Chapter 18 - I could totally put every Disney princess to shame +8 Points > " You're seriously going to wear that ? " Alex commented as he eyed my outfit with a disapproving eye . " Yeah , why what's wrong ? " I chewed my lower lip eyeing my full sleeved blue dress which had a conservative full neck collar which I had paired with a long trench coat , stockings and white kitten heels . " No nothing's wrong with it unless you're planning to go a nunnery . " My mouth opened . " What ? This dress is perfect , it's decent . " Alex rolled his eyes at me as he bit into his apple like I was a dodo . " The dress is perfect for an abbess , not a twenty three year old woman who's going out to fancy restaurant to have dinner with the owner of the fancy restaurant who also happens to be Austin Hamilton . " My cheeks colored as I narrowed my eyes at Alex . " I don't want to give a wrong impression . It's not supposed to be a date , you know . Just a dinner , that's how I'm dressed . " " No you're not . " " Yes , I am . " " You're arguing with a fashion designer about fashion . " " I'm arguing about morals with my thick skulled best friend . " " You're not wearing that ." " Yes , I am . " " People will think you escaped from a nun camp . " I rolled my eyes . " There's nothing called a nun camp and people will not think anything . Stop being so pushy . " " Stop being a prude . " " I'm not a prude . " " Says the woman in the nun - dress . " " It's not- " I stopped as the click- click of Trish's heels came towards my room . We both turned our heads as Trish entered my bedroom . " Soph , why are you dressed like a nun ? " Trish commented , confused as she eyed me up and down , a puzzled expression decorating her features as she stood in my doorway . Alex started chuckling as my face grew red . Oblivious Traitor . I turned on my heels and grabbed the sophisticated yet flirty lacy dark red dress Alex had laid out for me as I headed back to the bathroom , fuming . I flashed the stink eye to Alex who was smirking at me clearly triumphant . 1/4 < Chapter 18-1 could totally put every Disney princess to shame " You don't have to be so smug about it . " " Oh but I want to . " He started laughing at my scowl . I glared at him and shut the bathroom door on his face . Smug bastard . " You're a sore loser Soph . " Gee , thanks 000 +0 Points > You can do it . You can do it . No , I cant . Maybe I should turn my car and flee . No , you can do it . I sighed as I looked out of my window at the grand restaurant that was just another symbol of Austin's success . I rubbed my eyes absentmindedly as I thought about what I was about to do , whether I was going to make the right choice by completely accepting Austin's friendship . I looked down at my fingers and winced at the smudged black streaks and eyeshadow in my fingers . Of course , I'd be the only fool who'd ruin her eye make - up by rubbing her eyes right before she's about to have dinner with one of the hottest and powerful man in the country . Of freaking course . I looked at my reflection and shook my head at myself . " I look like a raccoon , god . " After correcting my make up , I glanced at my watch and realized I was already late , even though I had arrived on time . It was ridiculous but that was just how I rolled . I dash out of my car , grabbing my purse with me as I speed walked inside the restaurant , my heart thrumming like a beating drum . I was guided to the table where Austin was already seated in , patiently waiting for me . It was one of those highly secluded VIP tables with the private area with plush couch like seats and a round table . It was cozy and intimate . Two things that I had to distance from . But for some reason the minute I saw his face , I was done for , all my defenses melted . My brain stopped functioning and my heart sank to my feet . How could I not feel that way ? He looked like every girl's dream with his chiseled face lit in the most attractive way in the dim light of the candle light , his eyes sparkling with humor and his perfect mouth turned into the most heart stopping smile I'd seen . Butterflies erupted in my belly as I made my way to him , trying to smile as confidently as I could but I was freaking out like a schoolgirl inside . Just as I reached our table , my flawless luck and body balance caught up with me as the heel of my shoe slid on the slippery surface of the marble floor and I skidded across the floor and lost my balance right in front of our table . Right in front of Austin . 14 OOOONN Me DOM DT O 2/4 N < Chapter 18- I could totally put every Disney princess to shame Way to make a grand entrance , Sophia . I could totally put every Disney princess to shame . " Christ , Sophia are you okay ? " Austin got up and rushed to my side to help me up . +8 Points > I helped myself up and gave him a bright smile trying to ignore my flaming cheeks . " I'm just peachy . Don't worry you know me , it's part and parcel of my fabulous self - non existent center of gravity..haha … em ..by the way you look great . Not like you don't look great otherwise which you do but you look exceptionally great tonight , seriously sometimes it astonishes me how- " I swallowed my ramble and shut my mouth as I took in the knowing look that Austin gave me . That look which made his features lighten with humor because he knew I was nervous and that I pulling in my embarrassing mean of defense . Neurotic rambling . Austin chuckled and shook his head and took my hand and helped my sit , still smiling with amusement . " I'm glad you could join me . " I nodded in silent agreement , silently praying for my cheeks to cool down , so that I could look more human and less like a tomato . I looked up at his face and felt my heart flutter . " I missed you ." I blurted out before I could stop myself and I mentally smacked myself with a hardcover book . Why couldn't I have a filter ? Austin's face alternated from sadness , relief and happiness . " I did too . " Immediately all the alarms inside me went off , knowing I was falling for him and I needed to get a grip . " But- " Austin placed a gentle finger on my lips , shutting me up successfully as tingles ran through my skin at his touch . The things this man does to my heart . " Stay in the moment cupcake , just for once , stop overthinking . Kick everything else out . " Austin pleaded and I felt myself melt . I was putty in his hands . I nodded and we fell into a comfortable light talk that I had missed so dearly . We ordered our food which was chef's special , of course and undeniably delicious . I forgot about everything when I was with him . Time , Esmeralda , Ryan , my problems , morals , defenses everything . It was us and us for the night . After we were done , Austin offered to get out and just roam . We paid the bill and escaped from the fancy setting and made our way to the local park . The moon was shining against the dark sky as we walked side by side , my hand hooked through his arm , laughing at his jokes . We brought some good old ice cream and talked over pointless things . I wanted to savor and hold on to every single moment so that I could etch them to my mind forever . I checked my watch . It was eleven . All the shops and café's had closed , only a lone bar stayed open . It 3/4 2 111 O < < Chapter 18-1 could totally put every Disney princess to shame seemed as if it was only the two of us in the lane , like the world had allowed us to be alone . " It's getting late . Let me drop you . " " No it's okay , I have my car ." " Are you sure ? I could drop you ." +8 Points " No , I'm sure . " I smiled , feeling the familiar bittersweet feeling swirl inside me as the night finally started to come to an end . Austin stepped closer to my figure and held my hand , interlocking our fingers together . " I had a great time tonight . " " I did too . " I looked up at him and felt a blush color my cheeks as I bit my lip . Austin's eyes darkened and I could see the change of emotion in them even in dim light of the street light . " You're driving me crazy , do you know that ? " He whispered as he leaned his face closer to mine . My breath hitched as my heart thundered against my chest . I knew that this was wrong , but nothing ever felt more right than this . Us . I felt my arms go around him , my fingers running through his hair as he pulled me into his arms . I felt conscience snap inside me . " What are you doing ? " I whispered as a thousand feelings pulsed through me . " I'm coming home , cupcake . " That did it . I stepped on my toes and pressed my lips to his , feeling sparks fly inside me at the feeling . I'm home .