Whose Fault? (Editing)

Chapter Six

By the time Friday rolled around, my mind was exhausted from going back and forth, but I was still excited. I had just got out of the shower and was jamming to one of my current favorite artists when Chloe texted me saying that she was around the corner. I quickly threw on some shorts and a tank top and wrapped my hair up in the towel.

When Chloe called my name, I turned the music down and yelled that I was in my bathroom. I pulled my toothbrush out and started to brush my teeth as I waited for her to make her way into my room. When she did, she plopped right down on my bed.

I rinsed my mouth out with mouthwash and sat myself down on the bed with her. She smiled at me and was practically jumping on my bed when she asked, "are you excited?!"

Laughing at her, I told her honestly "yeah. I really like Eli, but there's a big part of me that's worried. Like what if this turns out like Xavier or worse? And I know that it's only one date, and I shouldn't even think about it, but still I am, and I don't want it to be like that." I paused before quickly realizing what Chloe would say to me, "please, I know what you're going to say and just don't say it. Just this time, just spit some bullshit about how great it's going to be or something to make me feel better."

Her smile had shrunk a little, I knew what she was thinking of saying "you're overthinking it and being dramatic. It's just one date, it's not that big of a deal. You'll be fine." But instead she said, "it is going to go great. Obviously, he likes you, because if he didn't, he wouldn't have asked you out. Now stop your pouting and let's put an outfit together, shall we?"

I smiled and nodded my head along as she raided my closet looking for outfits that I could wear. After about ten minutes, she came out with three options for me to choose from. The one I chose was a white baby doll tunic and multi-color daisy print leggings that reached my ankles.

After getting dressed, I made my way to the bathroom and Chloe followed me. We chit chatted while I put on my usual concealer, eyeliner, mascara, and lip balm. I let my hair loose from the towel and dried my hair, before straightening it. As I finished up, I turned towards Chloe and twirled as I asked, "how do I look?"

"Beautiful, as always," she complimented me.

I rolled my eyes and walked away from her into the living room. I sat down on the couch, ready to spend the rest of my time waiting watching Bob's Burgers or The Office. I hadn't made up my mind yet as to which one. Chloe eventually sat beside me handing me my phone and wallet. When I asked her to choose between the two shows, she told me to put on The Office, so I made it happen.

We got through one episode when the doorbell rang. I looked to Chloe about to panic, "I feel like I might puke."

When she saw me, she smiled telling me to, "just breathe. Everything will be okay. You hang out with each other all the time, it'll be just like that. The only difference is that now you know that he likes you, just like you like him." She must have been able to tell that I was about to argue with her, because she continued without giving me the chance to speak, "you look awesome, and you're an amazing person. If he didn't think so, Eli wouldn't have asked you out. Why are you making him wait?"

Fuck. I took a deep breath and made my way downstairs. Eli was standing on the porch in khakis and a black t-shirt. And despite being able to feel my heartbeat in my throat and my mind predicting my downfall, I was able to mutter a small, "hey."

It took Eli a minute to reply, it seemed like he had zoned out, "hey, you look gorgeous." Liar. I did my best to ignore the thought and thanked him with a small, fake smile.

We started making our way to, where I thought was, the movie theater. After a few minutes, though, I began to recognize that the way we were going was very similar, if not the same, as the way to his house. So, I questioned him, "Eli? Where are we going?" To which, he smirked and ignored me, so I continued to attempt to get information out of him, "because this the exact same way to get to your house." Still nothing; I sighed and leaned back into the seat, waiting for us to get to, where I was now sure was, his house.