Hidden Away

chapter 6

Smiling slightly, I stepped out of the trees, my sleek black stilettos clicking on the pavement. In my glamorous, flowing evening dress, I was daring splash of colour amongst the students. Just then, Zachary walked out of the school gates, heading straight for his ride. The driver waved to him and waited by the door for him. But just before he got in, he stopped. His eyes widened as he caught sight of me and so did my smile. The sunlight caught my brilliant gold curls as I flung them over my bare, white shoulders. Thanks to our old friendship, I already know what you like, Zachary Smith! Mature! Classy! This... is your ideal woman! I held my pose dramatically in the sunlight, as a wind whipped my hair about me. The angle was perfect. The lighting was perfect. The setting was perfect. And then as I took a step forward - there was a sickening scraping sound. The heal of my stiletto sank into a crack between the pavement tiles. My ankle twisted -
How... can this be happening...? I even practiced running up and down the stairs in these! Nooooo!
But just as my entire body began to tilt sideways...

A strong arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me. "Hey... you ok there?" Before me were two brilliant blue eyes, staring straight into mine. He's staring at me... so intensely... it's like he's trying to bore into my soul...too close! Too close! I want to say that time came to a standstill, that the earth stopped turning... but the moment was over far too soon. I managed to pull my stiletto out of the crack and steady myself on my feet. He's still holding on to my arm! His grip is so strong... maybe a little too strong.. oww... as if he could read my thoughts, Zachary gently let go as soon as he made sure I could stand. "I'm sorry... that was rude of me" he apologizes with a smile. Yeah, but I missed your touch...
Wait, I can't get distracted... this is my chance! I gave him my most brilliant smile, confident in my magically whitened and straightened teeth. "Not at all. Thankyou for your help." My voice came out differently from my usual squeak - it was deep, and mellow like wine. Zachary seemed intrigued - the exact reaction I'd been hoping for! "You're welcome. May I... ask your name?" He asks with a light smile. This is the chance I've need waiting for! "I'm Eliza. And you?" I ask him confidentially. "Zackary. It's an absolute pleasure to meet you." Ooh, that smile! That smile's killing me! No, no, I have to be strong... "the pleasure is all mine, Zachary." I smile back at him. "If it's not too forward of me - what brings you to this part of town, Eliza?" Smooth! Even though I wanted to swoon, I forced myself to lie with equal smoothness. "Mh, well... it's a little sad.. I was supposed to meet someone here for a date, but..." I trailed off, deliberately turning my head away to stare into the distance. "It seems he stood me up, again" turning back, I gave Zachary a meaningful look. "Its so difficult to find someone worth my time, these days." Play hard to get, and set yourself up as a challenge. That's the kind of character type Zachary likes. hee.. "That's... such a shame" Zachary gave me a look of warm sympathy. "But perhaps we could still salvage this evening? I know a lovely restaurant by the river - Mary can drive us there. I'll just need to skip my soccer meet" I tilt my head confused "Mary?" I ask. "My bestfriend over there." Mary, the beautiful and cheerful girl, waved cheerfully at us. So that's who replaced me... great... I see why now. It still managed to chill me to the core. "O-oh, I couldn't possibly.." He smiles "a talented pianist is playing there tonight" I give him a light smile "that... does sound delightful. Are you sure you don't want to attend your soccer meet? This is all rather sudden..." I ask him. "Rest assured there is nowhere else I'd rather be tonight." It took all my willpower to turn my internal scream into an elegant chuckle. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?" I give a small laugh. "Thankyou. That's quite the complement, coming from a lady as charming as yourself." He walks toward his friends truck then stops and looks at me. "Shall we, then?" He held out his arm to me, and I took it, with what I hoped was a dazzling smile. "How could I say no?" Heads turned as we walked off together - we were the kind of couple that made you want to. What followed was a date beyond my wildest dreams.