Dandelion Lover

I was stunned, to say the least, as I looked at who I only knew as the shy newcomer in the company, making faces at the mirror in front of me, giggling and dancing without a care in the world. The same person who could barely keep eye contact with others and was always on edge when surrounded by people was now acting like a kid at an amus.e.m.e.nt park, starring with amus.e.m.e.nt at her own reflection.

It took all my self-control not to laugh out loud when she finally noticed me and I saw her mortified expression. She almost threw herself in the changing booth which only made her behavior seem even more contradictory to the way she had been acting just a couple of seconds ago.

"Are you going to stay there until they close?" I jokingly asked while approaching the room she was in. I found myself wanting to taunt her as the high school bad boy inside me reared its ugly head.

"Don't worry, I didn't see anything I shouldn't have," I said while barely containing my laugh. "I'm going to go now, I only came to buy an umbrella since it started raining outside. See you tomorrow at work." I announced loudly enough so she could hear me and made my way to the door, opening and closing it so she could hear the chime ring, then moved away and leaned on a wall outside the changing booths.

The shop assistant was already looking at me weirdly but didn't say anything and soon I heard a rustle as Katelyn rushed towards the counter with the new dress in her hands. I noticed she seemed flushed and in a hurry which only made me chuckle trying to imagine what went on in her head. She had probably wanted to disappear in a wisp of smoke when she had realized I was looking at her.

"The dress looks good on you, is it for the party this Saturday?" I asked and she almost jumped out of her skin while turning her head towards me.

Her eyes were big with surprise, cheeks flushed a pale pink and looked like she was about to start crying. Even with my love for mischief, I started to feel bad for her. She obviously was uncomfortable around me and seeing me must have shocked her.

"It looks good on you." I tried to snap her out of her trance but it only made her blush even more. It was an interesting reaction and I wanted to see just how red she could get, but the chime at the door rang again and a group of young girls entered breaking the tense atmosphere with their overly loud screeching.

"Yes." I heard her say in a hushed whisper as she fiddled with her wallet.

"Want a ride home since it's raining?" I tried to pacify the young girl who was still looking at the floor. "My friend will be here to pick me up in a couple of minutes since we're going drinking."

"I ... have a meeting, I'm sorry," she replied almost stuttering.

"Oh, a date?" the mean streak I tried so hard to curve had once again emerged; I knew she would get fl.u.s.tered and it was hard to keep my face straight, but I couldn't resist teasing her.

"Ummm... yes," she mumbled as my eyes probably doubled in surprise. I had asked her that but had done so thinking that surely she was meeting someone from her family or close friends since she didn't seem to be able to flirt to save her life.

"I see, well, have fun then, and see you tomorrow evening at the bar. You can bring your boyfriend if you want." I answered and as soon as I did, I wanted to slap my own mouth. Why would I even say that? It was obviously an office outing not really fit for boyfriends.

"If he has time that is." I quickly added, hoping for the best.

"I'll ask," she replied while placing her wallet back in her purse and heading towards the door. "Have a nice evening!" she added with half a mouth.

"Same," I return as I watched her rush out the door. Soon after, Mike who had been my best friend since forever pulled his car near the shop and I jumped in the passenger seat.

"Ready to drink till we drop?" he asked while starting the car.

"With p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e!" I laughed as the car continued its way towards our usual lounge.

***

The room was spinning and my stomach was protesting but I didn't feel like doing anything as I laid down on my double bed. The house was empty and sometimes I felt that this might be better. I really had no patience to deal with Mell today as she had been quite moody these last few weeks.

As I tried to pull myself together so I could get under the covers without moving too much, I suddenly remembered the incident from the store and a small smile made its way on my tense expression and quickly evolved into a chuckle.

The image of the young girl dancing in front of the mirror was making me shake violently with laughter and I could feel the room spinning out of control. She really looked good in that dress. Although she was quite short, the dress made her look like a young woman instead of a child, tightly hugging all the right parts, and it gave an air of feminine grace when she moved around in it.

"She found the perfect dress..." I mumbled as my laughter subsided and a wave of relaxation washed over me, allowing me to drift into deep sleep.