Looks Can Be Deceiving

“Oh yeah, before I forget,” Austin turned around and reached to the backseat, pulling out a bouquet of flowers. He handed them to me. “These are for you.” He got me flowers? No guy had ever done that for me. “I would’ve gotten roses but they were all out,” he frowned.
“Thank you, Austin. It was really sweet of you to get these for me.”
“No problem. You look really beautiful tonight by the way,” he smiled as he started up the car and backed out of Hannah and Oliver’s driveway. I closed my eyes and reminded myself to not get too caught up in this man. Tonight was it. I couldn’t talk to him or see him after this.
“Are you alright?” His tone of voice was much more sincere than it was last night. He seemed legitimately concerned. I nodded and opened my eyes; keeping them focused on the night sky outside. “So what do you all like to eat?”
“Eh, anything really… I’m not too picky.”
“McDonalds?” he smiled over at me, laying his wrist over the top of the steering wheel. I glared. I had come out and dressed up for some cheap fast food? “Relax,” he laughed. “I was just kidding. I’m taking you out for lobster.”
“Must be nice to have money,” I rolled my eyes.
“You know, you’re a hard person to please, Pandora. McDonalds makes me a cheapskate, and lobster makes me a rich self-centered Rockstar. Am I right?”
“I never said you were a rich self-centered rock star.”
“You didn’t have to think it,” he chuckled. “You’re tone of voice reveals more than your words you know.” I sighed.
“I’m sorry I’m being a bit… harsh. You’re taking me out to dinner. I should at least have the decency to be kind,” I muttered.
“See? It’s not so hard to be nice to me.” I tugged at the bottom of my dress, trying to cover my leg although Austin’s car was quite dark inside. We sat in silence for a few minutes until he spoke up. “Why didn’t you like me last night?” I shrugged. “There must be some reason. People don’t just hate someone or no reason.”
“Those people on social media hate you for no reason.”
“No, they hate me because I am a tattoo covered front man for a metal band. All of that means I worship the devil.”
“If they weren’t so ignorant and closed minded about your looks and lifestyle, they’d see the cross you wear on your neck,” I said softly. He smiled and gently touched the cross that hung around his neck. It was almost like he was surprised that I had noticed it. “What?” He shook his head and turned his attention back to the road.
“You judged me last night…” I sighed.
“You had a drink in your hand.”
“And that makes me a bad person?” All of them were and they knew it. Every time they came near me I could smell the alcohol on their breath. It made me sick. “Pandora?” Austin’s soft voice pulled me back to reality. He sighed when I didn’t answer.
“It’s not you Austin, really. I just… I don’t like men in general.” I closed my eyes, feeling as if all the blood in my body was trying to escape my veins.
“So… you like women?”
“No,” I ran my hand through my hair. “That’s not what I meant.” He pulled into a parking lot and shut off the car.
“Then what did you mean? You seem to like Oliver and he’s a guy.” I looked over to him, nervously biting at my lip.
“Can we go inside now,” I whispered. He nodded after realizing that I didn’t want to discuss the topic any further. As soon as he left the car, I let out a big breath and reminded myself to breathe. He opened my door and held out his hand to help me down. I hesitated before grabbing onto it. He held my hand while we made our way across the parking lot and gently squeezed it as we walked into the restaurant. I stood at the hostess’ stand and scanned the restaurant to make sure that I didn’t know anyone here while the hostess walked up to us in a skin tight red dress. She obviously knew who Austin was, as she was drooling all over him. The dress she had on was quite revealing.
“Reservations for Carlile,” he smiled, oblivious to her harsh stare. She nodded and looked down to her notebook, searching for his last name. Once she found it she traced her pen along the line and saw that it was reservations for two. She looked down at me as if she didn’t notice me before, and scanned my body; acting as if it wasn’t good enough for her standards. I was nothing compared to her and her tan skin. I glanced down at my translucent wrists, taking notice of the purple and green veins that lie beneath my skin. And her chest was definitely quite the landmark. I had always been flat chested, which was another reason why I hated wearing dresses. I looked up to Austin, starting to feel uncomfortable. He smiled and an odd feeling ripped through my stomach. That long lost feeling of none other than assurance itself.

Notes

Sorry for late updates. This story will be slower on updates. Please have patience :) <3
~ Sampiternal