Chapter One

Chapter One

1989. The year of retro fashion. Big hair. Walkman. Bold colors. Disco. Cinema nights. Shopping malls. Madonna. When Harry Met Sally.

Everything is just vibrant and wholesome. Too bad I am too dull to live in this era.

"Puck your lips like this..." Reese demonstrated and so I did exactly the same before she painted my lips pink.

"Okay, now, for the final touch, to make sure your hair is in great volume," she grabbed the hairspray.

"Close your eyes..." and she sprayed some onto my hair, letting it hold the style.

She insisted to do a make over. It's Monday, which means school day. I will be the only one who's going anyway. She'll be left here since she doesn't have a schedule at her modeling agency.

"I told you purple looks good on you. Way to go, Annie." she even let me borrow her blouse. I don't have an idea why she's doing these favors for me— dressing me up and making me real pretty.

"Thanks, Reese." I almost whispered, looking very intensely at the mirror.

She did a good job of changing my appearance, especially my hair. She curled them and added volume and ribbons on it. I'm not even looking dull and boring, not anymore. I might even say she's an expert when it comes to beauty.

"I'll give you a ride, come on." she owns a red Porsche.

She went into her room to get the car keys. While I was left in my room, getting my things, I noticed the soft pink cardigan that se left on my bed... I took it by my hands and placed it right under my nose. Eyes shut, sniffing the fabric. It smells like vanilla and flowers.

"Got my keys, let's go!" Reese shouted from outside my room.

I put her beautiful cardigan inside my bag and walked out of my bedroom. I was preoccupied the whole ride, she was just talking nonstop and I didn't know how to respond.

Finally, we arrived at the university. She parked the car and I was about to open the door when a familiar voice came over and knocked on the car window. Reese rolled it down to see his... boyfriend.

"Oh, babe!" she wasn't surprised. She was expecting this.

It was Luigi with an unlit cigarette in his right hand. Reese scooped closer to kiss him. He kissed her back.

Is this the reason why she offered to give me a ride? So she could see his face in this shithole?

"Is that you, Annette?" Luigi glanced at me. His mouth is slightly open, he cannot believe himself.

"Isn't she pretty? I did it." Reese is proud. Luigi is just looking at me, smirking, and now I just couldn't wait to get down the car to get rid of him.

I got out of the car and quickly waved goodbye. I was hugging my bag as I paved the way through the hall. There are many students— skating, even, inside the building, cliques with cliques, nerds, cool kids, popular, prom queens, weirdos, and some are just making out at the locker... in front of my very own locker.

"Excuse me? That's my locker." I interrupted them.

"Fuck off, loser." is what they replied before storming out the hallway. The hell?

I pulled out Reese's cardigan from my body bag and effortlessly wore it. It smells like her... and now it's starting to smell like me.

This way, I feel like I'm closer to all the beautiful things she has. Sometimes, I just wanna feel like I am her.

I was caught off guard when someone shut my locker's door and pinned me against it.

"Luigi..." I muttered, staring at his face. He's so close to me. I can't even attempt to hold eye contact.

"Woah, you really do look different..." he's looking at me from the ribbons on my hair to my Mary Jane shoes.

He leaned in closer, "And smells nice too," Luigi started touching my hair... down the cardigan.

"Is this Reese's?" his brow furrowed.

"Don't touch me, jerk." I pushed him back, but he only chuckled.

I started walking away from him, smiling. I can't believe it! He talked to me. And said I look different. And that I smell nice.

I clutched my hands on my skirt... then I looked back at him, only to see that he was watching me, still. His beautiful eyes are pierced at me, looking at every step that I take.

This is wrong. He is my best friend's boyfriend. I am not entitled to check him out in the first place. But he was hitting on me too... I am sure of it.

If only there was a way to break them up so I would not feel this bad...

Later on, after classes, I took my time painting in the garden, the most silent part of the whole school. I like it here. No people. No noise. Just solitude and some clear skies.

But landscape painting isn't just my target subject. It's always a human. And this time, I am painting a man... a face of a man— with eyes so intense, lips so kissable, and smile so healing. It's Luigi. This is the very look he gave me earlier.

I cannot help but to assume that he's into me... it's because of the way he stared at me... so exquisite and deadly at the same time.

"I knew I'd find you here." a voice lingered.

I immediately closed my pad and hugged it. He's here...

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check on you, Annette."

"Don't call me that." I gave him a harsh look. I wanted him to go away but at the same time I wanted him to keep me company.

"So, I've got two tickets for When Harry Met Sally, do you wanna see it with me?" I literally couldn't speak... is he asking me out?

"Why don't you ask Reese instead?"

"She's got her busy schedule so yeah, no."

Oh. That's why. I'm his second option.

"I'll see you at the movie theater, 7 pm sharp."

"Sure, I'll be there." I stammered.

I was a little hesitant to say yes. What if Reese finds out? I mean, I rarely leave the house. But tonight I am seeing a movie with his boyfriend.

When I came home, I took all my time rummaging through my closet. I need decent clothes, a fancy one. Maybe a polka dot dress, or a pastel skirt. This will be my very first date and I wouldn't want to fail. Luigi probably had gone on several dates. It's unfair.

Good thing Reese managed to style my hair today. I put on my best dress while listening to some music. I also applied light make up, retouching the look Reese painted on my face earlier this morning.

I was tiptoeing when I walked out of my bedroom across the living room.

"Uhm, where are you going?" Oh shit! It's Reese, lying on the couch, wrapped in a cozy blanket.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked her since she's looking pale than usual.

"Yeah, no, I feel a little cold,"

"By the way, you look fab, Annie." she continued.

"Thanks. I'll, uhm, I'll be home early." I headed out the door.

I don't think it's right to leave her here alone feeling unwell. But she's a grown up, I'm sure she doesn't need me.

I hailed a taxi all the way to the movie theater. I'm a little early so I'll have more time to think of the words I'm gonna say to him.

The marquee theater signs says WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. The red lights are glowing, inviting the people to come in.

I checked on the time and kept on looking left and right to see the face that I've been waiting for.

It's getting cold and really late and the film is about to start.

Maybe he forgot... or worse, he was just tricking me. But I have to trust him, right?

So, I waited... and waited... hoping he'd show up even for the last minute.

But he didn't.