Chapter 43

Celeste

“A date?” Fiona’s eyes widened as I dropped the bombshell on her in the library the next day. “With Matt?”

“Shh,” I said, pressing my finger to my lips as I noticed the glares from nearby students who were trying to study.

Fiona’s face turned a little red. “Sorry,” she murmured. “Really, though, Celeste? A date?”

“Yes, Fi,” I whispered, feeling my cheeks get warm. “A date.”

She stared at me, her mouth slightly agape, and then shook her head. “Celeste, this can’t end well. You know how these things go.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. “I know, but it’s just one date. Besides, I… I don’t know. Maybe something more will come out of it, if you know what I mean. I’m nineteen, almost twenty. It’s about time.”

Fiona’s face flashed with obvious anger. “So you’re going to use him to lose your virginity.”

“No!” I hissed, my face getting even more red.

“Hey! Shut up!” a nearby student snarled. “This is the library!”

“Sorry,” Fiona and I murmured at the same time.

I turned back to Fiona, my face even more red now as I lowered my voice. “No,” I said. “I’m not… using him to lose my virginity. Would I like to use my virginity? Yes, of course. But that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?” she whispered.

I let out a soft sigh as I tried to collect my thoughts. “It’s just that… I want to feel wanted. Even if for just one night. After that, no matter what happens, I swear I’ll never talk to him again.”

“Never talk to him again?” Fiona crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “You can’t be serious. He's friends with Jack, Celeste. You’ll see each other anyway.”

I sighed, twirling a strand of hair around my finger. “I know, but...”

“But what?” Fiona pressed, her eyes narrowed. “You’re not the type to just use a guy to lose your virginity, Celeste. You clearly really like him.”

I blushed deeply at her words, looking down at my notebook. “I don’t know, Fi. I just... I really want this. Just one date. That's it.”

Fiona watched me for a moment, her expression softening. “You really like him, don't you?”

I swallowed hard, meeting her eyes. “Maybe. But it’s not about that. It’s about feeling normal for once. Feeling wanted.”

Fiona reached over and squeezed my hand. “And what if he wants more? What if he falls for you, Celeste? What then?”

I pulled my hand away, looking out the window. “It won’t come to that. I’ll make sure of it.”

Fiona was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Just be careful, okay? You know how these things can turn out.”

“I will,” I promised, although a part of me was already wondering if I was making a huge mistake.

“Tell me everything, okay?” Fiona said, her voice soft. “And call me if you need anything.”

I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude for my best friend. “I will. Thanks, Fi.”

…

That night, I found myself in the locker rooms at school, prepping for my date with Matt. I carefully applied my makeup and my colored contacts, making sure everything was perfect. I straightened my dress, my heart pounding in my chest. Finally, I slipped my mask over my face and peered into the mirror.

Fiona’s words echoed in my mind, and I shook my head, pushing them away. This was just one date. One night to feel wanted.

However, my eyes were wide as they stared back at me. Was I really doing this? Was I really going on a date with Matt, a guy who had no idea who I really was?

“Yes,” I whispered to myself. “You are.”

With a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, the excitement growing within me.

I walked to the spot where Matt and I had agreed to meet up, my nerves tingling with anticipation. Right on time, I spotted a nice car pulling up. Matt got out, his smile broad and inviting as he opened the door for me.

“You look amazing, Mystery Girl,” he said, his voice warm.

“Thank you, Matt,” I said, blushing and sliding into the car.

His eyes lingered on me for a moment, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. “I mean it,” he said, his voice low. “You look incredible.”

I smiled, feeling a flutter in my stomach. “Thank you. You don’t look half bad, yourself.”

Matt smirked. He really did look handsome; his dark hair was tousled and a little messy, just as it always was, but he wore a tight-fitting shirt with a leather jacket and tailored pants. Even though his jacket, I could see how his muscles, bound tightly from years of playing hockey, strained to get out.

He closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side, his movements confident and graceful. I watched him, my heart pounding in my chest.

Was this really happening? Was I really going on a date with Matt, after everything I had done to cut myself off from this double life I was leading?

As he started the car and looked over at me, his eyes twinkling with genuine interest, I couldn't help but feel a connection. Something more than just a fleeting attraction. And for the first time, I allowed myself to wonder if maybe, just maybe, there could be something real between us.

But I pushed that thought away, reminding myself that it was just one date. Just one night to feel wanted. Nothing more. He pulled away from the curb and I looked out the window, my mind whirling. What had I gotten myself into? Was I making a huge mistake?

I glanced over at Matt as he drove, taking in his strong profile, his eyes focused on the road. He looked so sure, so certain.

“You like music?” he asked, leaning forward to turn on the radio.

“Um… I do,” I replied.

With a grin, Matt gestured to the console, allowing me to choose a station. As my fingers turned the knob and the staticky music stations flickered to life, I felt myself beginning to swell with a little more confidence. Celeste, the timid and quiet girl, was fading away. The Mystery Girl was taking over now.

And for a moment, just a moment, I allowed myself to believe that everything would be okay. But then I remembered Fiona's words, and I felt a pang of doubt.

What if she was right? What if this couldn’t end well? What if it ended in disaster?

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. It was just one date. One night to feel wanted.

That's all it was.

Right?

As the car pulled onto the main road, I settled back in my seat, my mind a whirl of conflicting emotions.

One date. One night. Nothing more.

I repeated the words to myself, like a mantra, trying to convince myself that it was true.

But deep down, I knew that it was more than that.

Much more.

And as the car sped down the road, taking me further and further away from everything I knew, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was heading into the unknown.

And there was no turning back.