Hey readers! I'm sorry it took me so long. I had a tough time deciding where I wanted to take this story. I apologize in advance to you guys who didn't want me to take the route I so very did with this chapter. Hopefully I can get your support back in the near future. I promise to never keep you guys waiting so long. Ummm...I really enjoy reading your feedback and comments, both positive and negative. It fuels the fire I have within. lol. Any who, I'll be shutting up now. Without further ado, here it is. I really hope yall enjoy it.
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What to wear?
Skyler thought as she pranced around her bedroom eyeing the outfits she had lain out on her bed. After the half an hour debate within her head, she settled on wearing the yellow dress. It was a bright strapless little number that was tight and stretchy up top, and loose and free at the bottom. It stopped mid-thigh, and she topped it off with gold hoops, ankle boots, and her black jacket. She wore loose curls that were pinned to the side, much to her disapproval.
"It's bad enough, you wearing that damn biker coat, but if you try to step out of here with that ponytail, I'll drag you back in here by it" she remembered Lacey threatening.
She stepped from the bedroom and waited for Lacey's approval.
"Damn, Doodle" she said smiling widely. "You do clean up nicely."
"It's not...too much?"
"No. Not at all. Wait, you forgot something" Lacey said while running into the bathroom. "Here" she said breathlessly. "You forgot this" she said handing Skyler the tube of red lipstick. "Go get 'em tiger."
Joel had arrived at her apartment a little after 8. She answered the door and he stood there amazed.
"Wow. You look...nice"
"Thanks" she said while doing a curtsy. "You don't look so bad yourself." He was wearing a dark blue polo and khakis.
"I do try" he joked polishing off his nails on his shirt. "Ready?" he asked pointed to his classic black Dodge Charger.
"Hell yea!"
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They had already ordered their food and were having friendly conversation when Skyler excused herself to go to the restroom. Joel couldn't help but admire her ass as she walked, but his attention was thrown elsewhere when he saw two girls follow her in. One turned to him and gave him a wicked smile. Brittani. The other was her annoying best friend.
Oh shit
he thought.
Skyler exited the stall to find two girls staring at her. One blonde, one red-head. Skyler brushed it off and walked towards the sink. She washed her hands and turned to see them still staring at her.
Not tonight
she thought.
"Umm, excuse me. How do you know Joel?" the blonde asked.
"Shut up. Listen to me,
girl
" the red-head interrupted. "I don't care how you know him, he's mine."
"Excuse me?" Skyler asked turning her whole body to face them.
"You heard me" the red-head hissed.
"Bitch, I don't know who you think you are, but I'll snap your damn neck in half. Try me" Skyler said inching towards the girl.
"You aren't going to do anything to me. You must not know who I am."
"Yea I do. Some dumb ass chick coming in here running her damn lips. In which if she don't shut 'em, I'm gonna bust them." Skyler regained her self. "You know what? You're lucky I'm in a good mood. But in the future, you better check yourself,
girl
" she said walking towards the door.
Skyler came from the bathroom and sauntered towards their table and Joel noticed the forced smile she wore.
"I'm back" she said stating the obvious.
"So how did you do it?" he asked trying to change the mood.
"Do what?"
"Get an A-minus."
"I don't know" she shrugged. "I studied."
"And?" he asked batting his eyelashes.
"And...I got this tutor" she smiled.
"Oh? Is he cute?" he asked playfully placing his hand over his heart, still batting his eyelashes.
"Whatever" she laughed.
"Skyler?" She looked at him and noticed how suddenly seriousness showed upon his face. "All jokes aside, you're an alright girl. In this...awkward, antisocial sorta way."
"I'm not awkward" she giggled and snorted. They both laughed. She felt uneasy when he continued to stare at her. She looked away, noticing for the first time their food was there.
"Hey our food's back" she commented before diving face first into her dish. Joel took this opportunity to check her out. He noticed how beautiful she really was. She made looking good look effortless and natural. Her canary yellow dress complimented her milk chocolate skin tone. She had removed her jacket and positioned it on the back of her chair, exposing her bare shoulders. He also noticed the tattoo on her right wrist. Her coal black hair framed her oval face. Her chin was sharp and pointy, giving her a devilish look. Her elbows, so rudely, rested on the table as she devoured the baby back ribs she had ordered. She had thick, rich sauce on her black polished fingertips which he wanted to help her lick off.
"Pick up your lip perv" she said interrupting his thoughts.
"What?" he asked subconsciously licking his lips.
"You're staring. That only means one of two things. That you're either hungry or thinking dirty thoughts. Since you have there a fine dish in front of you, I'm thinking the latter one." Joel laughed to mask the shock he felt from her boldness. This was an entirely different Skyler than the one he was used to.
"Actually, I was noting on how good you look. I mean, this is different than your routine t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers."
"Thanks, I guess." At that moment, Joel noticed Brittani and her friend come from the bathroom. She stopped and stared at him. Skyler wondered what had caught his attention and she turned to see Brittani standing there. Brittani gave her a once over and stormed away. Skyler turned back around and rolled her eyes at Joel. The whole mood changed. They finished their meals in silence. Skyler knew she had no right to be mad. She wasn't his girlfriend. Hell, she wouldn't consider him a friend. But they were out on a date, damnit! Joel was pissed too. Why was Brittani following him. He looked over at Skyler and wondered why she was so mad. She didn't even like him. He was just about to comment on the matter when Skyler spoke.
"This was nice. Thanks. For everything. I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with sometimes--"
"Excuse me?" Joel interrupted.
"Shut up" she said laughing and throwing a piece of her bread at him. She remembered the long lecture she received from Lacey about being nice. "
Just be you, Doodle. Everyone likes it better that way. Don't try so hard not to like him. I know you guys. If you're you, you two will get along superbly
" she said dramatically exaggerating 'superbly'.
"What? I'm just saying..." he said innocently.
"You aren't the most friendly either, but to show my appreciation to you, I decided I would treat you as well.
"What? You're kidding, right?" he asked suddenly interested.
"I said it didn't I?" she said mocking him.
"Yea, I guess you did." He leaned back in his seat. "Do I decide this time?"
"Nope" she said getting up and leaving a tip on the table. Joel got up, paid the bill, and followed her out.
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"This is me and Lacey's getaway place" she told him once they were settled inside the club. She was holding onto his left sleeve so they could maneuver throughout the crowd without getting lost.
"What? You come here?" he asked disbelieving.
"Yeppers."
"I do too sometimes. I've never seen you in here."
"Oh? You been looking for me?" she asked playfully.
"No" he laughed. "I'm just saying that if I had seen you...nevermind."
"Yea" she said still smiling. "Let's go get some drinks."
"Hey Gaelan" Skyler said to the bartender. "I didn't know you'd be working tonight."
"Yea. I gotta get this moolah. I got bills to pay."
"I thought you had roommates to help you fight your bills?"
"I do. Three of 'em. Things are...tough though."
"Yea, I feel ya." Skyler turned to Joel. "I'm sorry. Where are my manners? Joel this is Gaelan, Gaelan this is Joel."
"'Sup bro. I've seen you around" Gaelan said giving Joel a brief nod. Gaelen Wolff was six foot four inches of beautiful man. He was a pure bred Hawaiian from his long brown hair to his sneaker-clad feet. He had fallen victim to Lacey a few years back. Though he was a really nice guy, he didn't take shit from anyone. Skyler had witnessed that, too. They grow fond of each other and she considered him a true friend.
" Yea. I come here sometimes."
"Yea" Gaelan said still staring. "I know."
The tension was so thick, Skyler could slice it and serve it around. "So, can I get a Sneaky Sucker?"
"Of course, Princess" Gaelan smiled.
"How about you, Joel?" she asked.
"I can't get too shit faced, I'm driving. So, just get me a beer."
"Smart man" Galen stated sternly.
A few drinks later, Skyler was becoming more and more...happy?
