âZIP.â
I got dressed as fast as I could, not wanting to be late. I rushed out of the room, struggling to put on my earring as I made my way to the door. I catch sight of my phone on the coffee table and cuss under my breath the moment I see a missed call from Riley.
We've been trying to reach each other for the past two days but whenever he's free, I was busy and whenever I was free (which was rare at this point), he was working.
We never did the whole texting thing even when we were closer but I guess it had to do with the fact that he lived across the street from me back home. There was barely a need for him to call me since he'd just pop over whenever he wanted to tell me something.
"Hey, so it looks like the odds are never in our favour because I can't seem to get a hold of you." I played the message he left and smiled. Hunger Games had been our thing back home. We even dressed up as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark for Halloween once. "It's good to hear from you, though. I've missed you. I promise to come visit you once I get a day off from work unless you need me to come over sooner. I'm still worried as fuck with this whole Luca thing, so call me when you can."
"Who you talking to?" Lina comes out of her room just as I pull the phone away from my ear. She comes to an abrupt halt the moment she takes in my outfit. "And where the hell are you going wearing that?" She winces the moment she studies me, as though the black dress I'm wearing physically hurts her. Then, she groans as she eyes the shoes of my choice.
"Riley left me a message and what's wrong with what I'm wearing?" My lips form an unintentional pout as I stared down at my black dress, running my palms down the velvet material. It hugged on to the curves of my body well and I thought it made me look pretty. "I'm wearing it to the gallery. I thought it looked nice."
She scoffed, "Nice? You look like you're about to attend a funeral." Lina got up and approached me.
"This is a formal outfit. There's nothing wrong with it."
She runs a finger down my dress. "Nope, not happening." She shakes her head with disapproval. "We need something from my side." She said as she walks away, vanishing behind her door.
We often helped each other out when it came to important events, for example if she needed clothes for a job interview, she'd get something from my side.
Lina and I were complete opposites, she was more into partying while I was a more lowkey person, well at least compared to her I was.
My definition of fun was spending time with the people I loved, be it at a party or staying at home even though I preferred the latter.
On the other hand, for Lina, a night of fun meant waking up in a stranger's bedroom the morning after.
After a few seconds of hangers rattling together, she brought out a red silk dress.
Her eyes were wide and mouth agape, "This is it." She squealed excitedly.
"That's way too revealing," I shook my head as soon as I looked at the plunging neckline.
"Since when were you conservative." She teased as she tossed me the dress.
"Hey," I glared at her, "It's not like I'm going to a party, it's a classy event. There'll be people from the city coming in." I said as I looked at the dress. I fall in love with it. Plus, I wouldn't mind looking good if Archer was there.
Stop. He doesn't like you that way.
"And that's a classy dress-" She paused as she glanced at it, "with just a tad bit of slut." She joked.
My eyes shot up at her and she instantly raised her hands in surrender. "I'm kidding, it's the perfect dress for you." Lina smiled.
"Plus, Mr Kane would probably spend the entire night gawking at you and," she gave a quick glance to my chest.
"Okay," I swat her away, "enough." I stared at her. "But I'll wear it." I hug it to my chest, bringing it to my room. I struggled pulling the dress up my hips. I may be small but Lina was tiny. Like supermodel tiny.
As I tried fitting myself into the dress Lina shouted from the living room. "Someone's at the door!"
"I'm obviously busy! Can't you get it?" I yelled out, slightly agitated as I struggled to zip up the back of my dress. Getting into it wasn't the hard part, it was the zip that wouldn't freaking budge.
"I'm already on the couch!" She shouted back at me and I swung my door open.
"You need to stop being a little bitch." I narrowed my eyes at her while she mouthed my words mockingly like a stubborn kid.
I groaned, rolling my eyes as I walked towards the door and opened it.
"Mr Kane." My voice disappears inside my chest and my limbs go numb at my sides. I wasn't expecting him. I thought he'd be at the event by now.
He stood draped in a light suit, his hand fidgeting with his tie while the other was tucked in the pocket of his pants. His chocolate brown hair flopped over his forehead and styled away from his eyes. Thank God. I loved his eyes. His brown eyes that were flecked with a little green stared into mine and then they droop lower and go wide.
"Yeaâ wow." He breathed out as he looked at me.
"Is this too much? I can go change." I panicked as I attempted to turn around.
"No," He said quickly. He cleared his throat as he tried keeping his cool. "It's fine." He smiled warmly.
"Anyway, are you ready to go?" Archer asked.
"Huh?" I let out, stupidly.
"Are you ready?" He laughed, "We're going together."
"Oh, you really don't have to." I wave my hands to and fro whilst he simply shook his head.
"It's just easier that way, so you ready?" He asked and I looked down at my dress, thanking God I opted for Lina's instead of mine.
"I guess? Let me just grab my purse." I said as I turned back around to grab my stuff but he coughed once more.
"Um- you might want to zip that before leaving," A smile playing on his lips as he pointed at my dress.
I stared at him for a second, my brows furrowing as I tried to understand what he was talking about.
"Your zip!" Lina whisper shouted from the couch and I felt my face go hot, I'm pretty sure a raging inferno would come second to the heat in my face.
I reached my hand out and touched my bare back. The zip was barely done up. Curse this damn dress and Lina's tiny ass.
My eyes widened the moment I realised how much of my body he would've gotten a glimpse of.
I let out a shy chuckled as I slammed the door shut.
I turned to Lina and mouthed the words, oh my God.
All she did was laugh silently on the couch as she gripped onto her stomach.
"Shut up and help me!" I snapped at her and she made her way towards me, her laughter never ending. She finally stops as soon as she tugs onto the zipper. A frustrated groan leaves her lips.
"You're such a fatass." She spat as she struggled with my zip.
"Well at least I have an ass." I retorted and I could feel her rolling her eyes.
"Okay, you're done. Have fun, use protection." She slumped back onto her couch.
"Lina!" I gasped and she responded with a laugh, shrugging her shoulders as though what she said was expected.
I opened the door and saw Archer smiling widely. The moment he met my eyes, he coughed into his fist as he tried wearing a serious expression.
"Ready?" He asked and I nodded and he gestures for me to walk before of him.
I don't bring up what happened to avoid the night from getting any more awkward. Thankfully, he doesn't bring it up either but he does speak.
"That is a nice ass." I heard his voice from behind me.
"What?" My head snapped back at him as I wore an incredulous look.
"That's a nice dress." He replied almost immediately as he bit his lip. I could tell he was fighting a smile.
"Thanks." I let out before walking to the elevator.
I could've sworn he said I had a nice ass.
...