Page 4 of Meet Me in the Vines
I sigh and plop myself down on my bed, tossing on a baggy sleep t-shirt.
“Yes, Gran, come in.”
She softly opens the door and peeks in, ensuring I’m decent. Her eyes fill with concern at the sight of me lying on my back with tears pooling in the corners of my eyes.
“Oh honey, what’s the matter? Can’t find a thing to wear tonight?” Gran’s forehead creases, softly shifting the stray hairs out of my face. I close my eyes as she brushes my hair through her fingers, so soft and delicate. She would do this for me after a bad day, instantly calming my nerves or negative feelings. My gran is special. Her aura glows like a rainbow, so full of life and color. It’s hard to stay upset with an angel like her in my life.
“It’s my first party, Gran. High school was supposed to be about making memories. I’ve been pretty terrible at that.” I let out with a sigh, “And I have nothing to wear.”
Gran gives me a soft smile and helps me sit up on the bed. She tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear and holds my hands. “I remember when I was your age, I was feeling quite the same as you are now when your grandfather and I were about to go on our first date.”
I sit up taller, loving when she tells me stories.
“I wanted everything to go perfectly, and my mother came into my room and held my hands, just like I am yours.” She rubs her thumbs along the top of my hands. “She told me, ‘Violet, if that man doesn’t love how you look in a burlap sack, he’s not the one for you.’”
I let out a giggle, and she leans in and kisses my temple. “All that means is, what’s in here,” she points to my heart, “matters more than anything on the outside. Be present and live life for today. The older you get like me, the more you’ll understand. Can you try and do that for me, sweetheart?”
I wipe a single tear from my eye and hug her close. I bask in her scent of lavender and chamomile tea.
“Yes, Gran, I’ll do that. Thank you.”
She smiles and gives me a pat on my knee. “Great, now put on that burlap sack and have fun at your party that you are now—” She checks her watch. “Ten minutes late for.” She heads for the door when I feel a quiver of insecurity rise from my stomach.
“Wait, Gran?”
“What is it, honey?”
“What if I show up and he pays no attention to me? I mean, Donovan is literally the most loved boy in this town. Have you seen Mrs. Dickson practically maul him every time we are at the diner?! Even the old ladies can’t resist him!”
Gran puts her hands on her hips. “Hey now, I may be Mrs. Dickson’s age, but I am not old,” she teases.
“You know I didn’t mean thatyouare old, Gran,” I drawl playfully. “But what’s so special about me? I’m not Jess Taylor or any of those other popular girls. I’m just…” I run my hands up and down my body before I slap them dramatically on my lap. “I’m just me.” I sigh, running a defeated hand through my hair.
She hums, giving a pregnant pause. “Well, that’s just it, honey. You’re just you. And that’s more than enough for Donovan King. Don’t you think?” I feel a tug in the corners of my mouth. My grandmother always knows how to cheer me up when I am feeling small.
“And don’t think I didn’t miss him practically running to you after the ceremony today. A boy with a look in his eyes like that can only mean one thing.” She has my full attention now and my eyebrows raise in anticipation of what I hope she will say.
“And what’s that?” Butterflies start to form.
“That you will be the center of his night. Trust me on this, sweetheart.” She gives me a wink and blows me a kiss, but before she shuts my door, I hear her voice trail off. “I’ve always liked that boy….” The door quietly clicks closed with Gran’s footsteps receding, and I give myself a moment to digest her words, gripping the bed beneath me.
“You will be the center of his night.”
Her words echo through my mind.
He invited me to his party, after all. It didn’t feel like a pity invite either. It felt…genuine. Slowly, the insecurity and doubt that was rearing its ugly face earlier is fading. I puff my chest, lulling my head side to side before standing to my feet.
I feel a lot better after my pep talk with Gran, and she’s right—he came to findmein the crowd. If Gran thinks I’m enough, then I can believe it, too. Now let’s give Donovan King something to look at.
I sit down at my vanity and reapply some mascara, blush, and tinted strawberry gloss. I look in the mirror and spot an ivory sundress in my reflection that Gran gifted me last summer.
I turn around, my eyes smiling. It’s flowy with thin straps crisscrossing the back. It’s not too long, perfect to show a bit of leg. Tia tells me I’ve got great legs, so if there’s anytime to show them off, it’s tonight. It’s a bit low cut, but fuck it. Not that my boobs are huge, but I can fill out a dress. I definitely can’t wear a bra with this. Maybe he’ll enjoy that. I shake my head at the thought of anything happening with Donovan tonight.Yeah right, Audrey.
But I slip on a pair of white lace panties…just in case.
I decide to wear my hair down in loose waves and put on a pair of strappy wedges to give me some height. With the whole look together, I turn side to side in the mirror for final inspection. Not bad.
“Be the center of his night. Quit being a little bitch.”
