Chapter Twenty Eight-"Lanter, is that you?"

~Dedicated to all those who have ever felt like giving up and bursting into tears~

PS: Listen to the song alongside as soon as the restaurant scene begins!!!

Chapter Twenty Eight-"Lanter, is that you?"

Anyone else would have been excited or in the least bit nervous about staying over at their father’s home for the first time. I on the other hand was more nervous about my big date with Dave. Ever since Dave had asked me out on the date, I couldn’t help but feel nervous and sick at the same time. Nervous because it was a date with Dave the guy I had been dating for almost over a month and sick because I still wasn’t sure what was going on between Sean and I. I mean, what were we, friends with benefits?

Another problem was the fact that Amanda was showing way too much interest in Dave to be ‘sisterly’ and after a thorough conversation with Juliet while she plucked her eyebrows and applied her famous avocado face mask to my face, I came to a conclusion that Amanda Williams was truly and absolutely crushing on my boyfriend Dave. Was I stupid to pretend that I didn’t know? Yes. Was I being a coward for not confronting her? Definitely! But I had more pressing matters to deal with such as getting ready for my date with Dave.

“Viv,” Juliet pulled me out of my thoughts, “you are so wearing black tonight.”

I frowned at my best friend as she pulled out a series of black garments and asked her, “Why black? Am I supposed to be mourning my life?”

Rolling her eyes, Juliet replied smoothly, “Black means that you’re sexy and available,” then she wiggled her brows, “but if he tries anything then you’re going to kick him where it hurts the most.”

“Jules,” I groaned, “Dave’s not that kind of guy.”

A smirk took my friend’s lips as she pushed back her red bangs as she retorted, “No but someone named Sean is.”

My cheeks threatened to go red so to hide it, I turned my attention to the makeup lined up on my dresser before asking, “So where do we start?”

“Come on Viv, when are you going to admit it? You’re in love with a certain bad boy,” Juliet replied, before she pulled my hair away from my face and began to fiddle around with the makeup, “And no matter how hard you try to deny it or Sean does, you both are so meant for each other.”

I bit my lower lip and glanced at Juliet from the mirror. Her green eyes met mine in our reflections and I sighed, “Jules, can we not talk about this now?”

A small smile that looked slightly disappointed took over her lips before she replied, “Okay Viv. Let’s gets you all dolled up for your swimmer boy then?”

It was like I had been transported back to the first day I had been introduced to makeup. Juliet began to apply eyeliner to my eyes and then a light-gold shimmer to my eyelids. She hummed under her breath as she focused on trying to make me look as stunning as I could. In that silence aside from Juliet’s humming, I examined my best friend more closely. Her auburn hair was braided to one side and her bangs were falling heavily over one eye. She wore plain denim shorts and a green strappy top that made her eyes stick out all the more.

I couldn’t stop myself smiling when I noticed the way she moved around the dresser and applied her makeup to my face. There was no doubt that my best friend was also finding love for herself, even though it was a much simpler situation than mine. Juliet Summer, my best friend for almost eighteen years of my entire life was finally falling for someone and even if Chris hadn’t asked her out as yet, I knew that he liked her back just as much.

“Très belle,” Juliet breathed out with a smile so genuine that I had to fight not to gape at myself in the mirror.

Juliet was right. I did look very pretty; in fact it didn’t even look like the same Vivienne from before. My blue eyes were prominent against the dark eyeliner which surrounded it and the gold against my eyelids made me look more angelic than I thought I could have ever been. A natural rose-coloured blush tainted my cheeks and my lips were covered in a wine red lipstick which shimmered slightly in the light.

“Jules,” I whispered with a soft smile, “is that me?”

Juliet smiled then handed me my clothes as she replied, “I told you Viv, très belle.”

I took my clothes gratefully before I slipped into them. Tight, black jeans and a sequins tank top fitted my body well, giving me the illusion of having the skinniest waist on Earth and curves in the right places. I smiled at my blonde, curly waves that cascaded down my back before I slipped on my gold stilettos which I could barely walk in. Receiving thumbs up from Juliet, I couldn’t stop it when I reached out and pulled my best friend into a huge hug.

“Thanks Jules,” I whispered, “it means a lot for you to help me.”

Juliet returned my hug before replying, “Please Viv, it’s what’s best friends are for. If I didn’t convince my dad to keep the restaurant opened for your date, then what kind of a friend would I be?”

“Are you sure he’s okay with it?” I asked, biting my lower lip.

“Yes Viv,” Juliet repeated, “for the last time he even offered to keep the restaurant opened just for you two. I swear my dad’s more of a sucker for romance than mum is.”

I laughed, “Well I’ll be sure to thank him.”

Juliet pulled me into another hug before she breathed, “Just remember you look beautiful Viv, Dave would be an idiot if he didn’t notice.”

“Thanks again Mr Summer,” I thanked Juliet’s father, “this is really nice of you to let Dave and I have our dinner here after closing time.”

Juliet’s father, Jacob Summer was the man I had thought the most of a father could be in my entire life. His dark brown hair was greying at the sides and honey coloured eyes made him seem all the more loving than Juliet made him seem to be. With a carefree attitude that always made me feel part of the family, I couldn’t help but like Mr Summer as a father too.

“Nonsense Viv,” Mr Summer bellowed, “you’re like my second daughter.”

I smiled as a light blush took over my cheeks and replied, “That means a lot.”

Mr Summer nodded before he led me to the small table set in the centre of the restaurant. It was small and set up under the dim chandelier which made it look more romantic than I thought it could have been. A small, brass-holder held three candles as it sat upon the table and two plates and a bottle of bubbly, but non-alcoholic champagne decorated it. I couldn’t help the smile that took over my lips when I noticed the small rose against one of the seats.

I took my seat and looked up at Mr Summer who explained, “That boyfriend of yours delivered this,” he gestured at the rose, “this morning for you.”

“Thanks, did you ask him why-”

Mr Summer interrupted me, “No, no he said he was in much of a rush and sped off on that loud bike of his.”

I frowned, about to ask him about the bike but Mr Summer had already began his way towards the kitchen where I could hear pans sizzling and the aroma of Italian food drifting towards me. Chill Viv, so maybe it was a coincidence that Mr Summer thought that your boyfriend rode a bike. I mean, it’s not like old people know relationships anymore right? But then, who else besides Sean rode a bike and why would he leave you a rose of all things?

I chewed on my lower lip again as I leaned forward and stared at the wine-coloured rose that lay across the table. With a sigh, I decided to glance at the time. Dave promised that he was going to meet me at Le Cheesy Restaurant at seven and yes I knew I was a bit early, but a small part of me was hoping that Dave would have already been waiting here for me like some dashing Prince Charming.

“Vivienne,” Mr Summer called, “would you like to have an appetiser while you wait?”

With a quick look at the time and with less than ten minutes to go, I decided against eating. I mean that would be rude wouldn’t it for me to eat when Dave arrived? With a quick, ‘No,’ to Mr Summer, I turned my attention to sitting up straighter and neatening my clothes. I threw a quick look out the darkened sky and passing cars through the large windows and had to fight off the disappointment that wanted to eat away at my gut when I didn’t spot Dave’s car as yet.

He’s just running a little late Viv, that’s all. There is no reason at all to start worrying, he is after all a guy and don’t guys always turn up late for dates? Dave’s probably tying to muster up all his courage on a way to ask you out to Prom that’s all. So there, nothing at all to get panicky about, besides you’re Vivienne Lanter, boys like Dave would be banging down your door just to ask you out so calm down before you get a serious break-out in hives.

After fifteen minutes had passed seven, the panic began to creep in again. I bit my lower lip as I glanced out of the window as the roads grew quieter and wondered if Dave had had an accident that I didn’t know about. Oh God! Imagine that! Here I am sitting here, worried about some silly date when Dave could be seriously hurt and being rushed to hospital at this very minute. What is wrong with me?

“Vivienne,” Mr Summer interrupted my thoughts with a kind smile, “are you sure you don’t want an appetiser? It is garlic bread and I know just how much you love it.”

Looking up into Mr Summer’s kind eyes I couldn’t find myself to say no and besides that, I really did like garlic bread. Accepting the freshly baked rolls, I began to butter them before chewing and swallowing the garlic-filled loaf that made everything seem so much better. With a contented sigh, I decided that I wasn’t going to wait for Dave to open the non-alcoholic champagne and poured my glass full with the bubbly sweetness.

With a sip of the ‘champagne’ I tossed another glance out of the window and frowned when still there was a no show of Dave. Maybe he was just having car trouble and had to call his parents which meant going home for another car before coming here to see me? But then Viv, why isn’t he texting you? Because he’s probably too busy trying to get here and you know how boys are. They’re always late for these sorts of things.

I began to drum my fingers along the table as my eyes lingered on the red rose on the table and I sighed. It was nearing eight and Dave still hadn’t made an appearance and in the whole duration of my wait I had consumed three garlic rolls, finished the non-alcoholic champagne and made four trips to the bathroom to pee with Mr Summer offering me more ‘appetisers’. I didn’t want to accept the truth so I resorted to making up excuses in my mind to pass the time.

He’s in hospital with a coma Viv and his parents are too devastated to even think straight so it’s only obvious why they didn’t think of calling you. Maybe Dave’s still trying to muster up the courage about Prom, after all he is your boyfriend and things must be tough for him especially since you’re spending most of your free time with Sean and Maths tuitions. But then again, there is the fact that Amanda’s now taken an interest in Dave, maybe he’s just trying to think of a way to tell you about her?

Suddenly I heard my phone buzzing in my bag and quickly I fumbled around before pulling it out with shaky hands. One new text message was sprawled across my phone screen and I felt my heart jerk when I saw that it was from Dave. It took me everything not to scream out and burst into tears as I read the message which read simply, ‘Sorry Viv can’t make it tonight, will call you tomorrow.’

I forced a smile onto my lips as I stood up and made my way over to Mr Summer who had long given up on preparing any more appetisers and was watching the football game in the back room. He smiled and stood as soon as he spotted me in the back room before asking, “Is there something you need Viv?”

“No, no,” I replied, glad when my voice didn’t break, “uhm…” I breathed, “Dave texted me and he’s going to take me to see his parents,” I lied.

Mr Summer frowned before asking, “Vivienne, are you sure you’re okay?”

I nodded, “Yes I’m fine really,” I lied, “it’s just a change of plans and everything.”

Mr Summer nodded then asked, “Should I walk you out?”

“No,” I cut him off, “I mean Dave’s waiting outside and I’ll be fine.”

I turned around and hurried out of the door before Mr Summer could stop me and realise that the parking lot outside the restaurant was empty. Shutting my eyes in the cold air, I took in a huge gulp of the cold, night’s air before I began walking home in my hardly walkable, gold stilettos and date clothes. I had barely made three blocks before the first tear rolled down my cheek. I stopped in my tracks and took a deep, heaving breath which acted as a catalyst for the floodgates to burst.

The roads were quiet as I made my way to a deserted bus stop and sat down on a bench. My eyes stung as the tears continued to flow freely no matter how hard I tried to stop them. Suddenly all thoughts and memories of Matt came rushing back to my mind like painful daggers and I couldn’t help it when I let out a strangled sob. Did Dave go out with me just like Matt asked me to The Dance because of a dare? Was this the reason Amanda had taken an interest in Dave because she knew that he really liked her instead of me?

My hands flew to my face as I felt the tears rolling one after the other until my vision blurred. I sniffled as I realised that my contact lenses had probably fallen onto the ground while I had been crying my heart out. I sucked in a shuddering breath as I tried to blink away the blurriness only to realise that it wasn’t working and that in fact, I probably looked like a mess crying in a bus stop with the inability to see. I bit my lower lip but that did nothing to stop the soft sob that escaped my lips as I brought my arm around myself in a silly attempt to keep me warm in the cold.

A low motor drove past with blinding lights which made my blurry vision to worsen by a tenfold. Unlike the passing cars, the motor seemed to have slowed down before getting louder again until I could make out that it was directly in front of me. I didn’t need to have contact lenses or had to be using my geeky glasses to know that it was a bike parked in front of me. I didn’t even have to be a rocket scientist to recognise that voice anywhere in the world.

“Lanter, is that you?”

A/N So a new chapter and please I warn you, the next chapter will be slightly depressing but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. So Geeklings, thank you for reading (it means so much!) and share your thoughts with me? What do you feel about Dave? Was Viv being too wimpy and remember to not go too hard on Amanda, she's human too. Remember to vote, comment and spread the word Geeklings!

PS: Check out my new werewolf story, 'The Wolf' on the external link!

xoxo

Mona-Mae