𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫. [𝐥𝐫𝐡]

chapter sixteen: "temporary."

[carmen leigh]

i have no idea what i'm doing.

luke and louis are supposed to be here in less than an hour, and i still have to get ready. i don't know what to wear, but i can't ask nova for help because she'll definitely tell ashton. i don't think i can take another one of his lectures.

he gets way too into them.

seriously, one time he made a powerpoint. he had cue cards and everything.

the dude's a psycho.

with a frustrated sigh, i sink down onto the edge of my bed. piles upon piles of clothes pool around my feet.

it shouldn't be such a big deal, but i have no idea how i'm supposed to dress for something like this. it isn't a date, so that rules out formal clothes, but at the same time, i want to look at least semi-decent. i'm never usually the type of person to worry about clothes. usually i just put on whatever i pull out first.

but now i have a reason to look nice... it's a lot more complicated. at least, it feels as if it is.

i switch from my seated position so i'm lying on my stomach. groaning in annoyance, i repeatedly smash my head against the mattress.

"why. can't. everything. just. be. easy." each word is emphasised with another thump against the bed.

i carry on like this for a few minutes, before a voice pulls me from my internal war against all forms of clothing.

"why the fuck does it look like your closet exploaded?"

with my head still buried in the sheets, i respond. "because it did."

"then why is the frame still intact?"

"it's from ikea. swedish people build great furniture."

i'm yanked up from the bed by my shoulders. nova stands in front of me, in a pile of discarded shirts, with her hands on her hips. "you're going out, aren't you?"

shit. i can't lie to her, i'm awful at lying. literally the worst. "uhhh... no?"

"i know you're lying, cam. if you tell me, i pinkie promise i won't tell ash." she offers me her pinkie with a grin. god... my resolve is so weak.

"fine." i say in defeat, "i'm going to the aquarium with luke and lou."

"so it's a date."

"it's not a date."

"then why are you worrying so much about what to wear?" nova raises an eyebrow.

"maybe i just felt like looking nice for once." i defend, "besides, if it was a date, louis wouldn't be there. who brings their son with them on a date?"

she nods. "fair point... fair point... but you still wish it was a date."

"i do not!"

okay, maybe that's a lie. but you can't blame me. from what i know, he seems like a nice guy. i wouldn't complain if he decided it was a date. but it isn't, and i'm okay with that as well.

nova shoots me a knowing look. however, she stays quiet, opting to pick through the clothes on the floor instead of judging me. i stay seated on the bed as she makes her way through the piles, occasionally holding things up to me before tossing them to the side.

"you know... i never actually asked for your help..."

she pauses in her movements for a second. her eyes meet mine. "when are they coming to pick you up?"