Truly Safe

FOUR

"Nope." I sighed, knowing Millie was trying to help but... She was failing. Holding up the green dress I looked into the mirror, comparing it to the little back dress she had made me put on. "I can't wear this!" I whined, "Just look at the top! Or the lack of it." I corrected myself, remembering the reason I was not going to be wearing the skimpy little thing. The plunge neckline did not dip a bit to reveal just a little of the wearer's bust, it practically dropped right down to the waist, where the jewelled belt pulled around my waist until it must have only measured eighteen inches, rather than it's usual twenty-two.

"Fine, wear the frumpy green thing to your first date!" Millie raged "But I tell you what, this date will also be your last!" How dare she!?

"He will like me for my personality, not my boobs!" I shouted back, picking up a skater skirt and a sequinned blouse. 

***

"Lilly!" His voice came from the entrance to the Italian restaurant we had arranged to meet at.

"Hi Luke! I am so glad I got the right place! I wasn't really sure of how to get here, but I only realised after I hung up the phone!... Which reminds me; How did you get my number? I don't remember giving it to you." A smile lit up his face, I found it was contagious, so soon I was grinning too.

"The form you filled in for speed dating, it included your telephone number."

"Oh, yeah. I'd forgotten about that." I smiled again, but more awkwardly than before. Luke lead me inside to a pre-booked table.

***

"It was really, really fun, thank you!" I was smiling again, liking the feel of his arm around my shoulders. We had eaten our pizzas then wondered around town for a while. Turned out Luke only lived around the corner from me, and we had never met! I offered to drive him home -it was my fault he had missed the bus, with all my talk of romantic gardens hidden in secluded corners of the town, we had sat, curled peacefully, on a swing bench for ages until he had looked down at me and saw his watch "Oh no! I missed it!" he'd shouted in panic, and the long moment of romance had been shattered.

"Nah, I'm fine- just have to catch the late bus.' He sighed.

"Seriously! Your house is just a street away from mine, I insist on taking you home!" 

***

I drove him home and before he got out of the car he leaned over and kissed me. It was lovely, I felt myself relax and knew that this was right, this is where I'm supposed to be... Then I froze in fear. Why was I scared? Memories flashed up in my mind; him holding me tight... Too tight. Him chasing me. His knife...

I unfroze and pulled away from him " S-s-sor-r-ry..." I stuttered, feeling weak.

"It's okay." He said with a smile that did not reach his eyes. Realisation crossed his face "The Michaels girl!"

"Yeah, Lilly Michaels. Me!? What about me?"

"I know, everyone knows." He stopped, as if he'd just explained everything, He hadn't. "Your ex... Robbe-'

"No! NO!" I was almost screaming now. Calm down Lilly... "I-I j-j-just don't like hearing his name. It reminds me of.... things I do not want to even think about'" I sighed. "I'm sorry, really I am." I't's just a shame that it will all end with you telling everyone I am crazy.

"Like I said it's okay! I didn't know before, I was expecting you to be just like anyone else... No that sounds stupid... But what I mean is we can take it slowly, really slowly." He smiled, It was kind rather than malicious, sweet insted of sinister, it was a real smile. That was the moment I fell in love.