Even staring at the garment offered no obvious answer.

The butterflies that had taken up residence in her belly since lunchtime were waking up again, flapping furiously as if caught in a wind-tunnel. Her mind was not on what to wear.

How do I act around him?

What do we talk about? What will I say?

Oh my God! What if he wants to kiss me?

Tegwen put a hand to her tightening chest, sitting on the mattress quickly. "I'll be fine." Deep inhalation. "There's nothing to worry about." Lengthy exhalation through burning nostrils. "Everything will work out. I'll have a good time!"

She forced the uncertainties to the recesses of her brain to deal with later. Or, if she was lucky, to forget about and never have to address again. That was the most pleasant scenario.

With the frightening and unfamiliar pre-date jitters weighing heavily on her shoulders, Tegwen got back to her feet slowly. Should a simple date have caused so much anxiety? No, she thought. Except he's so incredibly hot! Her face got warm just thinking about him. It was his sex appeal that bred the butterflies in her stomach, and the enigmatical factor of dating that caused them all to behave like crazed thoroughbreds on a racetrack.

She took another deep breath before sorting through her wardrobe. She had no clue where Steelbeak was taking her, of course, and had no idea what clothing would be appropriate. So she planned to layer, picking the most feminine ensemble she could create with what she had.

Tegwen showered quickly and fretted with her hair. For the first time in a very long time, she didn't straighten her bangs, allowing them to remain springy, barely grazing the upper arches of her eyebrows. Moderately pleased with her appearance, she dressed and then went to wait for Steelbeak.

A lot of cross-armed pacing would ensue. Steelbeak wasn't due by for another hour yet, and there was little to occupy Tegwen while her roommate was M.I.A.

go back | return to table of contents | continue