Guy Next Door

11

I got Jeremy's number. In my phone.

I can't stop smiling. 

After literally trying, for I don't even how long, with a makeup tutorial I decide to pause the video and just try on my own. I'm pretty good with makeup, I'm just out of creativity.

Jeremy has texted me the time and adress, I just need to fix my hair and I'll be ready. I'm wearing a dark blue v-necked dress. Hope this is hot in Jeremy's eyes.

Luckily, the party is on a Friday again. Dad's not home, I told him I was staying over at Harper this time, you know, you have to change your lies.

After I've curled my hair, I put on a pair of black high heels, the I look into my mirror. This will do.

I hang my shoulder bag on my shoulder and open the door. I try walking down the stairs as quietly as possible but Tyler must have heard because he comes out in an instant. He looks me up and down. "Where the hell are you going?"

"Party" I say, turn around and continue walking down. 

"Again?" he follows me down and I roll my eyes even though he can't see.

"Well, I barely got a chance to be there last time" I say.

He sits down on the stool in the hall and watches me put on a jacket. It's cold now. He presses his lips together and shakes his head. "You're dressing up for someone."

How does he know that? Okay, I usually don't wear this much makeup or try this hard but still.

His eyes darken when I don't answer. "Who?"

"Some guy" I say and want to just walk out of this conversation. I just know I won't be able to.

"What's his name?"

I close my eyes. Why am I ashamed? I shouldn't be ashamed. It's not like he's going to stop me, he didn't do it with Eddie. I just don't want to say his name. "Fine. It's Jeremy."

Tyler does something I didn't think he'd do. He snorts and then bursts out laughing. "Jeremy?"

I cross my arms. "And what about it?"

"You genuinely think he'll ever approach you? No offense but he won't."

"What if he already has?" I say and stick out my tongue.

"He has?"

"Who do you think invited me?"

He doesn't look shocked, he looks a bit mad. "I don't think you should be with him, Ilah."

"You don't get to decide that" I sigh. "It's my choice."

"I know that. But I've also heard a lot about him" he puts his hands over his face. "Please just don't hurt yourself more than necessary. You and Eddie-"

"Like I knew he was going to break up with me!" I whine. "What do you want me to do? Assume that every single guy out there is going to be an idiot?"

"Actually" he looks up. "Yeah."

I roll my eyes. "I'm leaving."

"Ilah-" but I don't hear more than that before the door is shut. 

So many people are going to say 'I told you so' after everything. Then why am I walking to the bus stop? Why do I want to believe it's going to be alright?

Honestly, why try to fight it? I sit down on the bench waiting for the bus to come. There's no need to feel anxious about anything before it's happening because that's a whole lot of anxiousness. I'm going to have a great time.