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A song filtered through the car radio, pushing through Frida’s clouded mind. Her eyes flitted away from the road to check the display. Turnover, it read. Her hands gripped the steering wheel as she resigned herself to the unfamiliar tune. Her hands clenched, knuckles pale and palms sweating. She had never been this nervous before.
Her eyes darted back and forth, scanning the road as if it was going to swallow her whole. A part of her wanted that. They had been on dates, but this was serious . This was their first school dance. She had to be cool, and hot, and suave, and oh, who was she kidding? She was going to trip on the way up to the door, and then her shoe would go flying and hit her date in the head, and then she would stumble back into the FIRE ALARM and the SPRINKLERS would go off and then the HOUSE would FLOOD and the PARENTS would BAN HER FROM EVER SEEING
“ Cleo RedHeart PurpleHeart PinkHeart PinkHeartWithArrow is calling .”
“OH FUCK-” Frida jolted and swerved into the next lane, earning her a chorus of beeping. In a panic, she pulled over into a dark parking lot, barely keeping her composure. She parked and let the call ring for a moment as she let out a relieved sigh. Her head hung back in her seat for a moment before she finally pressed “Accept”.
“Oh, finally, I thought you’d never pick up.” Cleo’s low voice rang through the speakers, distorted through Frida’s well-used Kia. “Sorry, Cleo, I had to pull over. No biggie.” Frida responded.
“Sorry about that. Hey, about tonight…” Frida’s breath hitched in her throat. She had been afraid of this. It was only a matter of time. Why did she think this would last? She was so stupid! “I know I said I would be wearing silver jewelry to go with the winter theme, but gold goes better with my dress. I want to hear what you think.” Oh. It was just about jewelry. Thank god.
“You look stunning in gold,” was all she could say. Smooth, honest Frida had slipped out. A pleased giggle echoed through the car, making Frida smile as well. She could almost hear Cleo grin as she replied. “Gold it is.”
Frida let out a soft laugh of her own as she started the car again. “I’m glad you called, even though I almost crashed the car from shock when you did.” Cleo chuckled again. “Gave you a heart attack, did I?” she mused, the clinking of jewelery barely being picked up by the speakers. “Can’t attack something you already own, love.” Frida shot back. She turned back onto the road, trying to ignore her own attempts at flirting. “Love”? What was she, british?
Cleo took a moment to get the joke, but a bright laugh rang out when she did. “You’re quite the romantic, aren’t you Kahlo?” Frida blushed but, by some miracle, didn’t falter. “What can I say, I’m an artist.” Cleo replied after a moment, water rushing in the background. “So am I your muse, then?” Frida turned onto Cleo’s street, heartbeat quickening. “You are so much more than that.”
Cleo turned the water off. Frida pulled into Cleo’s driveway.
The pause that followed made Frida antsy. “Was that weird? That was weird. I’m sorry.” Cleo cut in almost immediately. “No, no, it wasn’t.” Another silence followed that.
“I can see your car from my window.”
“You can?”
“Yes.”
“...”
“So are you going to come to the door…?”
“OH yeah- um- give me a second.”
Frida nervously fumbled with the keys, putting her car into park and stepping out onto the smooth pavement. She walked up to the house’s grand entrance, taking careful steps. She didn’t trip. Her fear began to melt away. Cautiously, she knocked. The door opened.
“...”
“...”
Oh my god.
Standing in front of her was Cleo in a glittering champagne floor-length dress, with two thigh slits that revealed gazelle legs and beautiful hips. She was even taller than usual with gold heels, an Amazon sent from heaven. Her top revealed her chest, making her palms sweat even more than they already were, and her hair was deliberately curled, framing her face. Her gorgeous, gorgeous face.
“Holy fuck. I’m going to the dance with a goddess,” was all she could say. Her mouth was dry.
“Me too. What a coincidence.” Cleo whispered, appearing transfixed by the sight in front of her.
Frida looked down bashfully, feeling stupid in her floral-patterned tuxedo. She realized too late that it was tacky.
“I love your suit.” Cleo smiled and bent down, meeting her gaze with warmth in her eyes.
“I love you .” Frida said, staring back. They reddened in unison. Cleo looked away, fiddling with her golden earring, but grinning shyly. “I love you too.” They stood there for a moment in silence, taking each other in.
“I’ll take you to the car?”
“That would be great.”