Chapter 42: Getting Ready for a Night Out
"You’re going to meet Ryan, and you’re so excited! I bet you’ll forget all about me when you’re with him!" she said, clutching her chest dramatically as if wounded.
Charlotte grinned, her eyes alight with humor. "Thea, you really know how to put on a show!"
Thea crossed her arms in mock indignation, her voice dramatically wounded. "I can’t believe you’d leave me for some guy!"
Charlotte’s laughter was warm and reassuring. "I’d never ditch you, Thea. You know that."
She rolled her eyes, her smile still in place. "You’re not going to let me forget about you,Thea. You’re my best friend, and I’ll always make time for you, no matter what!"
Thea hopped out of Charlotte’s car as they pulled up to her house. "Remember today’s appointment." Charlotte reminded her, her head sticking out of the window. "I’ll message you to let you know about the restaurant."
"Okay, Miss Wright...Whatever-You-Say.."
With a wave, Thea bid Charlotte goodbye and headed inside her house. She turned back to watch as Charlotte’s car remained stationary, the engine silent. Thea waved her hands again, urging Charlotte to leave.
Charlotte returned Thea’s wave through the window, a cheerful grin spreading across her face. "Remember it!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the air as the car drove off.
Thea stepped into the house, kicked off her shoes, and slid into her house slippers. A bright smile illuminated her face as she entered the living room, where her grandma sat. "Grandma, you know how Charlotte’s been planning to try out that new restaurant? Well, with summer break just around the corner, she’s decided to go today before she heads off to Canada.."
Grandma Grace’s face broke into a warm smile. "That’s a great idea! I’m sure you girls will have lots of fun today."
"But today you arrived early?" Grandma Grace askeds suddenly, as Thea headed towards the stairs.
Thea paused on the stairs, her hand on the railing. "Guess what? We got a break today - two of our classes were cancelled." she said with a smile, before continuing up to her room.
"Take some rest and then come downstairs. I’ll prepare something for you."
"Okay..Grandma. I’ll be down soon.." Thea replied, her voice soft, as she disappeared into her room.
"I’ll have something delicious ready for you." saying that she headed towards the kitchen to prepare some meals.
Thea opened the doors to her wardrobe, revealing a treasure trove of dresses in a dazzling array of colors and styles. "Which one will it be today?" she wondered aloud, her eyes wandering over the vibrant display.
Thea’s eyes landed on a specific dress that caught her attention. It was a long, elegant frock with a simple yet captivating design. She lifted it up, holding it against her body as she gazed into the mirror. The dress fit her flawlessly, and she couldn’t help but admire her reflection. "This one is perfect for today.." she murmured to herself, gently smoothing out the fabric with her free hand.
Thea’s phone beeped, signaling the arrival of a new message. She picked it up and saw that Charlotte had sent her the restaurant’s address, along with a question about what she planned to wear. Thea let out a gentle sigh, snapped a photo of the dress, and messaged back, "Will this work?"
Charlotte’s eyes landed on Thea’s message, and she quickly began typing out a response. "No.." she replied bluntly, adding a dismissive emoji to drive her point home.
Thea quickly typed out a response, "Then what to wear?" she asked, seeking Charlotte’s fashion advice.
Charlotte’s message popped up on the screen: "Something revealing..." An emoji winked beside the text, emphasizing her suggestive note.
Thea’s fingers moved swiftly as she searched her closet, finally landing on a knee-length dress with an off-the-shoulder design. She took a photo and sent it to Charlotte, typing out a simple yet hopeful message: "Is it okay?"
"Okay." Charlotte replied, her message filled with emojis.
After setting the dress aside, she went downstairs to have lunch her grandma prepared.."Grandma, Ryder’s friend, Savannah invited me to attend her birthday party next week." Thea replied her mouth full of food.
"Savannah, the friend of Ryder whom you met earlier?"
"Hmm, you’re right..." Thea replied, nodding in agreement.
After they finished their meal, Thea went to wash the plates. Grandma Grace sat in the living room, watching her favorite dramas.
She, after finishing her work in the kitchen, went to sit beside her. "Take this." Grandma Grace said, handing her a yellow envelope.
Thea took the envelope and asked, "What’s inside, Grandma?" She shook it gently, curious about its contents.
"There’s some money inside. Buy a dress you can wear to Ryder’s grandparents’ anniversary."Grandma Grace explained, her eyes fixed on the television.
Thea was a very sensible child. She had never demanded money from her grandma, and whatever pocket money Grandma Grace gave her and she kept it safely.
Thea couldn’t refuse her gift; she took the envelope and thanked her grandma with a warm smile.
"Do you want to watch TV?"
Thea nodded enthusiastically, her eyes fixed on the screen. "Then you do so. I am going to take my nap." Grandma Grace said, standing up from her seat and heading towards her room.
She was completely absorbed in a romantic drama on TV. The scene unfolding before her eyes was like a fairy tale. The lead actress, resplendent in a stunning red gown, was elegantly walking down a grand staircase. Her beauty captivated the audience, and the camera panned out to reveal a luxurious ballroom filled with guests dressed to the nines. The chandeliers above sparkled brightly, adding to the enchantment of the moment.
At the bottom of the stairs, the actress’s love interest, a handsome young man with piercing brown eyes, waited for her. His gaze was fixed on her with adoration, filling the air with an undeniable sense of romance.
Thea’s heart skipped a beat as the on-screen couple shared a tender, soul-stirring moment. The palpable chemistry between them was mesmerizing, and Thea found herself utterly entranced. As she sat there, her surroundings melted away, leaving only the captivating scene unfolding before her eyes.
In her mind’s eye, Thea began to imagine herself as the lead actress, her own life becoming intertwined with the romantic tale on screen. And as she envisioned the tender moments and passionate gazes, Ryder’s face emerged in her mind, his features blending seamlessly with those of the male lead. The fantasy was intoxicating, and Thea felt herself becoming lost in a dream world where love knew no bounds.
The clock’s chime pierced the air, shattering the fragile world of Thea’s fantasy. As she snapped back to reality, she realized the drama’s today’s episode had ended, leaving her with a pang of disappointment. She let out a wistful sigh, chiding herself for getting lost in her imagination.
Later, seeking solace in her favorite pastime, Thea retreated to her room and plucked a romance novel from her bookshelf.
She made her way to the balcony, where the gentle evening breeze beckoned her to linger. Settling into a chair, she leaned forward, her elbows resting on the railing, and began to devour the words on the page.
As the sun dipped below the horizon,casting a warm orange glow over the landscape, Thea became completely absorbed in the world of love and passion unfolding before her eyes.
Time flew by, and she was so immersed in the story that she lost all sense of it. When she glanced at her phone, she was startled to see it was already 5 pm. "Shit, I totally forgot about it..!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with panic.
Rushing to the kitchen, she quickly prepared a dinner for her grandma. She didn’t want her grandma to cook her own dinner, knowing how tired she must be after a long day.
Then hurried to her room, her mind racing with the need to get ready quickly. She slipped into the off-shoulder dress she had chosen, but as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she felt a slight flutter of self-consciousness. The dress, while beautiful, made her feel a little exposed.
To add a touch of modesty, Thea decided to layer a white knot detail modal blend blouse over the dress. The delicate fabric draped elegantly over her shoulders, providing the perfect balance of coverage and style.
With a final, critical glance in the mirror, Thea made a few quick adjustments to her outfit. A swift touch-up of her makeup, a smooth stroke of mascara and a swipe of lip gloss and she was ready to head out.
