Petrify (verb)

- to benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion.

~*~

I was freaking out. My heart was beating a mile a minute and I swear I was going to fall unconscious. Sunday had finally arrived but along with it came disorder. I'd been scurrying around like a decapitated rooster since early daylight.


While I was asleep, Caleb chose to pour honey on my hair because I attached pads to his mirror. I was astonished it'd taken him so long to get his vengeance. My hair was a complete mess and I was infuriated because I had a date later in the day.


I marched downstairs, kicked Caleb in the balls before locking myself in my bathroom. The heated water from the shower slackened my body and it was an effort to get the honey from my hair. At one point, a glob of shampoo made its way into my eye and it stung like a bitch. It got so severe that I started questioning what I'd name my guide dog because surely after my shower, I'd be a blind woman.


Once I was finished and my eyes were plausibly red, I wandered into my room, water trickling from my skin. I gawked at myself in the mirror and screamed in frustration. My eyes were blood-red. Towelling myself off hastily, I put a cold cloth over my eyes and laid on the bed for a few minutes. The day already started off horribly. 


My closet was a mess and I had no idea what to wear so I threw on a hoodie and sweatpants, jostled my most pleasing clothes into a duffle bag and made Christian (because Caleb couldn't drive) drop me off at Liam and Sabrina's house.


Which was where I currently stood in front of a huge mirror, hair gracefully curled and ending at my lower back. Subtle make-up was applied to my face and I adored the little gloss shimmering on my lips. Sabrina stood next to me with an exultant grin on her face, all of this being her work. 


I was embellished in a snug long-sleeved cropped top and black tights, my feet shoved into a pair of white sneakers. Not going to lie, I looked good.


"The colour of the top really brings out the red in your eyes," Nolan piped up from his spot where he loafed on Sabrina's huge bed. 


Spinning on my heel to glower at my best friend, I grumbled, "are you more annoying than usual or am I just extra angry?"


Nolan and Sabrina were going on a date too which was why he was there. The chestnut-haired girl donned a knee-length light pink lace dress enhanced with some sandals. There was a tiny bow in her hair and I couldn't help but think how adorable she looked. She glared at the boy on the bed and he raised his hands in resignation with a grin.


"You look great, Charlie," Sabrina grinned gleefully, gripping my hands in hers and squeezing. "Your date is going to be knocked off his feet."


"Just like Charlie at the last game," Nolan stated through a rattle of laughter.


I turned back to Sabrina. "I'm so close to murdering him. But I wouldn't want to ruin your date."


Nolan chuckled again, standing up and dusting off the black jeans he wore. On his upper-half, he donned a loose-fitting t-shirt with a portrait of Mickey Mouse. "How thoughtful of you."


Sabrina stuck her tongue out at him and picked up my purse, ushering me out of the room and downstairs. In the living room, Liam was slouched across the comfy couch, his gaze levelled on the large tv where a soccer game was playing.

Upon entering the room, he sat up imperceptibly to stare at me, his gaze straying across my frame and omitting fire in its wake. He didn't say anything, his lips merely dipping insignificantly. I squirmed in my spot because I wanted him to say something. Liam hadn't uttered a word to me since I'd arrived and I queried if he was annoyed. 


Nolan ransacked his pockets for his car keys before apprehending that he left it in Sabrina's room. The girl giggled at him as he hastened upstairs in search of it. Unable to stand the silence between Liam and me any longer, I walked until I obstructed his view of the tv, twirling to show off my outfit. "How do I look?"


His coffee-stained gaze intensified, dark brows furrowing and jaw clenching. I anticipated his acknowledgement with a grin. It appeared as if his mind was running, eyes penetrating into mine until he subsequently challenged, "why don't you ask your date?"


Sabrina's jaw dropped at her brother's rejoinder but a conspiratorial smirk quickly appeared on her face. She tutted indifferently, rolling her eyes and travelled out of the front door. I watched her leave, sensing the discontent foam in my stomach due to Liam's reply. He was not going to ruin my night. 


"What is your problem?" I snapped, settling my hands on my hips and waited as he deflected his gaze, refusing to even look at me. We'd been fine all week, the flirty banter continuing. I didn't understand what provoked him to abruptly change his attitude. 


He centred on the tv remote in his hand, flipping it in his hold which heightened my annoyance. "You're my problem."


Nolan chose that moment to enter the room and he halted in his tracks, staring between the two of us. Swiftly, he began motioning wildly, the car keys rattling in his hands. It seemed like he was trying to do kung-fu.

"What are you doing?" I inquired, trying to overcome my displeasure at Liam. It'd be rude of me to take it out on my best friend.


The green-eyed boy stiffened, exchanging an exasperated expression with me. "Trying to cut the sexual tension. Duh."


"Get out," Liam grumbled, staring daggers at the other boy. Nolan shrugged indifferently, gesturing to the front door to indicate that he and Sabrina would be waiting in the car.


I didn't want to snap at Liam for his turbulent tone with Nolan because I knew it would only irritate him further. He'd never admit he was wrong anyway. Tired of the back and forth, I decided to take the civil route.


"Are you mad at me?" I urged in a tender tone, my scrutiny diverting to the ground and arms falling slack. There was no hiding the melancholy in my voice and there was no need to pretend either. 


His stare dissolved and he finally let his eyes meet mine, so many mysteries surging in the deep coffee-coloured muddle. "No."


Liam's walls were built so fucking high that I was sure I'd need an oxygen tank to climb it. I assured myself that I'd evade through the barriers and break down those walls. He was holding out on me.


"Okay." That was my only response before I left the house, slamming the door before thumping myself in the backseat of Nolan's car. I barely even paid attention to Sabrina when she gave me her house keys, convinced that I'd be back before her and Nolan. They must've had a fun night planned.


Tucking the keys into my purse, I tried my best to channel my initial excitement. I was going on a date. My first date! The thought was invigorating and in no time, the grin was back on my face. Liam was jostled to the side and I refused to think about him. 


After ten minutes of driving, Nolan parked the car outside of Shrine's Corner Cafe. Sabrina stirred slightly in the passenger seat so she could inspect me. "Good luck," she said with an encouraging simper. "I promise, he's a total sweetheart."


Nolan snorted at the image of me going on a date and I went to retaliate but he spoke before I could. "Save your breath. You'll need it to get rid of your date."


An unattractive cackle eluded me and I whacked his head with my purse as I climbed out of the car. "I love you guys." They waved at me and shouted reassuring words even after Nolan reversed out of the parking lot. I watched the car fade into the distance with a smile.


Entering the cafe, I felt my body decompress at the comfy aspect of everything. There were various tables as well as sofas and a fireplace. It felt like I was at home and I wanted to curl up with a good book. A staggered gasp left my lips as I detected the large bookshelf in the corner. My date really couldn't have picked a more satisfying place. 


A kind woman escorted me to my seat and issued me with a charming little menu and a smile. My eyes perused the laminated pamphlet in my hands as I envisioned what would be best to order. I didn't want to have anything too heavy since we were going laser tagging after eating. 


Settling the menu down after deciding to order some pancakes, I felt my nerves start swirling around inside my body. It dawned on me that I was actually on a date. The thought frightened me and excited me at the same time. What a paradox. 


Monitoring the time on my phone, I discerned that I was five minutes early and it pestered me because that meant more time to psych myself out. I wiped my forehead, feeling myself break into a sweat. 


Ten minutes later, the woman who worked there appeared with a pleasant grin. "Can I get you anything?" I didn't say anything, fearful that I'd throw up and alternatively motioned to the vacant seat across me, trusting that she'd pick up that I was waiting for someone. "Date?"


I nodded, trying to calm myself down. My skin felt on fire and I contemplated on messaging Liam for guidance but I glowered at the thought of that asshole. Instead, I returned to the woman. "I'm Charlie James."


She sent me a little wave before saying, "I'm Amarylis Adams." I shook her hand with a grin, her smile helping to calm me down. "You shouldn't be nervous. I'm sure things will go great."


"Thanks," I replied in a grateful tone, watching as she headed back behind the counter. My feet tapped on the ground as I waited and waited and waited. Each time the bell above the door tinkled, I bounced in my seat, excitement coursing its way through my body. I glimpsed at my watch, seeing that twenty whole minutes had passed since I arrived. 


Gradually, the excitement died down, being supplanted with self-doubt. What if my date had walked in, saw me waiting and decided to bolt? I wasn't that appalling, I was sure of it. Maybe, he was just late. Yeah, that was it. He was late.


Being the pathetic and despondent bitch that I was, I waited for another hour. My eyes we red and burning but no longer due to the shampoo incident - but because I was stifling fat tears. From the corner of my eye, I could see the blurry outline of Amarylis sending me commiserating glances.


I blinked, and the first tear made it's way down my cheeks, descending onto the white tablecloth and omitting a black stain. Great, now my mascara was running. Unable to wait any longer, I stood up, leaving twenty dollars on the table for some reason, before I made my way outside, covering my teary face. 


It took me five minutes to call an uber and wait for it to appear. Barely even properly buckled in the backseat, I began ugly sobbing, disappointment weighing down on my heart. My reflection made me weep more tumultuously because my eyes were soiled with black and so were my cheeks.


The driver sent me an anxious glimpse but I disregarded him, too busy asphyxiating in self-pity. He was scarcely able to understand the address through my bewailings and chokes but he managed to get me there fast.


Flinging him some money, I teetered out of the car and onto the lawn, nearly stumbling into the front door. The keys were trembling in my unsteady hands as I unlocked the door and slammed it shut upon entering.


I dropped my purse and keys onto the ground before making my way into the living room. Sitting upright on the couch was Liam Finnegan as he glowered at the tv, definitely not enjoying what he was witnessing. 


Another sob wracked my body and it snagged his attention. His eyes swelled in concern before thickening in rage. "Who hurt you?"


Neglecting his inquiry, I floundered forward, rubbing my face with my sleeve. His body tensed as he took in my state but before he could stand up, I thudded into his lap, arms coiling around his neck as I wept into his chest. "I got stood up."


Now that I said it out loud, it sounded pathetic. Liam encircled his arms around me and hugged me close but I could tell he was seething in rage. "I'm going to murder him."


I gagged on my words, clutching his t-shirt in my shaking hands. He rubbed my back soothingly and I just wanted to cry harder. How pitiful was I? I didn't blame my anonymous date for forsaking me. Who would want to date me anyway? "I really wanted to go laser tagging." 


I felt a kiss being planted on my head and I calmed down slightly. For the past week I'd been so excited for this date and now look what happened. "Fuck him," he growled, stroking my long hair. I could tell by the rigid grip his other hand had on my hip, he was fuming. 


"I really wanted to go laser tagging. I'm so pathetic," I mumbled in a vulnerable tone, keeping my temples pressed against his chest. My tears were leaving dark stains on his clothing but neither of us cared. "I'm trash."


Liam used the hand that was stroking my hair to grip my chin and tilt my head up so he could gaze into my eyes. Feeling insecure about how I looked at that moment, I tried to duck my head but he refused to let me turn away. 


There was an affectionate look in his eyes as he spoke. "You're not trash." I scoffed. "Okay then. As an avid enthusiast of the environment, I'm obliged to pick up trash." He brushed a hand under my eyes, wiping my tears away. "How does next week Saturday sound? Pick you up at seven and I'll take you laser tagging."


My lips quivered at his words, unable to believe what he was saying. Unable to even form any words, I nodded in gratitude. How could I have ever assumed Liam was an asshole? Okay, maybe at times he was. But right now, he wasn't. 


"Good," he grinned, dropping a kiss to my red nose. Reaching over, he dragged a fleecy blanket over the two of us and picked up the abandoned remote. "Drake and Josh is on Disney Plus. How does that sound?"


Nestling closer to him, I felt my heartbeat slow down. I'd never understand how he was able to calm me down so easily. "Great," I murmured, eyes drifting the tv. As the night went on, my hiccups faded to sniffles until eventually soft snores.