Dear Diary

Chapter 75

All previous thoughts flew from my head as soon as my eyes connected with Cole's. 

Was it even possible for someone to be so handsome? 

His dark locks were tousled slightly and he wore a black suit, which could only enhance his broad shoulders and firm chest. The burgundy tie he wore, symbolizing he was Amy's date, made his dark eyes appear even darker as they were trained solely on me.

I stared at him amazed. I've never seen anyone look so good in a suit before, and not to mention it was the first time I had ever seen Cole in a suit. I was so used to seeing his leather jacket that I almost couldn't believe it was the same person.

"Hey, Lizzy," Amy greeted with a smile, and I snapped out of my daze as I turned to look at her. 

I can't believe I forgot she was even there. She was Cole's date after all, but it's not like I would've recognized her anyway. Her dress was a little bit better than she described, but it didn't prepare me for her make-up which made her look as though she was twenty-one instead of seventeen. The deep red lipstick was such a bold colour for someone as soft spoken as Amy.

"You look ... great, Amy," I said, half-focused because I was becoming increasingly unnerved by Cole's lingering gaze. 

He was making me feel extremely self-conscious about myself.

"You too," Amy smiled again and thankfully, she started talking to Tyler and Anne. 

Richard had since gone off to greet some of his friends, leaving me with my three friends and their dates.

I glanced at Cole hesitantly and immediately ducked my head when I saw he was still looking at me. My heart thudded against my rib cage and my palms grew sweaty from how nervous I was feeling. How did he always manage to make me feel this way?

"Hey, do you guys want to sit?" Richard asked as he returned a few minutes later after idle chit-chat.

"Yes!" I blurted out and grabbed his arm. 

Everyone looked at me surprised. My eyes gravitated to the floor with a heavy blush growing on my cheeks. I just really needed to get away from Cole a moment, just to try and regain my wits.

"Uh ... okay." Richard furrowed his eyebrows at me before grabbing my hand and leading me towards the tables. 

I glimpsed back to see Cole's eyes narrowed and staring intently at our interlaced hands. I licked my lips nervously and quickly turned my attention back to the front so I wouldn't trip over anyone's dress.

Now my group and I were seated at the largest table which was rectangular in shape and could seat twenty people. Unfortunately the seats were marked and I found myself seated to the left of Cole, with Richard to my left.

I tried to swallow the lump forming in my throat as I attempted to keep calm. Thankfully Anne was seated directly in front of me with Tyler next to her, so I would have a girl to talk to. Richard may be my best friend but I doubt he would want to listen to me talk about dresses the whole evening. 

I noticed a playful gleam enter Anne's eye when she realised who I was seated next to and nudged me with the tip of her shoe under the table. I glared at her in warning and she smiled. 

We had barely settled in our seats when Mr Robertson walked onto the stage (where all the teachers were seated) and asked for our attention. Now because the stage was located directly behind me, I swiveled to the right to be able to see. However, I ended up knocking knees with Cole who was turning to the left.

"Sorry," I squeaked as I quickly moved my legs away and straightened in my seat, no longer caring that my back was facing Mr Robertson so I wouldn't see a thing.