I had clothes scattered all over my bed at this point.
Ella was already dressed and somehow still had the energy to keep talking while I was stressing myself out.
"You've changed outfits like three times already," she said, sitting comfortably on my chair.
"I have not."
"Anna."
"Okay maybe twice," I admitted.
Ella rolled her eyes dramatically. "You're actually doing too much for somebody that said she didn't even want to come." I ignored her and held up the two outfits again.
The party was denim on denim, and I was still stuck between a jean romper and a denim crop top with a skirt.
"Be serious," I said, showing her both properly this time. "Which one?" Ella looked between them for a few seconds before pointing immediately. "The skirt."
"Really?"
"Yes."
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "Are you sure?"
"Anna, wear the skirt."
I looked at it again, then nodded slowly. "Okay fine. Skirt and shirt it is." Ella smiled proudly like she had just saved somebody's life.
I was about to finally get dressed when my phone rang on the bed. I glanced at the screen and smiled immediately before I could stop myself.
Jay.
Ella saw my face and started smiling too. "God," she muttered dramatically. "Look at this girl."
"Shut up," I laughed, picking up the call.
"Hello?"
"Are you home?" Jay asked.
"Yeah, but I'm getting ready."
"For what?"
"A party."
There was a pause. I already knew the kind of expression he probably had on his face. "You?" he asked finally.
I burst out laughing. "What does that mean?"
"You don't exactly look like a party person."
"Wow," I said dramatically. "That's actually offensive." He laughed softly. "So who are you going with?"
"Ella." The relief in his voice after that was so obvious I laughed again. "Oh my God," I said. "Relax. I'm not a child, Jay."
"I know," he replied quickly.
"I know how to take care of myself."
"I know," he repeated, calmer this time.
I shook my head, smiling to myself. "So did you need something?"
"Can I take you out for dinner tonight?
When he told me, I was shocked.
Not because he asked me out — obviously we were already dating — but because I had never really been on a date before. Like an actual official date with a guy.
It sounded simple, but it wasn't.
Part of me wanted to be happy. Like this is normal, this is what people do.
But another part of me just felt… sad.
Because even if I went, I wouldn't know how to act or what to do. It felt like there was some dating handbook I was supposed to read and I missed it completely.
Jay checked if I was still on the call.
"Yeah," I said quickly. "I'm here. But another time, I'm going out."
"Okay," he said. "Whenever you're ready, just let me know."
"Alright."
There was a small pause.
Then he added, like he already sensed I was drifting again, "Just stay away from boys at that party, yeah?"
I laughed immediately. "Relax, Jay. I'm going there with Ella. I won't even have time for anybody."
"Good," he said. "And don't get drunk."
"Alright, alright babe, I need to get dressed now."
"Okay," he replied. "Take nice pictures for me later."
"Fine," I said.
Then I hung up.
Ella immediately laughed like she had been holding it in the whole time.
"See the way you were smiling," she said. "Lover girl."
I rolled my eyes. "Shut up."
"So?" she asked, sitting properly. "What did he say?"
"He wants to take me out," I said casually. "Like a real date."
Ella's face lit up immediately. "And what did you say?"
I paused a little. "…I told him I was going out for a party."
She stared at me in disbelief.
"Anna."
"What?" I shrugged.
"Do you hear yourself?"
I sighed. "Even if I go, I'm going to embarrass myself. I've never been on a real date before."
Ella softened a bit, but she was still smiling.
"Jay is patient," she said. "He's been patient with you the whole time."
I looked at her.
"And he's the first guy doing this properly for you," she added. "That's not small."
That stayed with me for a second.
Ella leaned closer. "He asked you on a date. That means it's official, Anna."
I nodded slowly. "Yeah… I'll think about it."
"Good," she said immediately. "Now come here."
I moved closer and she tilted my face.
"Let me finish your lip liner before you start overthinking again," she said.
I let out a small laugh and stayed still while she fixed it.
"Stay still, we're late. You know you'll have to do mine too". She said looking frustrated.
"Okay, okay" I laughed, and then she laughed too.