Wish You Were Here

Part 2: A Knight in Shining Satin

To say we were anxious is an understatement. We rushed in and out of boutiques and department stores, arguing about outfits. I think I tried on thirty things at least, and she tried on more than I did. It took a few hours, two coffees, and more than one breakdown for us to find what we deemed acceptable. We're both high strung, and though we still laughed the whole way, we did our fair share of bickering. At some point Rach started trying to back out due to nerves but it is my duty as her best friend to see this through.

Our weekend has always been about taking risks, and this year is no different. At least that's what I keep telling her, and myself.

She ends up in an emerald slip dress that makes her eyes glow, and her legs look miles long when paired with her heels. Rach has the classic style, she likes simple and chic. I was always the 'edgy' one as she would say. I bought a tight black dress, that's just low cut enough to not flash anyone. I couldn't resist the pair of cherry red, thick heeled boots to pair with it.

The clock seems to be moving faster, or maybe my makeup is taking so long because my hands are shaking. By a quarter to eight we're applying perfume and finishing touches, no straight pieces in my curled hair, no dents in her sleek straight hair.

"I could absolutely puke from my nerves." I tell Rach from my spot on the edge of the bed.

"Deep breaths right? It's fine, we're fine. You look amazing, and it's not like we aren't interesting." I let out a snort, we are definitely interesting.

"You look amazing too, Rach. Seriously perfect." I tell her with a smile.

Two minutes early there's a knock on the door, causing us both to jump from our seats. She grabs my hand and we open the door together.

Standing in front of us in the doorway is a sight I never thought I would see. That damn red shirt, is so fucking unholy. Not to be dramatic, but I might start drooling soon.

"Hello, ladies. You both look lovely." Ashton finally speaks, with a sweet grin on his face. I heard him say it, but I think I'm in another dimension, one where Luke has been making eye contact with me since I looked up at him. Three squeezes to my left hand, and I'm back.

"Well if it isn't our knight in shining satin." I say referring to Luke, and that damn shirt. He lets out a chuckle, but then we're all silent again.

"Okay, so let's go then?" I question, but I'm already pulling Rach through the threshold and closing the door. The boys are smart, and the separation is a sly one. I end up next to Luke, and Rach is next to Ashton a few feet ahead. I don't remember her letting go of my hand, but I shake the thought away.

"You do look amazing." He says, smiling at me.

"You look pretty good. I like the shirt." I tell him while running my hand up the satin sleeve. I run my hand back down, brushing his hand. Before I could pull away, he grabbed it and intertwined our fingers. I'm hoping he can't see my face turn completely crimson from the simple action. I don't say a word in the elevator, every thought I have is washed away and taken over by him running his thumb over my hand in a soothing motion.

We're greeted outside by a van with a driver to take us away into the night.

"We thought of a few dinner options since we didn't know if either of you had food allergies or anything." I turn in my seat to smile at Ashton when he says this. It's sweet that they thought that much about it, they seem so normal, but I know they're anything but. We tell them we're both fine with anything. I catch an exchange of eyes between the two boys, an unspoken agreement of sorts. I turn back in my seat to see Luke whisper to the driver, secretive little shit.

I've been obnoxiously quiet and I know it. It isn't like me, I usually never shut up. No one has ever made me want to choose my words so carefully, I've never been so afraid to fail. I have to remind myself that there's nothing to lose, he'll just disappear back into his world after this.

"Cass... hey, Cass." Pulled away from my thoughts by Rach, I turn to look at her and mumble a sort of response.

"Where's your head tonight?" She asks, and I laugh at her and shoot a glare.

"Here, there, everywhere. Who the hell even knows?" This earns me an eye roll in response. The boys look a bit lost, I guess they don't know much about us.

"Cass lives in her own head, and I'll never understand what's so interesting in there." I could strangle her, but I just stick my tongue out.

"Comes with the job I guess." I shrug as I say it, confusion still floating between the two others in the car.

"I'm a writer, if that clears anything up. I do spend a lot of time in my own head. Sweet Rach got the brains and went to college."

"Wait are you two related?" Ashton asks with an even more confused expression.

"God, have you seen us? Polar opposite, it was just a bad joke. Angel face Rach back there is a physical therapist" She smiles softly, which is a tell that's she's nervous again, but only I'd notice.

"Yes, it's boring, I know." Her face drops as she says it, she's always been embarrassed that she wasn't the creative type. I don't see why, it's a reliable job and she's really good at it.

All points go to Ash for noticing the drop in her face and taking her hand, such a gentleman. Then they start to talk with each other, and she starts laughing again, so I turn back around in my seat.

"You're a good friend." Luke whispers to me, tilting his head to the two in the back a bit.

"Don't think I didn't notice you checking on her before turning back around." He smiles as he says it, and just for a second I'm lost in him again.

"She's all I have, I always make sure she's okay. She looks out for me a lot too, I just know her expressions too well." I whisper back with a shrug. He seems satisfied with the answer, but I can't stop thinking that he was watching me close enough to notice.