It’s like the world is trying to make sure I remember I’m the outsider here. I roll my eyes and say, “I gotta get back to the register. See y’all out there.” I don’t even wait for their reply before I leave the room.
“I’m using the ‘get out of date free’ card,” I say as I take one final turn in the mirror. As expected, Olivia and Charlie are on the floor laughing. Literally rolling around on the floor. Wes at least has the decency to stay upright while he dissolves into hysterics. After the weirdness at the shop, I want to be annoyed at them, but it’s hard when I’m distracted by my growing horror at this upcoming date.
Since I have three different layers on (regular clothes, some tunic-looking thing, and then the robe), I’m burning up. And itchy. And the musty smell tells me this thing hasn’t seen the light of day since last Christmas.
“But what about the Evil Joes’ date?” Olivia says. My hands are still on the belt I’d started unwrapping. “Or Aunt Maggie Mae? I would totally save the pass for one of those.”
“No telling what the Evil Joes have in store for you,” Charlie says, then shudders. “Save the pass.”
“You think it’s going to be worse than that?” Wes asks Olivia and Charlie, pointing at me.
Olivia cocks her head to the side. “I think tonight will be weird but harmless. I would be more worried about the Evil Joes, too.”
Charlie nods in agreement. “Evil Joes are evil.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “Have you taken a good look at what I’m wearing? The possibilities of how tonight can go horribly wrong are endless!”
“How about we come rescue you? Nonna said you had to go out on the dates—she didn’t say you had to stay the whole time,” Olivia adds.
I stare at them with what I hope is a menacing expression. “Do you all swear to come get me?”
Olivia says, “Yes.”
Charlie looks up toward the ceiling, his finger tapping his chin. “I don’t know. That would be really going against the spirit of the game, Sophie. Especially after Aunt Patrice has gone to such lengths to take your personal interests and likes into account when she planned this very thoughtful date.”
I throw my shoe at him. Turning to Wes, I say, “You’ll come get me, right?”
He shrugs and says in a quiet voice, “I can’t help you tonight. I have plans.”
Of course he does. I shouldn’t have forgotten he’s got a girlfriend.
“Oh yeah. With Laurel?”
Charlie turns to Wes, one eyebrow cocked. “Dude, really?”
“Really,” Wes says in a voice that discourages any more questions about it.
Nonna walks in carrying a stack of towels and mutters, “Oh my.”
I hold my hands out. “This is all your doing, Nonna.”
She drops the towels on the bed and then walks around me in a slow circle, clicking her tongue. She runs her hand down my arm. “There’s something sewn into the seam,” she says. Dropping to the floor, she lifts the hem and rummages around for a few seconds. “Aha!”
The next thing I know, I’m blinking.
Blinking.
As in there are tiny, blinking lights sewn under the seams of the robe.
“Oh. My. God,” Olivia says, then bursts out laughing again.
Charlie and Wes stare in disbelief. “Why are there lights? I don’t understand,” Wes says.
Nonna stands up. “It’s festive!”
“It’s a fire hazard! Nonna, you’vegotto get me out of this one!” I say frantically.
She cocks one eyebrow. “Are you using your one free pass?”
