In Time

Chapter 2

I decide to text Ashley after I am done.

"Be ready by 9.30. I'm taking you to dinner"

"Sure thing, xo"

Happy, I head home. It's still kind of chilly outside, so I pull my cardigan closer, as I walk. Yes, walk; I try to walk as much as I can just to pass the time.

I put the keys in the bowl on a table, and head to the kitchen. It's already 9, so I take a swig at my glass of champagne and then head back upstairs.

I haven't gone out for quite a while now, so I'm almost clueless about my outfit. Yet, years of being fashionably dressed have given me enough lessons to know that I should probably go with the magenta dress my hands pick out. So I do.

It's a dark magenta, the material of the dress is thick, but not thick enough to not wear a jacket. So I slip on a black flare coat over it. Pantyhose goes next and I complete the look with a pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos. For makeup, I keep it simple with Kohl-rimmed eyes and a nude lipstick.

I pick up my sling-on bag and head out after locking the house properly shut behind me.

When I knock on Ashley's door, I'm greeted instead by Matt- Ashley's older brother. Sporting his signature smirk, he ushers me in, taking my coat in the process. Without saying a word, he pulls me into the living room, and I see Ashley on the couch. And she's a mess.

"What happened?" I couldn't help but chuckle.

Groaning, she sits up and rushes to the hallway, most possibly to the bathroom. I turn towards Matt asking for an explanation.

"Food poisoning" he simply shrugs.

"I got food poisoning this afternoon!" Ashley wails as she enters the room and plops down on her seat.

"Why'd you text me then, saying you could go out? You can't, you know. In this condition"

She wails again. The thing about Ashley is, she's a great friend and sister, for sure. But when she's sick, God help the person who's taking care of her. She practically complains the whole while. It's kind of irritating.

"Have you taken your meds? I'm sure you'll be up and about in no time!" I say smiling, trying to cheer her up.

The only answer I get is a long wail. Feeling helpless, I turn towards Matt, who's seated by me by now.

"Since Ash here won't be able to go, obviously" I roll my eyes at another wail from the invalid lounging on her sofa, "I decided I'd take you for dinner", Matt proclaims. 

Surprised, I raise my eyebrows. It's a natural reaction. "I'm tired of her crying"

I slap at his arm, immediately and he curses. "What! It's true! Anyways, so I decided I'd take you for dinner instead. You work all the time"

"Look who's speaking"

Matt laughs.

"So what say? Would you like to go on a date with me, my lady?" he stands up in front of me and bows dramatically.

I try not to laugh at his goofiness. He's funny and charming when he tries to be. No wonder girls faint all left and right at him.

"I'd love to, kind sir!" I say.

He smirks. "What was that?! 'I'd love to, kind sir'" He imitates me in a high pitched voice. I'm sure I never sounded like that.

I huff. "Anyways, I'll only go out if you dress in a tux"

He smiles, and in that moment, looking up at him from my seated position, I feel good to be the person he's smiling at. It's genuine, not the usual mocking one he does.

Without another word, he walks out of the room.

Ashley and I watch the T.V for a while, without taking. It's not difficult, instead, our silence is comforting. When Matt arrives finally, I can see why girls swoon because that's what I do too, for a moment. He's dashing in his black tux and a maroon tie, which surprisingly, matches my dress. I'm pleased. He can easily make out my emotion and smirks, "Happy now?"

"Very!" I beam.

Matt gives his hand out to me, as I place mine, gingerly in his large one. He pulls me up, and saying goodbye to Ashley, we both walk toward the foyer, where he helps me put my coat back on. Fastening my belt, I turn around and notice the weird angle the knot of the tie is at. I lift my hands slowly, hesitant that he might not like me touching him.

He only lifts his brows and I shuffle, breaking the eye contact and murmur, "Your tie is weird" In reply, he lifts his chin upwards granting me proper access to his tie. I pull at the knot and do the turns again to make it proper. All this while I avoid his eyes. Personal contact with males kind of makes me skittish.

When I'm done, I just put down my hands. I feel a bit shy at the moment. He looks down at me and I look up at him, both at the same time. However, the next words out of his mouth, make me lose that feeling.

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Another chapter up! I'm so happy! Aren't you guys too?

So anyway, I've got this story planned out for the next few chapters and I'm pretty confident. But don't forget! I'm open to suggestions if you guys have any!

I'm a high school graduate, in case you guys were wondering. I also got into the uni I wanted to and I'm starting with my classes in the last week of July. But don't you worry! Updates will go on regularly, because I myself hate it when they don't, having been a reader for quite a while now, before starting on my own story.

PS. The picture above is of my Ashley. Its Halsey, of course, but that's how I imagine my wild child! Tell me how you imagine the Ashley in the comments below! Be sure to vote, comment and follow!

Lot of love,

Suze