take your time and I'll be talk to Agatha."
"Who?" I asked.
"The owner."
"Oh! Fine."
I looked at myself one last time in the wall-size mirror. I saw a tall dark red dress with dental sleeves starting from just under the shoulder and the neck line was heart shaped. It was a Cinderella style dress. I was thinking of taking it or not when I heard the sound of a camera flash.
"What is that?" I asked.
"It's me." Chris said holding his mobile. He took a photo of me.
"No!!" I said. What did he just do, I felt embarrassed. Why did he do that?
"Why!!" I asked.
"Just a little souvenir to take with me to Canada." He said.
"No, delete it, now!"
"No.." He said.
"Please." I pouted and looked at him like a cute dog.
"Hahaa.. no, that won't affect me."
"Fine. At least show it to me."
"Okay but don't delete it."
"Don't worry." I said. He handed me the mobile and I was about to take it when he took it back and looked at me suspiciously
"I promise." I said.
"Fine, here you are." I took the mobile and I looked at the the picture.

It didn't look as bad as I thought. Actually, I didn't think I looked that beautiful. I didn't think that I looked that good. Finally, I look good in something.
"But do you think that this dress is suitable for a prom?" I said then I put my hands on my mouth. I am such an idiot. I wasn't supposed to tell him that. It was HIS prom with his girlfriend.
"A prom?" He asked confusingly.
"Yes." I tried to sound as if it's okay to tell him and there's nothing to hide.
"What prom? Your prom is next year I think." He asked.
"Yes. A friend of mine .. she isn't going to her prom and ... had an extra ticket so she gave it to me to ummmm go with Harry." I was making up the whole story while I was talking.
"Okay." He didn't seem to believe me.
"Anyways, do you think it is too much for a prom?" I asked again.
"No, it's amazing. I would be astonished if Karen wear it on our prom."
"Really." I was so sad for him. I thought he was the one who didn't want to go with Karen to her prom.
"Yes of course." He said.
"I will go and change." Okay I am waiting for you here.
"Okay." I went to the changing room and while I was changing my clothes I thought of how dumb I was. Why did I had to say that? Should I always mess up things with my stupid words. I gotta think before I talk. I finished and then took the dress and while I was going to the cashier I was thinking of the big trouble I am putting myself in. This dress must cost a fortune. Chris seemed to read my thoughts.
"Don't worry about the money." He saidZ
"What? No, it's not a problem at all I have enough money, don't worry I can afford it."
"I'll pay." He said.
"What! No, If you do that I won't take it."
"Fine fine." He said.
"How much does this dress cost?" I asked Agatha. This is her name I think.
"It's for free." She said. I couldn't believe my ears.
"No, I 'll pay for it. How much does it cost."
"No I am serious." She said. "His mother is the one who believed in my talent and she gave me the money to open that small shop and start the job that I like. This dress is nothing compared to what she did to me. I just want to pay the favor somehow. I think giving this dress to Chris's girlfriend, you, is a way to pay her the favor though it isn't enough according to what she had done to me." She continued.
"Oh, thank you and by the way I am just his friend not his girlfriend." I said in protest.
"Oh, sorry. You look so good together." She said.
"Oh thank, but we both are in relationships." Chris said. Uh!! He finally said something, I thought he liked that she thought we were dating.
"Ohh sorry." She said.
"It's okay, bye." I said waving to her. She waved back. She is so kind. We walked out of the shop.
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All the love. H