the phone with my hand and smile. “No, sweetheart. We do.”
25
CHARLIE
I call Sylvana the next day because she’s the only close girlfriend I have. It’s not because I have a dislike for my gender; it’s just one of those things that happened. I need some advice, and since my best friend is being an idiot about Troy, and Fred can’t be trusted to give a sound opinion about anything, she’s all I’ve got.
Troy wants me to go to a football party with him. I reminded him that, not too long ago, I trashed him in the paper and all his teammates must hate me. But besides being the sexiest man alive, Troy also has killer persuasion skills. In the end, he got me to agree, and now I’m panicking. Going to a party with him is definitely something out of my comfort zone.
After I pour out all my worries over the phone, Sylvana asks, “Do you know what you’re going to wear?”
“No. I have a cute dress that I wore to the last date I went on, but I don’t want to wear that again.”
“You can’t go wrong with some tight jeans and a sexy top. Don’t overthink it. And definitely leave the glasses at home. It’s not like you need to wear them all the time.”
“Sure, sure. The problem is, I don’t think I own any sexy tops. You know if I’m in jeans, I’m wearing a T-shirt.”
“Get your act together, girlie. I can’t go shopping with you this week, but I can send you links of stuff I think will look good on you.”
“But the party is Saturday. If I order online, will it get here in time?”
“Heck yeah. Don’t worry. I’m sending some links now. Let me know which one you decide to buy.”
“Okay.”
“I gotta go. Late for my spinning class.”
Before I open any of the links she sent, I finish getting ready, then head downstairs to grab breakfast. Troy is catching a ride to school with me today. He got into an argument with Andreas, but he didn’t tell me the details, which means their fight was about me. It seems our closest friends have zero faith that what we’re doing is going to work, which is really a kick in the shin. I already have enough doubt; I don’t need people piling it on.
It’s tempting to go check on Troy, but I fight the urge. If he’s still in bed or in the shower, I’ll probably want to join him. Hell, we might not even manage to go on a single date before one of us puts their hands up and surrenders.
I begin obsessing about the party. Does that count as a first date? I hope not.
While I wait for the coffee to brew, I check the links Sylvana sent me. Some of the tops are uber tight and with a deep plunge in the front that are a Janet Jackson accident waiting to happen. I don’t like any of them, to be honest. They’re not me.
Engrossed in my online shopping, I don’t notice Troy’s approach until he hugs me from behind and rests his chin on my shoulder.
“What are you looking at?”
“Clothes. It seems I need to update my wardrobe.”
“Oh, I like that one.” He points at a black cropped style that’s closer to a bra than a top.
“Of course you do.”
“I’m teasing. But why do you think you need new clothes?”
“Uh, in case you haven’t noticed, my social activities require different types of ensembles.”
“I can’t wait to see you in cosplay.” He kisses my cheek, waking the butterflies in my belly.
“Only because you think I dress slutty.”
He circles around the counter and then glances at me with an eyebrow raised. “Do you?”
I clamp my jaw because unfortunately, Raven the Sorceress likes provocative attire. “Maybe.”
His jaw drops. “Are you serious? Damn. I was only joking. When is your next LARP event? Because I’m coming.”
“You want to come to LARP?” I fight the smirk blossoming on my lips.
“Well, I don’t want to participate.”
And the smile wilts before it can bloom.
“Sorry, buddy. LARP is not a show. You can’t come and not be a part of it.”
Troy wrinkles his nose as if the idea smelled funky. “I’m not sure. I was in a play once and I sucked.”
I shrug, trying to downplay my disappointment. Troy doesn’t need to love everything I do. I wish he’d be more open-minded though.
“You can create your own character. I can help you with that.”