Fifteen Layers of Steele

Chapter 6

Returning to my car, I checked myself in the rearview mirror. My makeup had gotten all over my face from crying. Taking some tissues out from the glove box, I tediously wiped the long, black streaks of mascara off of my cheeks. Thankfully I always kept some extra cosmetics stored in a pouch in my backpack. Usually it was for the days that I didn't have time to put it on in the morning, but today it was for messing it up with tears.

Not only did I put back on the makeup that I was wearing, but I also decided to add a little something extra this time. A dab of pink blush on my cheeks, and some bright red lipstick to match my equally red coat. Peering down at the eyeliner, I considered putting some on as well, but then decided against it realizing it would be weird if I suddenly showed up with a face full of makeup that was noticeably not there a few hours ago. "This is silly," I said to myself as I looked in the mirror. "Why am I putting on more makeup for that guy? It's not like I'm trying to seduce him or something." Being completely in denial of my intentions, I finished beautifying my face for the coffee date and went on my way.

Class never seemed to take so long as I continuously checked the clock to see if another minute had gone by yet. "Tick tock, tick tock," the sound was so irritating. My leg kept shaking because I was getting too antsy. A second was not wasted as soon as it hit 3:00 PM. My things were already packed up and I hurried out the door, skipping down the hallway from happiness—happiness from class being over that is, not from the anticipation of getting to see Christian soon of course. Like Pfffft. Me? Happy to see a guy like him? Never.

Making my way over to the park proved to be quite a bit of a walk. Wonder why he chose such an odd and faraway place? I thought as I shivered, strolling along with my hands in my pockets to keep warm. Why not just meet in the parking lot or something? It was so cold that I could see my breath as I exhaled. Oh well, a little exercise is good for me anyway.

As I approached the entrance to the field, I peered around to see if he was already there. Only a few cars were parallel parked on the side walk. The park was practically deserted. Being the middle of winter not too many people wanted to go out for a stroll. The air was a bit too cold to spend a lot of time outside. I was expecting some sort of fancy sports car to arrive, but the cars that were around were pretty plain. "He must not be here yet I guess," I sighed to myself. Checking the time on my phone I noticed that I had arrived a bit late. Odd. It's already 3:22. It took a little longer to get here than expected. Thought he would be waiting already.

The wind was blowing slightly hard and I had to hold my hair back from getting into my face. The chill of the winter air turning my nose red. "Man I hope he hurries up and gets here already! Or else I'm going to freeze my ass off," I bounced up and down from the cold. Just as I finished my sentence, a vibration came from my phone. Hm? I pulled it out from my pocket. A message from Christian flashed on the screen. Opening it up, it read:

Hey is that you in the red coat there looking all cold? I'm parked a few meters away from you. Mines the blue Honda Accord with the really tinted windows. Come over and get inside. I would be a gentleman and come out to get you but I don't want to chance us being seen.

Looking up, I could see the car that he was talking about. Is he serious? I tilted my head to the side in suspicion. That completely normal and inexpensive car just can't be his. He must be fooling with me and is actually standing somewhere else.

Regardless of my disbelief I approach the car. The windows really were ridiculously tinted. The inside couldn't be seen at all. When I reached the passenger's side, the window started to roll down. Christians face appeared from behind the wheel.