Beautifully Destroyed(5)
See you at 7pm, don’t think I forgot.
It has a smiley face on it too. Crap. Well, so much for getting out of dinner and hiding out in my room alone all night. Looking at my watch, I see I can get a few hours of sleep. Maybe he will be preoccupied with those girls downstairs and leave me alone. Getting in some yoga pants and a T-shirt, I climb into bed to get some rest. It will help tonight when everyone else is sleeping.
Bang, bang.
“Rise and shine, Fate. Dinner in thirty!” Cameron yells from the other side of my door. I groan and look at my clock. It is six-thirty on the dot, are you serious? I want more sleep. I roll over and throw my face into my pillow. “Fate, I’m serious. You’re wasting time. At seven I’m coming in there whether you’re ready or not, and I will drag you out in whatever kitty pajamas you’re wearing.”
“Ah, fine, I’m up,” I yell back, and he chuckles. “And I’m in yoga pants for your information,” I say with as much attitude as I can muster.
“Just yoga pants? Well, that would be an interesting dinner.” I groan and hop out of bed, throwing open the door. He laughs again, almost bending over in a full fit of laughter. “Oh, darn, shirt too.” I raise one of my eyebrows and cross my arms. He puts his hands up in defense. “I’m kidding, Fate. I’m sorry. I don’t usually hang out with girls. I don’t know how not to make jokes. Bear with me, I’m a quick learner, I promise.”
“It’s fine. I’m just not used to hanging out with anyone.” His smile slips and he goes to say something, but I cut him off. I don’t want his pity. I didn’t mean to say that. “My time is ticking.” Then I slam my door in his face, causing him to burst into a chuckle again.
“Tick Tock.”
No joke, he was banging on my door at exactly seven. Luckily, I was ready, not that it takes me long to get ready. I don’t wear makeup or anything to draw people’s attention to me. I put on just a pair of jeans and a black, long sleeve V-necked shirt. As I said, nothing fancy or flashy. I learned long ago not to stand out. “I’m ready,” I say as I open the door and he’s standing right there. He really is beautiful in an obvious sort of way. Looking at him, I almost can’t look away. All he has on is a pair of dark jeans and blue T-shirt that hugs him in all the right ways. I’m so out of my element here.
“Well, look at that, a girl who can get ready in a reasonable amount of time. I like it,” he says in a joking way.
“Don’t get used to it. I’m sure I’m not like most girls here. I won’t spend hours getting ready for anyone. This is me, I’m just Fate,” I say quietly.
“Yes. Yes, you are.” I’m not sure what to take from what he’s saying to me, so I just walk to grab my jacket. He is walking close behind me, I can tell, but he stays just out of reach so we don’t accidentally touch. Cameron seems to be picking up on my issues and adapting. It’s good that he’s that observant but it also embarrasses me that it’s needed. “Any idea where you want to go?”
“Um, I don’t know anywhere, really. I’ve only been to one little Italian place, so I will let you pick. It was your idea,” I say, trying to give a smirk at the end.
“Perfect. Time to go, Fate.” He leads me out of the apartment, still careful not to touch me. We get into a cab and find our way to a little restaurant. Nothing fancy but very secluded. “This is one of my favorite places to go. They have a bit of everything. Even vegetarian food.” I give him an odd look. “Oh, I saw all the nature artwork and wildlife in your room and thought maybe you didn’t eat meat.”
I actually laugh, a full no hold back laugh. “No, I eat meat. Steak, burgers, sausage…” He gives me a smirk and I catch on to his innuendo. Playfully, I swat at him and he chuckles as he gets out of my hand’s reach. Seems I’m getting better at getting some of the social cues on interaction and all the jokes. “I like anything, okay? I’m not picky, was all I was trying to say.”
“Gotcha,” he says with a smirk while leading me to the back corner of this place. It’s a little booth style seat just for two. With his hand, he points to either side. I just shrug my shoulders and pick the one with my back to the place. Maybe I won’t be as anxious if I don’t see the other people looking at us. “So, Fate, tell me about yourself.”
Here it comes, small talk. “Well, I turned eighteen three weeks ago.” His face turns to shock. “Didn’t you read your roommate sheet?” I say, trying to deflect whatever he’s about to say.