Old Soul

Chapter Fifteen: The Real Deal

            "No way, no way, no way!" Jessica squeals at lunch on Friday when I tell her about my date with Emmett. "How did he ask you? Where are you going? What are you wearing? We need details, Raquel. Details."

"We were just hanging out at my house," and rudely interrupted by Will, I add mentally. "I'm not sure, and I'm not sure. Maybe just this?"

I gesture down to the gray heart-patterned sweater and jeans combo I have on. Jess gives me a look of horror, like I just told her I killed her puppy.

"No. Nope. Not a chance. This is an intervention. Angela? Bella? We're having an emergency meeting at Raquel's after school. We cannot let her go out like that—with Emmett Cullen, no less." Angela looks excited, Bella, not so much.

"But—" Jess holds up a hand to stop me and closes her eyes as though that will prevent her from hearing my words.

"No buts. The only 'but' you are allowed to talk about is Emmett's." I gape at her.

"And we will expect details." Angela adds. Bella looks amused by my chagrin.

"I-I—"

"It's settled, we'll be over at four." Jess grins.

I mope through gym, stressed knowing that Emmett will fully tease me for Jess and Angela's conversation. To my surprise, Emmett doesn't mention it.

"So, I'll pick you up at five? Or," A sly look comes into his eye. "Will you and the girls need more time to get you ready?"

So much for him not bringing it up.

"Five is fine. Gives them less time to come up with even more ways to embarrass me." Emmett laughs.

"I'll be sure to rescue you at five then."

✧❉✧

"Definitely not that one." Jess says, pointing to the fifth outfit we've gone through since she, Angela, and Bella came over.

"Why not?" I demand, holding the gray long-sleeved dress up to my front.

"Because you're not trying to look like a figure skater." Jess takes the hanger out of my hands and tosses it on my bed, along with the other rejected outfits.

"You never know, Jess," Angela calls out casually from inside my closet, where she's sifting through my rack of the girls deemed "date-worthy." "Emmett might be into that."

"Would you guys stop teasing her?" Bella asks, seated at my desk.

"She's more likely to talk about her relationship than you are." Jess points out, crossing over to take the dress Angela holds out and bringing it over to me.

I hold it up to my frame, and Jess steps back and makes a rectangle with her hands, appraising me like a work of art.

"I like that one. If you curl her hair and add some makeup, it's perfect. Classic, casual, and cute." Bella offers. Jess considers for a minute before sending me into the bathroom to change.

I pull the dress on over my head before inspecting the mirror. The dress is navy, with a dual layered skirt and a deep gray chiffon overlay with flowers that covers my shoulders, looking like a t-shirt. I pull on some sheer tights for a little more coverage on my legs—even spring in Forks is chilly.

"Can you zip me up?" I ask Bella, holding my hair up so she can access the zipper unfettered.

"What do we think?" I ask, twirling. Jess grins, and Angela flashes me a thumbs up from behind her.