Timeless

Chapter 9

1st - 4th November 2012

Julian's present to me was the best present ever. It makes talking to him so easy, as he can message when he's supposed to be working hard. He still calls whenever he gets a chance, and we end up eating dinner over the phone Thursday night. Friday afternoon I get to go home, and it's the best feeling in the world.

Julian and I don't get a chance to catch up, because my mum is watching me like a hawk. She happily says I can invite him over for dinner, but I'm really not keen for that. So I try to minimise phone calls with him too, because she likes to stick her nose in.

On Saturday he asks me again if I'm feeling up to going to the live show on Monday. This time I can't turn him down. I am feeling better, and I really want to go. There's only a couple of weeks of X Factor left, and I don't want to miss my chance to see him in case the unthinkable happens.

"Did your mum want to come?" Julian asks Sunday, when we get our first chance of a decent phone call while my mum's out.

"No!" I say quickly, and it's probably a little mean. There's not much of a chance that Mum will let me go alone. "But do you think I could bring Katie and Steph?"

"Yeah of course," Julian agrees eagerly. He wasn't too happy about the idea of me going alone either.

"They're going to be here soon," I say, thinking it over in my head. "So I guess I'll actually have to tell them about you."

"You haven't told them about me?" Julian asks, faking hurt.

"Uh, no. I didn't know what to say last week when I saw them. You're not exactly the most important thing on my mind right now," I tease. "I'm joking," I say quickly, because I want him to know there's no way I actually think that.

Like they know I'm talking about them, the doorbell rings, and it can only be the girls. Backup runs to the door, ready to greet or attack whoever it is.

"I have to go, they're here," I say, getting up and heading for the door. "But I'll talk to you later."

"Bye gorgeous," he says, and then he's gone.

I'm grinning like an idiot when I open the door, but I guess my two friends just think it's because of them, because they say nothing. They come in and fuss over me, claiming how great I look blah blah blah. I usher them into the lounge room, because I'm not allowed to use the stairs to go into my room until my stitches are out.

We talk about school and girly things for a little bit, before I decide I have to bring it up now.

"So I have something to tell you," I blurt out, and the looks I get are of worry. "Don't worry, it's a good thing." They both look happier, but I'm sure I don't. I'm hell scared. I take a deep breath and start the story. "So I met someone..."

"What?!" they both demand at the same time.

"Yeah, he's... really amazing. We met at Wharf 4 Ward. And we've been on a few dates, talking a lot. I think it's pretty serious." Now to just figure out how to drop in he's Julian of The Collective. "So, he asked me and you guys out with his friends tomorrow night."

"Yes!" Steph screams, clearly excited about meeting the mystery guy.

"Tell us about him!" Katie urges.

"Um, well his name is Julian," I say. "Julian De Vizio."

That stopped their squealing - as they now seem stunned into silence. They both watch X Factor, they definitely know who I'm talking about.

"He invited us to the live show tomorrow night," I add. "Uh, guys?" I poke them both, and then they erupt like volcanos.

They squeal and bounce, and grip at me as though their lives depend on it. After a moment they compose themselves.

"So you wanna go?" I ask, and they laugh at me.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Katie chides.

I shrug. "I guess I was just worried you two would fan girl. I'm so glad you didn't by the way." I roll my eyes.

"That wasn't fan girling for Julian," Steph says like it's obvious. "We're excited for you! He seems to sweet and nice, and you're dating him!" She squeals again.

I smile. "Yeah, he is really sweet. I really like him."

"Agh!" Katie screams. "I'm going to get all of your clothes and we're going to decide how to dress you up for tomorrow. You're going to look gorgeous, and Julian's going to like you even more."

That went better than planned. The girls prepare clothes, shoes and makeup for tomorrow night, then we make our plans to meet up and get ready, then go. Julian lets me know when to get there, and I have specific instructions on how to get to our seats. I couldn't be more excited if I tried. My best friends meeting my boyfriend? I guess he definitely is my boyfriend now. We haven't made it Facebook official (and now I have that song stuck in my head) or anything, but I really don't think there's another label for it. Whatever it is, I'm excited.