CHAPTER 37: PLAYING WITH FIRE

"Allen! No! I am not going out in these!" I yell at Allen who has on this smug face I have never seen before.

"Aww... C'mon. Why not? You look stunning and no one will know it's you," He states.

I sigh. We are currently arguing about lunch. It's not like I can't really get out of my attire but because it takes quite some time to put them on and I have another show to be on right before dinner, it'll be best to just wear them and just hang around the dressing room for lunch and whatnot. Just like you can already tell, Allen suggests that we go out to the stands for lunch and maybe spend some time enjoying the festival. Which means I have to go out looking like this. Hell naw.

"Why don't we just call Robi and save us, well, me, from all the embarrassment?" I groan, pleading.

"It won't be fun," Allen argues. "Besides, you haven't got the time to enjoy the festival since you have so many jobs and now's your chance. You have plenty of time before the next show," Allen says.

It's tempting and very much true I have to admit.

"Umh... Lee..." Jessica, the head stylist and costume committee member interrupt. "You can change your outfit since it's actually not that hard to put back on, but you have to keep on the wig because redoing them will take up too much time. You can just tie it or wear a hat or something," She shrugs. "The makeup stays too." She adds softly.

"In case you forgot, I came here with my shorts, my t-shirt and a pair of flip flops! What will I look like to people if I wear them with this hair and makeup?" I glare at her whom in turn sighs exasperatedly.

"Then just get a normal looking dress or something from the wardrobe then," She says again.

"Gee, Jess. Thanks for the help," I glare at her who just shrugs again.

"C'mon Levi," Allen tugs my arm. "Just pick a casual dress that is not too flashy and go get change. We're wasting time here. And, if people do recognize you, you can make them pay for your picture," Allen grins.

At that, I am silenced. I was going to change to my original clothes and to hell with being weird and whatnot. But then Allen said that and, well, I like money. Heheheheh.

"Fine," I finally scoff and let Jessica lead me to the wardrobe section and she helps me pick up the most normal and comfortable dress for me to wear.

The dress she gets me is a white dress that drops all the way down to my ankle. It has this puffy arm thingy going on and a lavender colored ribbon circling just below my chest. The material is soft and not stuffy. I put on a pair of creamy colored flat shoes and go out nervously.

"Do I look weird?" I whisper to Allen as I notice eyes are staring and heads are turning to us.

"Like I said, you're beautiful," Allen smiles and takes my hand in his as we step out of the building and walk towards the soccer field to buy some food.

I feel awkward walking hand in hand with Allen like this. Shy and nervous. I don't think I look hideous or anything... but still...

"Lee? Is that you?" Kenneth. Crap. I spin so fast on my heels and I can see his smirking face and Marsha's grinning face.

"Not. A. Damn. Word," I hiss and point my fingers at them, warning. His tongue can really be so vicious and Goddamn if I'm going to allow him say anything right now.

"Awwee! You look pretty!" Kenneth is basically screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Marsha!" I turn to my other, more mentally stable and less of a jerk, best friend, "shut him up!" I demand her.

"Let's get some snacks," Is Marsha's answer as she grabs my hand and drags me inside the soccer field. "But he's right. You do look pretty," She adds.

"Prettier than you?" I smile sheepishly and she rolls her eyes.

"Only when you're not being obnoxious," She says.

"When have I ever?" I clutch my chest in mock surprise and pretend to be hurt as Marsha rolls her eyes for some more.

"Hi babe," Arms suddenly snuck around my waist and I turn around to smack the head of the owner after, of course, yelping in surprise.

"That scares me you ass," I scold Chuck. "How do you know it was me anyway?" I ask.

"I'm Chuck," He says smugly, letting me out of his embrace but keeping one arm circling my waist as I turn around to check out the food and beverage stalls that spread across the soccer field neatly. We ended up going a full circle around the food stalls before settling down at the outdoor eating area that has been set up not far from the stalls. There are a lot of long wooden tables spread across the area and long wooden benches. We chose a table and were soon joined by many more people, our friends, and we started chatting.

Allen has gone to get Joy so she can hang with us too. I am not even feeling guilty or jealous since I am having so much fun right now hanging out and chatting with my friends. I haven't felt this light and cheerful in a while and I won't let my stupid feelings for Allen ruin my day.

"It's creepy, how pretty you actually look," Dian, one of our friends frowns as she studies me as well as many other eyes that have been on me.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer," I roll my eyes. I have decided that I no longer care. "Just don't forget to pay," I add with a grin.

"If only you're a real girl..." Jimmy sighs overdramatically and I reach out my hand to smack his empty head.

"I love him nonetheless," Chuck chirps, grinning as he pulls me closer so I'm practically sitting on his lap. Wanting to play along (and because I'm just in a really good mood and well, kinda like the attention), I circle my arms around Chuck's neck.

"Say that again," I demand. My tone is cheerful and well, flirty. From the corner of my eyes I can see Allen and Joy finally join us sitting at the table and I wave to them before raising my eyebrows to Chuck, waiting.

"I love you nonetheless," Chuck grins before nuzzling my neck, making me giggle.

"You love me? You really really really really love me?" I ask again, making him roll his eyes.

"Uh huh," He says as he goes back to my neck. I pout at his response though.

"Say it!" I whine.

"What are you? Five?" Chuck smacks my butt but I still pout and whine. "I love you. I really really really really love you," He says, smiling at me. His eyes gentle. My Chuck. He's a dumbass but he's the greatest. I chuckle at that and well, wanting to get more out of this. I know, I am shameless.

"Then, if you really really really really love me..." I trail off and Chuck squints his eyes. "Get me another serving of sweet and sour pork, candied apple, cider and some popcorn," I demand.

"What am I? Your wallet?" Chuck rolls his eyes, pinching my cheeks. Damn, that hurts. But I'm not giving up.

"See! You don't really really really really love me!" I exclaim overdramatically, flipping my long hair (which is actually a wig which I'm starting to get attached to). Chuck groans before letting me down to the bench.

"Fine," He says, rolling his eyes again, "anything for you, my love," He grins and kisses my cheek dangerously close to my lips, making a hot sensation creep into me. Chuck grins as I roll my eyes at him before he grabs Tyler's collar and disappears together with him into the crowd.

"Your shamelessness never ceases to amaze me," Kenneth shakes his head while I stick my tongue out at him.

As long as I get lotsa free food I don't care. I am shameless Heh heh heh.

"You two are really adorable," Joy giggles at me. Jimmy, on the other hand, pretends to be gagging.

"They're worse than a real couple!" he says. "And thank God they are not! All the sweets..." and he actually shivers thinking about it, earning a smack from me.

"What is wrong with me and Chuck?" I ask, pouting.

"Dude, if you two are really dating, the amount of cringe worthy sweetness, all the flirting, not to mention all the arguments that will soon follow and then the make-up flirting and God knows what else... that'll be the death of society... I can't even..." Jimmy shakes his head, shivering.

Well, he's not actually wrong, just overdramatic. Chuck and I can be really sweet one moment but the next moment we can spit in each other's face just because. It'll surely be a pain to our surroundings.

But still, I giggle thinking about the 'what if'.