Time flew as I sat in the make-up and hair department. Having people busying themselves with my hair always seemed to relax me and today wasn't any different. Although, it had taken me a while to trust that hairdressers knew what they were doing. But I'd finally come to a point where I found it relaxing to have someone do my hair, pamper me. This was absolute heaven. It allowed me to take my mind of the nerve-wrecking date tonight. I still had trouble believing that Leonard really wanted to date me, part of me definitely still believed he was going to turn the tables on me and mock me again. Or leave me standing there of course while he waited in some car, laughing at me from a far, probably texting his friends and all of them laughing at my expense. I was also worried I would be disappointed if he stood me up, and I was worried he would be able to break through the wall I had put up around me, to keep him and everyone else for that matter, out.

Soon, the clock arrows on my wrist watch were nearing six and people were still working on my hair and face, putting on elaborate make-up to achieve a minimal look. The purpose of that was beyond me. My hair came cascading down my back with glamorous curls and my lips were sanguine red. They had debated over the color for a good half an hour, wanting to leave me with the possibility of a good night kiss. But I wasn't going to get anywhere near kissing him, the thought alone was enough to repulse me. And frighten me. Kissing was so intimate, that I feared it would spark a whole lot of feelings I didn't want to have. So I assured them the bright red color was perfect for tonight.

Another five minutes later, they were finally ready. A frantic Sophia ran back into the room.

"Okay guys! Finish up, Amelia needs to go now, her date must nearly be here and we want to cue her entrance perfectly."

I raised an eyebrow, turning towards her. What was she on about? She looked at me, noticing I was oblivious to her plan and sighed dramatically.

"Amelia!" her voice sounded exasperated. "You need to arrive at the exact time his car pulls up, because you can't be waiting for him outside, it makes you look needy, but you can't have him waiting either, because then he wouldn't notice you approaching his car. We want him to be utterly amazed by your appearance."

I think my mouth popped open. She missed a career path in theater, with the way she conjured up this entrance. She almost made it sound as if this was a date for three people, she was as much as invested in this as I was. I nearly giggled at the thought. In reality, she was probably more invested than I was. This thought made me bite my lip, until I remembered the bright red lipstick, so I quickly checked if any residue had been left on my teeth.

What was everyone going to think about me practically catfishing Leonard? I mean, he was loved by everyone, no one knew what he had done to me. I was going to lie about who I was, fake being interested in him, all to get even with him for something that happened in high school, over seven years ago. But it wasn't just what happened in high school, was it? His actions had had such a big influence on my life later on. He had messed up relationships directly and indirectly and he had completely shattered my confidence. It was only fair he got to experience some of what I went through.

"Well, come on, what are you waiting for? We need to hurry!"

Sophia approached me and grabbed me by the arm, already carrying my bag and coat for me and dragged me out of the door.

"Thank you guys for making me look like a million!" I called quickly, looking over my shoulder as she rushed me down the halls to the elevators.

I was quiet during the ride down, my nerves getting the best of me. I was fairly sure that he wouldn't recognize me like this, if he really hadn't before, but there was still some fear that he had recognized me the minute I walked into the interview room and that he'd try to take advantage of me again.

But this time, I'd be stronger, I wouldn't fall for his charms and I'd listen to Sienna's advice if things got complicated.

I inhaled deeply, trying to get my nerves under control, trying to replace them with determination and the strong feeling of being so close to revenge. Although I was still quite fearful. On the one hand, that this need for revenge would start dictating my life, on the other, that I wouldn't be able to resist his charm. Wouldn't be the first time, after all.

Again with the self-doubt, I thought. I couldn't let this happen because then I wouldn't be able to stay focused.

When the doors of the lift opened, I had no choice but to suck it up, because I had run out of time to ponder over my decisions. I needed to stop second guessing myself. Any second now, Leonard would be arriving.

Beside me, Sophia squealed, while pointing her finger towards the windows shielding us from the outside world.

"Ooh, look! There's a private driver with your name on a sign in front of the door! Fancy!"

I was glad Sophia broke the suffocating silence, at least I could focus on her now instead of my thoughts. I followed her gaze and sure enough, a sleek black car was parked outside, with a broad man holding a sign, next to it.

"I'm really starting to wonder who your mystery man is, though."

"Thanks Sophia, I got it from here, thanks again for all the help, I owe you."

I took a few steps towards the entrance until Sophia's voice made me turn back towards her.

"As long as you tell me ALL about the date tomorrow, consider us even."

I smiled.

"Will do." I promised, unsure whether I'd be able to keep that promise.

I'd have to wait and see how the evening went before I could decide what to tell her, but that this mystery man was Leonard Cohen, certainly was not on that list.

I finally made my way outside, where I found out it was slightly drizzling, so I rushed towards the driver, who swiftly opened the car door, allowing me to slip inside, after which he closed it.

I smoothed down my hair a little and turned towards the other passenger, flashing him a wide, teeth and all, smile. There he sat in all his glory, smiling at me. He even seemed a bit relieved. Had he been afraid I'd stand him up? Oh please, like any girl would say no to going out with him, as if he ever had to fear rejection. I hated how he was so falsely modest and insecure. Not a good act, if you asked me.

I scolded myself for my thoughts, if I let my own feelings get in the way, I wouldn't be able to go through with my plan, he wouldn't fall for it then. I needed to be good, all smiley and flirty, for this to work.

So instead, I widened my smile, fluttering my eyes a little as if shy and impressed by him.

"Hey.." I made sure to sound somewhat flirtatious, but not enough to sound desperate.

"Hey." he answered, his smile widening and some of the nerves disappearing from his face.

"This was definitely unexpected." I smiled demurely.

He chuckled and raised his hand up to his hair, messing it up a little.

"I just had to see you again, I hope you don't mind, Amelia."

I shook my head, remembering to keep my act, I wondered if I could blush on cue, that would be very helpful.

"So.. Where are you taking me?"

I didn't know how else to strike up a conversation with him, it was hard, asking questions to get to know someone, when I already knew everything I needed to know about him. He was a cocky bastard, period. But this question was a safe one, I hoped he would lead tonight, so all I would have to do was follow and mind the sink holes.

"Well, the place is a bit secluded, nothing too fancy, if that's alright with you?"

"Yes of course, not sure I would have wanted an evening of caviar and foie gras and ten thousand forks cluttering the table."

Hu, good job, Amelia, no sarcasm!

He chuckled once more, and I was sure I was scoring some points here already. He scratched the slight stubble on his chin with his thumb as he thought of how to reply.

"I know what you mean, I don't care for it either. There's not much room to get to know someone when everything is so uptight."

I genuinely smiled at that, because I was so pleased. He obviously really didn't know who I was and wanted to get to know me. My plan gained more and more potential every second. He was obviously interested, the rest should be easy. All I had to do, was play my cards right.

****

I barely got any homework done last night, Lennie had been texting me non-stop after school, until well into the night, distracting me from it, so now I was unprepared, and tired.

We had literally talked about nothing and everything and all things in between. He talked about where he'd be taking me out for our first official date, how his friends wondered who the girl he was always talking to was, said he couldn't wait to take me somewhere special.

Slowly, but surely, I was falling for him, even though I had fought hard. My friend had tried to tell me he was just messing with me, that there was no possibility a guy like him, would go for a girl like me, but I no longer believed them.

I had confronted Lennie with the allegations my friends had made, looking at me like I was crazy, while gently caressing me cheek and has assured me no would ever keep something like that up for weeks, that he really liked me and that I shouldn't listen to those haters, they were only jealous of what we had.

So when the teacher waltzed into the classroom for second period, calling my name, I was so sure it was because I had forgotten to do some kind of homework, but instead she dumped several drawings on my desk.

"What's going on between you and Leonard?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

Oh no, not the teachers too, I thought.

I looked down at the drawings on my desk and what I saw brought a smile to my face. They were drawings of me and Lennie, nothing special, we were portrayed by stick figures with our names above them, and lots of hearts between us, but somehow I found it incredibly cute.

I shrugged my shoulders when I looked back at the teacher.

"He's always distracted." she complained. "Always chatting in class about you and when I tell him to stop, he draws these."

I blushed, telling her I didn't know what was going on, but my class mates were quick to interfere.

"He's totally head over heels for Amy, miss!"

I shrank back in my chair silently praying for the ground to swallow me. Why was this becoming such a public affair?