Star Crossed [Sample Only]

2] Jasmine's Quick Wit

Jasmine's Quick Wit

I wear a red dress. It's tight from the knees up and flows to my ankles. I look at myself in the mirror and think yet again whether to have my tangled brunette hair up or have the famous wild mess down. I don't really care, but what I do care about is the time. I look to the clock beside my bed. It's ten past seven.

"Maybe I'll wait a little longer," I say to myself in the mirror. I think of when Alex's mum, Elizabeth, will greet me. I do a fake curtsy and talk to my reflection.

"Hello, you old hag," I welcome, "It's a pleasure to meet you. You look lovely. No, I look lovely? Why thank you, Elizabeth," I do a few smiles, trying to make it look convincing. I fail miserably.

"Jazzy?!" My mum calls up from downstairs, "Your friend is here to pick you up!"

I didn't realize I was being escorted, and I know exactly who is going to be doing the escorting. I scowl and stalk to my door, swing it open and yell back down.

"I'll get my own way there! Tell him not to wait, I'm...uh, I'm still doing my hair!" I choose to use that as an excuse, hoping Alex hears me. I hope he thinks to the next level... of what I was hinting at... how I wasn't invited to the group hair dressing play date.

But scrap that, males never seemed to pick up on subtle cues.

I hear a few muffled exchanged comments down below. Then, someone starts to ascend the stairs quickly, two at a time.

Alex.

I quickly slam the door and take a few steps back. I will not be escorted to his fricking dinner party, I already rang him an hour ago to say I'd make my own way there. Maybe he had detected the fake sweet tone I had used on him as I thought of my plan to be as late as possible to piss off his parents. His footfalls stop outside my door.

"Come on out, you're late," Alex snaps. I hear him start to turn the knob. Damn my parents for not letting me have a lock on my door.

"Wait! I'm... I'm not dressed!" I say as a final attempt to make him go away.

"You're such a bad liar," he answers, opening it anyway. I look at him as he steps in, and pause for a moment when I witness him dressed up in his nice black suit. He was so incredibly handsome. Why was he so good looking? He seems to pause and hesitate as well when he sees me. I quickly get over the moment and put my hands on my hips.

"You idiot!" I snap, "What if I was naked?" He opens his mouth to speak, but when I realise how awkward the question I asked was, I choose to add, "I would have fricking burned you into one big pile of ash!"

"I told you, I know when you're lying," he replies, his eyes slowly taking in my dress, my wild hair... "By the way, Jazz, you look...beautiful," I feel a blush coming on, and I swing around so he can't see my face going red. I pretend to search for something on my bed. The hairbrush! I pick it up and turn around, brushing my hair.

"Stop trying to flatter me," I say, quickly, "You aren't going to make me hurry any quicker. I was about to leave and now you've made me want to stay here a while longer. I can take myself to the party, you didn't have to come pick me up."

"Yeah, but the thing is, you're going to be late for the surprise. So... Jazz... you have no choice but to hurry," I sigh, giving up the useless fight as he continues to stare me down. I know I'll have to go to the dinner party eventually so I may as well just head off now. I give up on throwing my temper tantrum. I throw the hairbrush back on my bed in defeat.

He smirks as I clearly give in and head towards him, eyes downcast.

"You don't even know what the surprise is," I mutter dispassionately as I walk with him out of my bedroom and down the stairs.