Invisible String

Chapter 29 - Red

The next day, I woke in a pretty good mood. It was annoying to not know what we were doing, but also intriguing, and I loved mulling it over. Would it be something mundane that Alex wouldn't normally do but I would, like bowling or going to the arcade? I doubted it. He was a great date, but definitely not so much into the everyday things like I was. A date didn't have to be crazy and extravagant for me to enjoy myself. Hell, our first night together, walking to the beach and watching the sunrise. That was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

Alex was out making plans, taking care of business, and he'd reminded me time and time again that he would be ready to pick me up at five precisely and that I best be prepared to go. The date depended upon our timeliness apparently.

I ran around the house like a madwoman by the time noon came around. I was cleaning, organizing, doing whatever I could to stay busy. I couldn't write. I couldn't sit still. My mind did nothing but wander, and the more time that passed, the more I couldn't keep my thoughts straight. My mind was buzzing, full of ideas that wouldn't make sense. Finally, as the time got closer to five, I rushed into the shower. I washed, shaved, and scrubbed every inch of my body, well, I didn't shave every inch, but I was clean as a... well, a clean person.

I got out of the shower. It was almost four. I sat on the barstool in front of my counter and blow-dried my hair, then used my curling iron to make curly what wasn't naturally. Having short hair made this both difficult and easy. There was undoubtedly less to work with, but that meant tight spaces for my fingers to squeeze into and not get burnt.

Once I was satisfied with the result, I moved on to make up. I wasn't much for rich colors or mass quantities, so I lightly dusted my face with a healthy foundation, lined my eyes, and brushed my lashes with mascara. I used the lightest shade of pink that I had on my eyes and dusted my lids softly. Lastly, I found the perfect lip gloss that added a shiny, soft red finish without being too noticeable.

It was a quarter to five by the time I finished, so I ran into my closet, pulled on a pair of no-show red panties, then slid into the dress carefully. Luckily, it didn't have an impossible zipper to get to. It was a simple, slightly stretchy fabric that hung around my curves perfectly. My breasts felt somewhat exposed, so I grabbed some double-sided tape that I'd never had to use before and attached it to my breasts and the dress in the right spots. It felt awful, but at least there wouldn't be any slip-ups.

Hopefully, Alex would take it slow with the ripping-off of my dress later on.

As I was pulling on the heels, there was a knock at my door. "Shit!" I exclaimed, tripping on my way out of the closet. Alex must've heard the loud commotion because, within a few seconds, he was in my bedroom. While rubbing my knees, where I'd landed on them, I asked, "The door was unlocked?"

He leaned down in front of me, his hand reaching out for me. "Are you okay?"

I uncovered my knees, "I'm fine. See? No cuts." He smiled and pulled me up to my feet.

He looked stunning in a black suit, white button-up, and red tie. His hair was free from the gel, and he'd left a short layer of stubble on his face. I reached out my hand and ran my fingers across it. I wasn't sure why, but I'd always liked the feeling of that.

"How did you get in?" I asked before he leaned in and kissed me.

Once he pulled away, he answered, "Your door was unlocked."

"Was it?" I asked, turning my head. "I swore I locked it when you left." My memory is just not what it used to be.

He pulled me closer to him, and I smelt the cologne lingering from his neck. It was partly masculine, with that butch rustic look that men liked to smell like, but with a hint of something sweet. I smiled when I realized what was so familiar about it.

"Is that the cologne I bought you for Christmas a year ago?"

He ran his fingers through my short, wavy hair. "It is. Your nose does not deceive you."

"I know you hate it, but I love it," I whispered before kissing his neck.

"Good, I'm glad," he said while leaning into my kiss. After a second, he asked softly, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," I said, pulling my mouth away. I grabbed a tissue from my nearby nightstand, cleaned the lip gloss of his neck, and reapplied as we went into the living room.

Did I have everything? My small silver clutch held my phone, the lip-gloss, a compact mirror, and a panty liner. I'd been on the pill regularly without any issues, but sometimes little slip-ups could happen.

"I have everything," I said, turning from the living room, where I'd wandered to while going over my checklist. Alex stood in front of the door, his hands behind his back and a small, nervous smile on his lips. "What?" I asked, slightly freaked out.

"Hannah, I love you, please remember that before you kill me."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What did you do?" Automatically my mind went to terrible places. I'd been cheated on before, hell, I'd done the cheating, but this, this would take the cake. Being told about it on Valentine's Day.

While my mind went on a furious rampage, Alex walked closer to me and pulled out a small, black velvet box from behind his back.

My mind stopped for a moment. He smiled a little more, this time more genuine. "I did something, quite possibly, stupid." He paused, looking up at me, gauging my reaction. "I can take it back, you don't have to wear it, take it, or do anything with it."

"Well, I might as well know what it is first." Internally, I sighed, but externally I tried to keep a calm face.

"Now, please don't get upset. I had this made. For you." He opened the box and inside laid a necklace. On the slim, silver chain was a silver, diamond-encrusted pendant, roughly the size of a half-dollar. It was a lady-bug, with the initials 'E.B.' etched into the middle of it.

I reached out and touched it. It was hard and cold, but the most beautiful piece of jewelry I'd ever laid eyes on. I looked up at Alex, and he ran his thumb across my cheek, wiping away a sneaky tear.

"Alex," I said, tears almost overpowering me. But I wouldn't let all that hard work at my make-up go to waste. I choked out, "You didn't have to do this."

"I know, but I hoped you would like it."

"Like it?" I shook my head, "I love it."

I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him, the jewelry box still in his hand.

He pulled the necklace free from its holding place, unclasped the chain, turned me around, and hung it from my neck. Once he'd clasped it again, he turned me around. My fingers went to my neck automatically. It hung just a bit below my collarbone, and I loved it right there, close to my heart.