A Break Apart

CHAPTER 24. Last Friday Night

The black dress, sleeveless, with a high neckline, fitted my torso perfectly, and opened in a nice flare, a little above my knees. My hair was parted to the side, the lower part tucked behind my ear. My stud silver earrings matched the sandal I had on, which showed off my nude-polished toenails. My fingernails were nude, too. My face had a touch of makeup, and I held my black purse, wide and flat, in one hand.

I felt like the most beautiful girl in the world, more beautiful than I felt in the gold, shimmering dress, and it wasn't about the black dress, as it was plain and simple, but how the dress made me feel. Conserved, comfortable, and confident. The real beauty in fashion. And the fact that William knew my style, also, the fact that he had shown me that I didn't need to dress to impress anyone, but rather to feel good in my own skin, was heartwarming.

"Let me know when you're done staring." I stood before him with a little smirk, and as if he just regained consciousness, he chuckled.

"You look amazing," he said with that friendly smile, and I tried not to blush too much.

"Wow!" Mum exclaimed, after being enthralled since I graced the room. "William should be your stylist." She boosted his already fat ego.

I stared at her. "Are you saying I have a bad fashion sense?"

"No, sweety, but you don't try hard enough."

"Et ol," William interjected, with a mock accent.

I frowned at him. "Stop exaggerating."

He then looked down with a faux shock on his face. "And where are your heels?"

"She has none," Mum spoke up immediately.

"But of course, what was I even thinking," he said to Mum, the both of them acting as though they were rehearsing a comic script behind the curtains.

"Okay, judge and jury," I interrupted their fashion police session, "enough talking about my style," I added, and then directed my stare at William. "Can we go now? Before I change my mind." They both laughed, and then we started heading out.

"Again, don't stay out late." Mum's voice trailed behind us. "William?" she then called. He turned around, and I did, too. "She's your responsibility."

William chuckled while I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Aunt," he said.

"Good. Have fun!" She beckoned us out.

××××

I could hear music blasting out of speakers and the sound of people cheering as William parked his car beside the many other cars in the nearly dark vicinity. All the cars were aligned, and backing the loud building.

"Wait here," he told me. He then opened his door and closed it. My eyes followed his movement, through the driver's window, and then the windshield as he jogged over to my side of the car.

He opened my door for me and stretched out a hand. A spark of electrifying sensation ran through my veins the moment I placed my palm on his. It wasn't the first time he held my hand, but this gesture was different; well thought-out, and so intentional, awakening all those sweet feelings. I stepped out, and he closed the door.

"Someone is being a gentlemen," I teased, standing face-to-face with him.

"Is it really that hard to see me as a nice guy? Sweetheart?" he smirked, and for the first time, I didn't protest against the pet name and only rolled my eyes, playfully. In fact, it started to grow on me, defeating my unwillingness to fully accept it. Also, for the first time, his smirk ceased being annoying, but rather flirty, in a harmless way that made me lightheaded.