"So why are you here again?"
My question was rewarded with a typical 'Vasic smirk'. My best friend was leaning against my bedroom doorframe casually, as if he belonged there.
“I represent the guy’s perspective, of course.”
I shot Vasic a look that, ‘the guide and translation of Alara Kinkaid’s expressions’, would have roughly translated into, ‘are you daft?’ That guide actually existed. Vasic had written it when we were in grade six - funny bugger that he was.
“Vas, are you even capable of seeing me in that light? We’ve been best friends for as long as I can remember.”
Vas shot me his famous, cheeky grin – the one that won so many girls over.
“Ari, I’m a teenage guy.”
Hilary laughed aloud at Vasic’s explanation, “the man has a point Alara. Besides, a male opinion will be beneficial. Vasic’s especially. He wouldn’t lie to you.” She said from her place directly in front of my open closet. She’d been staring into the thing for ten minutes now.
I knew that my questioning was due to the nervous feeling that had set up camp in my stomach. Ever since I’d arrived home, I’d felt nervous. Nate would be here to pick me up for our first date in just over two hours.
I leant back against the soft pillows of my bed and observed quietly as Hilary ‘ooed’and ‘ahhed’ over the contents of my closet.
“I just love your clothes, Ari!” Hilary exclaimed as she continued to rifle through my clothing.
A small, sad smile graced my face at her comment. “Mum took me on a massive shopping trip a couple of weeks before she died. She’d said that she was desperate for some ‘girl time’ and wanted to spoil me. We hadn’t seen much of each other that week; she said she’d missed me. We practically revamped my entire closet. Nearly everything in there is new.”
My smile grew, becoming more grateful than sad, “We spent a night ordering the thing. Dad thought we were crazy but mum claimed that she wanted everything ordered. She put the old clothes that I wanted to keep in the chest of drawers and everything new in there. It was a day well spent.”
Thoughtful silence followed my shared recollection.
“Well, you and your mum have excellent taste.” Hilary complimented.
I smiled, “she sure did.”
“So what’s the plan for Ari’s dress code?” Vasic asked from the doorway.
Hilary turned from staring into my closet to look over to Vasic. “First, you need to leave so that I can prepare her and then you can see the finished look.” Hilary was in her ‘task-at-hand-mode’, meaning that anyone in between her and her end goal should run for cover.
Vasic made no move to leave, instead – with his hands raised in defense – he approached me. Once he reached the bed, he lowered one hand to take my own into his and stage-whispered jokingly, “Good luck with Sergeant Clothing over there.”
I laughed at my best friend’s comment and laughed harder when he grunted due to a heavy shoe making contact with his butt.
Vasic turned to glare playfully at Hilary, who was the picture of innocence. Vas was rubbing his arse just as Hilary said, “I heard that.” It was impossible to miss the laughter she was holding back and I smiled at my two friends.
Vas grinned before turning to me, “I’ll either be raiding the fridge or playing the Xbox. Depending on how long you two take.”
“It’s whatever.” I said to him before he walked out.
Hilary focused her attentions on me as soon as Vasic closed the door behind him. “Okay you, up you get.”
_____
I stared at the mirrors reflection of myself. The mirror was mounted on one of the walls in my bedroom and I could see Hilary smiling behind me without having to turn to face her.
“What do you think?” She asked.
I nodded, “I like it.” Hilary’s grin broadened at my approval.
She’d chosen a black blouse with a crochet lace yoke around the neckline – one of my favourites. To go with the shirt, a pair of bow pocket dark washed jeans had been forced upon me.
Hilary had told me that I was allowed to wear my regular necklace as it wouldn’t be seen through the shirt. It had been given to me by my parents on my sixteenth birthday; a thin golden chain with a small, golden hockey stick as the charm. I loved the necklace and rarely, if ever, took it off.
“Now… shoes…” Hil’s voice was lost as she rifled through the few shoes that littered the floor of my closet.
“You have so many clothes and so few shoes. I shall have to remedy that situation soon.” Hil announced in her authoritative tone.
I laughed at Hil; I’d never really been too into shoes.
Hilary pulled out the pair of deco black flats that she’d given me last Christmas and threw them at me – at the same time. I caught both easily enough and shot her a mock-glare as I placed my feet into the shoes.
She laughed, “Nice catch Hockey Girl.”
I smirked at her, Hilary frequented the term ‘Hockey Girl’ when referring to me. She loved the sport herself because of Kaleb’s role and my own but, she much preferred dancing to hockey in matters of self-participation.
“Thanks.”
“Okay, now for your hair…”
Hilary dragged me into the bathroom that leads off from my bedroom. She sat me down on a vanity stool and ten minutes and a few cusses later, she was looking at me with a satisfied smile. She’d simply brushed my hair out and fiddled around with it slightly. With a little bit of an argument on my side – she’d convinced me to wear mascara. I’d conceded when she wouldn’t stop repeatedly ‘pleasing’ me.
“Good to go.”
I smiled at my friend before looking toward the clock on the bathroom bench. I had a good forty-five minutes before 5:30 arrived. I couldn’t decide whether that was good or bad.
“Let’s go show Vasic.” It wasn’t a suggestion, more a demand and I laughed before saluting ‘Sergeant Clothing’.
Hilary lead me into the kitchen in search of Vasic, turning to me when she couldn’t see him, she asked, “Where would that best friend of yours be?”
“Vasic!” I shouted. It was the common form of finding a team member in my house – shout as loudly as you could.
When there was no reply, I turned to Hilary, “Xbox.”
She smirked and told me to wait in the kitchen as she went to drag a large male from his video game.
Left unattended… I raided the pantry, of course.
Hilary and Vas walked into the kitchen to find me with a spoon full of Nutella halfway to my mouth. I grinned at them, shrugged and ate the delicious chocolaty-treat from the spoon.
Vasic laughed, “That’s my girl. Pass the spoon.”
I grinned at my friend once I’d swallowed the Nutella and passed the spoon over to him.
“You two are incorrigible.” Hilary scolded lightly.
We both grinned.
Hils laughed at the two hockey players before her before growing serious, “Vasic, seriously, how’s she look? Suitable for a first date? Do you think Nate will like it?”
Vas snorted without looking at me, “Nate would like Ari even if she was wearing a potato sack.”
Hils sighed, “Vasic, please.”
“Okay, okay. Ari, stand in the middle of the kitchen so I can look at you, okay?”
I moved to the specified position, leaving the Nutella to the mercy of a hungry Vasic.
Vas raised a single dark eyebrow as he scrutinized my appearance and I began to feel slightly self-conscious.
“You look beautiful Alara, just as you always do.” Truth rang in Vas’s words and I was grateful for that.
I smiled up at my best friend, “Thanks Vas.”
He shrugged, “How long until he picks you up?”
I glanced at the time on the oven, “half an hour.”
“Awesome! Up for some Xbox?” He suggested.
“Wait! What about a clutch?” Hilary asked.
Vas snorted again, I hoped this wouldn’t become a habit.
“Ari doesn’t own any of those things. All she needs is her mobile phone which she can put in her pocket. Nate will pay for everything on the first date and he won’t accept the argument that Ari is sure to make. He won’t even let her out the door with money on her.”
I grimaced, as much as I didn’t like it, Vas was right. I mean, I shouted the guys food all the time and they me, but this, this was different. Nate had been raised as a gentleman though and I knew that arguing about payment on a first date would be useless. I’d shout the second one.
“He’s right Hils. On all accounts.”
She sighed, “okay, go play Xbox.”
_____
The nerves I had previously been feeling increased tenfold when the doorbell sounded throughout the house. I heard an excited squeal from Hilary and a grunt from Vasic as he rose to his feet, but all that I could focus on were my own nerves. It felt so stupid to be feeling this way. I’d known Nate for years of my life. We had been friends for as long as I could remember. I was a hockey player for crying out loud. I sighed and breathed in and out slowly in an attempt to calm myself. I thought back to the way that Nate made me feel safe and I knew that when I saw him my nerves would fade.
“I’ll get it!” Vas announced as he walked down the hallways that lead to the front door. “I’ll even play the role of the overprotective father since your dad is with your Uncle tonight, Ari.” Vas informed me with a smirk.
I stood from the floor and ran my hands over my clothing to be rid of any creases. Hilary appeared in front of me, a smile on her perfect face.
“You look gorgeous, don’t stress.” She said in her famous calming tone. It worked wonders on Kaleb when he was stressing.
I breathed in and out once more before smiling; a date with Nate. This would be good for me, I was sure of it.
Hilary led me toward the front door by way of an ironclad grip on my hand. The muscles of my body were tensed but by the time we made it to the door, I’d relaxed. The door was closed but I could hear the voices of both Vas and Nate from a sitting room adjacent that lead off from the hall.
“Now, I want her home by ten-thirty at the latest, you hear?”
I rolled my eyes at Vasic’s request and smiled upon hearing Nate’s laughing response, “of course, Sir.” He conceded.
“Here’s the part where I go off script,” Vasic was saying as Hilary and I watched from our vantage point in the doorway.
Vasic looked directly at Nate who stood with his back to both Hilary and I as he finished his sentence, “I shall be checking her neck for hickeys when she returns home.” Vas looked over at me, grinning wickedly, “I suggest you behave.”
To his credit, Nate didn’t laugh. He simply nodded and I could tell by the timbre of his voice that he was smiling as he said, “I would never dream of it Mr. D-Angelo.”
Vas laughed, “Smart-arse…”
“Speak for yourself my friend.” I muttered in a way of announcing my presence.
Hils walked into the room that the boys were currently occupying, said hello to Nate and sat down on the edge of the glass table. As she was still holding my hand, she dragged me along with her, although I simply chose to stand next to her rather than sit.
“You love me.” Vas shot back.
I smirked at him, “if that’s what helps you sleep at night.”
Vas grinned at me, his gold-flecked green eyes shone with mirth at teasing me. “No wonder the two of you have the hots for each other,” He gestured to Nate and I, “you’re both smart-arses.”
“Hey Vasic, please shut up. Nate hasn’t even been able to look at Alara yet and I for one would like to see his reaction.” Hils reprimanded.
It was then that I realised my nerves were gone, faded entirely.
I looked from Vasic over to Nate and as I took in his appearance, I smiled. He was dressed in a pair of black denim shorts that reached just above his knees. It was easy to discern his strong, muscular legs. He’d paired the shorts with a simple white, V-neck t-shirt and wine coloured converse. He knew I liked it when he wore this. I’d told him so about a month ago at Adam’s eighteenth.
I looked into his eyes after scrutinizing his appearance and I was pleased to see his eyes raking my body from head to foot. He smiled devilishly and I blushed.
“You are beautiful Alara, just as always.” He complemented, still wearing that signature devilish smile of his.
I took head of myself quickly, struggling to fight back the blush as I smiled back at him, “You don’t look so bad yourself, Nate.”
His grin widened and he approached me, brushing his lips against my forehead. “Seriously Ari, you’re truly beautiful.” He whispered in my ear and I laughed lightly.
“Thank you.”
“Alright you two! I’m satisfied! Out you get, I’ll get all of the details when I see you in school tomorrow Ari.” Hils spoke quickly and if I hadn’t been used to her rapid speech, I wouldn’t have understood her sentences.
“And mister,” She said, addressing Nate, “Alara better be in school tomorrow. Vasic’s curfew is serious.”
I laughed at my friend while Nate nodded seriously, “Yes ma’am.” He agreed.
“Good.” Hilary ushered us toward the door and Vasic shoved my phone toward me before I was pushed out of the door.
“I’ll be gone when you get back Ari.” Vas informed me as I stepped outside.
I nodded, “You can stay as long as you like Vas, you know that.”
He shook his head to clear the black hair from his eyes, “Nah, better get home to mum, she hasn’t seen much of me lately.”
“Okay, say hello to her from me?”
Vas nodded, “Shall do. Now, you go have fun okay? You deserve it Ari.”
“Thanks Vas.” I turned to face Nate and smiled as he offered me his hand.
I accepted and as we approached his red HoldenColorado. Vasic shouted, “you take care of my girl, Nate!”
I simply shook my head and Nate looked over at me from his place on the driver’s side of the Ute, “I knew he was protective of you, I mean, we all are. I guess I never realized how protective.”
I shrugged in response, “He’s always been overprotective. I suppose I’ve almost become used to it.”
Nate laughed, “You poor girl.”
“Bye Vas!” I shouted back as I opened my door and climbed into the cab of the Ute.
“You know,” Nate said, facing me as he put his seatbelt on, “I’m really happy about tonight, I’ve missed you.”
I smiled up at Nate, the boy who made me feel safe, “I’ve missed you too.”
He grinned at me, started the car and pulled out of my driveway.
Tonight was going to be great.
_______________________________________________________________
A/N: Hey guys, sorry about the filler chapter, I promise that the next shall be much more interesting... what with the date and all. The chapter following that will be even better. The tough girl in Alara is coming back!
Also, a minor detail has been changed within the story... If you can remember - in chapter 5 - I mentioned the members of the hockey team that were in year 12, that's now changed. Nate is now in year 12 instead of year 11. This changed for a reason that will be made aware to you later in the story.
Hope you're enjoying it and thank you so much for sticking with the story. I'm open to any criticism that you'd like to offer, I welcome it.