“Why is your face so red?”
I sigh as I test my tongue with my finger to see how bad it is. “Because I tripped on my shadow, got my feet tangled together, bit my tongue, slammed my face on the carpet and there ya go. And it’s your fault because you made me think you were him.” I put a hand on my cheek and hope it doesn’t look too bad.
“Okay, go ice your tongue it's probably not as bad as it feels and I'll find you something to wear. I’m sorry I made you panic more than you already were.”
“Why are you here?” I ask as I obediently go into the kitchen to fetch some ice.
“You sounded terrified on the phone and I didn’t want you to ruin your chances of popping your cherry before it even started. I'm here to help you get ready and quickly.” She looks at her watch and flies off to my bedroom while I ice my tongue.
“Don’t be gross Lila,” I call behind her.
I look at it in the bathroom mirror after five minutes and realize she's right it looks a lot better. I can't kiss with a tongue the size of my head. I need to stop thinking about kissing Charlie. This is what got me in this predicament in the first place.
“Come in here.”
I go in to see two dresses lying on the bed. One of them is definitely not mine.
“I brought it from my closet in case you were out of options.”
The dress she picked that belongs to me is blue with a low-cut neckline and a wraparound style. It's cute but not a dress I ever wear. The other is her dress, of course. It's a very pretty dress but it looks more like Lila than something I would wear. It's a red shift that hangs low with a scoop neck in the front and it's short. It’s really, really short.
“I don't think I can show that much leg.” I reach toward the blue dress going for comfort.
“You’ve got amazing legs. Why not show them off? You’re the only one who doesn’t think you can handle this dress. Why not go bold?” Lila picks it up and holds it against her.
“B-because, I just can’t.”
Lila laughs. “That’s an awesome reason. What were you thinking of going with?”
I pull out my little black dress. It's simple and covers up everything while still being fitted. “This little number.” I wiggle it a bit in front of her.
“You're not going to a funeral Ada. You’re going to have a dinner with a sexy man you are thinking about giving your virginity to.”
“Well, then it would be my virginity's funeral.”
“Ada you are crazy.” She says it but she's laughing at my comment.
“I know that's why I was pairing it with these bright yellow pumps and cardigan.” I point to the shoes I tripped over earlier.
“Oh, a cardigan.” She mocks me. “How hot. It’s 2018, not 1800. You’re a modern day single woman that’s a brilliant teacher and fantastic singer. Not a spinster schoolmarm.”
I frown at the image that conjures in my head. “I have to be comfortable Lila or I’ll be miserable,” I tell her grabbing the item in question from the closet. “I think it pulls it all together. I don’t look like I’m Amish.”
“Your words, not mine. I never said Amish.”
“Come on, I like this. Be my friend.”
Okay, you can lead a horse to water and all that,” Lila holds up her hands as if she’s giving up.
I smirk at her knowing she disapproves of the outfit. “Look, I look okay right. Not trying too hard, which is also important to me for tonight.”
“What exactly is your goal here? Revenge for a jerk who never called? Living out some high school fantasy you always had? Or a business dinner?”
“I don’t really know what I’m doing if I’m being honest. Thanks for your input.” I point to my back to get her to help me zip up not feeling bad for my sarcasm at all.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt again. I didn’t realize you were still hung up on Charlie or I might not have suggested this whole thing to Thomas. It was so long ago.”
“It wasn’t that long ago,” I pout “How is that going with Thomas?” I ask. I need to change the subject because the more I think about the high school crush thing, the more anxious and nervous I get. I’m a grown ass woman. My nerves are ridiculous.