forbidden [h.s.]

five.

"Wow." I hear Serena say and I turn around. She stands in the door frame, eyes wide as they look me up and down. "What's the occasion?"

I laugh at her reaction. "I'm going on a date."

Glancing at myself in the mirror, I really don't look like I'm going on a date. I borrowed Serena's dark red dress that she wore to the party the other night, but it seemed too formal for me, and it's too cold. After putting on a cardigan and boots it became a lot less formal. Definitely not "date" apparel.

Her eyes widen again. "With who?"

I smile. "Mason." I say and pause, turning away from her. "And Harry."

Serena gasps. "Who's Harry?"

"A guy I met the other night. He's coming with us to make sure nothing happens. Mason kind of snapped at me yesterday."

She appears in the mirror next to me and looks at me through the reflection. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm glad it happened. I can use it as an excuse to avoid him as long as I can."

"Let me know if I need to hit someone, because I would do that for you." Serena says and swings her arms around like she's doing karate.

I laugh and hug her, bringing my bag over my shoulder. "I'll be home before curfew."

"Have fun!" Serena hugs me again.

She's so happy all the time. How does she do it?

• • •

I walk into the restaurant, grateful that it's warm in here. A hostess comes up to me and asks me if I'm looking for a party. Unintentionally, I ignore her and scan the restaurant looking for Mason.

I see him sitting at a table and, sitting across from him, is Harry. His back is to me but I can see that they're both dressed very nicely. I wasn't expecting it from Harry, considering I'm not exactly on a date with him. I feel horribly underdressed now.

"I found them." I say quickly to the hostess and walk towards them.

Mason's eyes slowly travel from Harry to me as I approach and his eyes widen. Harry, obviously, notices that he no longer has Mason's attention and turns around as well. His eyes widen too and suddenly, I feel very uncomfortable. I barely ever have Mason's genuine attention, I don't know how to handle two people.

I stand in front of them at the table and they both stare at me, saying nothing.

I clear my throat. "Um, hello." I smile awkwardly and Harry shakes his head as if he's snapping himself out of a trance.

His hair is styled up and he wears a black suit. It's very fitting and very flattering. I glance at Mason, who's wearing a suit as well.

Remember who you're on a date with. Pull yourself together.

"Jade, you look amazing." Mason says and clears his throat. "Harry, would you mind?"

"Right. Of course not." Harry stands, nodding to me and sitting at the table behind me.

For the next half hour, Mason carries on pointless conversation. He talks an awful lot about himself, nearly boring me to tears. Suddenly, his phone rings. I assume he'll shut it off. But, to augment his rudeness, Mason answers the phone call. He turns and laughs into the device, ignoring me and I sigh. I turn around to Harry in the other booth, tapping his shoulder, and he turns to face me.

It's not until he turns around that I realize how close our faces are now. I back up a bit and he smiles at me.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" He asks, though I think he can see that I'm not.