Oh goodness. No. Why am I so dumb and blur? I could actually punch a wall right now. First, the dinner with my dad and now, this! Why! Wondering what happened, aren't you? Let's rewind a bit.
Resting my chin on my palm, I sighed. I wasn't in the mood to eat. Is it really difficult for mom to understand that I am completely uncomfortable around dad?
"Hey Ash," I felt Jared sit next to me.
"Yeah?"
Besides, she could've waited to come back and then we could have gone for the dumb dinner together.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"Yeah?"
Okay, maybe I am just exaggerating; it can't be that bad. It's just one dinner and Erica is going to be there too. Speaking of which, I have to talk to her about it.
"Are you even listening to me?" he exclaimed.
"Yeah?"
Oh my god. What if Erica refuses to come? She will definitely not be interested to come join me and my dad for an awkward dinner.
"Hey Ash, do you want to go out for a date tonight?" he asked.
"Yeah?"
"Great!" he patted my back, making my blurred vision return to its normal state.
"What's great?" I inquired.
He gave me a goofy grin.
"What? Tell me!" I insisted.
He shrugged, "I'll be picking you up at 6 for our date."
My eyebrows knit in confusion, "Wait, what?"
He nodded, "Be prepared for an amazing night, missy."
"Jared! I didn't even agree to go on a date with you!" I complained.
He raised a mystical brow and grinned, "You sure did. I'll see at 6."
"Jared!" I protested. But it was too late; he was already leaving the canteen. He looked behind, giving me a mischievous grin while shaking his head and chuckling; he left the canteen.
So here I am, annoyed. What does he think of himself? I'm not going on that stupid date with him. No way.
"Hey-why are you sitting there with a grumpy face?" Erica inquired, standing in the doorway.
"Stupid Jared," I grumbled.
She snorted, "What did he do?"
"He tricked me into going on a date with him! It's unfair! I wasn't even listening to him!" I explained.
"Date? With Jared?" she asked, suddenly gaining interest.
"Yes," I answered with a huff.
She started laughing and landed on my bed, sending vibrations. "Have fun"
"I'm not going," I stated firmly.
"Why?" she asked, frowning.
"Because I don't want to," I said.
She shrugged, "It's best if you don't anyway, I don't like Jared's love life much."
I stared at her for a minute but lost interest in the topic.
"Hello ladies," Abby said, squeezing between me and Erica. "What's up?"
"Ash is going on a date with Jared tonight," Erica answered.
"What?" Abby exclaimed.
"No, I'm not!" I denied.
"Why not?" Abby asked, frowning.
"I just don't want to," I said.
"Come on, give the poor boy a chance, it might actually be fun," Abby pleaded.
I glared at her convincing eyes and finally sighed, "Fine."
"Yes! It's been long since I got to dress someone for a date," Abby squealed and practically jumped off the bed, "What time is he going to be coming?"
"Six," Erica answered.
"Are you serious?" Abby glared at me, "We only have 45 minutes to dress you up!"
*
After thirty minutes, I was standing in front of the mirror in a pretty, short omniscient blue ombre dress. The colours slowly turned lighter and lighter towards the hem. My hair cascaded down my shoulder in soft curls. The make-up done by Abby was just right; not too much, not too little. The turquoise eyeshadow and dark black mascara highlighted my soft green eyes perfectly. My lips curved in a smile as my eyes met Abby's in the mirror.
Abby squealed, "You look perfect!"
I chuckled softly, giving her a hug.
Erica scowled at me, "I would rather wear shorts, a shirt and sneakers."
Abby frowned at her, "Shut up. She looks gorgeous."
"I didn't say she doesn't," Erica responded.
Abby rolled her eyes, "Well, my work here is done, I have to go back home."
I hugged her, "Thank you so much, I've never actually looked this pretty."
Abby grinned, "I shall dress you up for your wedding."
"Ew," Erica interrupted, "Marriage, seriously?"
"Shut up," Abby and I chorused.
"Have fun," Abby told me.
I nodded as Abby and Erica left the room, "I'll drop her downstairs and come."
Sighing awkwardly, I sat down.
"Hey Erica-oh, hi," Ethan barged in and stood in the doorway, staring at me.
I smiled at him, "Hey."
He smiled back, "Going somewhere?"
"Yeah," I nodded, "A date with Jared."
His eyebrows shot up immediately and his smile was replaced by a scowl, "A date? With Jared?"
"Um, yeah?" I answered, unsure.
"It was totally unfair! I wasn't even listening to him, he tricked me into going out with him," I added quickly after noticing Ethan's uncertain look.
"You look beautiful," he breathed.
A small smile formed on my face and I was sure that I was blushing but the make-up must have covered up for me. He walked towards me and stood in front of me with a smile.
"Jared definitely got lucky," he said with a scowl.
"What's with that look? Jealous?" I asked mockingly.
He smirked, "Of course, he gets to go out with the gorgeous girl and I'm stuck at home."
I blushed and now, I don't think the make-up could hide it, "You know this is like the first time you are actually complimenting me like normal boys do."
He chuckled as my phone rang, "Hello?"
"Hey," Jared said, "I'm outside waiting, you ready?"
"Yep," I answered, getting up.
"I have to go," I told Ethan and he sighed.
*
"Did I mention that you look stunning?" Jared asked.
I nodded with a chuckle.
"Where are we going?" I asked for the millionth time.
"You'll know soon," he repeated for the millionth time.
I groaned, "Why can't you just tell me?"
"We're almost there," he replied.
After about five minutes, he slowed down.
"Is that a dog shelter?" I cried with a grin.
He smiled at me, "Yup."
"Oh my god, I love dogs!" I exclaimed.
"I know," he said confidently.
I tilted my head, "How?"
"Just a bit of research," he responded, shrugging.
I rolled my eyes, "Stalker much?"
"It's something I'm good at," he said, taking a bow.
I laughed and followed Jared into the shelter.
"You know, I don't want a puppy," I said, looking at him.
"We're just here to play with them, many people do that," he replied.
"But isn't it rude to just come and play with the puppies?" I inquired.
"Nope," he said, running his hand through his hair, "In fact, the volunteers here encourage people to come and interact with the puppies so that the puppies have fun."
I grinned, "Then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Entering the shelter, there was a huge space with a fence where little, cute puppies were jumping around and pouncing on each other. A little, white puppy tried to run but slipped and fell. I grabbed Jared's arm, "This is so cute."
I walked towards the fence and bent down to pat a black puppy with white patches. The puppy stood up on two feet and tried to grab my hand. Laughing, I leaned towards him and closed my eyes as he licked my nose.
Click!
I looked at Jared, who was staring at his phone and smiling; his dark hair falling over his eyes, "You took a picture?"
"Yup," he said, walking towards me and squatting.
The picture was absolutely adorable. My curls falling over the puppy, covering his left eye, making the puppy look even cuter. My eyes closed, my long lashes looking perfect, and a wide grin on my face with the puppy standing in front of me on two feet and licking my nose. I looked up at Jared and smiled.
*
"No. I'm so not going up in that, Jared," I declared, stepping away from the humongous hot air balloon in front of us, "Do your research better next time, I'm afraid of heights."
"I did well the first time, I know you're scared of heights, that's why I brought you here," he said with a smirk.
"What's wrong with you?" I cried.
"Relax, I'm here with you," he tried to convince.
I stared at the huge balloon tied to the ground with vibrant blue flames burning under the hole of the balloon.
"Come on, try something new," he insisted, squeezing my hand.
Out of every single word in the thick dictionary, I said yes. I hope I don't regret this.
Jared climbed into the big basket sort of thing and helped me get in. A man sitting inside stood up and started preparing for the ride.
"This is the perfect time for a ride in the sky, the sun is about to set," Jared whispered.
I smiled, trying to picture the beautiful sunset and not the tiny ant-like buildings I might see. Slowly, I felt the basket move and start moving upwards. I shut my eyes tight, refusing to see the view.
Jared chuckled, "Ash, open your eyes,"
"It's so cold," I said, ignoring his previous statement. I felt a warm, leather jacket on my shoulders and quickly wrapped myself inside it.
"Ash, come on, open your eyes, it's beautiful," he insisted.
"No, thank you," I responded.
"Ash, please?" he pleaded.
Slowly, I peeked through my eyelids and opened my eyes. Just one word: Wow. It was magnificent; the sky was deep orange with blue streaks all over the place. The sun had a bright red glow around it, dispersing into yellow and orange all over the skyline. To a certain extent, the colour pink was also blending amongst the vibrant yet mild colours. The clouds looked like fluffed up cotton candy, I could actually reach out to them. I let a shaky breath escape my lips.
"Wow," I breathed, not taking my eyes off the sky with little black birds racing.
"I know," he whispered.
The happiness found everyday amongst the smallest things on Earth is just extraordinary.
*
"Thanks a lot for the amazing evening, Jared," I said, handing him his jacket.
"Don't mention it," he said with a genuine smile.
"It was really fun, I wasn't going to come but then Abby forced me into it and I'm actually really glad that I came," I said honestly.
"I have to thank Abby then," he said with a grin.
"Yup," I responded, popping the 'P'.
"I'll see you in school tomorrow," he stated.
"Yes," I agreed, "Good night Jared."
"Good night Ashley, sleep well," he answered.
He leaned towards me and kissed me on the cheek. I gave him a small smile and watched him walk towards his car. Okay, that kiss was awkward.
Tonight was a great night. I definitely don't regret going.
A/N: Muahaha, I bet you didn't see that coming, did you? ;) I hoped you liked this chapter! Trust me, I would go crazy if a guy took me on a hot air balloon! It's 3:25 am currently and I actually started writing this chapter at like 11:40 or something but I kept getting distracted and interrupted but here it is now!
Oh! Do you like Jared orrr Ethan? :3
Please leave comments and votes! They really do mean a lot! <3
Night sweeties