Shiver

Chapter 6

January's POV

Why am I freaking out over what to wear? It's not like I in any way feel warm around Alex, and it's not like I in any way should be freaking out over this. It's just dinner, a insignificant dinner with a friend. Not even a friend. An acquaintance. Alex.

Riiiiiinggggggg.........

Oh yay, my phone. Which idiot could possibly think I like talking on the phone? I hate it because I can't see peoples response, and I could offend them, and also because I don't have any time to think about what I want to say.

I walk over and pick up my phone. "Incoming call: Lyra." She really is a blundering idiot isn't she? She knows I hate talking on the phone, and yet, here we are.

"How may I help you?" I ask, sarcasm rich in my tone.

"I wanted to know how your date was going."

"One, it's not a date. Two, it hasn't started yet. Three, it's not a date. And four, I don't know what to wear and am totally freaking out because I have to talk to a person all night and act like I'm having fun so he won't think I'm a horrible person and will maybe like me so that I can have a friend besides you and I know that I shouldn't care because hello, it's me and I hate people but I really want another friend especially at work so it doesn't feel like I'm there for three million hours and oh my gosh I can't breathe."

"Really, I didn't know," Lyra teases, making me wish she was here so that I could give her a reasonably hard slap.

"You're not funny, and you don't help. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to have a panic attack, break out in hives, take another shower, and then try and figure out what to wear before Alex gets here. Goodbye."

"January, wait. How long until Alex gets there?"

"About an hour, why?"

"Why don't I come over, help you choose an outfit, do your hair really nice, and then we can watch a show for a couple minutes, cool?"

"Really, you would do that?"

"Well," Lyra starts, "It's not like I have a life, it's not like I have a soulmate to go out with, so why not. I have nothing better to do."

"Great, see you in ten minutes." I quickly hang up before Lyra changes her mind.

I run to the bathroom, and pour cold water down my neck, trying to get rid of the red hives that have formed. Having social anxiety is really fun. It's just great.

When Lyra gets to my house, I have accomplished the first two tasks. Having a panic attack. Check. Taking another shower to get rid of the hives. Check. Now all I have to do is sit in a chair, keep breathing, let Lyra do my hair, and then get on an outfit without breaking out in hives again. How hard can it really be? Apparently really hard.

"What do you want to wear? Ooooooh, how about this?" Lyra holds up a sequin dress that when on would probably show my butt. I bought it when I was like twelve, thinking it was cool. I have never worn it.

"Uhhmmm," I pretend to think about it. "How about a big fat nopety nope nope."

"Why not?" Lyra whines. "It's cute."

"First, it would show my butt, and second, no. I want to wear something casual. I'm not on a date so I in no way plan to look good."

"You're no fun." Lyra says before sticking her head right back into my closet. After about ten minutes, her head emerges again. "How about this." Lyra is holding black leggings, a flowy top, and some wedges. Simple and cute.