Hot Chocolate and Conflicts

Part Two C

Part 2 C

Finding a suit in less than an hour turned out to be challenging. Even more so, when the rain turned to ice, the crystallized pellets started falling from the sky. They were beautiful, but painful. Beauty and Pain seem to go hand in hand these days.

"So, where do you usually go to get suits and stuff?" I broke the very awkward silence. Terence looked at me, rolled his eyes, and expressed a movement that could only be interpreted as 'Follow me'. I did the best I could. Terence walked unbelievably fast. It made sense because he had longer legs than mine, but the point is that I was struggling to keep up. By the time we made it to the first store, I was more than 5 metres behind him. I had been lucky, someone could have gotten between us.

The store was called "Suit Style 101" and was located downtown where all of the older shops were. Terence had driven us and needless to say, the ride was awkward. We hadn't anything to talk about, other than suits of course. After five minutes of very uncomfortable silence, I got the nerve to ask a question.

"Who's wedding are you going to?" I didn't know what I was expecting, probably something dramatic, like him saying, "My own." or, "My best bud's." I don't know why, but I had imagined him playing a big part in this wedding. Why else would he be so upset?

In no way had I expected him to say, "My sister's."

He had on a faint smile, something that clued me in on his happiness for her, how wonderful he knew she was. At that point in time, I figured that he put her on a pedestal because of what she taught him. The arts of being a total and complete ass. I didn't ask him what she was like, I already thought that I knew.

We pulled up to the side of the road. One of those parallel parking spaces. I couldn't help but look around and notice the area we were in. Dozens of small, yet beautiful in terms of architecture, shops lined the road. Something caught my eye. A gold letter "A", glowing in the late afternoon sun.

"Terence!" I called out to him as we got out of his expensive looking, red car. He turned to me with those eyes of ocean and seaweed. My heart nearly stopped.

It was the first time I had ever said his name aloud.

"Um," I started awkwardly, "Can we by any chance... Go in that Antique shop over there?" I'd always been interested in cute nick knacks from the past.

Terence took a deep breath. He was frustrated with me.

"C'mon, really? You want to waste my time by going into that useless store? I'm sorry, but I've got other things to do. More important things. You owe me, I suggest you follow me now."

And that leads us back to where we were, "Suit Style 101".

There was a women's store conjoined. I couldn't help but glance at the dresses. How I'd always wanted one of those beautiful dresses. Terence pushed me forward, I guess I stopped to stare. I shook my head, trying to rid the thoughts of glorious gowns and dressing up. Looking forward, I noticed the hundreds of suits in the room. There were so many to choose from, and the worst part? They all looked well over $100.

"Terence?" I whispered, too scared to make a noise in this vast room. "I have a budget of about $100. Do you think any one of these suits can be 'The One'? You know, perfect style, fit, in the budget..." I trailed off. It was obvious that he wasn't happy with me.

"I'll tell you what," He ran his hand along the suits, all hanging on metal rods. The suspense was killing me. I wanted, no needed, to know what he was about to offer me. He smirked, probably know what he was doing to me, "I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. You'll have to pick out a dress from over there," He pointed towards the dresses that I was so hypnotized by just moments before.

"Congratulations, you're my date."