Hey dear readers ...
The date time is finally here ...
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter
Chapter Twenty: I Saw a Smile
(…And It Wasn't His, But It Felt Too Close)
There are things that should excite a girl.
Like being asked out by her long-time crush.
Like getting dolled up for a real date.
Like slipping into a dress that wasn't her usual thing .
But Raye?
Raye was feeling like she was about to take an exam she didn't study for.
Jane burst into the room like a tornado that had just binge-watched Say Yes to the Dress.
She was holding two dresses, three lip glosses, and judgment.
"You're not wearing black. This is not a funeral."
"But I plan on breaking Joshua's heart though ".
Jane stared at Raye a small devious smirk on her face .
"True but we are dressing to kill , show him you are more prettier than his stupid girlfriend Layla , her walks didn't even come close to yours " Jane said staring down at Raye as she clicked her tongue " by the way try not walk like a dead pigeon ".
Raye glanced at Jane rolling her eyes before saying " instead of me to smack you or probably just insult back , am going to ignore you and say ...yes I have improved ".
Raye walked slowly making sure to push her hips out in the shorts she was wearing .
One .
Two
Then THREE .
She stopped hands on her waist turned back to Jane with a grin .
Jane sniffled dramatically cleaning the corner of her eyes .
"I am so proud of you ".
Raye chuckled softly walking back to the bed before sitting down .
"Thanks mummy ".
Jane threw a scrunchie at her. She pulled out a pale purple wrap dress with bell sleeves. "This. With the white ankle boots. Hair—curled. Confidence—faked."
Raye sighed. " no need to curl my hair , let's just comb it and make it's silky ..trust me it drives them crazy ".
"yeah , I like crazy ".
"So the plan is to go over to the cafe or dinner or whatever , act like you like him, play the innocent girl with doe like eyes then when he ask you out rejection " .
Jane said smacking her fist in her open palms .
The plan looked dry but only her knew how Joshua pride was _ it was worst than Evan .
In this case , Evan was more tolerable than Joshua ...
He hated it when he was rejected Raye was sure of it _ she saw the look in his eyes when she told him she would think about it .
Confidence still in place but there was shift .
The guy is use to getting things done in his ways so it would hurt.
"I would have suggested we get it video and post it to our class platform ".
"Yeah ,..... I see you don't like me , .....I would probably end up with one eye and a broken mind if I do that.... almost all the girls in our class likes him ".
"Yeah that's true , that's true , just crush his pride get it in video so I can watch ".
"Yes captain " Raye said standing up before saluting Jane who smiled at her .
"Yes," Jane interrupted . " Yes that's ok but Raye no distractions , mystery guy can wait ok , let's make it seem like you really like him and then you crush his pride so he would know how it feels , how it looks when someone pretends and then got their heart broken ".
Raye muttered under her breath,
" I will try , but that's not a yes though ".
Dressed, glossed, and freshly scented like ' soft peony and low expectations, ' Raye stepped out of their house .
And then she froze.
Someone.
Down the hall.
Leaning against the wall close to their house
Phone in hand.
Black hoodie.
Messy dark curls.
Slightly hunched posture like he lived in libraries and emotional damage.
He turned a little.
Smirked.
Said something under his breath to a friend.
And Raye's heart dropped.
Because he sounded—exactly like Mystery Boy.
Wait !!!
Scratch that !...
She didn't even know how he talked or looked but his air ...it just seemed like him .
She literally did a double-take.
Jane looked between them.....twice
"Girl, don't say it."
"I think it's him," Raye whispered.
"It's not him. That boy's name is Luis . He plays electric guitar , our new neighbor down the road ".
"But his SMILE—"
"No. You are not about to ruin your fake date over a boy who you think smiles like the one in your phone beside he is engaged, his marriage is next month ".
Oh Raye thought shaking her head she tried to get rid of the thoughts .
Calm down Raye , calm down she thought smoothening her hair in her hand .
"Am ready Jane " Raye said before hugging Jane as she hopped inside the taxi which droved away .
Good luck Jane thought smiling softly she waved at the neighbor who greeted in Mexican as she nodded .
She laughed out wondering how her friend face would have been to see the man speak Mexican as she walked back inside their house .
There were candles.
There was music.
There was Joshua .
But somehow… Raye couldn't feel any of it
The date was set up like something from a low-budget rom-com:
A corner booth at "Bean & Flame," the artsy café .
Fairy lights. Warm drinks. Music from a local indie band playing live.
Joshua leaned across the table, flashing that model-boy smile.
"You look beautiful tonight, Raye."
She smiled.
Out of obligation.
Her drink sat untouched.
So did the conversation.
Joshua met her at the coffee shop like a Pinterest boyfriend.
He opened the door, complimented her dress, ordered her drink before she asked.
He was…nice.
Perfectly nice.
But he didn't ask about her playlists.
Didn't quote lyrics mid-sentence.
Didn't send her an emoji that made her blush for no reason.
Didn't look at her like he already knew her flaws and still wanted to stay.
For some reason pretending was too hard , she had one interest and everything about him was total failure .
Why do I sound like Jane now Raye thought rolling her eyes as she ate her food slowly watching Joshua brag about his life .
He told her about soccer and his annoying roommate.
He laughed at her jokes.
He even touched her hand gently when he said, "I've always wanted to talk to you."
She smiled.
But it didn't reach her eyes.
" Yeah am here now " Raye said smiling softly she squeezed his hand making sure she played the same game .
Joshua stared at the girl again as she bent down to eat her food , her hair covering a side of her face .
She is pretty he thought maybe he could add her to the least of his other girlfriend she looked like someone who was in love with him .
Oh how stupid the word sounds like ....the only girl he felt something for was Layla , and she wasn't aware he went on a date with her _ even though he had promised not too .
"You are so beautiful Raye ".
Raye covered her cheek trying hard not to roll her eyes blinking like an innocent child .
" You flatter me alot Joshua , you already said it before".
Joshua shrugged acting cool he said .
" Thought I let you know again ...beautiful , Raye _ . " He called softly using his boy charms licking his lips softly .
Maybe he could make her his second favorite she was more beautiful than the girl who was his second .
He leaned forward before saying .
" I like you alot Raye very much and I wish too _ ".
He leaned so close eyes closed about to initiate a kiss while Raye moved backwards eyes widen in disgust turning her face to the side .
He couldn't even wait a little she thought huffing she was about to stand up when she felt his hand on her cheeks and _ OH it didn't .
Raye didn't even know when she raised her hand and landed a slap to his face .
SLAP !
!!!!
She stood up abruptly before saying coldly " the next time you try to initiate such contact with me I would give you something more than that".
Joshua frozed ..he blinked softly still leaning , his lips still pouted .
Raye phone was placed in the corner recording the whole thing .
" What do you take me for Joshua ?" She asked crossing her hand in her chest " some of the girls you use and dump ".
Joshua licked his lips his small fake smile which had always been on his face dropped before he said .
" I just tried to do something nice for you , but you ended up slapping me I didn't know having feelings was a crime ".
Raye scoffed out watching his stupid pityful face he was trying to make her feel bad but like hell she was feelinh good.
" Still playing the victim, huh" Raye asked tipping her chin before she slowly smiled " well let me break the news it's not only you who play this kind of game , this whole dressing thing , makeup everything was a façade , I wanted to show you how bad it feels to play with someone "
Joshua suddenly snapped as he stood up pushing the table forward startling Raye who took a step backward.
"Oh hush , I was trying to make you my girl , so what if a guy has numerous girls , I can't stick to someone like you or just one girl ,were is the fun ".
Raye shook her head feeling stupid that she ever liked this guy .
She was now thankful she saw him that day with this girl ,if not she would still be a fool for him .
" Joshua you are just plain disgusting , foolishly disgusting ,I don't regret giving you that slap , you deserve every bit of it " Raye paused . " Enjoy your stupid dinner alone " she said finally picking her purse turning around about to leave. .
Joshua couldn't allow her disgrace him like this , he has never been rejected and also insulted in this manner .
He reached for hand but didn't expect another slap again
SLAP .
Something cracked at the side of his jaw, if it was possible ..., his face turned to the other side eyes wide open.
Raye flung his hand glaring at him .
If looks could kill Raye would have burnt Joshua with her gaze .
" If you ever in your miserable life touch me again , I would hit you so hard that you wouldn't have teeth to eat or a mouth to kiss a lady again ...have a very bad day pervert " she said taking her phone from were she had hidden it , and like that, she stomped out of the resturant leaving Joshua stunned .
Joshua gritted his teeth running his hand through his hair then he yelled .
"Ahhh " .
" I am going to make her pay , I am going to ,for this humiliation I would " he turned to the people who had gathered around as he snapped loudly like an angry lion .
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS LOOKING AT , "then he stomped out of the restaurant angrily , long strides .