On My Way To Mr. Right

Chapter 4

"Charlotte?" Adrian called as I was walking Cookie, the beagle, down the sidewalk and I realized that I had been stuck in my thoughts for too long.

"Huh, yeah?” I answered with my mind blank. “What time do I come over?" I gave in to his offer. There's no use in denying that he got me by his last statement. Hailey's the only reason I'm talking to him in the first place.

"The party starts at eight, but you could come earlier. Hailey's not much of a talker when she's at a party or drunk." He smiled. A smile showed his dimpled cheek and it almost made me swoon.

I nodded my head and started walking towards the house.

"Bring your friends over, if you like." He called after me. I didn't bother to reply or even nod. He must get it through his thick skull that I am tired of being nice to him. I endured so much of that when we were together.

Adrian is this sweet good boy. He has short ash-blonde hair with streaks of brown. It always gets sticky when he plays soccer. He's a good one at that sport and he is being trained to take over as the team captain by next year. They got as far as the state championship, but unfortunately, he broke his ankle in that game. That killed him. It was too early in his career to have permanent damage like that, and I can only remember how devastated and let down he was in the weeks that followed after their loss. I had to deal with his mood swings at that time. He also has those dreamy jade green eyes with long black lashes. They always sparkle when he talks about soccer or things he loves.

They used to sparkle for me. But not anymore.

Adrian always had this good boy's dimpled smile which had become his signature look. If you told me to find him in a crowded place by only looking at his smile, I would know him instantly because of that smile. He looks like the cliche "boy next door".

But he isn't.

Don't be fooled by those tricky eyes and devilish smiles. He's only around you for either a favor or a good night. He has destroyed a lot of relationships since we split up. I didn't even have to ask him about that. People talk about him like he's so special about it. I hate that. The worship for trashy people was astounding in this school.

Time passed by quicker than I had expected. The next thing I knew, it was already Friday. I invited James and Clara over to come with me to the party. Clara was in my English class and was an absolute party-goer. I figured she'd want to come with me. Also, because she's fun to be with and having her come with me takes my mind off nervousness.

Beatrice was away for the weekend while Ross said she was busy. And I didn't even have to call Charles to ask him out. I know he's gonna turn me down. He has his mindset to only one thing: finishing his studies. He's not the one for distraction. Besides, he was an introvert who liked to spend his time alone or quietly and peacefully.

I took out a white camisole, a pair of mom's shorts, and a red cardigan. It was mid-November, so the cold breeze was picking up its pace. I would not be caught dead in the snow in thin sheer clothing. I wore thick tights for extra comfort and coziness. I took out my newest pair of heels, a pair of red heels, and put everything on. I looked at myself in my full-length mirror.

I don't look like I tried too hard to match this outfit.

I put on foundation, mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick in the shade of red. It sounds like a lot but it isn't. For a girl my age, there would be a hundred things to put on your face. But being friends with two boys, a lesbian, and straight-A students did not favor my social etiquette. I barely knew how to style my hair. I blow-dried my hair and left it hanging loosely on my back after losing patience on how to put it up ‘nicely’.

"Charlotte? Let's go!" Clara called from downstairs. I quickly finished my makeup and grabbed my purse.

"Coming, Clara!" I called back to her.

As I walked downstairs, I realized that this would be my first party this school year. I haven't been to one since classes started. I've been so busy making up for what I haven't done and doing what I should do that I forgot to mingle with people. Even my casual friends I haven't been talking to lately.

Suddenly, the idea of knowing Lennon more doesn't seem like a bad idea. He does look like a nice guy. But I knew better than to get hung up on a guy again.

Adrian and I broke up shortly after our first anniversary. Freshman year had just ended by that time and I spent the summer vacation, sulking alone in my room. I missed countless camps, study and review opportunities, and time to spend ‘summering up’.

Now that I was feeling better, I had a lot to catch up on. Especially with my studies, since I am determined to get into my dream university.

James volunteered to be the driver for the night. But I know he wouldn't be able to hold his urge to get drunk, so I decided that I would be the sober one for the night. I'd rather not drink than die because of drunk driving, anyway.

When we made the turn to Adrian's street, we could already hear the loud blast of music and I could feel the ground shaking. It was still early. If the party was supposed to start at eight, we were half an hour early.

"Whoa, it's already blasting!" James grinned excitedly.

"Looks like it." Clara laughed and I did the same as I saw what she was looking at. James was dancing in his seat and he looked ridiculous.

"You really can't wait until we get inside?" I asked as he parked the car one house before Adrian's.

"Can't wait to see Lila!" James sang and I realized that he wasn't the best singer. Well, he's a dancer. Why do I expect him to sing pleasantly?

"Wait, who's Lila?" Clara asked, unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out of the car.

"Someone I met yesterday," he whistled happily. “She's a cheerleader and in Junior year. Any chance you might know her, Clara?"

"She's a Freshman, James! What the heck?" Clara exclaimed and I could see in her face that she was on the verge of laughter or disgust. I am, too.

"What? I'm not taking her for the night. Just a little smooch." He said, jokingly, and I couldn't help but scrunch my face in disgust.

"That is gross, James. She's too young for you, perv."

"She's not that young, okay. Besides, she's the one who asked me out." He smirked and I lightly punched his face for it. He's such a disgusting creature. How am I even friends with him?!

There were already a few people dancing and plastic cups on the floor but I could see no sign of Adrian or his friends or even Hailey.

"I am gonna go fetch myself a drink. Do you want some?" Clara asked. I shook my head, still looking for Hailey.

"Hey, I'm saying hi to Lila for a little bit. Think you can handle yourself, Lottie?" James whispered in my ear. I elbowed him and he choked out in response, which made me laugh.

"I can, thank you," I told him and he walked off in the direction of the dance floor. Well, it wasn't a dance floor. It was just a big space where the furniture should have been.