What I Want

Chapter 5

I tried hard to decide what to wear. It was an hour before seven and I was still rustling around.

"Where are you going that's making you freak out like this?" Katie asked though a spoonful of Nutella in her mouth.

"On a date," I said simply.

"What! You never told me you were going on a date? Who is it with? Where are you going? What does he look like? What-"

"Let me stop you there," I told her. "He's playing at a bar not far from Ocean Above, his name is Dakota. It's not that big a deal."

"Not a big deal! One of my best friends is going on a date!" She exclaimed. She gave me a once-over and shook her head. "If you're going in that you should just give up now."

I looked down to my simple flannel and torn up jeans. "That's what I was struggling with..." I chuckled nervously.

"Well let me help you with that, take me to your clothing," she demanded. I sighed and she followed me to my walk in closet. I always had a big thing with organizing, shirts were on one side, then pants, skirts, then my dresses. Shoes separated by their situation. She let her fingers trail over my dresses as she eyed each of them carefully. Her hand stopped at one, and she pulled it out and held it out to get a better look at it.

"This one," she told me in a direct tone. I was a bit surprised to find which one she chose. It was the one I bought when we went shopping at the mall.

"Are you sure it's appropriate for a date at a bar?" I asked worriedly.

"It's perfect, you want to leave an impression don't you?"

"I guess," I answered her.

"Well, there you go. This dress has you written all over it. Now put it on, and let your hair down for once in awhile Ambel. And maybe some light makeup will help. While you put that on let me get my makeup bag." She then left, closing the door behind her. I sighed, the red dress draping in my hands. I stripped of my casual clothing and slipped into the dress for only the second time. Once again I admired myself in the mirror. Something about this dress made me a bit more confident than I usually was. Then as quickly as she left Katie was back with her makeup bag and she got right to work. Laying down the foundation, then working on some light eyeshadow to contrast the blood red of the dress. She then added some red lipstick and looked back to admire her work.

"Simple yet sassy. You'll knock him dead!" She gave me a smile as she put all her makeup back into her bag. "Now go, fashionably late doesn't always work." She basically pushed me out the door, putting on my back converse. It didn't actually look terrible with the rest of the outfit. Katie threw me her keys and gave me a wink before closing the door to the condo.

I sigh escaped my lips as I went out to her car, starting it and driving to the bar. Random thoughts were floating around in my head. I didn't usually go out like this so easily. Maybe something about Adam changed me, made me realize that I wanted someone for me. Another purpose that I didn't have. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed Adam's presence until he was gone.

The thoughts lingered in the back of my mind as I got out of the car and entered the bar. I squinted as I entered the doors, lights of many colors bouncing off every wall to the point it was almost blinding.

"You came," I heard Dakota's voice as he appeared at my side, nearly giving me a heart attack. He gave a slight laugh. "I know that this place is a little much, but it has its charm." He paused for a moment, giving me a once over seeming a bit surprised as a pink hue appeared on his cheeks.

"Yeah, I bet," I gave a smile regaining my posture.

"Well I got about 45 minutes before my show starts, what do you wanna do?" He asked as we took a seat at a small table in the corner.