To Love, To Die

Chapter 12

I haven’t ever had a date before. Well, is this a date? I wouldn’t really call it one. In all the years of my existence I haven’t ever gone to meet up with anyone so I was terrified, I didn’t know what to do or expect. Chelsea didn’t help with my nerves, she came over to help me get ready and was criticising my wardrobe ‘your clothes are too plain’ was her favourite words. I liked what I wore; it was all modern enough, plain jeans, t-shirts, shirts and thin jumpers in normal everyday natural colours that wouldn’t change from year to year. I hated clothes shopping and it wasn’t as though I really went out to be noticed.

‘Girls’ I grumbled as Carlos walked in laughing while I slipped on a dark grey v-neck jumper

“Your girlfriend playing dress up with you” he teased making himself at home on Joe’s bed

“What you here for”

“Covering your shift while you two go out and have fun. Where you guys off to anyways”

“If you’re covering, what you doing here” I tried to steer the conversation away from the plans. I hated lying, especially to Carlos. He could sniff out a lie

“It’s quiet so I thought I’d come check up on you” he gave a cheeky smile

“That will do I suppose” Chelsea interrupted running her fingers through my fringe to get it off my face. I just slipped it back; I liked the style.

Carlos burst into laughter while fighting out the words ‘I can see who the master in this relationship is’

I growled at him. I wanted to say we weren’t in a relationship but I didn’t want to offend Chelsea either. She never exactly said we were going out to people but thought it was an easier way to explain things, especially to her Grandma and Henry so I just went along with it; only Joe really knew the truth.

“Come on” she said grabbing for my hand and leading me out the room “We’ll be late if we don’t get a move on”

I was glad it was an overcast day so I didn’t have to worry about the sun too much, that was one of my fears. Chelsea actually smiled up to when we were parting company with a proud look that made me want to smile

“You do look gorgeous. I wish it was me spending the time with you”

I thanked her and let her give me one of her kisses and hugs before I turned to enter the train station knowing Leo would be waiting for me at the other end.

Now my nervousness started to really kick in. It wasn’t so much about the actual seeing him because I was looking forward to that, it was more of what he would think of me and whether I’d mess up somehow. I didn’t really have the best social skills unless it was with guests or those I’d known for decades and even then I wasn’t the most talkative. Joe Carlos and Jenny were the ones I really had much to do with and now Chelsea. I’d met her friends a few times but was always reserved choosing to be more of a watcher. I guess I could only be myself; Chelsea had said that was the best way and he’d love me for being who I was rather than trying to be someone else. I’d probably loosen up after an hour, so I put my faith in that. I was glad I had her to talk to and she was alright about the whole situation, encouraging me and giving helpful tips. Things were so much easier now she knew exactly who I was.

Leo was on the platform when I arrived and I didn’t know how I was to greet him. A hug was definitely out of the question, we weren’t technically friends and that was done with close friends, plus I wasn’t a touchy person like that. The idea of hugging Leo was pleasing though. A hand shake, but wasn’t that too formal? I thought I’d leave that for him to decide, he should know. When I approached him he just smiled and gave a ‘hi, nice to see you again’ and asked of the journey. Keeping my hands out of my pockets I returned the smile and answered the questions already feeling slightly relaxed.