Chapter 43: Getting Ready
I walked into the greatly air-conditioned shopping centre. My yellow floral sundress swayed against my legs as I walked, my gladiator sandals clicking slightly on the floor.
Harry's hand was intertwined tightly with mine as he yapped away with Liam and Louis. I heard the clicking of paparazzi as the four of us, not including bodyguards, walked to the spot we are going to meet Eleanor and Sophia.
I was group-chatting with Eleanor and Sophia. I ended up telling them about my date with Harry and they couldn't stop freaking out. I had told them something that even Harry doesn't know.
This is my first date... Ever.
I know, I'm lame. I haven't been in any relationships other than Harry and... Ryan. My first 'boyfriend' never took me out on a date. I was a stupid girl that wanted some affection and he was, apparently, a great actor.
We walked into the food court, attracting not many eyes, thankfully. I saw a glass window as the far wall. It trailed all the way up to the roof from the floor.
We walked towards it with some bodyguards on either side of us. As we came closer to the window, I saw the figures that I've been yearning to see for so long.
"Jade!" they both yelled as they ran towards me.
They squished me in a hug as I let go of Harry's hand to hug them back.
"Gosh, I missed you two!" I said, my voice coming out muffled as we hugged.
We all stood there like three idiots, hugging for about two minutes. We all pulled back at the same time and we wore the same expression; joy.
I heard someone clear their throat and I looked to the right. Liam stood there with a small smile, hands in his pockets. Louis was the opposite. He had a look of disbelief and his eyes were squinted as his mouth remained wide open, in shock.
"Excuse you two! Your boyfriends just came ba-" Louis got cut off as Eleanor wrapped him in a hug.
Sophia walked over to Liam and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.
I felt a bit awkward watching them so I just stared down at my shoes, still smiling like an idiot. I felt my hair, which was in a ponytail, move all of a sudden, which was strange considering that I didn't move.
"While they're distracted, we should do something," I heard Harry's voice by my ear.
I had to hold in a gasp as he startled me. I flinched and placed a hand over my chest.
"Gosh, Harry. Stop doing that!" I exclaimed as he chuckled.
I turned around and couldn't help but join in and laugh along with him. I heard the clicks of cameras as Harry placed his hands on my waist and I rested my forehead against his, my hands placed on his chest; our usual position.
We were just staring as each other as he leaned forward and nonchalantly pressed the tip of his nose against mine. I giggled uncontrollably as smiled his signature dimple smile.
"What was that?" I asked as he rested his forehead against mine once again.
"An Eskimo Kiss," he replied, smiling deviously.
"You're so adorable!" I gushed, laughing in the end.
"I try my best, but only for you." He replied, adding a cheeky wink at the end.
"Classic," I chuckled as light blush adorned my cheeks.
Someone coughed awkwardly beside us and immediately, Harry and I looked over. There stood Eleanor with Louis hugging her from behind and Liam that held Sophia close from the waist. They all smirked at us, making my cheeks turn into a deep shade of red.
"You two look like you've just reunited after a year," Louis commented, making everyone, except Harry and I, chuckle.
"You two are adorable!" Sophia gushed as Eleanor and her started squealing.
I realized that Harry and I were still holding onto each other. I bit my lip and pulled away from the embrace. I looked down, hoping that my blush wouldn't stand out.
"Aw, Jade is blushing!" Eleanor pointed-out. The girls started giggling as I covered my face with my hands.
"Stop," I groaned, smiling into my palms.
After about two minutes, Eleanor, Sophia and I had separated from the lads. We were going to meet up and shop with them later as Ellie and Sophia found it important to help me shop for my date tonight.
We talked about everything as we entered multiple stores and boutiques. We had missed each other so much, it wasn't even funny.
After about two hours of aimlessly roaming the shopping centre, we decided to sit down in the food court for a quick drink. We stopped by Starbucks and grabbed a couple of coffees, enough that would suffice for us.
"So, how's life been?" I asked as Sophia and Eleanor settled down in their chairs.
"Pretty boring without you and the lads," El admitted.
"Yeah, same old shit." Sophia chuckled along.
"Well, what about you?" questioned El.
I bit on my lip as I tried to think of an answer.
Oh yeah, I got kidnapped after getting a bunch of death threats. I almost lost my virginity to my ex boyfriend who is a maniac. Then my best mates, one that I am dating now, came and saved me. Anyways, how's your coffee?
I mentally rolled my eyes at myself. "Um... It's been... Surprising." I finally completed.
They both looked at me with sympathetic smiles.
"I'm so sorry that we couldn't be with you during... You know." Sophia apologized.
I shook my head, "No, no, no. Don't say that. I was alright." I spoke.
Eleanor looked straight into my eyes. I noticed that her usual comforting brown eyes were now lined with tears.
"We were going to come but the lads didn't let us. They kept telling us that it is too dangerous. We're so sorry, Jay." Eleanor rambled.
I took a deep breath, "It's okay. I'm glad you two weren't here. It was... A load full." I whispered as I felt my throat tighten. The previous events flashed through my head at a rapid pace. I almost felt sick.
"And that bitch, Ashley! I would've fucking strangled that whore!" Eleanor rambled.
"I know! First of all, she breaks poor Niall's heart, after using him and then she back-stabs on her 'mate'," Sophia raged as they both fumed with anger.
"Guys, it's okay. I'm alright now. I hope Niall will be okay also." I mumbled.
We stayed silent for a few moments as the girls calmed down a bit, and myself also. No point getting worked-up over something that has already happened.
"We thought we were going to lose you," Eleanor whispered, barely audible.
I looked into her brown eyes from which tears fell freely. "No, El. Don't cry! Not you too, Sophia." I rambled as my best mates started crying. I walked over to the other side of the table and wrapped them in a hug.
"I love you two for caring. Honestly. Thank you." I whispered.
We pulled back and they started wiping under their eyes as I went and sat back down.
"Anyways, enough of this sad talk. I'm sure Liam and Louis wouldn't want to see your pretty faces all sad." I claimed.
They chuckled a bit at my comment as I dabbed at the corner of my eyes, where a few tears managed to get caught.
"Is my makeup ruined?" asked Sophia. I checked her face and shook my head.
"Now, you two have to help me for my first-ever date that is tonight!" I claimed and stood up. "Chop, chop!" I clapped my hands a bit as they stood up.
They giggled as I smiled, happy that I cheered them up. After that, we headed off, trying to make this date my best date.
*6 hours later*
I sat in front of my mirror as I felt Lou work on my hair and Sophia work on my makeup. Eleanor was fixing my dress a bit.
Even though I am sitting in front of the mirror, I can't see myself. These insane girls, turned me around so that my back was facing the mirror, not my front.
We are in Harry and I's suite right now and Harry is getting ready in Niall's and Liam's.
"Gosh, you look beautiful." Sophia murmured as she swept the brush across my cheekbone skillfully.
"Aw thank you, Soph." I gushed.
"Your hair is almost done," Lou claimed, sticking out her tongue in concentration.
"Good, I'm getting tired just sitting here." I commented.
They chuckled before Eleanor and Lou pulled back.
"Your hair is done! If I may say, I did. A great job at curling it," Lou stated with a proud grin.
"Yay! I'm going to get up now!" I stated.
All three of the girls yelled a 'no' and pushed me back down onto my seat.
"Stupid, your makeup isn't done yet!" scolded Eleanor.
I sighed as Sophia kept working on the makeup.
"In the meanwhile, I will try my best to entertain you."
With that, Eleanor started up some music on her cellphone and started dancing really messed up.
I couldn't help but giggle at how stupidly she was dancing, on purpose, of course!
"Stop moving! Your makeup will get ruined!" Sophia warned as she tried to keep her hand steady.
I bit my lip and apologized as Eleanor chuckled at Sophia scolding me.
"Okay, now blink." she commanded. I obeyed and blinked as the mascara wand's bristles brushed my eyelashes, working its magic.
"Again," she spoke. "And one last time."
She moved to the other eye and repeated the process. I obeyed. She had already done my eyes, cheeks, and lips. Not to forget, the base.
"Okay," she breathed out. "Done!"
Eleanor squealed and jumped off of the bed and skipped towards Lou, Sophia and I.
"My, you look stunning! It doesn't even look like you!" Lou gushed as Sophia stared at me with a smile. Eleanor clapped her hands in happiness
"Gosh Jade. You're making me feel insecure!" Sophia commented as I laughed.
"Thanks girls. Am I allowed to get up now?" I asked.
They all nodded and I was more than ecstatic to stand up and stretch out my limbs.
I turned around and my mouth dropped open. There I stood, my little black dress reaching my knees, the bow placed just over my bosom. It looked just as good as the time that Harry and I bought it together, way back when we went walking in the town.
But the dress wasn't the part that surprised me. My hair was curled in soft curls that bounce when I move. My eye make up is done so that my eyes stand out yet have a simple elegance to them, bringing out the brown colour, which looks more like hazel right now. My cheeks are slightly defined, showing my cheekbones, just the slightest. A cherry red colour adorns my lips, lined carefully, standing out of the all black outfit.
"I-Um..." I was at a lost of words as all three pairs of eyes watched me carefully. "Just... Wow." I breathed out.
All of the girls started squealing and jumping as I pinched myself on the wrist. I winced in pain as I realized that I'm not dreaming.
I finally snapped out of my daze and smiled at the girls.
"Thank you so much!" I gushed, wrapping them all in a hug. "I love you guys!"
We all pulled back and they smiled at me. "You look great, Hun." complimented Lou.
"Harry will ogle at how stunning you look!" Eleanor added.
"I second that!" commented Sophia.
I placed a quick girl-kiss on each of their cheeks and smiled.
"Thank you so much!" I said.
"You're welcome. Now slip these on," Sophia instructed, handing me a pair of black stilettos.
I nodded and slipped them on, stumbling a bit at first. Lou shoved my small clutch into my hand as I steadied my walk.
"You have your phone and lipstick in there." she informed me as I nodded.
"Ooh! I can't wait! You have to tell us all about it!" commanded Eleanor.
I chuckled before replying, "Of course I will."
Right after that, there was a knock at the door.
"Oh look! It's already seven! Looks like he's on time!" Lou stated.
With that, they all rushed me to the door.
"Here's a breath mint, in case!" Sophia said before popping a breath mint into my mouth.
"Make sure not to get too heated up!" Eleanor warned, adding a cheeky grin at the end.
"And make sure that you have fun! Bye now!" Lou said.
With that, they pushed me out of the door.