Unlikely Star

Diva

Right on the dot, the doorbell rang, calling out for me to finish up my makeup. Before leaving my bedroom, I checked myself out in the mirror quickly to make sure I looked presentable. Stepping out of my bedroom, I looked across the hall at Charlie, who had also stepped out of his room at the same time. The doorbell rang once more, ringing the starting noise for the race to the front door.

I dashed in front of him down the stairs, but took too wide of a turn once I got off, causing him to barrel past me and make it to the door first. Before Charlie opened the door, he looked over at me with a smirk and an eyebrow raise.

Once he opened the door, Sebastian was surprised to see the face of his date's younger brother rather than his actual date. "Oh, hello?" he said.

"Hi. I'm Charlie Schultz, Mallory's younger brother." Charlie reached his hand out, and Sebastian took it with a firm grip. "Just wanted to check on her date before she headed out."

"Why? Because you're babysitting her?" I giggled at Sebastian's joke, which Charlie didn't understand. "I'm just joking, don't worry."

"Alright, this has been incredibly fun, but Sebastian and I need to actually go out and have a life. So, mom left some money on the table for you to order some food, and I should be back before mom and dad get home. Thanks, goodbye." Charlie was about to speak up to say something before the two of us left, but I shut the door on him so he couldn't embarrass me any further. "Sorry about him, he's just being annoying."

"Don't worry. I totally get it."

"So you have younger siblings?"

"No, but I've met plenty of younger siblings of girls I've taken out on dates."

"Well that's reassuring. Thanks for picking me up, by the way."

"Of course. It's the chivalrous thing to do."

"Okay wait, I need to talk to you about something before we do all of this." Sebastian stopped from opening up my car door and looked up at me. "I know I said I wanted to go out to dinner with you, which I still totally want to do, but if we could keep this on the down low until things start to work out, that would be great."

"Why? Are you ashamed to be spending time with me?"

"No! Of course not! I'm just worried of what everyone else will think of this, and I don't really want to hear their opinions unless I know this will work out."

"Wait, why don't your friends like me?"

"You see, our dinner reservations are at 7:00, so I wouldn't want us to be late." I started cracking up at my own joke, which was hilarious by the way, as Sebastian rolled his eyes and opened up the door for me. "But seriously, will you promise not to go shouting from the rooftops that we went on one date?"

"Yes, don't you worry. Besides, I would want to be there when all your friends find out about us and see their reactions."

I stifled a sarcastic laugh and responded, "Ha, ha... you're so funny." I can already tell that I am going to regret this.

***

Walking into Glee Club the following Monday, I was grinning from ear to ear. Much to my surprise, I had an amazing time with Sebastian on our date. He was incredibly charming and witty, but had a great sense of humor and was actually enjoyable (which was shocking). I even suggested the idea that we stop for ice cream on our way back from the restaurant. We already planned another date, scheduled for later in the week. Sebastian had some kind of spell on me that I could not figure out.

Ms. Pillsbury joined us in the choir room this week, which was strange. She began to write the word, "DIVA" across the board as everyone filed in. She turned around to face us after finishing up and uttered the word, "Diva."