Mirage

Chapter 2: Dinner

I groaned as Ariana Grande's Everyday filled my ears. Who was trying to disturb my beauty sleep early in the morning? Reaching out or my phone, I croaked," Hello?"

"I thought you were dead," I heard Brooklyn screech," Why weren't you picking up your phone?"

Right. Hello or hi isn't needed?

Before I could answer her, our very own hyperactive Brooke dived into another topic.

Oh, guess her question was rhetorical.

"I sent you three pictures, wearing three different dresses. Tell me which one should I be wearing at the airport tonight?"

"Why are you getting dressed so early?" I mumbled sleepily," You said he'll be landing around 8 pm, right?"

"It's 4 pm, Luna. And I'm just deciding what to wear."

My eyes widened," What?" I turned to look at my alarm clock resting on the nightstand. 

I slept till four o'clock! Why didn't mom or dad wake me up?

"Are you okay?" Brooklyn asked.

I pushed the sheets off me and got up from the bed, "Yeah, I'm fine, I'll check those dresses out and text you back," I said and hung up.

What's wrong with me? Four o'clock? Really?

I went downstairs and called out, "Mom?"

"Yes, Luna?"

I moved towards the source of her voice and found her sitting on the couch in the living room.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked.

"You slept at five in the morning."

"And so did you," I said, remembering last night's events. Dad and I were playing chess. Well, if it hadn't been my smartypants mom guiding me, I'd have lost the game. 

"I have responsibilities, dear. And I think you should enjoy your teenage years to the fullest."

I raised my eyebrows and then drew them together in confusion, "You think I'm enjoying my teenage life by sleeping? That was a weird reason."

"No, I meant you're enjoying your teenage by doing whatever you like at the present moment."

"Did I mention to you that you're the coolest mom in the world?" I kissed her forehead.

Mom flicked her hair behind her shoulder and flashed a smirk-ish smile, "No, I'm the hottest."

Both of us giggled. "I'll go take a shower," I told her.

She nodded, "You've got to eat lunch too."

With that, I went back upstairs. Upon entering the room, I heard my phone buzzing. Oh, I had to see Brooke's dresses! I picked up the phone, ignoring Brooke's threatening texts about how she'd kill me if I didn't reply to her. I went through the pictures and finally texted her back -'The black dress suits you.'

She sent me an 'angry' emoji and wrote 'Even Elle tried calling you. What were you doing?'

I definitely didn't want to say that I was sleeping, so I just typed - 'Elle called? Oh, I'll talk to her. Ttyl!"

Dialing Armelle's number, I put the phone against my ear and waited. "Hello," I chirped.

"Hey, Lulu," she greeted. I cringed at the nickname.

 Well, she's the only person who doesn't start a conversation with 'Why the hell weren't you picking up the phone?'

She continued," We'd be picking you up for dinner at eight. You better not be late like the last time. Or I should say every time. Also, try not to stumble while walking."

"My walking is perfectly fine," I pouted. Last time, when all of us went to a party, I tripped and fell into the pool. Hey, it wasn't my fault, I hate heels and it's like, they hate me too. My walking turns wobbly whenever I put them on and I end up falling down somewhere.

"Sure, let's see," Armelle teased.

"Whatever, Elle, see you tonight."

"Okay, bye."

* * *

The restaurant echoed with our laughter. The other customers seemed considerably disturbed but I don't think anyone of us cared. We were playing the game of dares and I had asked Kevin to steal an old woman's wallet and a spare wig that was peeping out of her bag. He had almost done it but her dog started barking and he got caught.

Ha! That's what you get for telling my mom about Cole.

 Apparently, the manager was about to kick him out of here, but we managed to convince him that it was just a game and Kevin meant no harm. 

"Aw, Kevy boy couldn't complete such a simple dare," I teased him.

"At least I tried! I ain't a scaredy-cat like you," he retorted.

"I'm not scared of anything!" I protested and then looked at him challengingly," Come on, give me a dare."

"I have one," Armelle winked.

"Spill it."

"So I dare you to..." Armelle looked around the restaurant and then pointed at a random hoodie guy sitting on the corner table with two bags resting next to him," Kiss him."

I shrugged. This was such an easy dare.

Getting up from my seat, I made my way towards the guy's table, sashaying my hips from side to side. The lack of lighting in that particular corner of the restaurant made it difficult to see his face. Making things more of an ordeal, he was looking down, so, I practically had to grab his face if I wanted to kiss him.

I let out a deep breath. Okay, let this just be quick.

I placed my hands on either side of his face, catching him off guard as he looked up at me. I leaned in and was about to smash my lips against his before a ray of light revealed his face. 

Hm, I have seen him somewhere.

Oh shit.

It's Jayden Carter.

What the heck was he doing in New York City? 

My brain stopped functioning. My friends were watching me curiously and so was Jayden. All I could hear was my heartbeat going erratic. I released my grip on him and tried to run towards the exit, but my stupid heels didn't cooperate and I lost my balance, causing myself to slip on the cold floor of the restaurant.

Wow, this just made my night better. Not only my friends, but Jayden saw it too.

I'm gonna freaking burn these things once I get home, ugh!

I got up somehow before my friends could walk up to me and rushed out of the restaurant.