7. Serena
SEVEN
SERENA
I t’s been two weeks since I met Aster at the bar, and still no word from him since the goodnight and good morning texts he sent. I texted him back each time, but he never responded after he first reached out. After the amazing conversation we shared and his hero act, although I’d call his heroic act more of a villian protecting the one he loves. Like in one of my books. Hero’s never kill for anyone, but villains would kill everyone to save the one they love. Those are the vibes that Aster was giving me. I thought he would ask me on a proper date, but the question never came. I stopped texting, not wanting to seem needy.
Even though I've had commissions to keep me busy, my mind can’t stop thinking about those teal green eyes. I even went to a candleshop to find a candle that smells like sandalwood and mint, very hard to find by the way. I did find it and bought three. I’ve been burning it nonstop just to be reminded of him.
It’s crazy, we met once, I shouldn't be this obsessed with a guy who won’t even text me back. That spark we both felt, that’s what keeps that line of hope still open. The reason why I can’t forget about him, among other things. He felt it, too. He was the one to mention it first, but now he’s ghosting me.
I’m going to be pissed and petty if he reaches out again. Who am I kidding? I know I’m going to fall at his feet the moment he smiles at me.
I'm hopeless.
I place my paintbrush down, after putting the finishing touches on my latest commission piece.
It’s a portrait piece of my client, her family, and their golden retriever. She requested an outside setting. So I painted them in a field with wildflowers, of blues, pinks, and purples surrounding them. There is a tree off to the right, a swing coming from it, and her children are playing together on the swing, both of them laughing with smiles on their faces. Makes me wonder what it would have been like to have a brother or sister growing up. Being an only child can be lonely, no one to tease, talk to, or share secrets with. Makes me envious of those who do have someone to share a life like that with. Someone by your side, who will never leave.
Their dog is running through the field, sprinting across the meadow chasing a butterfly. My client and her husband are standing behind their children, his arm around her waist. You can see the love in their eyes as they watch their children play. Their family carefree and enjoying the sun. I start to picture me and my future husband with our children, enjoying life so freely like that. I smile, staring at the painting for a few more minutes, when Aster’s face starts to take the face of the husband, I shake my head, clearing it of the idea.
He won’t even text you back, there's no way he’s going to marry you.
I stand up to grab my phone, snap a picture, and send it to my client to see if she wants anything added. I get a response immediately.
Kelsey
It’s perfect, better than I could have imagined! Thank you so much!
Serena
I’m so glad you like it! I will get it wrapped up and shipped out first thing Monday morning.
Kelsey
That quickly? Wow! Thank you, truly, I can’t wait to show my family.
I put my phone in my pocket and take off my paint apron. I make my way to my kitchen and grab a bottle of water from the fridge. I used to keep some by my easel, but I kept drinking my paint water and putting my brush into my glass on accident. I've gone without ever since, often forgetting how thirsty I am, too busy focusing on my art to remember to drink anything.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I see I have a new match on some random dating website Jess put on my phone, so I would stop obsessing about Aster not texting me back.
There have been losers and perverts, one after another, on this thing. After all the random dick pics coming my way, I’m ready to throw my phone across the room and give up entirely. Seriously, why do guys think girls like getting pictures of their tiny dicks. Let me just open my phone, oh look that’s a nice dick, I’m totally going to message this guy back. Oh wow the way this one curves, I’m going to ask how that feels, no! Like ew, I wish they would just realize with how many blocks I’m sure they get, that they would stop. It’s like blocking them makes them try harder.
I see my match is from a guy named Tyler. Looking at his profile, he has a skater boy look to him, with baggy jeans light brown, shaggy hair. It’s messy, like he’s run his fingers through it a few too many times, but still looks presentable. He has friendly blue eyes and a killer smile. Looking at the rest of his photos, he looks very outgoing and active. Something I am not, I’m more of a homebody, preferring the company of a good book, rather than going to a huge party where I’m running into people I don’t even know.
Being forced to attend my parties when I was younger was more than enough for me. Dad wanted his friends to meet me and their kids to have someone to talk to. The other girls my age played Barbies, where I would rather play with my Living Dead Dolls. Needless to say, no one wanted to play with me. So when dad was distracted, mom would tell me I could leave and I’d run back to my room and watch my favorite shows on cartoon network, my favorite being Courage The Cowardly Dog . The show was so creepy, and I loved everything about it. I still watch it as an adult, when I’m feeling nostalgic.
His profile says he’s outgoing, and loves to go on hikes, has a killer sense of humor, and is looking for the right girl to join him on his next adventure.
Even though we seem to be total opposites, he is cute, and I do need the distraction. I bite my lower lip, debating on if I should write to him or give up and hope Aster calls. The hopeful side of me loses, and I go to write a message to him, but as I am typing one pops up from him instead.
Tyler
What’s a beautiful girl like you doing on an app like this?
Serena
I could ask you the same thing?
Tyler
Looking for someone to share my next adventure with, but you know that already, if you read my profile.
Serena
I did, and though you are cute, I don’t know if you could convince me to go hiking. I am not really an outdoorsy type of girl.
Tyler
Aww, you think I’m cute? If I can’t convince you to come hiking, could I convince you to come to dinner with me?
I sit on my bed, knees up to my chest, feeling giddy, that he’s actually flirting with me. Did I kiss a leprechaun in my sleep, or did a dragonfly land on me? Where are all these hot guys coming from all of a sudden? I glance at the mirror and stare at my reflection. Grabbing a piece of my hair to examine, nothing looks different, sure, I’ve lost a couple pounds, but I still look as I always have.
Serena
Someone’s a little forward.
Tyler
I don’t like to waste my time, and when I see something I want, I go for it, worst you could say is no.
I want to say yes, but I can’t stop thinking of those green eyes. I start twirling my hair around my finger, bringing the piece up to my mouth, reminding myself of the blue eyes who is shooting his shot.
Tyler
But please don’t say no.
His message made me giggle, reaching up to touch my smile, I decided, what’s the worst that could happen?
Serena
If I say yes, when would we be having this dinner and where?
Tyler
How about tonight at 8? We can meet downtown, there’s a great little Italian place I would love to take you to.
Serena
Wow, you like to work fast, hopefully not in all things. I like how bold you are, so why not. What’s the place called?
Tyler
Bold is the best way to live! Life is too boring otherwise. It's called Giovanna’s Italiana. It's not a super fancy place, but most people usually dress nice.
Serena
Is that your way of telling me to dress nice for our date?
I look towards my closet, seeing mostly black, with a few spots of colors.
Tyler
Only if you want to, no pressure.
Serena
Guess you’ll be surprised when I show up.
Tyler
I’ll see you at 8, mia caro.
Serena
Be honest, you totally looked that Italian word up?
Tyler
Guilty as charged, I wanted to impress you.
Serena
Just be yourself.
Tyler
Noted, see you soon, Serena.
Serena
That’s better, see you soon, Tyler.
I close the app and shoot off a text to Jessica.
Serena
Come over, and help me get ready for my date tonight?
She replies almost instantly.
Jessica
Bitch, ordering an Uber now. Tell me everything when I get there!
I put my phone down and head to the bathroom, to wash off the paint. This is my first real date in forever, and I want to look presentable. My first real date was supposed to be with Aster, but you win some and you lose some. It’s his loss for not texting me back. I’m going to go on this date and have the best time.
Thirty minutes later, I hear Jessica slam open the door and yells, “Bitch! Get your ass to your room. I need all the details, and we need to figure out hair, makeup, and what you’re wearing.”
Wrapping the towel around me, I make my way to my room, finding Jessica already in my closet looking through my clothes. I sigh, walking in and throwing on a pair of red laced panties.
“First, where are you going?” she says pushing dresses to the side.
I laugh, “Nice to see you, too. He's taking me to an Italian place downtown.”
She turns her head, eyes wide, hands frozen over the clothes. “Giovanna’s Italiana?” I nod. She turns back around. “I know the perfect thing for you to wear.” A couple minutes later she pulls out my floor length forest green dress. A dress I forgot about, it was a dress I bought when my mom was still alive. We were going to get all dressed up, and go to our favorite Italian place, and just have a night together. She was getting worse, but told me to buy the dress anyway, her way of manifesting she’d be better and I could wear it. Mom passed before we ever got to have that date, but I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it.
I looked at her with hesitation, tears starting to glisten in my eyes. “I don’t think I can, that seems a little fancy and too many memories connected to it.”
She scoffs “Absolutely. Trust me, I’ve been there. This is what people wear when they go to Giovanna’s. When I went there, I wore something even fancier. This is perfect.” She thrusts the dress towards me.
Turning my head, I push the dress away, “Jess, you don’t understand I was supposed to wear-”
“You’re supposed to wear this dress now.” She slips the hanger off, tossing it over my shoulders, “You know I’m right, your choice in clothing isn’t the best. You said so yourself. You were going to wear this at one point, so live a little and put it on.”
I squeeze my hands hard, to calm my anger towards her, that my fingernails leave behind half moon prints on my palm. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and counting to ten. I open them and throw the dress over my mirror, and head over to my vanity to start putting my makeup on, ignoring her.
Jessica sits on my bed, looking at me through the mirror, picking at her nails, waiting for me to give her the details she’s craving. I don’t want to talk to her at the moment, so I toss my phone to her to look at Tylers profile, messages already pulled up. She excitedly scrambles to my phone and begins to read.
She places my phone next to her and says. “Well he is very flirty and more my type then yours, it’s a shame he’s already asked you out.” She lays on the end of the bed, resting her head on her hands, “He is really cute. If things don’t work out, I might send him a message myself.”
I turn around to face her, mouth open, eyes squinting. Did she really just say that? “Such a shame that someone would notice me before you, way to be a bitch. Jessica.” Saying her full name makes her mad, so I say it with a smile on my face and turn back around to start applying mascara.
Jessica comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my neck, making me flinch from her touch. “I’m sorry, but you know it’s true. I don’t want to lie to you, Serena. Plus, if things don’t work out then you have me to thank for not getting too attached.”
Ever since I met Aster and he didn’t even give her the time of day, it’s like Jessica’s become a completely different person. She used to be so nice, the one person I could call on always and she’d be there. Lately though, she’s been mean, in a nice way. Like how Regina George, from Mean Girls is to her friends, the fake nice, and I don’t like it.
“Thanks, Jess,” I say sarcastically.
She kisses my cheek, like she didn’t just insult me and stands up. I take a makeup wipe and wipe off her lipstick stain. Great, now I have to redo my foundation.
I finished getting my makeup ready for tonight. I opted for muted green eyeshadow, to compliment the dress I’m wearing, and nude lipstick.
Walking over to my mirror, I put my dress on, the fabric caressing my skin as it flows to the floor. It really is beautiful. I hate that Jessica was right. The dress is a high neck halter, and a cut out going down to the chest revealing an appropriate amount of cleavage. It is skin tight, hugging all the right places to show off my curves. There is a slit at the bottom, making it look more sexy than classy. My hair is half up, and half down, the loose curls falling at my breasts and emphasizing the delicate column of my neck.
Jessica whistles her approval from behind me, “I’d fuck you.”
There’s the best friend I know and love.
I laugh. “Shut up! I’m not planning on spreading my legs tonight.”
“Looking like that will have Tyler frothing at the mouth, and begging on his knees for a chance to see that dress on the floor.”
I look back at my reflection and smile, “Yeah, you’re right I do look pretty fucking hot.”
She leaps off the bed, walking over, smacking me in the ass, “Yeah you do!”
She looks at my reflection and whispers. “You are beautiful, Serena. I’m sorry I don’t say it enough.” Her voice is the most honest, and serene I've ever heard it. Tears fill my eyes, and I quickly blink them away to keep most of my makeup intact. "There's one thing you're missing."
I look back at her confused, as she walks over to my vanity, returning holding up two sparkly silver dangling earrings. “No outfit is complete without earrings to finish it off.” Something I taught her and live by.
I smile, taking the earrings from her, and putting them in.
Looking over at my clock on my nightstand, I notice it is time to leave for my date. She notices and says “Guess that’s my cue to leave.” She kisses me on the cheek one last time and walks towards the door stopping, to turn and say. “Have a great time tonight! Be safe, have fun, and tell me all about it tomorrow.” She leaves, with one final smile, and I put on my silver heels before heading out the door.