I woke up with dread.
When I first opened my eyes to greet the new day, I felt dread take over my body, as if I weren't looking forward to it. It was like I was anticipating something – something bad – to happen.
I sighed and shut my eyes, my fingers digging into the pockets of my pants. This was becoming too much. It was driving me crazy. What was there to worry about? Absolutely nothing! I was healthy and I was in New York. I had wonderful friends and an amazing boyfriend. So, why was it that I kept feeling paranoid and nervous?
But maybe that was it.
Today was Dallas and I's six-month anniversary. It was actually the exact day. And maybe it was nervous jitters. Mind you, I was excited, but for someone was new to dating, it was normal to feel nervous, right?
I hoped so.
I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. That was it. I had nothing to worry about. I was going to be okay. I was going to have a wonderful day with Dallas. That was all. The more I kept reassuring myself, the more I became convinced. I was eventually content in the end.
I stood up and grabbed Dallas' present, smiling to myself. Amber was still sleeping. I hoped Dallas wasn't. Gently opening the door, I stepped out. The hallway was quite silent. I closed the door behind me and made my way to the elevator, pressing the floor button. My heart drummed and my body tingled.
"Six months," I mumbled to myself. "Huh."
When the elevator doors opened, I stepped out and took a deep breath. I took slow steps towards Dallas' room until I found myself standing at his door.
I smiled. This was it. I reached up and rapped on the door. A moment later, the door opened, and before I could say something, a pair of arms snaked around my waist and scooped me up.
I laughed and Dallas put me down. He leaned down and kissed me, his fingers caressing my cheeks. I always warmed at his touch. My body tingled in excitement.
"Happy six-month anniversary," he breathed, our noses brushing.
I grinned. "Happy six-month anniversary!" I pulled away and gestured to the bag in my hand. "I got you something."
Dallas warmly smiled and gently took it from my hands. He took out the box and unwrapped it, peering into the box. His eyes widened and his mouth hung open.
I tucked a stray hair behind my ear and fiddled with my fingers. "You...you don't like it?"
His head snapped up. "I love it. God, I love it." He put down the box and kissed me again.
That was a relief.
"I also got you something," he whispered in between kisses. Dallas walked over to the closet and pulled out a bag. He walked back to me and smiled, handing me the bag. I blushed and pulled out its contents.
"Oh, my goodness," I breathed. I went through the vinyl's – all of which belonged to some of my favorite bands. "Oh, my God!"
I put down the bag and pulled Dallas in for a hug. I squealed in delight. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Dallas laughed and traced imaginary figures on my bag. That never failed to soothe me. I smiled. He pulled away and grabbed my face. "I'm going to go out and see that all of what I have planned is set, okay? I want this day to be perfect."
"Okay," I beamed. "I also have something planned. I want to show you something tonight."
"Great," Dallas breathed. He kissed my face and I laughed.
This day really was going to be perfect.
"Guys."
"You are the biggest idiot I have ever met!" Amber snapped.
Tymon glared at her hotly. "And you are hot-headed and tempered and rude!"
"Guys."
Amber clenched her fists. "It's your presence that activates this side of me."
"Guys."
"What did I do? I never do anything but you always end up screaming at me and I'm sick of it!"
"GUYS!"
Amber and Tymon snapped their heads towards at me. "What?!" they screamed in unison.
"It'd be nice if you saved your bickering for later," I said. "I'm trying to find something nice to wear for tonight but you're not helping!"
Amber sighed and folded her arms across her chest. "Just pick any dress that's appealing to you. That's all you need to buy. I know for sure you're not going to wear heels."
True.
Amber and Tymon quickly went back to arguing and I sighed in defeat. I turned back to the rack and sorted through the dresses. I didn't want anything elegant or too fancy. I wanted something simple. I was far from elegant and fancy. Plus, if I did choose to wear heels, Dallas and I would end up spending our anniversary in a hospital.
"Aubrey?" a familiar voice asked. It sure as hell didn't belong to Amber or Tymon, whom I could still hear bickering.
I turned around and locked eyes with Catherine. Dylan stood beside her. He shifted uncomfortably, his hands in his pockets.
I smiled. "Hello!"
Catherine smiled back, showcasing her straight, white teeth. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," I replied. I pointed a thumb at the dresses. "Just looking for something to wear."
Catherine beamed. "Oh! Do you have a date?"
"I do," I said, nodding. "Uh, it's...it's my boyfriend and I's six-month anniversary."
"Oh, that's lovely!" she exclaimed. "Do you need any help picking out something to wear?"
"Well, that's why I brought along Amber and Tymon along—" I began, pointing at the furious Tymon and the even-more-furious Amber. "—but they're sort of busy."
Catherine laughed. "I'll help you, don't worry."
I smiled gratefully. "Thanks."
"So, do you have anything specific in mind?" she asked.
"Uh, well, I'm hoping for something simple."
She nodded and began to sort through the dresses. When she didn't find anything, she raced to the other racks across the room and I laughed. I turned my head and glanced at Dylan.
"You okay?" I asked.
He locked eyes with me and nodded. "I am."
"Good," I said, smiling.
"I found something!" Catherine shrieked, attracting some unwanted attention. She raced over to us, waving the dress in the air. She was beaming and I couldn't help but laugh.
I looked over at Dylan and I found him staring at her, his eyes swarming.
She was a lucky girl.
"Here!" Catherine smiled. "Oh, you just have to try it! It's simple yet beautiful. Come on! Go on. The dressing room is over there. We're right behind you!"
I turned around and walked to the dressing rooms. After picking a vacant room, I gently closed the door and stripped my clothes off. Without even sparing the dress a focused glance, I put it on.
"Woah," I whispered, checking myself in the mirror. Catherine was right. The dress was simple. It was black with straps and didn't cling to my body. It just sort of flowed about and stopped before my knees.
I smiled.
"Aubrey, are you ready?" Catherine's voice asked.
"Yeah, just a second!" I replied, my eyes never leaving the mirror. I sighed and smiled again. This was sort of different. I never really wore dresses. I always stuck with pants. I liked this dress, though. It looked good on me.
I opened the door and stepped out. Immediately, Tymon and Amber's arguing came to a halt and they stared at me. A wide smile made its way onto Amber's face. Tymon shot me a warm smile and crossed his arms.
Catherine beamed. "You look absolutely amazing, Aubrey! The dress is a perfect fit and it...you look beautiful! Oh, let me go see if they have some accessories!"
Catherine scurried away and I laughed again. She was quite cheerful. I guess she had a new perspective on life. She was trying to make things work. That was nice.
I glanced at Dylan while Amber and Tymon argued again. He was sitting, his eyes locked with mine. His face held an expressionless look.
I raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Is the dress that horrible?"
"No," he spoke in a low and soft voice, shaking his head in disagreement. "You look great."
I smiled wider. "Thanks."
"Okay, so they didn't have anything," Catherine said, flailing her arms around. "We can always look around, though!"
"No, no," I said, smiling. "It's okay. I'm going to buy this dress. Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it a lot!"
Catherine smiled back. "No problem. I hope you and your boyfriend have a wonderful and romantic night!"
My stomach clenched in dread. I bit down on my lower lip and shoved away all bad thoughts. I shouldn't be nervous. I was happy with Dallas and tonight was going to be wonderful. It really was going to.
"Thank you," I smiled, nodding. "I hope we do, too."
