CHAPTER 6

12th February 2019.

Rae's POV...

' Clean' by Hey Violet began to play on my alarm clock, reminding me it was the day I dreadfully waited for.

Yep, I'm 18 turning 19, in my senior year. Life had its ups like when I finally had a boyfriend, we've been dating for three months, he lives in a town two hours away from here and today is the day I finally get to see him. Excitement would be an understatement, anxiety would be an understatement.

Life had its downs too. Three years ago my parents divorced and couldn't understand why. I tried probing my mom for an answer but she'd say "we couldn't understand our past decisions". They are still my parents though they have their differences, I still love them. After my Dad left, Mom found out she was pregnant and nine months down the line my brother was born, Paul Jr. Yep, even got my Dad's name.

We still get to see Dad, Paul needs a father figure in his life and Dad has always been family. I just can't understand why they parted ways.

Enough of that, more of the present.

For my day, I get to meet up with Katie, my best friend since the week I moved here, and Caleb. He and I met in our freshman year. Lost around the school campus, I bumped into a wall, at least that's what I thought. Before I could make a fool out of myself, gravity lost his grip on me. All the while my eyes were shut, so when they finally decided to open I was met with a handsome face staring at me, whose forest green eyes bore into my dull drown ones. His jet black hair hang in ringlets and tickled my forehead. I mumbled a few sorry's before turning a crimson red and him putting me in place. All he did was smile, a cute boyish smile.

I know what you're thinking, average girl meets cute boy type of romance story, sadly you're mistaken. He's my MALE best friend, I emphasize the male because, between him and I, we both know Katie gets green-eyed. No one should get me wrong, I love both my friends.

My phone gave a sharp "ding" informing me of a new message. I looked at the message and couldn't stop the heat creeping up my face. JM: hey baby😘, ready for today?

RM: yeah, a little nervous🙈

JM: lol😂, don't worry, I'm not that ugly or weird... I think🤔😉

RM: Yeah, lol😅

JM: don't worry, we'll have fun. I give you my honored vow

RM: ooh, a gentleman. I accept your vow☺

JM: Okay, I gotta get ready. See you in two hours😘

RM: okay☺

JM: 😘❤

We met online, I know what you're thinking, and yes online.

Two hours!! That's like two minutes for me. Before I could trip on my own feet, I step into the shower and begin my daily routine, remembering to shave my legs and lady parts. Finally, I get to the part I dread the most, picking out my outfit. I'm the type to just pick up a baggy t-shirt with shorts and socks. I'm a little self-conscious about my body. Not that I hate it, I just don't like people staring, again not that I have a great body or anything. I never wear my hair up, mostly because it helps hide the scar on my chest.

The scar, remembrance of my near-death experience. It runs across my left breast, a clean straight line. I don't remember much, mostly because I was pumped with morphine and antibiotics. Mom explains it as the worst time of her life.

My private time in front of the mirror is interrupted by the quick stumping I hear in the hallway. In steps Katie, other than Mom she's the only one that would barge into my room like that.

"I knew you'd be panicking about your clothes, I came rushing."

"Katie, I can handle that myself." Yeah, I lied.

"You're not wearing any of your baggy outfits!"

"They're comfortable" I wailed.

She stomped towards my closet and pulled out one of my yellow sundresses, it was cute but rarely put on. Next, she pulled out an outfit of a flared top and boyfriend jeans.

I looked at them critically and denied them.

She huffed a huge sigh and walked back into the closet. It didn't take her thirty seconds for her to come out squealing her lungs out. I stared at the dress in complete horror as she put it in front of me and commanded me to the bathroom.

I was doomed for sure.

***

Katie brushed the last of the mascara on my lashes. I stood in front of the full-length mirror and couldn't recognize myself. I was beautiful, of course, an understatement. Knowing I don't wear my hair up, my long auburn brown hair was curled in divine locks, hiding the scar perfectly. My face didn't have much make-up, but the little it had made me look amazing, the mascara popped my eyes and made my dull eyes look a little less dull, the blush made my features look warmer and the pale pink lipstick made my lips look plumper. The off-shoulder sundress fit perfectly with the thin black belt snatching my waist, its flared tucks starting at my hips down, above my knees. For my feet, I just put on simple open-toed pumps that had intricate designs of flowers. All the colors of the outfit complimented my pale skin.

"Rae! Katie! You guys have been awful quiet. Are you...." My mom opened the door and stared at me with a look of awe.

"Wow" was all she could say. I stood there like a dumb 13-year-old, shifting my weight from side to side.

"Do I look okay?"

"Are you underestimating my work!" She pointed out. I simply waited for mom's response.

"You look beautiful honey and Katie you should consider going to Paris for fashion school."

"I'll keep that in mind"

Stared at me one last time. Mom walked towards me and held my shoulders,

"You'll be okay", I turned to face her and offered my brightest smile,

"Thanks, mom."

The car horn of Caleb's truck shook our little reunion.

"Don't forget your things."

Katie and I rushed out of the house to meet Caleb casually leaning against the hood of his car, his gaze on his phone, clearly not paying attention to us.

"Okay, guys let's get this over... With..." He stared at me in awe

"You look... Wow, I mean... Woah" he gabbled.

"We get it, she looks amazingly beautiful, now let's go." I simply giggle.

"Thanks, Caleb," I said, patting his shoulder.

I round the truck and realize Katie is frozen in her tracks, I look in the direction facing and see why. In the front passenger seat is Katie's only big-time crush, apparently since freshman year. She looked at me in panic,

"Rachael" she called me by my first name, this is serious, "Raiden's in the truck!" She hush spoke.

"I know" kindly expressing my obviousness.

"And I'll be in the truck"

"That's also true." If she's trying to explain her unease, it's not working.

"You're not helping by acting like you don't care, do I at least look okay?"

I eyed her flawless face which possessed minimal make-up, which likewise made her look, furthermore and I quote "flawless". She wore a flared string top, that showed the tiniest amount of cleavage and the simple heart necklace would just beg you to look at it, her jean shorts clang to her thighs showing off her perfect curves, her long legs showed off her cute libra tattoo just above her ankle, her cute pink pumps just complimented the whole outfit.

" Katie, you look amazing. I'm sure Raiden would admire you, trust me on this."

She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.

"Okay, let's go," that she grabbed my arm and continued our route to the truck.

We got in the truck and we were on our way...

***

The ride to Blue Meet was fun. All banter and laughter, till we got to our destination and the butterflies decided to surface. I looked at the teenage joint and wanted to bolt back home. I felt a hand gently squeeze mine and looked up to see Katie smiling at me, the small but sweet gesture gave me a boost. I got out of the car and followed the rest inside before I could get further into the eatery.

"Racheal?"

"Jace?"

My eyes couldn't believe it...