Chapter Three
And lastly, Charlie’s book.
I zipped up my gym bags and sighed, “Do you think I missed something? I missed something didn’t I?” and I opened my bags again checking every inch.
“Hey… Babe, you didn’t miss anything! I swear if you could, you would’ve packed your whole apartment. Do you think me and Ariana in there?” teased Evan.
I finally zipped my bags for good and sat on the bed beside Evan, “I really wish you guys could go with me but I know that you are always needed in the hospital Evan, you can’t just go on a trip unannounced. And Ariana, she’ll be working on a big proposal, I can’t get away with that either.” Evan began to play with my hair, “It’s gonna be a looooong week for me.”
“Tell you what. I’m going to try to request for the weekend off at the hospital and as soon as I got permission, I’ll call you and be there for the weekend. I’m gonna talk a flight so we could have the ride back.” And he kissed my cheek, “I’m gonna miss you, a week is quite long.”
I laced my fingers to his and kissed his knuckles, “me too.”
And he spent the night with me.
“Babe, you awake?”
“Hmmm…” I moaned as I take in his scent. I could use to waking up to him every morning. “Five more minutes, please” and hugged him.
I could feel his body shaking from chuckling and kissed the top of my head, “but you have to be on the road to get to your first boutique destination. I’ve made you to-go sandwiches and coffee.”
I opened my eyes slowly and turned to look at my bedside clock, 5:30. “You cooked this early?” and I looked at him and saw him in uniform already, “are you due at the hospital, it’s too early for you to get to work.”
“Well, I figured I would take my rounds this early this week so I could prevent missing you so much while you are away. Go on and get ready, I’ll prep your car. You could eat on the road to the hospital, I’ll drive and I’ll give you the wheel after.” And we both got up from bed.
After Evan got off at the hospital, I’ve become more alone with my thoughts, not even bothering to turn on the stereo.
I dropped by the first dress boutique on my list.
“Hi, I am River Young, I am the one from Teen Apple.” I greeted and of course the manager of the shop accommodated me quickly.
“I need photos of the dresses if that’s alright with you.” And the manager agreed.
“Of course you need photos, but the thing is we don’t have anyone to put it on. I am a plus size and my associate here is a little short for the dresses, it wouldn’t look very good.”, she pondered and stared at me, “How about you?”. And she began looking at me analysing my body and all.
I scoffed, “Me?” and she nodded eagerly. “But that doesn’t make sense, who would take the photos then?” and I held my DSLR, “and these are prom dresses.”
“Why not? My associate here is a good photographer, you should look at her inspiration designs and those are not cut off from magazines. Come on, you need this as we need the article as well.”
I looked at my watch, I’ve got an hour more to spare before going back on the road and of course I gave in. I don’t even get why I don’t want to try it on the first place.
The first dress she fitted me into is a royal red ball satin gown with a big black bow on the front bedazzled with diamond beads. This is doesn’t seem like a prom dress, I think this is something for coronation!
I pinned my hair up and the manager put powder on my shoulder blades, “Now I don’t need my face to be in the photo okay? You cut it nicely a little above the chin.” I instructed and posed for the camera.
The hour passed on and I tried on their best five dresses and then it’s time to bid goodbye. “Thank you so much for letting me cover your dresses, they are very good. I think it would pass as pageant dresses and not just for prom. I wish you good luck this upcoming prom season.” And I hugged the both of them goodbye and drove off.
I stopped by the Starbucks that I saw on my way and set up my Mac and sent the photos immediately.
My FaceTime buzzed and Ariana popped up.
“You didn’t tell me that you are going back to your ex’s place!” she reprimanded.
Yikes, now she knows.
Well, she might not know the Williams personally, but I’ve told her numerous stories about them, especially the one with Sterling. I pinched the bridge of the nose. I don’t need Ariana giving me a sermon right now.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you pass on the project? Don’t tell me that you thought that they are different Williams family. And do Evan know about this?” and the questions was bombarded at me one after another.
“Calm down! I can’t pass on the project because this is my field, alright? And even though I have a past between this family, work always comes first. Lastly, I didn’t tell you because I know you won’t even let me pass my apartment and Evan would wonder what’s the big deal about you guarding me from my work because he doesn’t know about the Williams and he did not need to know now.” I said, all in one breathe.
“But what about Sterling? Can you see him now?” and she pouted on me.
I sipped my mocha latte, “They are not on my hometown anymore, remember? I told you that they moved after I went to college. I’m just going to Michigan because Charlie is attending university there.”
“But what if you guys saw each other, what will happen?”
“To be honest, I am tired of thinking what ifs with Sterling. I gave that up years ago and if we see each other, then we see each other. Charlie’s book is just a fiction and I’ll keep it that way.”
Ariana sighed, “I’m telling you this is a bad idea.”
“Well, it’s still my job Ariana. I’ll just do it once and then that’s it.”, and we said our goodbye for I have to get back on the road if I want to finish my job for the day before the sun goes down.
May 4, 2008
Dear S.W.
I’m so happy that you invited me for prom. Honestly, I don’t even have the intention to go but when you asked me, all the things I hate about conventional teenagers and these people around us that are just plain annoying went away.
Last night’s prom is just so magical and what more? It was also my birthday last night and you were just amazing!
We know that I am not used to wearing heels and my feet ached all the way home because we spent every minute of every hour dancing the night away. You won’t even let me dance with my classmates or with my friends. I love how protective you were last night.
And since your older brother was my classmate, even though he’s a year older than me, of course he forced you to let me dance with him.
He’s a sentimental guy, your brother. Through the dance he told me how happy you were that you were always smiling at home and they thought that you might be having a mental episode. He thanked me for being good to you, and being your special friend.
I know we are not official yet nor did we declare that we are dating exclusively and this might sound a little wimpy compared to other relationships out there, but even without labels I am contented with what we have. We make each other happy and I wish we could be this way forever.
Talks of forever, is a little B.S. I know. But let’s just say I wish last night would never end. Even today I could feel the nostalgia of that night.
I don’t know what am I talking about right now but I am just happy, very happy that once in my life I became this happy to the point that I don’t want the night to end. I don’t want high school to end. I don’t want us to end.
Yours,
R.Y.
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