ALIN

What do I wear? What do I wear? This one? No... too frilly. This one? No... too formal. I didn’t know that I don’t own anything that I can wear and go outside with friends. Was that a friendly invitation though, from Sebian? I looked at the mirror. Oh God! I was blushing so hard. Covering my face up with my hands I backtracked from my wardrobe and with a plop sat on my bed. Wasn’t this a date? Or did he just called me to hang out with him, but wasn’t that a date? maybe not for him. I mean he is used to go out with his friends before and this might be just that. I should think about it logically. He is a model and I am just an ordinary girl. My happy mood started faltering. If this was the case I guess there was no use in getting ready with such hype. I thought of calling my mother to help but it’s not like she was teasing me less anyways. So, I just stick with the classic black jeans and a green full sleeved top with good old sneakers. There, I am all ready. I don’t know what he has planned for the day but I think this will do. It’s almost time, he will be here any minute now.

I got all ready and went downstairs and sat on the couch waiting for Sebian. My mother was working in the kitchen and the side glances she threw at me with those hidden smirks were making me burn with embarrassment. Sebian needs to come fast, before I change my mind. After about 5 minutes I heard the doorbell ring and when I got up to open the door, my mother beat me to it. She invited Sebian in with her brightest smile. “So, you are going to take her out?” she knows but still asks him in a teasing voice. “Yes ma’am” he replied back. She looked at me “Okay, go but be back by, you know the time.” “Of course mom.” “Don’t worry Mrs. Jones, I will bring her back by time” Sebian spoke. “Oh... aren’t you a sweet one. Now go have fun” my mother literally pushed us both out of the house and closed the door. Wow!

He opens the door of the car and holds it for me. After I am seated he closes the door and comes around to sit on the driver’s seat. “You look nice” he gave me a smile. Of course, I don’t. With his hair colour changed back to black his face was literally bright as a sunny day. He wore a white striped shirt whose sleeves were folded till his elbow. This made him look like a king of some country and I looked like a peasant of that country but it’s not like I can tell that to him so I just replied with a simple “thank you.” There was an awkward silence between us and it was getting dense every minute. “So, where are we going?” I asked. “That’s a secret” he answered me. I wasn’t expecting that. Was this really a friendly meet like I was thinking about? Guess I have to wait to know.

After about an hour and half of driving I noticed that we were out of Strastown and were in the city. We didn’t talk much in the way and just listened to music. Sebian was now wearing a yellow sun glass that added to his beauty. Suddenly something stuck me. If we were in the city where people know him as a model, then is he not in big trouble to be seen with me. It’s going to harm his reputation, right? Then why did he bring me here? I was about to ask him this but as if he read my face, he asked “You look worried Alin, what happened?” “Nothing. I just...” “Don’t worry; I am not going to kidnap you or anything. We are going to meet my father for lunch, that’s it.” I gave a nervous laugh. This is so not the friendly hang out I was thinking about.

We were sitting in a posh restaurant for lunch, me, Sebian and his father. Sebian looked so much like his father. His eyes were dark like Sebian’s and a few grey hairs peeked between his black ones. Sebian’s father asked him about him about me and I was introduced as a friend of his which somehow made me sad internally. He was glad that I lived near Mrs. Reece and knew her. He also thanked me for helping Sebian with his studies. After our lunch when we walked outside Sebian told me to wait in the car and stayed behind to talk with his dad. After about 5 minutes he came and we drove out of there.

Our next stop was shopping. Sebian fooled me into it by saying that he has something to buy but all we did was buy things for me, luxury bags and fancy accessories. When we got out of the store I had three bags full of commodities that I don’t think I would ever need. Since we were running late we decided for a light dinner nearby. I swear I heard a few snaps inside the restaurant we were having dinner. People were taking pictures of us but Sebian was not bothered in the least and focused his full attention on me. By the time we reached home I was exhausted. “Today was fun” I told Sebian while getting out of the car. “You liked it?” I nodded and he walked with me towards my house. “Okay then, I will see you tomorrow at breakfast” I told and turned around when he stopped me. “Alin, I brought this for you. Hope you like this too.” He handed me a small box and walked back towards his car.