BLUNT

Chapter 3

Lilian's POV

        "Bye. See you tomorrow." My co-worker says as she leaves the restaurant I work in. It's Wednesday already. Tomorrow's the dinner party and I haven't anything to wear. I haven't even heard from Riele or Teddy about where it is and how we're going to get there. I pick up my phone when I hear it vibrate.
         "Hey Lilian, I have something I really need to tell you. You're probably at work now. Pick you up and we'll talk?" The message from Teddy reads. I wonder what he wants to tell me that he has to pick me up. Well, good for me, I have a free ride.
With my curiosity leading me, I reply, "what's so urgent? Why can't you tell me here and now?" Teddy replies, "Chill lily, I'm coming." And I picture him rolling his eyes.
            After I clean up, close the windows and turn off the lights, I make my way towards the door and lock it from the outside. I turn to see Teddy. He doesn't seem like himself.
            A little worried, I ask Teddy, "What's the matter?"
            "It's nothing so important Lilly. Don't worry too much." Teddy let's out a small smile. "The thing is I think I like Riele." He admits shyly, leaving me in absolute shock.
I knew he liked her, I mean it was very obvious but what I didn't get was why he was telling me this. Riele didn't seem like the type to get involved with 'boy drama' and I certainly did not want to bring her into any of that against her will. I really hope....
             "Lily?? Lily!!" Teddy calls when he notices I'm not with him. I turn sharply, interrupting my thoughts. "Yes?" I ask unsure of what else to say.
              "Are you okay? Why'd you zone out that way? Did I scare you?" He asks worriedly.
               "Let's get into the car. I'll explain." I say to him without thinking. I realize I have no idea what I'm going to say to him but I shrug it off anyway. I get into the car at shotgun while he gets into the driver's seat.
               Teddy's eyes tell me he'll not drive until I tell him what have in mind. I inwardly slap myself for the reaction I gave earlier. "I don't know what to say honestly, I mean I'm not surprised that you like her. It's been obvious for a while now." I pause to let him take it in before I continue.
                "I'm not sure if Riele would want a relationship at the moment, especially right now that things aren't going so well. I know she loves you, as a friend but I don't really know about otherwise. We've never really discussed such." I heave a sigh of relief I didn't know I was holding in.
                 Teddy doesn't seem to be affected by the way I gently broke his heart. I give myself a thumbs up for that. "You think she loves me?" Teddy asks excitedly. I can't tell if he's joking or not.

                 "Is that really all you got from the speech I just gave?" I laugh and  aim at his head. He dodges it professionally and we laugh it off.
                  "Thank you Lily." Teddy says and I give him a smile. I almost forgot!!
                   "Teddy? Do you think you could take me to the store so I could get a dress for the dinner party?"
                  Teddy rolls his eyes and says, "Lilian, there are sooo many stores in this city. You might have to be specific or I could take you to a food store?".

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             We get to Dave's. Short for Dave's shoes and clothes. I love this store because of it's not-too-cheap and not-too-expensive clothing. I believe it has everything. Of course the clothes here are not up to what Jane and her fellow richians would wear, but I saw it as a start at least. Teddy decided to stay back in the car while I did my shopping.
                 I went first to the clothes section. I walked around a bit looking for what would catch my eye. I spotted a red short very flay dress that had little embroidery on it and I thought of it as very simple. Moving on to the next rack, I saw a yellow dress. Very pretty but I despised the colour yellow for some reason. It reminded me of the past.
            "Hey check that lady out. Isn't she something?" Someone halfly asked and I realized I was the only 'lady' there at the moment."She don't look too good to me." The other shrugged and I felt a burning sensation inside of me, hating the men I didn't know instantly. This was definitely  disrespectful. Without thinking, I made a move to walk up to them but Teddy beat me to it.
           Teddy?
            Where'd he come from? I thought he was back at the car.
             I mentally check myself and stay put, leaving Teddy to deal with the mess for me. I forget about it and continue my shopping. By the time I have five dresses in my hand to try on, a figure approaches me.
"Woah!! how many dresses do you really need for a dinner? How many dinner's do you go for? " the voice practically bellows.
I look up to see who this disturbance could be. Did he not have manners? Who walks up to a girl and spits whatever is in his head?
             My head snaps up and I stop when I see my disturbance's face. He's tall. That's my first notice. Probably a 6'4, meaning he's not as tall as Teddy but considering my height, he is tall. I'm not one to crush on extra muscular guys and this guy isn't. His somewhat buff body catches my eye next. Normally, I wouldn't describe a human being as drop dead gorgeous mostly cause I didn't understand the meaning. I mean no one could be.....
              "Excuse me?" My disturbance says and I immediately remember why I'm angry.
               "Weren't you one of those guys in the corner?" I ask myself mostly. "Who raised you to treat a woman in such way. And really? Asking me how many clothes I'm buying? That's not supposed to be your business but you have made it so apparently. Shouldn't you be happy I'm buying all these dresses? Will it not go into YOUR salary?"
                 He chuckles.
                 I narrow my eyes. This guy really thinks I'm joking. I feel insulted.
                 "Are you okay now?  You seemed a little too over the top a while ago." He says with a smile showing off such good dentition. HIS SMILE! HIS TEETH!
                 
                FOCUS LILIAN.
             
           "Well if you're okay now I can take your goods from you and show you to the dressing room."
          I'm about to say sure when I realize I know the dressing room and I'm still angry. "How'd you know I was picking out these for a dinner?" Is the first thing that falls out from my stupid mouth.
           'The label says so." He points to the label hanging above the rack. I slap myself silly for not seeing that on the way here and give him a nod.
             "Can we go now?" He asks, seemingly entertained by my embarrassment.