Page 19 of Once Upon a Beast

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Ella said and looked over at Ara.

“Do you feel better or should I call Jared and tell him you hate his dress and you want a new one?” Ara teased.

“No. Don’t do that. You’re right, the dress is beautiful. I’m sure I’ll look nice wearing it,” I said.

“Nice? You’re going to look incredible. You’ll be on the top ten best dressed list, easily,” Ara said.

“Not everyone cares about that, but I get what you’re saying,” Ella said to Ara. “She’s right. No one’s going to be able to hold a candle to you or this dress tonight. Dax was even impressed when he saw it and that man knows fashion,” Ella said.

“He did?” I was feeling better, but the nerves were still there.

“Yes. He did,” Ella said.

“You’re right. The dress is wonderful. I don’t know what came over me,” I admitted.

“Are you sure that’s all it is? There isn’t anything more going on? Come on, you have to be a bit nervous about seeing and spending time with Nic after all these years?” Ara asked.

I looked over at Ara and let out a sigh. “Well, duh.”

Ara laughed. “Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter.” She turned on the bed to look at me. Ella gave me a reassuring smile.

“I just started talking to the man again after years. Now, I have to go to the biggest event of the year with him. I have no idea what we’re going to talk about, much less how we’re going to look like we are in love,” I admitted.

“Was it that odd seeing him again? Did you two not have anything to talk about?” Ella asked.

“No, it was nice. Easy even. In some ways, it was like no time had passed,” I said.

“Okay, so what’s the problem?” Ella asked.

“You like him,” Ara said and stood up and put her hands on her hips.

“Well, duh,” Ella said.

Ara laughed and I sat up on the bed. “What do you mean, duh?”

“Really? I dare you to tell us you didn’t think about what would happen if you and Nic turned into something because of this scheme your father cooked up.”

“Maybe a little. How could I not? But now, now that we’re going to be seen together and this is happening, it all seems more real than I ever thought it would be. I have to stand next to him and look at him like I’m in love with him.”

“And you know it isn’t going to be easy to fake it when it is true,” Ella said.

“I never said I was in love with him,” I countered.

“You might not be yet but you have feelings for him,” Ella said.

“I thought it would be easy to be around him, I missed my friend. I wanted him back. I wanted us back. I thought it would be fine, but now I’m not so sure. Seeing the dress, seeing my hair and the make-up and everything, it all seems so real, but it’s not. I’m not sure I’ll know when the reality ends and the pretending begins.”

“You could call this off. I could say I have explosive diarrhea and you need to take care of me,” Ara suggested.

It was so absurd it made me laugh. “You have never had that in your life. I think your body isn’t capable of it,” I said.

“There’s a first time for everything. If you want an out, I’ll give it to you. If this is too much and you need more time to figure out how you want this to go, then just let me know. I’ll call him myself,” Ara said. She stood as if to get her phone and I reached out to stop her.

“No. It’s okay. I can’t let him down. We already agreed to do this,” I said.

“You’re allowed to change your mind. You can hold off having your first outing as a couple with him. Maybe do something small like dinner or drinks or something? I mean, I would stay with Ara and her diarrhea but I got a hot date,” Ella said.

My friends were being so sweet and understanding, and a bit absurd that I couldn’t help but laugh. Laughing helped me feel better and see that I could do this. It might not be the ideal situation but it would be okay. I would make it through as long as I had my friends to support me.

---