. . . . .

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" I asked, stepping off the school bus and over my friends who were huddled together whispering. As soon as I merged in with them, Angel turned to me, her eyes glazed with something I couldn't figure out. "What's happened? Are you guys alright?" I asked, feeling a little agitated.

"Come here," Angel pulled me closer to the circle and looked over Charlotte's shoulder before ducking again. "Apparently Theo's parents have taken him away to Brazil and no one knows when he's going to be back."

My eyes widened like saucers. "Brazil? Why there?" I found myself asking. Brazil was far, but what on earth was his parents doing taking him away? Why was I so interested? I barely knew the guy!

"No one knows. But some are assuming it's because he was born there." Cadence cut in and I turned my head to her. "His friends were taking about his quick departure, apparently they didn't even know until today."

"Odd." I said, standing back up straight and pushing my plait off my shoulder. His group of friends were all huddled around each other, festering in a conversation, along with the rest of the school. "Was this all that everybody is talking about? Theo in Brazil?" I scoffed. Eyes dancing around to each group, I shook my head in dismay. "The world has really gone mad."

"Tell me about it," Angel snorted, linking an arm with mine and pulling me and the other girls inside the school building. "Anyway, what's with the school bus? Where's your car?"

My shoulder's slumped in defeat. I have had a week of hell. I had very stupidly allowed Callum to test drive my car to get his confidence up but he ended up scraping it against the fence of the parking lot. But that wasn't all. "It broke down yesterday. I'll be able to pick it up after school."

"You're going to have to catch the school bus home? That sucks." Charlotte said, glaring at a couple of people — inoccent people — who passed by, whispering. She fixed her leather jacket and her jet-black hair before sending me a small smile. Revolution made?: Today.

"I suppose I am," I sighed. Taking the school bus was the most dreadful thing that has happened to me. Being stuck next to a random person, sandwiched in whilst all around me were kids who were surprisingly hyper for that time of day. Luckily, I had my headphones with me as was able to drown out most of the noise, but if I didn't have them I think I would walked myself to school instead. The bus smelt a mix of minty breaths and pungent aftershave kids had sprayed prior from getting onto the bus, only for it to wear off later that day.

I wasn't able to get my extra half an hour lie-in today seeing as I wasn't able to drive myself in fifteen minutes beforehand. But, I had to think about this in a positive light: I was getting my car back after school.

We made a short stop to the vending machine to grab a quick coffee. Nothing fancy, just a standard latté, and I certainly needed it after this morning. I deserved a meddle for surviving the chaos— not to mention the way everyone got off the bus, you'd think it was on fire. That was why I kindly let everyone off before so I could take my sweet time and not fall over or get pushed.

"When did you say the date with Sam is?" Angel asked, mixing her drink and then dumping the wooden spoon into the trash.

My stomach erupted with butterflies, and I could feel my face grow hot — like being out in the sun all day. "This Friday. He's talking me to __, so it's real fancy." Fancy. That was nice. Champagne. Flowers. Dressing up.

I could learn to like such elegance.

"Are you excited?" Cadence asked, nudging my arm with hers, wiggling her brows. I chortled and nodded.

"Excited and nervous." I said, staring down at my coffee. The butterflies in my stomach had now gone back into their cacoons to hide.

"Which is a totally normal reaction," Charlotte said. "But, I think you should definitely go on the date with Sam. Especially when he's talking you to a five-star restaurant." Her dark purple eyeshadow had disappeared as she widened her eyes in excitement.

Maybe I should go. He was putting in the effort after all, and I have already said yes. "I guess I should. He seemed really happy when asking me."

The girls were excited, but I couldn't help but feel some sort of dip in my gut. It was like it was screaming at me to tell me otherwise, but I felt too naïve and of course, giddy, to listen.

For the rest of the day there was more talk of Theo's abrupt leave for Brazil, but I continued to keep my head down, do the work, and not involve myself in the drama. But one thing I did notice was that his friend's seem a little worried about him. But if he was with his parents then I was sure he was alright and there was nothing to worry about. When I got home I showered, which usually would only be a couple of minutes when not washing my hair but actually this time — along with shaving every hair on my body — it turned into forty-five minutes.

I had searched up what type of place __ was that Sam was taking me to, and I had to dress up to the nines. I scanned around my room, trying to think of something I could wear that didn't involve a sweatshirt and trousers.

As I stood in my room, memories flooded back. There, tucked away in the recesses of my mind, was the image of a dress – a special dress that my mom kindly bought for me when we went to the mall together. A dress for the date would be perfect to wear.

I slowly approached my wardrobe, eyes searching through the neatly folded clothes until they locked onto a familiar bag perched on the top shelf. Dust particles danced in the sunlight as I reached up, pulling the bag down. Unraveling the delicate tissue paper revealed the dress – a vision of the soft ruby rose material, adorned with intricate lace.

I ran my fingers over the fabric, feeling the cool touch under my fingertips. The dress draped over my arm as I stood back up. I couldn't help but smile as I imagined the way the lace would catch the soft glow of candlelight at the restaurant. I hoped it would go well.

As I slipped into the dress, it embraced every curve on my body like the first time I tried it on. As I stood before the mirror, catching glimpses of a younger version of myself, a wider smile found its way to my face. The dress looked very appropriate for the evening at __ this Friday. I just hoped he would think I looked as good as I felt.

As I admired myself, my sanctuary was invaded by Callum — who was older than me by one month, by the way.

"Are you sure you're not auditioning for a role in a stop sign commercial with that dress?" Callum remarked, eyeing me from the doorway.

"Considering your lack of fashion sense, I'd appreciate if you didn't critique my choices," I shot back, not missing a beat.

Callum ambled over and flopped onto my bed with all the grace of a sack of potatoes. "So, Sam, huh? Not the best of choices I've got to say."

I sighed, knowing my brother was about to launch into his 'protective older brother' routine. "He's just a friend, Callum. No need for your overactive imagination."

He scoffed, crossing his arms. "Sure, Willow. Friends. Because all the girls just want a 'friend' like Sam."

My eyes rolled involuntarily. "Why don't you go worry about your own nonexistent love life, Callum?"

He smirked. "Touché. But seriously, you could do better than Sam. I mean, do you really want to be one of the many orbiting around him?"

I tilted my head, sizing him up. "Is this the part where you pretend not to care but secretly act as my self-appointed relationship advisor?"

Callum chuckled, a rarity in itself. "Oh, please. I'm just trying to prevent you from making a colossal mistake. Sam's like a black hole for relationships."

I laughed, unable to resist. "You're just upset because he outshines you in the charisma department."

He raised an eyebrow. "Outshines? I think you meant 'out-magnetizes.'"

Suddenly, the room turned into a Mother's meeting when the door creaked open once more, an approving eye on my dress from my mom. "Oh, Willow, you look absolutely stunning! Going somewhere special?"

I hesitated, not eager to share the details, but Callum, in all his unfiltered glory, spilled the beans. "She's going on a 'just friends' date with Sam, a ladies man."

I shot him a glare, but Mom's face lit up with excitement. "How lovely! Where are you two going?"

Before I could downplay it, Callum seized the opportunity. "Someplace where Sam's gravitational pull is strongest. You know, his natural habitat."

I rolled my eyes, but deep down, amidst the joking, I couldn't deny that Callum's odd form of concern was his own way of looking out for me. For once.

"He's taking me to __ this Friday," I said, wanting everyone just to leave me alone to marvel in my own little space. "I just wanted to try on my dress again to see if I wanted to wear it." I spun around to look at my mom, flicking my hair off my shoulders, "what do you think? Do you think it's worth it wearing this?"

As Mom scrutinized the dress, Callum couldn't resist adding his two cents. "Worth it? Sam's worth as much as a coupon for a free coffee – looks good, but not exactly life-changing."

I shot him an exasperated look. "Your dating advice is about as valuable as a broken umbrella in a rainstorm, Callum. Be quiet."

He chuckled, unfazed. "Hey, I'm just saying, make sure the coffee's worth the coupon."

Mom, caught between our banter, finally gave her verdict. "Oh, sweetheart, the dress is gorgeous, and if this Sam doesn't appreciate it, I have half a mind to give him a piece of my mind."

"Mom, please," I groaned, realizing that Callum's unsolicited dating advice was contagious.

She turned her attention back to the dress, coming over to smooth the imaginary wrinkles. "Just promise me you won't let him take you to some shady place with flickering neon signs."

Rolling my eyes, I assured her, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll make sure we stick to places with well-lit signs and edible food."

Callum leaned back on the bed, his arms folded behind his head. "Who would've thought I'd see the day when Willow's all dolled up for a date? It's like witnessing a solar eclipse – rare and mildly unsettling."

I shot him a glare, but couldn't help but retort, "Well, if you ever decide to date, Callum, I hope you find someone who appreciates your charm, or lack thereof."

He feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "You wound me. My charm is like fine wine – an acquired taste."

Mom laughed, finding the humor in our constant bickering. "Alright, you two, enough teasing. Willow, enjoy your date on Friday, I won't be there to see you off, and Callum, stop pretending you don't secretly care about your sister's romantic life."

Callum shrugged, a nonchalant grin on his face. "Who said I cared? I'm just here for the free entertainment."

I rolled my eyes, putting on an exaggerated display of indifference. "Oh, what an absolute comedic little guy you are. Now leave my room I don't want to see your ugly face anymore."

Callum gasped dramatically, clutching his heart. "But being in the presence of such wit and charm is a privilege, dear sister. It's like a spa day for my soul." With a sly grin, he sprang off the bed, eyeing me suspiciously before executing a masterful rugby tackle that left me on the ground, contemplating the life choices that led to this moment. He exited with an evil laugh. Asshole.

"The pair of you, absolute nut-cases," Mom sighed, shaking her head at our theatrics. With a dismissive wave, she made her exit, leaving me sprawled on the floor like a nobody. "I'm off to work, love you."

"No worries, Mom. The floor's surprisingly nice. I'll just add it to my list of relaxation methods," I quipped, rolling my eyes in mock dismay. "Have a good shift." I sighed, head falling to the floor.

As I settled into bed, the soft glow of fairy lights draping across the room, my laptop played the comforting background of "10 Things I Hate About You."

With a sigh, I decided to indulge in a bit of social media escapade, navigating through Sam's Instagram. The feed was predictable: Gym selfies, as if the gym were the only thing in his life. There was not one single picture that wasn't of his muscles of very delicious-looking abs, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the apparent self-absorption. Nevertheless, I reasoned with myself — a date with a gym aficionado meant free food and the occasional chariot-like treatment. Who was I to pass up on the perks of being treated like a princess?

As I scrolled, a subtle scent of vanilla wafted through the air, emanating from the candle burning away on the bedside table. The flame flickered gently, casting dancing shadows on the walls; I threw my phone at the end of my bed and dunked myself back against the fluffy pillows, rapidly turning to my side and bringing the pillow over my face.

Too lost in the silence, I almost forgot about the impending date that was soon arriving until my phone buzzed with a notification. With a curious glance, I re-opened Instagram to find a message from Sam.

SAMUAL ISSAC:
Hiya Willow, I'm looking forward to our date on Friday. Think you can drive yourself to the restaurant? It's out of my way. 😊

A/N: