Chapter 6: Dress Up

The buzzing sound of her alarm sent Ariadne jerking up from her peaceful slumber. Her tired eyes forced their way open only for them to clench back shut almost immediately, due to the lethal glare of the early morning sun seeping into their dorm room.

A tired groan escaped her parted lips as she stressed her lazy limbs before placing them on the edge of her bunk as she turned on her left arm to continue her sleep.

Another booming sound from the alarm had her finally dragging herself up from her sleepy state. Stretching her arms overhead, she welcomed the morning with a contented sigh.

With her eyes still half closed, she rummaged through her bed in search of her phone. When she found it, she tapped on the screen and scrolled through her checklist to register her activity for the day.

Recalling the text message from Denver yesterday, her eyes flickered wide open and she quickly recollected herself, hurriedly got down from the bed like a nocturnal hamster, slapped her palms on her face and dashed into the bathroom for a shower.

The morning sun seeped through the bathroom window, creating a mosaic of light and shadows that danced across the cream-colored tiles.

The mirror on the bathroom wall beckoned Ariadne with its gleaming frame. She approached it with a hint of mischief in her eyes and her reflection grinned back at her.

Standing before the mirror, she brushed the tangles in her hair, combing it out with her nails to release their natural shine and luster, then slowly plucked the tresses off her face.

She walked towards the porcelain bathtub and traced its delicate outline with her fingers. Turning the handle of the faucets, she watched the running water gradually fill the tub. Today is a Saturday; a no school day, so she decided to take a tub bath.

Ariadne slipped out of her clothes and stepped into the warm water, a soft gasp escaping her lips as the water enveloped her like a lover's embrace. The warmth seeped into her bones, easing away any lingering tension and coaxing a contented sigh.

She reached for a bar of handmade soap. Lathering it between her palms, she spread the fragrant foam over her skin. The soap glided along her curves, cleansing and soothing, leaving her feeling refreshed and invigorated. She poured a few drops of essential oils into the water and the aroma calmly enveloped her.

Closing her eyes, she allowed the warmth and fragrance to transport her to a place of serenity and calm. She imagined spending the day with Denver.

‘Where would he bring me? Would he enjoy spending time with me?’

Countless thoughts flooded her mind as she remained soaked in the bath. The water embraced her, cradling her like a cherished secret and Ariadne reveled in the feeling of being cared for, of allowing herself this indulgence.

Jolting back to consciousness by the ticking of the wall clock in the dorm room, Ariadne stepped out of the bath and wrapped herself in a plush, fluffy towel, feeling refreshed.

Next, she traced her fingers along a line of meticulously chosen dresses hanging elegantly on the door. She had taken great effort in selecting a suitable outfit for this date the previous night.

The decision was not an easy one, but she settled on a flowy pink dress. She slipped into it and smirked at her dress choice because the pink dress accentuated her curves, giving her a graceful feminine look. The fabric was soft on her skin and hugged onto her like a loving embrace giving her a good dose of confidence. Staring at her reflection, a warm blush spread across her cheeks and she felt satisfied with her appearance.

“Anyone notice that someone took her bath for more than thirty minutes?” Katniss broke the eerie, popping her head out of her bed.

Ariadne giggled, palming her face to prevent her blush from growing.

“She’s blushing. Okay I won’t tease you too much so you don’t step out with brazing pink cheeks” Katniss chuckled again.

Amidst the chattering, Ariadne's heart skipped a beat when she spotted Denver’s car parked close to the narrow road leading to the girls’ dormitory. Her lips curved into a slight smile, and her eyes drank in her roommate’s heartfelt words of encouragement, causing her heart to soar with joy.

“Awwwn, our lover boy is here already”

“Seems like someone is more impatient than our little miss cutie crush”

They teased her.

Vanessa suddenly chimed in, “oh yes, remember to use your new lipstick. The one you bought when we went shopping before Katniss’s birthday? Right. Rock that beauty like you own it and go out there and flaunt that looks ‘cause you got it, and make the girls proud” She winked.

The horn blares again. This time it was Vanessa who lifts up her head in irritation as she whips around swiftly and yells. “Just give us a damn hugging moment with our girl…..not like you won’t have her all to yourself all evening” Then shrugged.

With a huff, she turns to face Ariadne and smiles sadly, “I will miss you bitchhh, but have fun”

Ariadne curled her lips and pouted, “it’s just a meal. You girls are making it look like I’m getting married already, so dramatic” She smirked.

After pulling away from their warm hugs, Vanessa whipped Ariadne around and smoothed the gentle waves of her chestnut colored hair which cascaded beautifully on her shoulders, then placed her palms on Ariadne’s shoulders and gently pushed her towards the door.

“You better get going now before we change our minds”

Having said their goodbyes, they sneaked to the balcony to see when she would approach the waiting car and zoom away.

Ariadne hurriedly descended down the stairs and upon getting to the dorm entrance, she gently tugged on her dress to strengthen the rumples caused by her rush. She smacked her lips together and palmed her face lightly, trying to hide her blushed cheeks and avoid appearing flustered before Denver.

Then, she proceeded to walk steadily towards him. She saw him leaning over his car, staring at his phone in confusion, probably contemplating whether to give her a call to ascertain if she’s ready.

When he noticed her walking towards his direction, he twisted his lips in a warm smile, tucking his phone into his pocket as he walked across to hold the car door for her to get into the passenger seat.

The thought of their date setting her heart aflutter like a flock of butterflies, and the soft hum of the engine seemed to echo the rhythm of Ariadne's heartbeat. As soon as he got settled inside the car, he pressed the lock and turned towards her, “you look absolutely enchanting today”

Ariadne's lips curved into a shy smile, a response was as graceful as a waltz.

"Thank you. You look rather dashing yourself."

Noticing how she smiled coyly, he pinned his eyes on her startled face and thought she looked cute. “Alright, let’s get going. I made a reservation at a great restaurant. I’m sure you will love it.”

With that, he turned on the ignition and zoomed off.

Ariadne said nothing throughout the ride. She merely tilted her head sideways and leaned against the car window, looking out and indulging in the scenic view they drove past and tranquility descended upon them.

She shifted in her seat, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress, an attempt at containing the excitement coursing through her veins. Denver stole glances at her repeatedly, and with each fleeting gaze, Ariadne's cheeks flushed with a delightful shade of pink, her coyness palpable.

Her eyes sparkled like stars as she attempted to hide her fidgety nature, yet her foot tapped restlessly on the floorboard of the car, in a rhythmic pattern that mirrored her anxiety. She stole glances at Denver from the corner of her eye, trying to gauge his reaction to her fidgety behavior.

‘Would he notice the subtle telltale signs of her inner turmoil?’ She hoped not, yet a mischievous part of her wanted him to see the depth of her emotions.

She glanced out of the window, trying to focus on the passing scenery to calm her nerves, but the buildings and lights only served to heighten her excitement. She turned to Denver, her cheeks flushing with a coy smile that betrayed her nervousness.

As they approached a traffic signal, Ariadne stole a glance at Denver, her lashes fluttering like the wings of a hummingbird. The way his eyes met hers, holding a mix of admiration and tenderness, made her heart skip a beat.

"Are you really eager for this date? I mean you must be busy at work soI don’t really mind if you reschedule this for another time" she asked playfully, hoping her question would veil her own eagerness.

Denver chuckled at her masked eagerness, his eyes crinkling at the corners with warmth. Of course," he replied, his hoarse voice reverberating grounded her around the car.

"I can't wait to catch up with you. I’m playing the host”. Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and she looked away.

When the traffic signal turned green, the car continued its journey, the cityscape transitioning into a quieter, more serene setting. Ariadne's fingers traced delicate patterns on her knee, and her fingers fumbled with the clasp of her purse to hide her trembling fingers.

The car soon slowed down and came to a gentle stop in front of a restaurant. She glanced at the entrance and back at Denver with a smile tugged on her lips, her cheeks tinged with pink.

“Alright….. we’re here” he announced. They disembarked from the car and walked into the restaurant.

“Is it just the both of us here or are there other guests joining us?” Ariadne asked. Denver tilted his head backwards and chuckled loudly at her silly question.

“What do you think?”