Chapter 12: date pt2

Billie POV

"You have to look really good, Billie," Ann said as she tried on various outfits for me. I sat by the mirror, watching her select the clothes I was supposed to wear for my date. It was she who had made me wear that strange dress that caught everyone's attention. While I was cornered by John, Nate came to my rescue, but then he also went a bit crazy and asked me out on a date. I couldn’t believe it. How could I go on a date with the most handsome boy in our year? I felt a mix of emotions—half happy, half amazed, and also half sad. I knew I’d been on the girls' red list since the beginning, and now it seemed they had a real reason to disturb my peace.

"I think this one suits you," Ann said, pulling me back from my thoughts as she held up a long pink dress with short sleeves. I recognized it right away; she had bought it for me the day we went shopping together.

I shot her a concerned look, trying to make her feel guilty. "Ann, don't forget that you were against this date just a while ago, and now you’re..."

She shook her head. "I wasn't against it, Billie. I was just surprised at how nice he asked you out. Anyway, I want the best for my best friend. With everything that’s happened, going on a date with the most handsome boy in our school will definitely be something to make people talk, and it will boost your ego among the other girls, you know?"

I sighed. "I guess not. Now they’re going to look at me like I’m some kind of food to devour," I said, a pang of regret in my voice.

Ann laughed. "Of course you are! Going to be devoured tonight, aren't you?" She teased.

“Oh, come on, stop it,” I nudged her shoulder. “I don't want to go.”

“Why not, Billie? You should! Anyway, he asked you out first, not the other way around. You've earned some respect, and I bet if Blake heard about it …”

I knew what she meant, but going out with a handsome guy felt intimidating. He seemed too good for me, and I couldn't shake the thoughts of how he might turn out to be like John or some of the others. Yet, Ann assured me.

“Anyway, it’s just a payback date, right? He isn’t really into you, I bet. And if he is,” she said, eyeing me, “then we just turn him down.”

“What?” I gasped.

“Yes, Billie! If he confesses he likes you, you should turn him down. That’s it! We can’t afford another breakup. We need to be cautious—maybe he’s just playing games, like John. You won’t get hurt if you say no first.”

I nodded. She was right. I knew he couldn't really be interested in me, but if he was, I would reject him immediately.

“Come on now, he’ll be here any minute!” Ann said, checking her watch. “We should hurry!” She pushed the dress onto my lap and dashed out, giving me space to change.

“Fast, Billie! Don’t be late for your first date!”

She winked before closing the door.

I sighed. Ann.

I looked at the dress; it was long, a little tight, and beautiful. Maybe I could try it on; it couldn't be that bad. After a few minutes, I stood in front of the mirror to see how it looked. “Good” was the best compliment I could give myself. I didn’t look like the awkward, unattractive Billie with an ugly birthmark. I had applied some makeup Ann gave me. Unlike this morning, when my hair was tied back in a ponytail, I let it hang down after a shower. I brushed it until it shone brighter than it ever had. My cream was working its magic on my skin, leaving it spotless.

Ann happened to open the door just as I turned to her and asked, “How do I look?”

She nodded her head, a wide smile on her face. “Pretty, Billie.”

I smiled back. “Thanks.”

She rushed in. “I would love to admire you further, but I hate to give you this bad news: Nate is already down there talking to your mom.”

I thought I misheard her, but then my brain processed the information. “What?”

“What, baby?” Ann chuckled, dragging me downstairs. “It’s time to make that guy’s mouth water.”

This wasn’t going to end well. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw Nate sitting and smiling with my mom in the sitting room. They were talking casually as if they had known each other for ages. However, that wasn't why I was staring at him—his outfit made my heart race. I questioned whether I had made the right choice in my attire.

He wore a blue blazer suit, and his hair was combed back, revealing his striking forehead. His energetic blue eyes sparkled as he smiled at something my mom had said.

“I’m sure she’s good,” he said amidst laughter.

As Ann and I walked into the room, they both turned to us—especially me—and stopped their conversation. I thought my mom would laugh at my babyish outfit, but Nate’s mouth dropped open in surprise, while my mom merely smiled.

“Hey, girl,” my mom said. I acknowledged her with a nod. “You didn’t tell me you had a date.”

I smiled apologetically. “Sorry, it was just last minute.”

“It’s okay; that’s why I didn’t mention it,” she replied, shooting Nate a glance. Of course, who wouldn't like Nate? The new, mysterious freshman had just arrived at my school two days ago and already won many hearts—including mine—to get me to go on a date with him. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t going to end well. Our friendship felt too new, and I wondered why I, of all people, was chosen.

“Okay then, ma’am, we’ll be on our way,” Nate said, flashing my mom a grateful smile as he walked over to me and offered his hand.

I reluctantly took it.

“You're beautiful,” he murmured as he gently led me out the door and toward the car parked outside my house. He opened the door for me, and I glanced back before getting in, seeing Ann waving at me with a wide smile from the porch. I waved back.

Once I was inside, Nate closed the door and went around to the driver’s seat.

I hadn’t been in a car alone with him—not even with Ann—so I felt a bit awkward as I shifted slightly in my seat. I guessed he noticed, but he flashed me a warm smile, which I returned.

“Don’t worry, Billie I won’t bite,” he jokingly said. I smiled, but that wasn't my main concern. I was too focused on where we were going for our date. I hadn’t even thought to ask him—would it be a club, a coffee shop, a movie, or a restaurant?

My mind couldn't stop wondering. I just hoped it wasn't someplace too full of people, as I can't stay where there are many people around.

The car pulled over, and I assumed we were at a gas station since I hadn't raised my head during the drive. But when Nate got out, I realized we had arrived at our date location. He opened the door for me, and I slowly let my eyes wander to the big billboard on top of the building: The Kays Restaurant.

Nate smiled. “My aunt owns this place.”

I nodded, understanding that he had brought me here so his family could see me and probably make fun of me. We walked inside, and I was pleasantly surprised at how big and beautiful it was inside compared to the outside. It was flashy and colorful, with various seating areas. The main dining room was filled with customers, but there was a raised section with only a few people. We were going to sit there—amazing! At least no one would pay us much attention. For some reason, I liked this place.

“Your aunt really knows how to make things nice,” I complimented. Nate looked at me as if it was my first time speaking since we started driving. He smiled.

“Yes, she does. I’m sorry she isn’t here today; otherwise, I would have introduced you.”

Thank God she isn’t here.

“Hey, Nate,” a girl called as she walked up to us. She was wearing a black skirt, a white shirt, and a brown jacket with “The Kays Restaurant” written on it. Despite her work clothes, you could still see the curves of her figure. I tried not to stare; it was enough to make me go crazy. Her figure was reminiscent of my twin, but she was more endowed, while Blake was more beautiful. She had short blonde hair, black eyes, and a round face.

“Hey, Alice,” Nate greeted her, pulling her in for a hug before he turned to me. “Hey Billie, meet Alice. She’ll be taking care of our food today, so you’re in safe hands.”

I nodded.

“Hey,” Alice said, giving me a sideways glance as she held out her hand. I shook it. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too,” I replied. She nodded.

“My pleasure, Billie,” she said, her tone cultured and refined. She might be around my age and working part-time, but she seemed more mature, which made her more attractive.

“Okay then, let’s go, Billie,” Nate said, taking my hand. He nodded to Alice, who smiled and led the way away from the main tables and through a door marked “Staff Only.”

What are we doing here? I thought as I looked back.

Alice opened the door to a kitchen where different workers were engaged in their tasks. She led us through and entered another door, which opened into a small room. I was about to ask what we were doing when Alice pressed a button underneath her apron, and the door slid open, revealing a set of stairs. She climbed down, and Nate and I followed her.

What the hell is this place? An underground area in a restaurant?

My eyes lit up as soon as we reached the bottom. I only saw places like this in movies. This area was more beautiful than the one upstairs; the room was dimly lit, the tables were covered in black cloth, and although there were several patrons, it was clear they were all VIPs.

“Welcome to the VIP section of our restaurant, Billie,” Alice smiled.

“But…” I tried to say, still in shock.

“Yeah, I know you’re surprised, but I only brought good friends here. And I mean good friends. The truth is, you’re the first friend I’ve ever brought here,” Nate said.

First friend? I gulped, feeling the emptiness in my throat. Alice was still smiling.

“Hey, who is this fucker?” a harsh voice called out from the VIP table. My heart raced; I realized I was in deep trouble. How could a commoner like me come into this place with Nate, who was the nephew of the woman in charge. Did he not know what goes on here? They discuss business over meals or meet important people. I clenched my hands nervously.

“Get the fat bull out of here! Don’t you know she isn’t allowed in here?” another man shouted from his table, though he was only there with his family.

Alice opened her mouth to speak but fell silent when Nate turned to the man who had spoken and retorted, “What are you going to do if she doesn’t move?”

Oh no, Nate, please stop.

The man stood up from his chair and approached us, glaring at Nate. The tension in the room escalated as the two exchanged heated stares. Even Alice couldn't look away from Nate’s confrontation.

“And her name is Billie, not a bull, if you still have some fucking business to attend to in here,” Nate shot back.

The man cocked his head to the side,

“And who is she to you for you to be projecting her like that?” His eyes shone with curiosity and so did Alice.

“She is……..