On My Way To Mr. Right

Chapter 38

I was lying straight through my teeth. I wanted my nails done, badly.

“Nonsense, Charlotte. Nothing is ever too much for a dance,” She exclaims, taking up my hands to examine my nails. “Tell you what, why don’t I do your nails both, on the house. Just for fun’s sake. Jodie is running to get us lunch.”

My eyes lit up. But I try to hide the enthusiasm. Beatrice, on the other hand, squeals in delight.

“Oh my God, really?!” She shrieks.

“Yes, I have the rest of the day off, anyway,” Lovely responds.

That was how we ended up with nails covered in glitter and sparkles.

She did B’s nails first. I insisted she go first. I was too ashamed of my jagged nails, which might end up taking all afternoon.

A text beeps from my phone.

Picking it up, I saw it was from James, messaging in the group text. Yes, we were lame that way. We had group texts.

“James is asking if we’re close to being done,” I told Beatrice to ask for a response.

“Tell that boy that you are being pampered and will not be rushed,” Lovely replies.

“What about the movie?”

“Uhh, I’ll ask what time it’s showing next.”

I typed in and immediately got a response.

3:30. We’ll come over earlier. We bring snacks. -J

“We still have a couple of hours. But they’re coming here with snacks.”

“You are lucky to have a guy like that by your side, Charlotte. I imagine all your sleepless study sessions and late-night projects must keep you starving,” Lovely remarks.

I smiled sheepishly, not knowing how to take the compliment. On one hand, I knew I was lucky to have James. He was a one-day-old boyfriend but our year-long friendship was entirely better than my whole relationship with Adrian.

But on the other hand, I felt some kind of pressure down my neck and already I was bearing the suffocation.

“Yeah, she’s not too sure about that, Miss Lovely,” B noted.

I whipped my head at her, confused by what she meant.

“Oh, nonsense, child. Call me Lovely. But, I mean, what do you mean by that? You know, it’s traditional for a salon to be a room full of gossip. Let’s not disappoint Lovely’s Locks now.”

“Yeah, what do you mean by that, Beatrice?” I spat out, peeved. It was annoying to have others assuming how or what I felt about certain issues. More so when they don’t know what they’re talking about.

“Oh, come on, Lottie,” Beatrice shrugged. “I know that look. You’re doubting your decision to date James already. Regret is a look best hidden, babe.”

I scoffed, stunned. Not by her wild accusations. But by how accurate they were.

“I don’t know. I’m not regretting anything, yet, I guess,” I confessed. “It’s not that I don’t like James the same way. Believe me, when I say this, Lovely, this man is the sweetest and most charming man on Earth. I don’t even know what he sees in me. He’s not the brightest, sure. But he always lights up whatever room he’s in. And he doesn’t know it, but half the time that I smile? It’s because of him. The comfort. The cozy and secure feeling of being with him. I can’t even explain it.”

“Then, what’s wrong? Honey, you just described the best guy on Earth and yet you find yourself in doubt about being in a relationship with him. No offense, darling, if you can’t commit to a relationship with that man, you better let him go. I’m sure a thousand other girls are waiting in line for someone like him.”

Lovely was direct, and almost aggravated at calling me off for my stupid behavior. It wasn’t even anything major that pissed me off about James.

“I’m beginning to feel a little suffocated,” I blurted out. “We’ve been friends for years. I’ve held him as my comfort and security blanket for years. But I just said ‘yes’ this morning at seven, and now, I’m being chauffeured to classes. My forehead must be sore with all the kisses I’ve received today alone, and my back must have burned off from all the stares I’ve been receiving. He’s too public with his affections. Holding hands, kissing, and everywhere I go, here he is. I just came from hearing about his conquests last night to straight-up being ogled at for dating him.”

I felt horrible, having admitted all those words. James didn’t even do anything wrong. This was a ‘me’ problem. I knew it had a lot to do with my lack of self-confidence and heightened stage fright. I know James shouldn’t have to deal with it.

“I know you must think I’m the worst person to be complaining about the best guy. But, I had a terrible stage fright last night after walking up on stage. I don’t know if I can deal with that same feeling every time James kisses me on the temple or clutches me tightly. I’ve begun to dread his touch, honestly. I just think we’re going too fast, too soon.”

Lovely and Beatrice were left speechless.

Or so I thought.

“I didn’t know you felt that way, Lottie,” James’ voice took me by surprise, and I turned around to see him enter with a box of donuts.

“James,” I mutter. I don’t know how I’m going to fix this.

I might have just jinxed the best thing going on in my life right now.

“I’m going to get Beatrice’s hair washed up and dry,” Lovely declares, dragging B’s chair to the other side of the room, separated by a thin curtain sheet.

James approached me with a silent look on his face. I dreaded his touch a minute ago, but now I just want to feel it, to know I didn’t ruin my chance at a good relationship.

“I’m sorry,” we accidentally mutter at the same time. Our eyes met in surprise. He kneels before me, with an arm on my chair.

“I’m sorry about everything I said. I really like you and I really want us to try to make it work,” I started to apologize.

“No, I’m sorry, Charlotte. I shouldn’t have taken you on the freeway the moment you said ‘yes’ to the road trip. I was just too excited, maybe.”

Who was going on a road trip? I looked at him, confused.

“And shoot, I forgot about your terrible stage fright and introverted behavior. It must have been so embarrassing to have all those people stare at you. I am so sorry. I just wanted to show you how happy I was to finally get a chance at dating you, and I forgot how to actually date you properly.”

All his words sounded suspicious. He was sincere with his eyes, but his words just sounded sarcastic.

“It’s fine,” I responded. “I’m just not used to all that attention. We come from different worlds, you and I.”

“I know and I’m sorry for having overlooked that. I promise to be more discreet with my displays of affection.” He takes my hand and looks at me hurriedly.

I nodded, rolling my eyes. What an irony.

“Can I kiss you? On the forehead?” He asks for permission, which made me blush.

Lovely and Beatrice weren’t back from washing and drying yet, and I don’t think they can hear us from a distance, anyway.

Looking around with no people, I sneaked a small peck on his lips, which surprised us both.

He was too stunned to speak immediately after.

“Well, that’s not fair,” he finally mutters, gaining his ability to speak.

He laughs and takes me by the neck, pulling me down to his level. Looking directly at my eyes, he pulled me closer until I could feel his breath under my chin. His eyes were pleading. His mouth breathed heavily.

“May I?”

I nodded, not even taking a second to answer.

Our lips meet. I can imagine all the best possible scenarios to follow this. I could break out into a song from the joy that I felt. I felt giddy and jumpy, and could basically fly with fireworks. His lips were gentle on mine, and I feel like we could stay like this forever.

But alas, all fairytales must end.

This fairytale ended with me falling on the floor. The rollers of the chair I sat on had slipped away, causing me to fall onto James. But James, the gentleman that he was, was quick on his feet and dodged my weight by literally jumping off the floor. I fell, chest first. With foil on my hair and a couple of clips around my shoulders, a loud bang could be heard.

Beatrice and Lovely immediately emerge from the separate room. B’s hair was dripping wet. But it didn’t stop them from breaking out into a peal of laughter. Even James chuckled along with them before he decided to help me get up. I, on the other hand, decided that I was not going to recover from this humiliation and the ground might as well swallow me whole now. I refuse to stand up by myself in this hideous appearance and frowning expression.

The door of the salon opens, showing Charles with multiple cups of beverages in his hands.

“What’s up with her? Why is Lottie on the floor?” He asks but receives no response. Instead, the room bursts out in a louder voice.

James took minutes to consider helping me stand up, and as he did, my furious gaze met his innocent laughter.

“I think we should break up,” I told him with a blank face.

“Yeah, I think that’s for the best, too. I don’t know if I can date someone who falls to the floor of the salon, foil and all,” he responds, chortling.