Muddle on! (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 2

I didn't have any regrets for agreeing to go to that small party with Theodor, just then. I wasn't  bothering my mind with something like why would he invite me, or what was the reason behind the invitation. I simply didn't care. However, as the time slowly drew to Friday, that's when the panic let itself known. To be precise, it happened at eight twenty-one p.m. when I arrived at the place that Theodor appointed in his text message.

     The thing was that I have completely disregarded one little nuance. I realized that Theodor and I had entirely different views on what a small and cozy party should be. What I envisaged as a small dorm room stuffed with casually dressed people, turned out to be a rich looking house in a fancy part of Boston that was filled with a beautifully dressed crowd.

     Well, damn!

     I was severely underdressed. My jeans and shirt that didn't even have buttons as a decoration looked definitely for pizzeria in my neighborhood. Second, I wasn't wearing any makeup on my face to look half presentable. Not to mention that my hair was taken into a pathetic ponytail that I made seven or eight hours ago.   

     As you can see, that's where I've found myself at eight twenty-one. Standing with my brows raised and lips pursed, gaping at the door of this gorgeous townhouse, not knowing how to fix this peculiar situation. A decision just to leave was the best one. I wasn't that desperate for company, even if it was a company of Theodor Wellington and his hot friends.

     My hand automatically reached for my phone into my pocket, and I dialed Theodor's number determined to cancel our so-called appointment.

      He answered on the fifth ring and greeted me by my name that instantly put me on edge. "Hey!" I said, and my bottom lip stretched making my face look scared.

     "I hope you're not calling to tell me that you're not coming!" he exclaimed. I could hear music in the background. Most probably he was already inside.

     "Not exactly..." I trailed. "I'm actually outside, but..." I wanted to say that I couldn't stay because something came up, but he cut me off.

     "I'll be right out," he promised, and the line went dead.

     "Shit," I cursed under my breath, watching two strikingly good looking couples making their way into the house. The door behind them closed hiding the warm light and the sounds of music behind it. The wind blew into my side making me shiver. That moment the door opened again and Theodor himself walked out. His face held contentment and genuine pleasure at seeing me. I stretched a small smile and made a step towards him.

    "I'm so glad you came!" His smile grew wide, but for a moment he hesitated not knowing whether to give me a welcoming hug or shake my hand or just turn around and escort me inside.

     "Yeah, about that," I wrinkled my nose fidgeting with the phone in my hands. "I'm not really dressed for a party, and I need to wake up really early. I won't be able to stay, and since I've already promised, I thought I would come and let you know in person. Didn't want to be rude or anything," I said meanwhile swiftly running with my assessing gaze by his body. He had a smart outfit on that consisted of a pair of dark blue jeans and a cashmere sweater with a dress shirt underneath it.

     "Are you hungry," he blurted out after a whole minute of staring at me with an uneasy expression.

     "Hungry? Me?..." I gave it a thought. "Well, when you ask me like that, and the thoughts of food unintentionally started running on my mind like race horses. Damn it, why did you mention that! Now I'm hungry!" I hadn't eaten anything since lunch and had no time for supper when came home from school.