Annie
Sunday came faster than I’d anticipated, paired with the promise of a wild, late night. The group had penciled the date into their diaries – we were going to the city. To celebrate what, I was unsure.
Caroline and Amy had come over to my apartment in the evening to help me dress, as apparently I was hopeless. I’d protested at this notion, but this was met with resolute stares and adamant opinions: I needed help.
I was in the bathroom, with Caroline helping style my hair, while Amy sat on the edge of the bath, texting away. She’d already picked out a dress for me to wear, and I was borrowing a pair of her shoes.
“The boys better be dressed up tonight,” Amy muttered. “We might not be let in.”
I’m sure my expression matched my worry as I turned to Amy. “Where are we going exactly?”
Caroline huffed and moved around me, still working on my hair. “It’s fine. We just planned to go to this new club in town, and they have high dress standards, that’s all.”
“Done,” she ran a hand through my hair and grinned. “You look good, now go put on your dress.”
I rolled my eyes at being ordered around, but moved to my room anyway. The dress Amy had picked was laid out on the bed. It was tight, black, and had a low back. With a spark of nostalgia, I remembered that Florence had bought it for me back in Canada, though I’d never worn it.
I put it on, careful not to mess my hair or smudge my makeup, sure that the girls would have a fit if I did. They were both drama queens.
The shoes looked like a deathtrap – fairly high stilettos that could easily cause damage to your feet. Both Amy and Caroline wore similar styles, and Amy watched me second-guess her choice.
“You’re wearing them.”
“I suppose I’ve worn worse,” my memory flashed to a few high school parties with Florence when I’d worn ridiculous stilettos, eager to impress on the opposite gender. I’d nearly broken my ankles.
The doorbell rang, and Caroline sprung up to answer it. I heard the hubbub of voices from the kitchen, and knew that the boys had arrived.
“We have to go. Put them on or we’ll be late.”
With a resigned sigh, I shoved my feet into the straps and zipped up the back. Standing up was a slow process, and I could feel myself barely balancing on the two tiny heels. I wobbled to the door, and walked to the kitchen.
Caroline hung off Seth’s arm, chatting to him quietly, but smiling with pride when I came into the room. Seth wore black pants like the rest of the boys, and an open, blue shirt.
Ryan hovered about almost nervously, with his sandy blonde hair combed back nicely, and dressed in a similar fashion to Seth. Amy, of course, was still texting on her phone, having followed me out and joined the group.
“Bella’s going to meet us in the city,” she announced without looking up.
We all moved towards the door, and Nathan stepped towards me, offering his arm for support.
“You look like you might need some help,” he murmured.
“I don’t know why we wear these things,” I answered nervously.
Nathan wore black pants, black shoes, and a crisp white shirt with detail on the sleeves and collar. He looked handsome, and I smelled a hint of cologne on him, which only made me smile more.
“So what should I be expecting?” I whispered nervously to Nathan while we walked. I had to detach from him to shut and lock the door, but when I turned back, his arm was still waiting. I clung to it while we maneuvered the stairs.
