October 29th of that year fell on a Thursday night, and as always, the local nightclub held a Halloween themed event a few days prior to Halloween night. Forever has this been a big hit in our town, and in light of Halloween being my favourite holiday of the year, I was desperate to go. I'd prepared my outfit and makeup - A young dead girl, morbid I know - and I was just waiting on the OK from my parents to loan me the money.
Between 6 and 7 O'clock that evening, I received a number of text messages from Rachel questioning what the plan for this evening was to be. With that I hurried down the stairs and burdened my parents for their answer. My heart sank as I saw the look of disappointment on their faces.
"Colette I'm sorry, but the bills came out today and we've received some unexpected bank charges so we really don't have the spare cash for you to go out tonight" she said sheepishly, before turning to my dad for a helping hand.
"I know this was a big night Col, but there's always next Halloween. You could take Kyle trick or treating instead, would be a shame to waste the outfit!"
He must of been joking. How would he think that wandering round the street with my irritating 6 year old zombie brother, begging for candy from strangers even compare to a night out with my friends that had been planned for weeks. With the knowledge that this battle was as good as over, I didn't even attempt to change their minds. Instead I slumped into myself and dragged my poor body up the stairs to my room. I wanted my parents to know that tonight I would be wallowing in my own self pity and they were to blame - even if their reasoning was perfectly justifiable.
After sending a miserable response back to Rachel, encouraging her to go on without me, I wondered what I could possibly do with my night in my tiny bedroom that would make this whole experience less frustrating. The room in which I held my humble abode was nothing spectacular. The walls were painted a sickly cream color, stained from the previous owners nicotine addiction. And the carpet was litter tray grey, and hard as sand. In an effort to make my room homey, I covered every inch of the walls in graffiti created by myself and my friends. A number of quotes from my favourite books, signatures and doodles by anyone who had the pleasure of visiting. I also had one wall that was plastered top to bottom with band posters, receipts and pages from a number of various novels. I liked it because there was always something to look at.
Slumping in my creaky mango coloured office chair, my absent minded eyes monotonously scrolled through the internet, focused, but not really focused.
Concentration was lacking and I began to contemplate just sleeping the night away. I almost didn't notice the familiar jingle of my message tone.
The name above the message was one I couldn't recognise. I was sure that I hadn't befriended this person, so why was I receiving a message
Jack Franklin: Hey! What are you doing online on Halloween night? ☺️
"Jack Franklin, Jack Franklin..."I mused.
Where had I heard that name before.
Even when looking through his pictures I couldn't fathom who this mysterious stranger was.
Colette DeLacy: Hey...sorry, do I know you?
Jack Franklin: yeah! I met you the other night at the lighthouse. You lent me your lighter ☺️☺️
It was the bambi legged ruffian I ran away from in the smoking area. My initially reaction was to sigh and close the window on the message, however I did find it all a little intriguing.
Both the fact that he remembered me, and the fact that he used smiling emojis made me feel uneasy. He was slightly keener then most guys I knew.
Jack continued to converse with me, telling me why he too was left missing Halloween, stuck at home. Somehow he saw this as some kind of strange twist of fate. Considering I had no exciting alternative, I entertained him and socialised.
As the night drew in and my eyes grew weaker, I felt now would be a good time to cut the conversation short.
Colette DeLacy: I'm gonna go to bed now Jack. Pleasure talking to you. Sleep well x
Lowering my laptop screen to shut my brain off for the night, I received another message.
Jack Franklin: Wait, can I text you? I really enjoy talking to you...
He seemed nice enough to my supeise and although I promised myself I would steer well away from all men after my last 2 failed relationships, I supposed that casually texting a pleasant guy wouldn't hurt, besides, I was sure his fondness wouldn't last long.
I sent him my number and soon enough received a text. Messages were flying back and forth all night long. My early night transformed into a 3:00am bedtime, and it wasn't just him who didn't want the conversation to end. Neither him nor I said bye that night, instead allowing the schmooze to carry on until the following day.
Waking up to a text from Jack gave me a strange tingly feeling inside, and I found myself with my eyes locked to my phone waiting impatiently for a response. Clearly the feeling was mutual as the replies traveled back from his end within seconds.
My face was painted cheek to cheek with a smile and even my parents noticed the slight skip in my typically so mundane steps. Going to college today didn't make me want to cry as it would the day prior. Whatever this guy had done to me, was rapid and intense.
The week commencing was filled with texts back and forth to Jack. He was proving to be a very interesting person. Having his skin inked was one of his many passions, along side music and art. Jack was a guitarist, and a talented one at that. Studying art in his college across town from me, he was forever intriguing me with what he knew. I guess that was another thing we had in common considering I was an artist too, but much too humble to compare myself to him.
Soon, days became weeks, texts became phone calls and between the hysterical laughing and heart to hearts, the subject of a meeting came up. As in, face to face, actual human meeting.
For some reason the thought made my stomach churn. The image of being with him now felt nothing like it did the day I first met him. Our first meeting left me thinking he was dull and drunk, and I forgot about him fast. Something told me I wouldn't forget him so easily now. Maybe I shouldn't of been so quick to judge previously.
I wasn't sure if I was ready for that. Past experience of opening myself up to men showed me that 99% of the time, I get hurt. I knew that I was weak. My emotions often got the better of me and on so many occasions I had placed myself comfortably in the fire of heartbreak. Putting myself at risk again was something I fear more then darkness or loneliness.
After careful deliberation, my fear of falling was greatly over powered by my need to meet him. So I agreed to a informal shopping trip in the town. Nothing too scary, just a coffee and a burger maybe. Even so, I felt new makeup was in order, as was a pep talk from my friends.
Rachel and Hayden arrived at my house, desperate to turn me into something a guy like Jack would actually go for. Armed with a large makeup case and some straighteners, they bounced into my room.
"Right first of all Col, your gonna have to find something on that wardrobe of yours that doesn't scream "I play video games and eat crap!!" Even though we love you for it" ....A good save on her part.
"So, tell us about him! Is he another arrogant musician?" And the interrogation from Hayden began. That big brother complex he had going on was in full force.
"No! guys! He's great. He's handsome, and kind. And he's funny. He is a musician, but he's not arrogant. Not in a bad way. Trust me, he's different"
I was waiting to be shot down. Told that I'd said this about every guy and they all hurt me, which they did.
"Okay. If you say so"
To my confusion, my answer seemed to suffice for Hayden. When I spoke about Jack, I could feel the blood in my veins rushing up to my face, my skin feeling hot to the touch. I knew that as his name left my lips my eyes would shine, so perhaps this was persuasion enough.
As we spoke I could hear Rachel rooting through my hurricane of a wardrobe, grunting with frustration as she tossed piles and piles of my clothes to the side. Until finally, she dug something out.
"Ah ha! This is more like it! Put it on"
She cheered as she launched the outfit at me.
I was sure that Rachel assumed this first meeting was some kind of dinner date, due the fact she was insistent on me wearing a tight, black dress that only just covered my thighs, black tights and some big gold statement necklace she'd snatched from my mothers jewellery box.
"Er...Rachel? Are you aware I'm only going shopping?" I said, bemused with the outfit choice.
"Yes! Sling on a denim jack and you'll look stunning! You have the body for it, show it off!!"
She was right. If there was one thing that I could compliment myself on, it would be my slender physique. There wasn't a lump or bump on me, and I never had the need to diet so turning down food wasn't my forte - something to do with a fast metabolism.
The time was drawing closer, and I realised I was as ready as I'd ever be. Bidding my friends goodbye, I received good luck hugs and a final word of advice from Hayden.
"Just go. Smile, be yourself. And if he doesn't like it, he's an idiot"