My Heart's Choice (On Hold)

Chapter 20

I spin in front of the mirror trying to secure the button in the back of the dress, right below my shoulder blade. I notice myself in the mirror and try to brush that awkward look off my face.

After Mason stomped out of my house in the morning, he rang me several times demanding that I show up at the mall in the evening. Just to help me avoid his arrogant self, Nora cooked up a plan and invited my mom and I over to Janet's place for dinner.

And here I was fidgeting, trying to keep the nerves down. Now, don't get me wrong. But dinner at Janet's is the same as dinner with Kenneth Williams!

Although I stare into the Earth-like eyes on Nora's face without any sort of nerves, the prospect of having to stare into them on Kenneth's face is a whole different scenario.

Giving my reflection one last glance, I walk out of my room before I chicken out. I am sweating already, just ten minutes after a shower, and I curse myself for not attempting to put more deodorant on.

"Dana!" mom's voice echoes downstairs, "Time to go, honey."

"Coming mom!" I shout, a bit too loud, as I bound down the stairs.

Mom emerges from the kitchen, carrying an apple pie packed in a transparent box. She gives me a smile before gesturing me to open the front door for her, with her chin.

I try to take secret deep breaths to stop myself from trembling, and pull the door open. My mom strides forward in her pumps and stops right infront of me, sniffing the air as if she smell smoke.

"What is that?" her eyes turn to scrutinize me.

"Did you empty a whole bottle of perfume on you?" she smirks.

My mother smirked! Gosh, I am so dead.

I can feel my face burn with embarrassment.

"I- I am so excited to see Nora," I say, my voice sounding a bit flat with everything that is going on inside me.

My mom chuckles at my answer and by the look in her eyes I can sense that she is reading my mind like an open book. I avert my eyes, suddenly finding an interest in my shoes.

Oh heck, there is a huge brown stain on one of them, and how did I not notice?

"Is he handsome?" she chuckles, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

"Who?" I ask, trying to sound like I have no idea who she is referring to.

"You know who," she winks.

Gosh! She is shifting into that mom-turned-teen-gossip-girl phase.

I let out a deep sigh and attempt to shut the door behind her, pulling her out in the process. She burst into a light laugh, not even bothering to hide it.

Nonsense!

A permanent smile makes its way into her lips, her eyes glistening with amusement. I follow her, my head hanging low and my face growing red and red by the second.

I give her my 'do-not-embarass-me' look as I turn around to ring Janet's doorbell. She gives me a slight nod yet I have a strange feeling that she already has some stupid theory in mind.

I hear the hustle inside the house die down and footsteps echo approaching the door. It swings open and I come face to face with Kenneth Williams.

The first thing I register is the sparkle in his Earth-like eyes. It reminds me of watching the sun rise above a blue-green mountain. I know it is weird, but that all that I can think of.

Weird feelings arise in my stomach like someone is stirring a dough inside it. I try my best to stop myself from blushing at the charming smile, that tugs at his lips. Ha! But trust my body to act the way I want!