CHAPTER 36: PLAYING DRESS UP

It's the fourth day of the summer festival and I'm hella busy. But so does everybody else, which is good because they practically have no time to pester me about anything. I haven't really talked to Allen since that night with that thing in his car. Not that we're avoiding each other, we're just really busy and can only see each other for a very brief moment before we got called again to do God knows what.

A part of me is glad that I don't see much of him during these times because if I do, I don't know whether I can still contain my feelings for him and keep them in check or not. But I am also sad. I miss him so bad. I feel lonely without him. I want to see him. To touch him. To hear his voice.

Dramatic, I know.

I sigh as I sit down in front of the makeup table in the drama club's dressing room. I already changed my clothes and did my makeup because I'm filling in for the main actor's for today's show. His girlfriend and family come so he asks for a day off so I've been sitting here since morning; rehearsing and preparing for the play.

I have on me this huge 17th century dress; a long white satin bodice with dropped shoulder, revealing most of my collarbone and neck, of course. The petticoat is as wide as the door and so heavy hidden underneath the garments make up for the gown. The outfit is very heavy and very suffocating. I have mad respect for women in the 17th century. Well, women in general. At least the shoes are slightly better though. It's called a Latchet shoe if I'm not mistaken ( the drama department really put in an effort researching the historical accuracy and I give them respect for that). Made of leather and only have very short heels so I don't have to chop my legs off after this.

I have on a long black and straight wig draped all the way down to my waist. I'm glad for the air conditioner or else I'm going to die of the heat. How can girls wear their hair this long anyway? Especially in summer. It is honestly beyond me. I'm glad I am not a girl.

"Hey babe," Chuck suddenly appears behind me and I yelp before turning around and smacking his head.

"Lee! You look great!" Tyler chuckles from behind Chuck. His slightly tanned face is red trying to hold back laughter.

"Shut up," I pout at the both of them. "Take your damn picture and get the hell out of here."

"Cheer up babe," Chuck says as he holds up the camera. I huff and cross my arms in front of my chest in annoyance. He shoots a few times before giving the camera to Tyler. "Take our picture, will ya?" Chuck asks with a wide grin. Tyler rolls his eyes but takes the camera anyway.

"Damn, Lee," Tyler exclaims and whistles as he scans through the pictures Chuck took of me. "If you're really a girl, I'd so totally bang you," He teases.

"Not allowed," Chuck smacks Tyler's hand while I just roll my eyes. "C'mon. We don't have much time," Chuck says and he grabs me by the waist, circling it with his arm and brings his face closer to kiss my cheek. I roll my eyes but smile anyway. The least I can do since I got paid for this. Heh heh heh.

We take a few more pictures with different poses, acting as intimate as we can just for the sake of it. I'm no longer annoyed because it's actually pretty fun. Taking pictures whilst dressing like this. Maybe I can sell them. Heh heh heh.

"Now go. Shooo," I tell them when I think we've taken enough pictures. I know they have a friendly match this evening so they do really need to go to practice and I don't want to keep them here longer. They'd just mess with my dress and hair anyway.

"Catch ya later babe!" Chuck kisses my cheek before grabbing Tyler by the neck and dragging him as he waves at me.

"Bye!" I wave to the both of them, chuckling as I watch them hopping away bickering and joking about. They really have a good relationship.

I finally sigh and relax against my seat after Chuck and Tyler left. The show will start in half an hour and I need to read the lines over and make sure I don't screw up. I am about to read them when I hear the door open and close again. I turn to look at Allen who is approaching me with a small smile. I stand up and let him study me over. His eyes glinting and I feel my face getting hotter.

"You look beautiful," He says, walking closer to me. I look away in embarrassment.

"Well, I'm a chick. I have to look that way," Is my response. My voice is trembling as I feel his gaze on me.

"Even without all of these..." Allen leans down and whispers in my ear, "You already are beautiful." He says softly.

My heart is pounding like crazy I actually fear for my life.

Why am I so weak for his compliments? I mean, I know I rock and people have told me that... But when it comes from Allen I literally have weak knees. How pathetic.

"What are you doing here?" I manage to choke out my question. "Don't you have autograph signing to do? How's the sale for the calendar and booklet? Don't you have to advertise?" I ask, well, more like vomiting words out of nervousness.

Allen blinks and chuckles, making me pout. Nothing's funny, I glare at him, mentally, of course since I can't bring myself to look him in the eye and actually say it.

"I'm sorry," Allen smiles gently, "You're just too cute," He says before leaning down to kiss me softly.

I sigh in content as he pulls away.

"See you at lunch?" he asks. I can only nod. He smiles and gives my lips a soft peck before leaving me there, breathless, heart pounding, face warming from how soft and gentle his kiss was.

I groan as I realize I just fell even more deeply and irrefutably in love with him.