AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER ONE
Now
Tonight, I’m going on my first date. Ever.
We’re meeting at six and it’s now 5:30. I’ve changed my shirt three times. Ultimately, I decided to go with a plain navy shirt made out of stiff cotton that makes my shoulders look broader than they actually are.
My reflection stares back at me in the bathroom mirror. I’ve applied deodorant, washed my face, and shaved, but I don’t know what to do with my hair. It’s dark and choppy, which I like a lot because it makes me look edgier than I actually am (I’m the least edgy person I know). My older sister Jemima did it for free, so that’s a plus. But right now, strands of hair fall over my forehead, making me look like a kid.
I don’t want to look like a kid, though. I want to look cool.
“What are you doing?”
I jump. My flatmate and friend (frenemy? It’s complicated) pokes his head into the bathroom, his short, straight copper hair and grey eyes catching in the light.
“Nothing,” I tell him.
Lucas steps into the room, taking care not to bump his head on the doorframe. That’s how tall he is. In comparison, I’m only 165 centimetres — 5 foot 5. A fact he never lets me forget.
“Why are you all dressed up?” he asks.
“I’m not dressed up.”
“You’re wearing your favourite shirt.”
How does he know this is my favourite shirt? “Yeah, but it’s a casual shirt. I look casual… I do look casual, right?” I want to look like I’ve put in effort, but not too much effort. Like I care, but not too much. The last thing I want is to look desperate.
Lucas tilts his head as he appraises me, eyes dragging from the top of my head to the ends of my feet. “I s’pose. Maybe you just look dressed up to me because most of the time you look like shit.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I’ve seen you pick up clothes off the floor and wear them too many times to count.”
“I only do that when they still smell clean! Besides, I’m saving on the water bill.”
“Saving on the water bill, huh? Then why do you take hour long showers every night?”
I flush. “They are not an hour long.”
He gives me a knowing look, a slow smirk spreading across his lips, and I feel my skin become hotter. Damn it. He knows what I do in the shower, doesn’t he? I wouldn’t be surprised — he must have needs too, after all. But I hope to god he doesn’t know exactly what I do in the shower. What method I use. There’s a reason I turn the water pressure up to full blast to drown out any noise.
Lucas leans one shoulder against the doorway and crosses his arms. “So, what’s the special occasion?”
I consider ignoring him, but I can’t help myself. “I’ve got a date,” I say, not bothering to suppress my smile.
Lucas blinks. “A…a what?”
“A date.”
He lets out a breathy laugh. “Sorry,” he says, brows coming together. “I must have misheard. For a moment, I thought you said you had a date.”
I turn around, take two steps towards him and punch him in the stomach. Unfortunately, his abdomen is solid muscle, so my fist doesn’t do much.
“Don’t be a dick,” I tell him.
“How’d you convince her to go out with you? Did you bribe her? Kidnap her? Threaten to kill her family?”
“Shut up.” I return to the front of the bathroom mirror and wet my hands in the sink. “I know you think I’m hideous looking, but I’m capable of getting a date, you know.”
