I was running around the house in a mad rush to find my other silver hoop earing. It was already 6:30 and I didn't even have one of my shoes on. Justin had called earlier and told me to dress nicely for tonight. I begged him to settle for McDonald's but he said I still had to dress nicely. Knowing him we would end up in McDonald's. I found my earing in Tara's jewelry box and headed to my room which I unfortunaltly had to walk through the living room to get to. I suddenly felt like a display for public mockery.
"Oh my god! Laura, whose the guy?" "Is he going to propose?" The questions came flying from Tara and Stephanie. The last time I got dressed up really nice had been so long ago. Halfway to my room I heard the door bell ring.
"Shit." I mumbled. "Um, can one of you guys get it?" I asked, brushing a brown whisp of hair out of my eyes and dashing into my room. In the door I turned knowing exactly what they were thinking. "And PLEASE don't emabrass me."
As I opened my closet and began my quest to find my other shoe in 25 seconds or less, I heard them open the door and start the 411. I immidiatly regreted not telling him to wait in the car. Hearing no responses from him I guessed he was either laughing or at gun point.
"Aha!" I said aloud as I found my other shoe. I jumped around for a while trying to get it on and finally succeeded. Taking one last look at the mirror, I straightened out my dress and grabbed my purse, then walked out the door.
When Justin finally noticed I came out his mouth dropped wide open from shock (he obviously hasn't seen me in a nice dress in a while), kind of like they do in cartoons, only this was a lot funnier. I walked toward the door and grabbed his arm on the way dragging him outside.
Half way down the sidewalk to the driveway Stephanie stuck her head out the door and said "Have a nice date, we won't wait up." and started giggling. Justin, who hadn't heard her, kept walking. I, on the other hand, turned and hissed at her "It's not a date." Whatever she said next I couldnt hear but was followed by loud laughter and the door slamming.
'This wasn't a date! Was it? He didn't bring flowers so it can't be.' I thought, irrationally. "Hey look! You finally got your dream car!" I said pointing to the brown/maroon Mercedes SUV. He smiled and opened the door for me. That doesn't make it a date though.
Almost the whole car ride I tried to figure out if we were on a date or not. As if he were reading my mind he said "I had brought flowers for you but they were on the head board on the way over and the flew out the window." He almost sounded sorry.
'Oh god. He thinks this is a date. Tell him it's not. Set him straight before he does something he'll regret' my mind screamed at me, but the only thing that came out of my mouth was "Oh." Oh? Oh, how great! Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Soon, luckily, we got to 'The Oasis', one of the classiest restaraunts in Orlando. Now I really didn't feel well.
"Um, Justin, what are we doing here?" I asked even though I knew the answer.
"Eating. Now come on." said Justin and he got out of the car, gave the key's to valet and came to open my door for me but I did before he could get his hand there.
Frowning, he said "You know, the guy's supposed to open the door." I couldn't say anything, just shrug. Inside was terrible. Everytime he made a move I had to come up with an excuse. Closer to the end I ran out and had to re-use some. Poor guy, probobly thought I had tape worms in my stomach or a face made of baby oil. To top it off he wouldn't let me pay for my own food.
When we went back to the car Justin managed to get in front of me, he learned his lesson, and opened my door. Getting in I thanked him and suddenly realized that the dress that looked too long earlier suddenly felt way too short. I pulled it down cursing myself for my bad decision.
Back on the road I sighed and said "Well Justin, this night has been a lot of fun and I'm sorry it's over but.."
"Girl, what are you talking about? We're going back to my house. I rented some movies." he cut me off. Oh yeah, how could I be so stupid? Any moron knew that.
I opened my mouth to protest but Justin had turned on the radio and was "singing" and "dancing" to the new Jay-Z song 'Big Pimpin'. It was so cute I had to laugh.
We got there when Justin pulled into a driveway I was guessing was his. The only problem was there were lights on inside.
"Oh, damn, they're still here." he whispered more to himself then me. Huh? Who's here?
I meant to ask him but he forgot about the whole door thing and headed straight for the house. I opted whether the follow him or wait but curiosity go the better of me and I jumped out of the car and ran...scratch that...attemted to run ( I am wearing high heels ya know) toward the door.
I opened and shut the door as quietly as possible and tip toed to where I heard the voices coming from and stood behind a wall.
"I thought you guys said you were gonna be gone by 9." said a voice I figured was Justins. I immediately turned a shade of crimson I don't care to remember.
"Yeah, we would but someone took the only car we have now." said another voice that sounded familiar but I couldn't find a face yet.
"Look, guys. Calm down. Joey's gonna be here in a few minutes. We'll be gone that soon. Okay?" said a voice I knew belonged to Lance.
I figured that was my cue and walked to the doorway and lightly tapped on the wall. "Can I come in?" I asked, pretending I hadn't heard anything.
Justin nodded and patted the counter he was leaning against. I walked over and stood next to him.
The other voice was JC's. He noddded at me slightly like he was trying to be a thug or something. I don't think he really liked me but that's okay because I didn't really like him either, he always came off as kind of snobby.
Then I saw Lance. He looked exactly as I remembered. It was obvious he was avoiding eye contact with me but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. After what seemed like an eternity of silence the door bell rang. Both JC and Lance sighed and headed out the door. It was easy to see that they were tired and only going as a favor to Justin which made me feel awful because I knew I'd be gone in a few minutes.
When the door shut I faced Justin and blurted out "Does Lance remember me?" I immediatley felt terrible but couldn't take it back. I needed to know.
"Yeah, he should. Why?" Justin said, looking a little hurt.
I didn't want to say anymore and I knew he didn't want to talk about it.
"No reason. Look, J, I have this really bad head ache..." I said, hoping he would get it.
"No problem. We've got every kind of medicine. What do you take?" I hoped too soon.
"I usually just take a bath..." I said making it a little more obvious.
"Oh?" he said arching his eyebrows. "Well, there's a bathroom down the hall...and if you need any help-" he started.
"No, Justin. I think I should just go home." I said. There, straight out.
"Oh, okay" he said.
We went back out to the car. The whole ride home we were both silent until we got a block down from my apartment.
"You know, you hurt him really bad. Not returning his calls wasn't a good idea." Justin said.
I opened my mouth to say something but I couldn't. How could I justify what I felt?
"A long distance relationship wouldn't have worked." I mumbled.
"Really? Me and Britney had one fine for a couple of months." Justin said
"Yeah, but isn't she in rehab for an addiction to heroin?" I stated matter of factly. He just smiled.
At my apartment he parked and opened my door and walked me to the front. All of a sudden he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me toward him. I closed my eye's expecting what I had devoted my whole night to avoiding byt all I felt was a small, sweet kiss on my forehead.
Pushing me away he said "For your headache." and turned and left. I just stood there stunned. Finally I took out my keys, went inside and just started crying.
