On My Way To Mr. Right

Chapter 39

“We’re all set,” Beatrice exclaims, admiring her freshly made nails. She had it done to compliment her emerald dress. Mine, on the other hand, was white with random glitter accessories.

Lovely was a miracle worker, really.

“No words can explain our gratitude, Lovely. Thank you so much,” I told her as I went in for one last hug.

“Well, just send me some of your pictures tomorrow night and I believe all words of gratitude have been said,” She replies.

We headed out shortly after to catch the latest Spiderman movie. Or The King’s Man. We haven’t really settled on a movie yet.

“Your nails are beautiful, babe,” James whispers, flipping my hand over and under.

“I know.”

“I’m sorry again.”

“I know,” I looked up at him, his gaze towering over me. Charles and B had walked in front of us. I took his hand in mine and placed a small kiss on it.

“Is this your truck?” I asked as we stood in front of James’ fiery orange Isuzu D-Max pickup truck.

“Yeah, Charles dropped me off at home so he could return Butch’s car.”

It was minutes past three. The cinema was at least twenty minutes from here. We could make it before it starts and have some extra popcorn before the ads.

“Do you mind if Charlotte sat in the front seat with me, Charles?” He asked, to which Charles nodded before hopping on to the backseat.

Charles used to always ride in the front seat when James was driving. James was also Charles’ second mate whenever he drove. But having me as his girlfriend changed the dynamic, and, of course, he’d want me to sit next to him. However, I felt a little self-conscious about being the one creating the changes.

“Are you sure?” I double-checked with Charles as I put on my seatbelt and James made his way to the driver’s seat.

“Yeah, why not? It’s just a seat, Lottie,” he reassures me.

James began to drive. I was about to put on some music when my phone started to ring. It read Unknown. It was Rossalyn, I knew for sure.

“Guys, it’s Ross,” I called their attention and immediately they gathered in front of my phone.

I accepted the call and realized it was Facetime. It showed Ross in a dark spot, with her curly hair covering most of the screen.

“Hey, Ross!”

“What time is it over there?”

“Uhh, about four in the afternoon. It’s really hot in here, I’m just holed up in my room,” She replies. She backs away from the screen to reveal her sweaty forehead and smudged makeup.

“Wow, do they not have air conditioners there?” Charles remarks.

“Great idea, Charles. I might pitch it to the President of Brazil later,” She retorts, calmly. “No, air conditioners are not very famous here. They’re for the wealthiest of the rich, apparently.”

“What are you doing over there?” I asked, tilting the phone to my face.

“I have a cold due to the drastic weather change and I’m just trying to get it settled. Dad’s out to work. I’m bored to death here. How about you, guys? It must be exciting, what with the winter formal coming up? Where’s James? Haven’t seen the assface all morning. He was so giddy last night, I can’t begin to tell-“

“I’m here, Rossalyn. You can stop talking about me now,” James cuts her off with a stern face. I giggled as I faced the screen at him.

Ross was silenced but refused to let the topic go.

“So, where are you going?” She asked again.

“Uhh, we’re trying to make last year a tradition. Salon, pizza, and a movie before the winter formal,” I answered.

“What a shame. I wish I could’ve come with you, guys,” She whined.

“Us, too, Ross,” B interjects.

“Hey, Lottie,” She calls my attention and motions for me to tilt the phone to my side, hiding it from the other’s view. “How did the situation last night go? I notice you’re sitting in the passenger seat.” She raises her eyebrows suggestively.

I roll my eyes at her and attempt to lower the volume down, but James grabs it from my grasp.

“You’re on speakerphone, you moron,” he shouts at the phone, laughing. He places it back in front of the dashboard, putting her in view of everyone. “And just so you know, Charlotte said ‘yes.’” He shares, pulling on the necklace he gave me to show her.

“Awww, you really got her the necklace,” She cries out in adoration.

“She knows?” I raised an eyebrow at James.

“Why do you think that jerk was so mad I left? I was his only confidant in his affections for you,” Ross explains, and it all made sense now. “With me, the giver of peace to his rather crazy state of emotions, he had no choice but to confess, Lottie. So, you owe me a big deal for making you,” she motions to us both, “happen. I'm happy for you, by the way."

“Now, it makes sense why you didn’t want Rossalyn to leave,” Charles observed.

“Oh, so the entire time when we caught you whispering to yourselves, acting like you had your own little world, you were talking about Charlotte behind her back, weren’t you?” B postulates.

“Wow, what backstabbers,” I teased.

“Ross, shut up,” James glares at her through the screen. “And Beatrice, we were not whispering amongst ourselves. So, you took your time to arrive at lunchtime. Ross and I shared classes, that’s what we used to talk about very frequently. And Lottie, it does not count as backstabbing when she was just helping me out on what jewelry or a special gift to surprise you with. I knew I was going to confess eventually. I just had to find the right time to do it.”

We were pulling up in the parking lot of the cinema. Ross was laughing at the other end.

“Hey, we’re here at the cinema. We’ll call you later, okay?” I told her and we exchanged goodbyes before I ended the call.