Behind the Glasses || a.i.

Chapter 29

 I try my best to keep up with Ashton. We make it through the woods and into a busy town. Cars zoom past us, as we stand on the sidewalk, causing a wind current to pull at my shirt. “We have to cross,” he informs me.

 “Where are we going, exactly?”

 “C’mon, loosen up, babe. Just take it as it is.”

 I roll my eyes. “You sound like you’re on drugs.”

 He laughs. “I’m not, trust me.” We stare out at the road, trying to figure out how we will get across. “Okay, I’m gonna count to three, and what I want you to do is stay close behind me.”

 “Wait what-”

 “One, two, three!” He runs out into traffic, dodging cars, swerving in and out of them. I follow close behind him, laughing at how crazy this is. Horns honk, drivers shout, creating an echoing in the night. The stars shine brightly above us. Everything is perfect, me chasing Ash through the city street. Soon enough, my feet slap the sidewalk, and I crash into Ashton, laughing harder than I’ve ever laughed before. He holds me up, laughing with me. “You good?”

 I nod, trying to catch my breath. “That was great!”

 “Let’s go! We have to get to the shops before they close. We have a half hour until they close at ten,” he pants.

 “Shops?”

 “Yeah, come on.” Without any further questioning, I follow him to a store that seems it is made for most teenage kids with the minimal clothing on the racks. “We’re going clubbing, so I need you to-”

 “Clubbing?” My eyes widen, and I shake my head.

 “Unpredictable, remember?” he reminds me.

 I sigh. “I legally can’t drink.”

 “Maybe not in America, but in Australia you can,” he says with a smile.

 “Really?”

 “Eighteen, just like the UK.”

 I nod. “Alright then, what do you suggest?” I ask, motioning toward the racks.

 A smile breaks out across his face, and his eyes behind the frames of his glasses scan over racks of clothing. He passes me four dresses. He shows me to the dressing rooms.

 I try on a red one, but I don’t show him, as it is way too exposing for my comfort. Next, I put on one of two black ones. It is skin tight, not my style, so I shimmy out of it, once again not showing him. “Are you alright in there?” he calls, and I shake my head to myself. I step into a blue and black one. It hugs the top half of my body in a black stretch material, then, like a sun dress, it has a sky blue skirt, only it isn’t as bright and happy. It falls to my mid-thigh. “Trinity?” I huff, doing one last spin in the full length mirror before I exit the room. Ashton stands, leaning against the wall at the end of the hallway. “Wow,” he mouths, not quite getting out a syllable.

 “Is it bad?” I wince, waiting for his answer.

 He bites his lower lip, shaking his head. “It looks unbelievable.” He steps forward, tucking my hair behind my right ear, smiling. He stares at me through the lenses of my glasses. “You look beautiful,” he whispers, pressing his lips to the tip of my nose. He rests his forehead on mine, staring at me. “It brings out your eyes.”

 I blush what I am sure is an incredibly dark rose color. “So you think I should buy it?”

 He shakes his head no. “I think I should buy it for you.” His smirk is the smirk of the Cheshire cat.