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I should have protested or deleted it immediately. But gazing down at Derek's name and number eternally fixed in my phone now, I hesitated. It seemed harmless enough just saving the information. I was likely projecting meaning where there was none. Derek was simply friendly and helpful by nature.
Ashley seemed to sense my conflicting musings. She patted my knee consolingly. "No pressure either way, babe. Just keep your options open."
Ashley smiled approvingly, likely reading between the lines that I was open to new adventures. "Good for you, Nat! Now, enough boys - let's do movies and a wine night to get you all relaxed for your big date tomorrow."
I laughed, more than ready for some cozy distraction. Ashley popped open a bottle of sweet white, and soon we were tucked up on the couch giggling over cheesy rom-coms. A perfect simple evening to cap off another unexpected day.
My phone rested forgotten on the coffee table for now as I just focused on silly movies and girlfriend bonding. After so much heaviness lately, this carefree normalcy was bliss. But in the back of my mind, intrigue still lingered. Derek's temptingly mysterious contact remained waiting for if or when I might tap that escape hatch...
….
I awoke Friday morning to sunshine streaming in through the curtains and birds chirping outside. A perfect day for the enchanted date night Leonardo had planned. Just knowing I would see him again soon had butterflies taking flight in my stomach.
After freshening up, I floated downstairs where Ashley was already flipping pancakes and brewing coffee. She took one look at my beaming, faraway expression and laughed.
"Let me guess - someone's got romance on the brain this morning?"
I felt myself blush, caught daydreaming already. "Maybe a little," I admitted with a smile I couldn't contain. "I just can't wait for tonight!"
Ashley flipped a pancake theatrically high before catching it in the pan again. "Well you absolutely deserve an extraordinary night, so I hope it's pure magic."
She carried over two mugs of coffee and a towering stack of fluffy pancakes. I inhaled the aroma appreciatively. "Have I mentioned you're my hero?"
Ashley chuckled, drenching her short stack in syrup. "Yeah, yeah, just don't forget me when you become a mafia princess."
I nearly choked on my coffee. Ashley just winked and dug into her breakfast. We chatted and laughed effortlessly as we ate. I would miss these easy mornings with her while I got all dressed up later for my enchanted escape with Leonardo.
Too soon, Ashley sighed and checked the time. "I better start getting ready for school. But you gonna be okay just hanging here solo today?"
I nodded, tamping down my involuntary pang of disappointment. I knew venturing back to the academy openly was unwise, but part of me had hoped to tag along with Ashley again. Staying cooped up alone all day hardly sounded enticing.
Ashley seemed to read my thoughts. She patted my hand consolingly. "I know, I wish you could come too! But way too risky with that creeper around. I'll hurry straight home after school though so we can start glamming you up!"
I smiled appreciatively, buoyed by the promise of Girls' Night In pampering later. And of course, the golden event of seeing Leonardo again. I could endure a little solitude as the price for an enchanted reunion.
After Ashley dashed upstairs to finish getting ready, I cleaned up the breakfast dishes, already feeling a bit aimless. Time alone used to be such a rarity I treasured it. But now too much unstructured time felt like a curse, leaving space for gnawing worries to creep back in.
I decided to take a leisurely bath and really pamper myself - exfoliating scrub, hair mask, the works. As I soaked blissfully amidst the bubbles, I reflected this was the day I had been dreaming of ever since Leonardo first invited me on a proper date. Nothing would ruin it.
After thoroughly pruning, I did my makeup and styled my hair with care, wanting to look refreshed and lovely for when Leonardo arrived later. Slipping into comfortable athleisure wear for now, I drifted downstairs again in search of distraction from the hours left to pass.
I tidied up absently, more for something to occupy myself than any real need. With so much time on my hands these days, Ashley's house was spotless. Finally, I flopped onto the plush couch and grabbed a trashy tabloid magazine left on the coffee table. Even celebrity gossip appealed as entertainment after recent chaos.
But I had soon skimmed every page twice over. With a restless huff, I stood and paced the living room. It was barely past 11am. The day seemed to be crawling while my anticipation mounted. I needed distraction before I unraveled completely.
Wandering into the kitchen for a snack, my gaze landed on a spiral notebook left on the counter. I remembered Ashley stuffing it into her crammed bag that morning. It must have tumbled free unnoticed.
I picked it up, debating. Ashley probably needed this for class. But would it be terribly risky to just drop it off at the main office for her? I wouldn't even have to go near any populated areas of campus. Just a quick in-and-out.
It would likely be my only outing today if I wanted to get fully ready here without complication. I could call a taxi for an anonymous pickup and drop off. Leonardo's big date invitation deserved my full pampering focus later. This errand would help pass the time too.
Before I could overthink, I called a taxi service and soon was speeding back toward the sprawling academy campus. The cab idled while I hurried to the administrative building and deposited the notebook at the front desk with a made-up excuse. In and out, easy.
Back outside, I took a deep refreshing breath of the mild afternoon air before getting into the waiting cab again. I had forgotten how stiff one could feel cooped up inside too long. My daring solo errand, minimal as it was, felt invigorating.
On impulse, I asked the driver to pull over near the emerald sports fields instead of heading straight home. "I'll just be a few minutes," I said, leaving him with an generous tip.
Being back on campus stirred that yearning for quintessential high school experiences I'd first gotten a tantalizing taste of with Ashley. And with the taxi waiting, it seemed harmless to explore just a little further on my own this time.
