Title: Just a Date

Author: Scarlet

Rated: PG

Series: Learning From the Book of Love (pt 3)

~*~

I throw the dress on the ever growing pile of clothes on my bed as I make my way back into the walk in closet. "You know, it would be a lot easier to pick an outfit out if I knew where we were going or what we were doing," I mutter to myself.

Pulling out a pale blue sundress, I wrinkle my nose and return it to the rack. "That’s not going to work."

Jeans? Nope, not going to work either. Too casual.

Long black dress with a side split? No… too dressy.

I muse, shifting the cloths down the rack. Gods, this is bloody hard! What do you wear when you want to impress someone but you don’t have a clue where you’re going?

"How about this one?" Chaos smirks, handing me a knee length, spaghetti strapped burgundy red dress.

Jumping, I scowl at her. "Dammit, Cae! Give a girl some warning, will ya?"

She laughs that purely Chaos laugh as I take it from her and head back into the bedroom. "I did," she smirks, following me. " ’Sides thought you could use some lightening up."

"I don’t need ‘lightening up’," I glare, pulling the dress over my head.

"You do know it’s only a first date, right Dee?"

"I know that, Cae. That’s the problem," I sigh, glancing over my shoulder at her as she zips me up. "This is the first date I’ve been on in a very long time that’s with someone other than a family member…"

Pausing for a moment, I sigh again and turn to face her. "I’m not sure I can do this..."

"Oh, please… you can and you will," she laughs. "Besides, it’s not like you’re declaring your undying love for one another or anything like that. It’s just a date!"

"So go out to dinner or wherever he’s taking you. Have a little fun, let loose and don’t stress so much. Cuz gods know, girl, if anyone need to unwind it’s you… you’re wound tighter than tight."

Sighing yet again, I turn back to the mirror and take a good long look at myself. Cae’s right- I’m getting too uptight about this… it’s just a date. Right?

A beginning. To see if this is something we’d like to pursue. I know I like hanging out with him in a group setting with the rest of our families around. This won’t be too bad, right? Can’t be… it’s only a date, I remind myself.

Holding up my hair, I ask. "What you think? Up or down?"

"Down," she says, disappearing in to the closet and returning with a pair of black strappy sandals. "And I think you should wear these, too."

After adding the shoes, a bit of jewelry- the rings, two necklaces and the anklet I wear every day along with my newest piece, the emerald green ankle that my prince gave to me, then retouching my makeup, I’m ready to go… and just in time too.

Saying a silent prayer, I make my way to the door and open it.

What’s standing before me takes my breath way… Gods, he is handsome. All dressed up in a new pain of tight black jeans and a black silk shirt, he’s holding a bouquet of deep red roses.

"'lo Luscious" he grins, handing me the sweet smelling bouquet.

"They're beautiful, Luc. Thank you," I say, kissing his cheek.

"Nothing compared to you, sweet," he winks.

I head into the kitchen to put the roses in water, then return to him, ready to leave on our mysterious date.

Grabbing my hand he pulls me to him for a sweet kiss, "Missed you, luv."

I blush. He caught me totally off guard. "I missed you, too," I say, kissing him back. "So where are we off to, prince charming?"

"Well, to the holos first for dinner." Offering me his arm. "I’ve got a little surprise all ready to go," he adds giving a me a wink. "You ready, luv?"

With my nod, he takes me in to his arms and holds me close for just a minute before we morph into grey mist. A few seconds later we reappear outside of the suite. "Close your eyes, luv," he whispers.

Tbc…