Call me Nya [Complete]

Week 9 // Part 1

Sorry it took me such a long time to get this new update finshed, I was a bit caught up in my other projects... This 'week' is going to have two (or maybe even three) parts again.

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Week 9 (Part 1)

Saturday late afternoon

A sigh escapes my lips as I look through my wardrobe for the umpteenth time today, just confirming once again that I don't have anything even remotely suitable to wear at the movie première tonight.

I knew it was a mistake to leave the question of my outfit until the last minute. Not that it would have mattered anyway.

I may not be a fan of these glossy magazines some of my friends go crazy about, but I am not stupid. I know what red carpet outfits usually look like, and I would have never been able to afford that kind of dress.

And, to be honest, I hate wearing fancy dresses.

The more I think about it, the more I reach the conclusion that accepting Jay's invitation was a huge mistake. As much as I want it, I don't think I am ready to be his date at a public event tonight. And I am definitely not ready to be his date at a red carpet event tonight.

As I turn away from the wardrobe and sit on my bed, my glance falls on my phone on the nightstand. I am wondering if it is too late to cancel. Jay will probably never speak to me again if I do.

A knock on the door snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Toni?" I hear my best friend's voice. "Can I come in?"

"Sure." I reply. "The door's open."

Skylor enters the room. "You've been hiding in your room for so long, Kai and I were getting worried about you." She must have noticed the crestfallen look on my face. "Hey, what's the matter, honey? You don't have to be sad, your boyfriend will be here soon."

Yes, I admit it. I have missed him all week, and I haven't managed to hide it very well from my friend.

Jay didn't even make it to the comic book store, because he had to go to a press screening with his father yesterday. But at least, it must have gone well, the film has got some very positive reviews.

But back to my current problem...

"I can't do this." I tell Skylor. "I don't have anything to wear, and I just don't belong on a red carpet."

I am expecting to hear something like Why didn't you say so earlier? I would have loved to go dress shopping with you. But my best friend just gives me a comforting hug.

"Don't worry, Toni." She says. "You don't have to do anything you don't feel comfortable about. I am sure Jay will understand. But you should tell him in person. It wouldn't be fair to just send him a text."

I nod. "Okay." She is right.

At that moment, we hear the doorbell. And it would be too late now anyway...

We race down the stairs, but my brother has already opened the door to let Jay enter our small house. As they politely shake hands and introduce themselves to each other, I take a good look at my boyfriend.

Wow. He certainly did not have a problem to find the right outfit. Jay is dressed in a black two-piece tuxedo, completed by a white dinner shirt and a black bow-tie. His auburn hair, which I am used to it being in a slightly messy state after the drive between university and the comic book store, is nicely combed to the side. And while the silk material of his attire shimmers nicely, it is nowhere near as bright as the sparkle in his blue eyes or the bright smile that creeps on his face when he sees me.

"Nya." He plants a chaste kiss on my lips, before greeting my brother's girlfriend with a short peck on the cheek. "Nice to see you again, Skylor."

"I am happy to see you, too." She replies. "Why don't you and Toni sit down in the living room, while Kai and I get us something to drink?" She suggests, winking at me. "What would you like?"

"Could I just have some water, please. I am driving." Jay replies. Yes, that answer must have scored him some points with my protective big brother.

"I'll have the same, please." I say, giving my friend a grateful smile.

As the other two disappear in the kitchen, Jay and I take a seat on the sofa. Jay puts his arm around my shoulders and kisses me again, this time a lot longer and deeper. As much as I enjoy it, I am getting more and more anxious about the rest of the evening. Jay hasn't said anything about me wearing a pair of skinny navy jeans and light blue tank top, instead of anything formal, but he must have noticed...

"Are you alright?" He asks, when we break apart. "Your hands are shaking."

"I..." I swallow. "I am sorry, but I can't go to the movie première with you." I tell him. "Believe me, I-I would love to go on a date with you, but... this is just not my world." I explain.

"No, I am sorry." He states. "I have grown up like this, so I sometimes forget that these events can be quite intimidating. It was a stupid idea to choose this for our first date. Sure, I would love to show off my lovely girlfriend, but what I really want is to spend a nice evening with you."

He gently tucks a strand of black hair behind my ear. "How about this?" He suggests. "We take the back entrance and sneak into the theatre when everyone else is already inside? Our seats are at the back, so nobody will notice. And we can leave anytime you want."

I nod. "That sounds good. But... I'll still need to find something to wear."

"I think I can help you with this." I turn my head to see my brother standing in the doorframe. Skylor is standing behind him, grinning widely and giving me a thumbs-up. I bet they have spied on us, not getting four glasses of water can't have taken them that long...

Kai smiles at me. "C'mon."

I follow him up the stairs and into our parents' old bedroom. He opens our late mother's closet and pulls out a beautiful red lace cheongsam dress. I remember seeing it on old pictures, when Kai and I were little.

"This was mum's favourite." My brother explains. "I am sure you will look beautiful in it."

He leaves me alone, and I change into the long mermaid style dress. Our mother was slightly taller than I am, so I put on my black high-heels before I look at myself in the mirror.

Not too bad. I think.

I quickly brush my straight, short hair and apply a tiny hint of makeup and my favourite crimson red lipstick. I don't own much jewellery, but my gold and ruby cuff bracelet fits just perfectly with the short-sleeved red dress.

While I carefully walk down the stairs again, I can hear the agitated voices of my brother and my boyfriend. Please, don't tell me they are arguing.

But as I get closer to the living room, it becomes clear that Kai and Jay are engaged in a heated discussion about the latest video games.

They fall silent, however, when I enter the room and carefully smile at them.

Skylor jumps up and embraces me happily.

"You look amazing." She tells me. "Doesn't she?" She asks her boyfriend.

Kai nods in agreement and joins us. "I've never realised how much you look like mum." He whispers to me. "She would be so proud of you, Antonia."

I feel some tears pricking my eyes. My brother is two years older than me, so he remembers a lot more than me of our parents who just disappeared, when we were still very young.

Over the years that followed, we've lived with several foster families, until my brother turned eighteen and became my legal guardian. After finishing school, Kai took over our parents' old blacksmith shop and we moved back into our old family home.

He's always been very protective of me, so I am glad that he and Jay seem to be getting along quite well.

Speaking of my boyfriend... he hasn't said a single word since I've returned.

He is just staring at me, slack-jawed and a heavy blush on his freckled cheeks.

"Wow," He finally mutters. "You look... fantastic."