At 5pm there's a knock at the door. When I open it Cassey breezes in with a bottle of champagne. She throws her arms around me in a back breaking hug. “Happy birthday! I brought bubbly to celebrate!”
I take the offered bottle and we go to the kitchen. I get a couple of glasses and make a show of trying to pour it underarm. Surprisingly I do a good job. I give Cassey her glass and we go upstairs. I notice Cassey bring the bottle with her after raiding the cupboards for a bag of popcorn. She nestles herself in my pink fluffy bean bag in the corner of the room and I plonk myself down on the bed.
“Wait don't tell me anything yet!” She opens the bag takes a gulp of champagne then starts munching whilst watching me like I'm the latest blockbuster. “Right I'm ready.” She says around a mouth of popcorn.
“Ok... I'm a Nymph!” I beam at her with my arms wide in the air.
She stops mid chew. “Right OK great! But you wanting sex all the time doesn't solve everything that's been going on. Good for you though! It takes a lot to admit something that personal.”
“Not a fucking Nympho! A Nymph! I'm like a nature fairy. I have to keep balance and protect earth and stuff.” I snatch the bag of popcorn from her before she clears the bag.
“Wait so... like a mother nature sorta thing? Like D.C.'s Poison Ivy!” She bites her bottom lip and stares at me wide eyed.
“Yeah kind of. I'm the opposite of evil though.” I fill her in on everything my mum told me. By the end of it she's bouncing up and down in the bean bag.
“This is so awesome! By the way I don't feel obsessive over you. I love you but Christian is more than enough to keep me from turning lezzie.” She gives me a wink. “So, what does this mean about Alistair?”
Shit Alistair! I check the time it's 6:45pm! He's gonna be here any minute “Umm... Funny you should say that. I'm kinda supposed to be having dinner with him in about 15 minutes.” I wait for the explosion whilst wringing my hands.
“Well what are you sitting there for!? Get ready! A crazy hot guy wants to take you out for dinner on not only your birthday but Valentine’s Day as well! Now that we know why all the shit happened, Alistair is more or less in the clear and maybe he was stalker-ish because of your new Nymphyness.” She tips the crumbs from the popcorn bag into her mouth. “Go have fun and if he tries anything you can hang him from a tree!”
“You really think this is a good idea?” The butterflies from earlier have turned into bats. The nervous excitement is making me feel sick.
She refills my glass and pushes it up to my mouth. “Yes! Now drink up your liquid confidence and don't do anything I wouldn't do. You can fill me in on everything on our way to college tomorrow.”
I do as she says and check myself in the mirror. Considering I've trekked through the woods I look great. I don't think I even need make-up. My lashes look long and sultry, my complexion is blemish free and my hair has volume and shine. I squirt a bit of Jean Paul Gautier on my neck and wrists and slip on some nude stilettos.
My phone dings and Cassey grabs it. “Oooooo he's outside waiting for you!”
My heart skips a beat and I take a second to calm myself. Why am I so nervous! It's not like I'm into him or anything. I don't even know why I'm going. Yeah keep telling yourself that Krista. I straighten my dress and throw my phone in my black clutch.
“While you’re gone, I'm gonna hang with your mum and drink this champagne. I have loads to find out from her!” She ushers me downstairs and out the door. “Have fun!”
I stand stunned on the porch for a second then turn.
“I'll try!” I shout back.
I look across the street and see Alistair standing next to a sporty looking black Mercedes. He's wearing a black suit with a black shirt. The top button is undone giving him a slightly laid-back look. I half hear Cassey shout bye and close the front door but I'm too busy trying to slow my racing heart to answer. His gaze is locked on mine and it takes all my concentration to put one foot in front of the other without tripping in these stupidly high shoes.
Today has been a whirlwind and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
As I get closer, I start to sense the darkness that surrounds him. Wafting around and lurking beyond sight. It gives me goosebumps and makes me feel uneasy. Once again, my instincts tell me to run. I'm reminded of the way he would hang around watching me like a creep. When for a second, he seemed to just watch whilst Nick attacked me. Then when he caressed my side in the changing room. He helped me with Robbie and since then has been arrogant and cocky. I have no idea what to make of him but I can't help but be intrigued. Cassey had a complete change of heart but maybe she's overconfident in my new-found power.
As I reach the car, he comes around to the passenger side and opens the door for me. He puts a hand on my side pulling me closer to him. He smells of expensive cologne. Not overpowering in the slightest. It's like a cold musk with a hint of something sweet. It's alluring in the most addictive way. It makes me clench deep inside and I bite my lip, eyes wide and unable to pull away. He's intoxicating. “You look delicious.” His voice is soft and seductive sending shivers racing up my spine. He takes a deep breath in then lets me go. “After you.”
With a small 'thanks', I get in his car. He closes the door and as he makes his way round to the other side, I take a second to recover my senses. It's frightening how easily he turned me into putty in his hands. I straighten my back determined not to be so easily won over.
As he gets in and starts the car, I hazard a glance and see him watching me a smile playing on his lips. I quickly look away and hold my bag tightly in my lap.
“You are radiant tonight. I knew you would change but this is incredible. I don't know how I will resist you.” His tone is smooth and enticing.
“What do you mean you knew?” I narrow my eyes at him. It's clear he knows far more than he's letting on.
His grin is predatory as he looks me up and down. Like he's undressing me with his eyes. I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him accusingly. “Quit the bullshit Alistair or you can turn this car around.”
He laughs and his perfect teeth shine in an oncoming car’ headlights. “Just as feisty as ever. I know every fibre of your being is telling you to run like hell away from me so I can't help but wonder why your choosing to ignore your instincts so fiercely?”
How could he possibly know that? What's more how do I reply without looking like an idiot? I can't even explain to myselfwhy. It's like he's a magnet drawing me in and I can't help myself I want to know more. “Your hiding something what is it?”
