He Caught Her Eye (Caught #1)[UNEDITED]

63

RIANA GARCIA

Today is the day of the dance, making me groan with exasperation. "How can you not want to go to the dance?" Marla frowns at me after she finishes putting blush on my cheeks.

"First because we're required to go not unless there's an emergency," I start with an eye roll, "second, I literally just lost another best friend..." I haven't adjusted to the fact that Theo and I are no longer friends. I haven't told anyone but my sister about what happened, the reminder bringing a jolt of pain to my body.

First, Vex. And now...

"At least Theo isn't around." Marla comment silently, eyeing me. "Does his cousin know?"

"Sophie doesn't know yet," I reply with a sigh. "Whatever. I'll be in Venice soon," I speak hopefully, recalling my ambition. Just a few more years, Riana.

"Does anyone in your class know about it?"

I shrug. "I haven't told anyone. They'll find out soon enough anyway when Theo tells Sophie."

"This is a one time opportunity," Marla reminds me strictly, not giving a crap about what I just said. "Enjoy your day before it all gets fucked. It's almost the finals, right?"

I decide to continue, not answering her. "Lastly, Dane is my date," I conclude, "who's kind of keeping his distance from me." The Creepers is, anyway. "Though he texted me earlier that he's going to pick me up around six in the evening, I still don't like him. I don't want him as my-"

"It's already 6:42," Marla informs me, petrified. "What kind of boy is he? 42 minutes late!"

I frown, "He said he'd pick me up AROUND six o' clock," I remind her hastily, fixing my hair and glancing every once in a while at my reflection staring right back at me. I'm wearing a white elegant thin dress that doesn't only reach a bit of the ground but also covers my arm and emphasizes my butt (picked by Marla and Mira) with a black Kate Spade shoulder bag and Chanel earrings. My sleeves are decorated with light violet monochromatic flower marks, looking like a tattoo. I'm wearing the necklace Mom gave me once for my birthday, which is attractively dazzling.

My hair is worn loose, yet it looks effortlessly captivating. Marla turned it into a short proper v cut earlier with the front of my hair showing thin layers. My cheeks have been filled with the color of rosy pink, and my lips naturally red. 

"You look beautiful," Marla mumbles silently as I gaze into my eyes on the mirror, mouth almost gaping. "Really beautiful."

For the first time, I find myself not disagreeing with her comment. Instead, I turn to her with a heartwarming smile on my face. "I don't want to wear my contacts," I say to her, "I don't want to."

"Why? You have it on already."

"I just don't want to," I repeat.

Marla pauses, analyzing me carefully. "Are you sure?" She questions me softly, "are you okay? Is it getting itchy or something?"

"It's fine," I say to her. "Just for now."

~~~

A figure readies himself carefully right after he rung the doorbell. He stands on the doorstep patiently, which is so unlike him as I squeeze Marla's hand tight upon watching him through the window. I walk gracefully downstairs and open the main door with a confident smile.

I get a clear glimpse of Dane's face- Dane's shocked face. He looks at me with both his eyebrows raising, "Wow," is all he says, which makes me laugh a little. He's wearing a white suit (a color we agreed on) with a flower on his lapel- a white lily flower.