Page 87 of Love is Strange
“But…” I begin.
“Nope, it's all for you to try, babe. Now get in there!” She gives me a gentle nudge, and I glare at her, huffing as I shut the curtain.
I stare in dismay at the sheer volume of clothing she has given me. It didn't seem like this much when I brought it in, but now I’m looking at the large pile, and I want to crawl underneath it and hide. Letting out a heavy sigh, I pick up the first item.
After what feels like hours of looking at myself in the full-length mirror, finally, I pause. The knee length dark-purple dress I’m now wearing is soft and simple; I love the way it looks on me, and the way it’s fitted at the top and flares from the hips. I smile at my reflection, and I can’t help but wonder what Ash would think of it. I scold myself for even having that thought because it’s not for him, it’s for me.
I open the curtain and step out with a nervous smile on my face and do a twirl. Then, I wait for Casey to tell me what she thinks.
“Em, you look gorgeous! You should definitely get it,” Casey says excitedly.
I twist around to look at the tag, and my heart jumps happily when I see the SALE label marking it as half price. I can get the dress and maybe some shoes to match.
“Case, can you grab me a pair of shoes to wear with it, please? You go while I change back into my clothes,” I say as I head back into the cubicle.
When I come back out carrying the dress, I spot Casey by the shoes and head over to her. “Have you found anything?”
She shakes her head, looking disappointed, but her eyes light up when she sees me holding the dress. Grabbing my hand, Casey drags me over to pay, and I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm.
“After this, we’ll have lunch. I'm starving after trying on half the shop.” I laugh, and Casey giggles.
We come out of the shop, and I playfully nudge her. “Food and cake now! You promised to buy me my favorite cake. Take me to the bakery!”
Chapter Fourteen
ASH
A few daysafter I get back to college, I’m heading up to my dorm room when I spot Jason standing outside. “Dude, I was just wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat or something. Where have you been? You weren’t here on the weekend.”
“Home. I went to see my mom and sister,” I reply, unlocking the door and walking inside.
Jason follows, and I don’t object as I drop my bag and throw myself down on the bed. He leans against my desk and looks at me for a moment. I can practically see the thoughts whirring through his brain.
He frowns. “You didn’t visit this much last year. What’s going on?”
I think quickly. “My sister is seventeen now, and boys are idiots. We should know, right?”
Jason laughs. “True story, dude. Makes sense you want to look out for her. I remember being one of those idiots myself.”
I grin at him. “Same. I got into a lot of shit at that age. I still remember my mom flipping out when I came home with my lip and eyebrow pierced although she couldn’t do much when I refused to take them out. And all the trouble I got into with girls at school.”
Jason smirks. “So... while we are on the subject of getting into trouble with girls. How about we head out tonight? We haven’t been out together for a few weeks.”
I don’t really want to go, but if I hang around here, I’ll drive myself insane wondering about Ember and that dipshit from her school.
“Sure thing, man. Swing by later. I’m going to crash for a bit first and then grab a shower,” I tell him.
Jason nods, and leaves the room. I lie down on the bed and let my eyes close.
Sometime later I suddenly waken, sweating and rock hard from a fucking hot dream about Ember on her knees in front of my cock. As I sit up groggily, the sound of pounding on my door grabs my attention.
“Ash, it’s me. You still on for tonight?” Jason’s voice is muffled by the door.
“Yeah, I’ll be ten minutes,” I answer, forcing myself out of bed and groaning when I see the erection tenting my pants. Fuck it, cold shower it is.
Five freezing minutes later, I’ve given in and turned up the temperature. I jerk myself off to thoughts of Ember wrapped around my cock and finally finish my shower. I put on some clothes and grab my jacket, wallet, and phone before heading out the door to where Jason is waiting.
“Let’s go,” I say, and we head out.
