Gorgeous (Reputation Chronicles)

Chapter One

"I can't, sorry." 

I throw away my phone onto my bed, then run after it just to pick it up and read the text I received from Michael a few more times. Eleven times in total. "Never mind, he's probably just busy" I say to myself.  Me and Michael have been dating for eleven months. It's been an on and off relationship without ever really being -off-. I'm complicated and a little clingy, I guess. That's why I decided not to reply to his text, I don't want to annoy Michael. 

After almost a year of being with him I know how to act around him. I know every little detail about him. I know what to say to him, I know what not to say to him, I know when to speak to him and I know when I shouldn't speak to him at all. And this moment comes under the last category. If I reply to him now, he will be furious. 

So instead of making a scene I get up, take a shower and get ready for tonight. It's my birthday today and I want it to be a good one. I invited a few friends to come to "Underground" with me - a club I personally love and find so interesting and charming. I'm not really into birthdays when it comes to my own. I love throwing birthday parties for my friends and family but having people celebrate me is a little odd to me. 

For one second I think to myself "wait - what if Michael just shows up there and surprises me" but it's Michael so that's not gonna happen. I mean he doesn't even know where we're going - I didn't mention the location to him and my friends couldn't have said something to him because.. well, because he doesn't really know any of my friends. I mean he knows about them, but he has never met them. He always says that he doesn't need our friend groups to cross paths, probably because he likes a certain amount of distance. My friends don't get this but I somehow do. 

*Ding* I got a text! I sprint to my phone hoping it's Michael saying he's changed his mind. But it's from my friend Lilly. Before opening it I look up in the mirror hanging over my little antique secretary. I didn't even notice the tears streaming down my face, I had to see them to realize. I froze for a good minute. I really hoped it'd be Michael, but it wasn't and it physically hurts to know he won't be there tonight. 

I finally open Lilly's message "See you in ten, love you." Oh shit!! I grab my beauty blender, tap it onto my face and hope for the best. I don't have enough time to do my make up all over again. I walk back to the mirror to look at my face "That'll do" I whisper to myself before grabbing my bag and shoes to stumble down the stairs of my apartment to the front door. "BYE IDIOTS!" I yell into the apartment while closing the door from outside of it. I can't leave without saying goodbye to my cats, can I? 

Lilly parked her car a couple streets away from the club. She always drives us there and back home because she doesn't drink. I've never seen her have a single sip of alcohol and that's totally cool with me but I know there are people calling her out and giving her a hard time for it all the time. Idiots. She looks beautiful tonight, she always does. Lilly has long brown hair and amazing brown eyes. Her make-up is decent but noticeable. I love her, she's always been there for me even in my darkest times. We've had our struggles the past few months because of my relationship with Michael but today isn't the time or place to talk or even think about it.  

Thinking about Mich- "Isla isn't that.." Michael. "What is he doing here? I thought you said he wasn't gonna come?" 

He wasn't. At least not because of me.