Twinkling in the Dark | ✔︎

Chapter 11

♛ Aurora ♛

"Oh my god, I've created a goddess," Olivia shrieked as she gave me a once-over of my outfit and hair.

Friday came too soon, and inevitably, it was the day of the date with Tommy. To say I was really excited was a stretch, but I actually was getting out on a Friday night so I was somewhat excited since I never went to any of the parties that students from neighboring high schools had.

Liv took the liberty of dressing me like her personal Barbie doll for this date. She put me in ripped jeans, a lavender cropped sweater, and my white converse with my hair in a curled ponytail. We were just going to the movies, so I didn't want to dress up too much, and luckily, Olivia agreed. Normally she would go all out even if the date was at a McDonalds.

"I feel like I'm just leading him on. It's wrong," I sighed as I sit down on my bed. "I don't even like the guy in the slightest bit."

"Well, you might start to develop feelings for him. It's possible."

"And what are you getting all dressed up for?" I asked as I noticed her inspecting her lip gloss in the mirror. "Another party?" There was really no place for a student at our boarding school to have a party, so everybody went to other parties that were hosted by students from other high schools.

"I have a date too," she turned away from the mirror to face me, a thoughtful look on her face. "I have a love life, ya know. I don't just sleep around all the time."

"A date with who exactly?"

"Oh, uh, um," she stuttered. "Nobody you know."

"I probably know him," I narrowed my eyes at her skeptically. "I'll find out eventually, Liv." I said just as a knock on the door sounded.

"Looks like the little golden boy is here," she smirked at me since she didn't have to reveal who her mystery guy was yet.

I put my hand on the brass doorknob, taking in a breathe before opening the door to reveal Tommy, clad in the letterman jacket for his baseball team and jeans, holding a bouquet of red roses.

"I, uh, got you roses," he said with a boyish grin and handed them over to me.

"Thanks, Tom-Tom," I returned his smile as I placed the roses on the table beside the door. "So what movie are we seeing?" I asked after I shut the door, and we were making our way to his car in the parking lot.

"You'll see," he replied and opened the passenger door of his car for me. I nodded in thanks while I got in as he closed the door and jogged around to his side of the car before getting in and driving.

"I hate surprises though!" I laughed hitting his right shoulder playfully, trying to lessen the awkward atmosphere.

"Well here's a surprise," he started, "There's a track meet tomorrow. First one of the season, and I convinced Coach to let you run."

"What?" I looked at him wide-eyed. "How? Oh my god, thank you!"

"It was a lot easier than I expected actually," he chuckled. "I just reminded him that you're one of the fastest runners on the team, and your chances of winning will increase with you. It's just like a cross-country meet; we're just all running a course and whoever gets the fastest time wins."

"Wow, I never would've guessed that you're the Coach's favorite" I joked. Even if the meet didn't include hurdles or anything, I got a chance to run, and I was more than ready. The rest of the five minute car drive leveled in uncomfortable silence until we finally arrived at the movie theatre.

"We're seeing some movie about some psycho killer?" I asked looking down at the ticket as we got situated in our designated movie seats, the dimness of the theatre causing my eyes to strain as I tried to read the words.