Erica's POV

I sit at my vanity table to apply some light make up. I pull my hair up in a low ponytail.

That's when I see it. A small bruise on my neck.

I've been feeling a little pain since I woke up. Nothing too intense but enough to cause a little tingling feeling.

I trace my fingers lightly on it, thinking back to yesterday. My cheeks turn pink when I remember what Joe and I did.

Wait a minute. Joe did this to me. That jerk gave me a...hickey.

I immediately see red. How the hell am I going to hide this? Moana and Star are sure gonna ask questions. Not to mention, I have a date tonight.

Oh, dear!

A light bulb flicks on in my head. Yeah. A little make up can fix that. I have a fair skin so...a little foundation and maybe concealer can do.

Then, I'll deal with Joe.

I apply the make up but the bruise doesn't make this easy for me. It's still perfectly visible.

Argh! I am gonna kill you Joe.

Now what??

I walk into my closet to find my turtle neck top. It's cotton but I have no choice. And boy, is it hot!

Everyone turns to look at me as I make my way into the dining room.

I plaster on a smile and walk to the empty seat between Moana and Star.

"Are you sick dear?" Laura, Moana's mother asks.

"What! No!" I say.

"Then, why are you wearing a cotton turtle neck in this heat?"

I look over at Joe, who chuckles and feigns a cough and takes a sip of his water.

"Uh, I...well, I just felt like wearing one." I smile.

"Okay. That's weird but," Laura shrugs. I'm off that hook.

Immediately after lunch, I block Joe's exit out of the house.

I look directly into his blue eyes and ask, "What the hell, Joe?"

"You don't like it?"

"Not if it's gonna cause me trouble."

"If it wasn't then you would've liked it?"

"Stop trying to distract me with your questions. Why did you do it?"

A horn sounds on my left. "Hey Joe, you coming or what?" Jayden asks.

I turn back to Joe. He leans in and whispers in my ear, "See you tonight, princess."

He bites lightly on my ear, making me tremble under the action. I'm sure he noticed it because he laughs and walks away.

Jesus, this guy is gonna kill me.

***

Moana and Star enter my room. Star plops on the couch and Moana, on the bed.

"What's up, yo!" Moana asks.

I suppose I gotta tell them if they are to help me find an outfit for the date.

"Oh, nothing. Only that I can't find what to wear for my date," I drag each word.

Star falls off the couch and Moana looks like she's seen a ghost. I knew they would react like this.

"What did you say?" Star asks, mouth agape while she sits upright on the floor.

"That I have a date?"

"This is you trying to prank me, right? Show me where the cameras are," Star says.

"There are no cameras and I'm actually going to a date tonight. At seven. Now come on help me find something to wear."

"Moana. It's true! My girl has finally grown up!"

Moana nods her head. "Oh. My. Gosh. I don't believe it. Tell me, who is it? 'Cause I'm gonna give him a huge hug."

"It's Jaime." I say.

Moana yells, "I knew it!" She then lowers her voice, "You got yourself good meat. Hmm, nice choice."

"Let's start preparing you for your first date ever," Star yells. "I do the make up."

"And I do the hair. But let's pick a dress first." Moana says.

The two scurry around me, looking for a suitable dress and fitting me in them.

Soon, I'm seated on a stool, facing away from the mirror. One's on my face and another on my hair. They wouldn't let me see myself.

"C'mon guys, lemme look at my face at least."

"And ruin the surprise? Oh, hell no," Star says.

I feel Moana lift up my hair from my shoulders and the both of them gasp.

Uh oh.

"That sneaky bastard gave you a hickey already?" Star half yells.

"Um...do you mind if you don't mention it?" I plead.

"How far have you guys gone? Did he get you in his bed?"

"Jesus Christ, Star, stop thinking out of the box. And please Moana, do you mind doing my hair down so it covers it? I don't feel like walking around with it on display," I say.

More like you want to hide it from your boyfriend. Oh shut it, you!

I feel so bad. I have only been a few hours in this relationship but I've already messed up.

The two don't ask me about it anymore but instead keep doing dress up on me.

***

Jaime pulls out a seat for me before taking his seat across me. All the while never taking his eyes off me.

He picked me up a few minutes ago. But ever since I walked out the front door, he couldn't get his eyes off me.

At first I felt somewhat uneasy but I kinda got used to it. Though I can't keep the blush from creeping up my cheeks.

"You look beautiful, you know that?" He compliments.

"You have said that ever since you picked me up."

"Because it's true."

Oh God!

The waitress saves me by showing up with the menus. I immediately hide behind my own.

I take a peek over the edge only to find Jaime checking out the waitress. When I look up at the waitress, I find her giving Jaime flirty looks.

Yeah, I think I lost my appetite. Because my boyfriend is practically eye-fucking the waitress.

"Alright, um...I would like to place my order now."

I feel myself let out a breath I didn't know I was holding after she left. I don't know if I made the right decision.

***

We stand outside the front door after our dinner date. Jaime says nothing, just looks at me.

"Thank you for the date," I say.

"And thank you for looking beautiful tonight."

He leans his head down, his lips a couple of inches from mine. I feel his warm breath on my face.

I'm a bit antsy. I want to know how it feels to kiss someone else except Joe.

As he inches closer, I can practically feel his lips on mine. The door behind me abruptly opens to reveal a fuming Joe.

Great.

Jaime opts for a peck on my cheek. We exchange our good nights and he leaves.

I stand by the door until he disappears, still very much aware of Joe's stare on my back.

I turn around and try to push past Joe. He grabs a hold of my upper arm and practically howls me all the way to my room and pushes onto the bed.

What.

The.

Hell!

••••••~~~