First Date. Part 1

Ace and I decided to go to a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown tonight. We were meeting at 6pm and I decided to hit the shops before the date. I met Billie and instantly asked her if she had heard from James.
“Nope,” she sighed. I bit my bottom lip, something was defiantly up. “I’m going round there tonight though, he’s got some serious explaining to do,” I nodded. Hopefully he was just busy or his phone broke or whatever.
“Well please call me if anything is wrong,” I smiled.
“No, I wouldn't ruin your date!” she replied shaking her head.
“Billie seriously, James is waay more important than this date, please don’t hesitate to call me if you need me.” She reluctantly nodded.

After trying on a selection of dresses I decided on a long-sleeved velvet bodycon dress however I wasn't sure on the colour. At first I was sure on black but after trying on the dress in the wine red colour I wasn't sure. I showed Billie them both and she thought the wine red looked better so that’s the one I bought. After we went back to my apartment and she helped me get ready. As she helped curl the back of my hair I got a wave of nerves.
“I haven’t been on a date in almost 4 months , what if I don’t know what to say…” I began chewing on my bottom lip; it was a habit of mine which occurred when I was nervous. I had been concentrating on studying for my my veterinary
“Scarlett, don’t be silly, you've been on plenty of dates!” she laughed.
“But not since,”
“Babe, when we were in college you were out almost every night, no calling you a slut or anything…” I gasped and she laughed, “Just pleaaase don’t tell me your now freaking out because of one jerk.” She was referring the Gary, my ex.
“It’s not that,” I sighed, “it’s horrible when someone cheats on you, when you know you just weren't good enough, what if he sees that in me too, what if we start dating and then he realises to than I’m too boring or too clinging or whatever I don’t even know why he cheated on me!” I was getting angry now thinking of Gary.
“Hey, hey!” she said placing the curler down and kneeling down in front of me, “listen, your perfect, Gary cheated on you because he’s a greedy dick and you were too good for him, all he wanted was a slut to mess around with a you wasn't low enough to be that girl.” Billie looked into my eyes and smiled. “Your only young, you've got soo much time to find somebody better, don’t be hard on yourself because of Gary, he’s seriously not worth it.” Billie was actually a year older than me, even though we were in the same year at school she was held back a year due to her language barrier. “Come on,” she smiled, grabbing my hand and dragging me off the chair, “look at you, your hot!” she laughed, I smiled. I did look good I had to admit, and it certainly was an improvement from last time I’d seen him. Just as she was picking me out some shoes I heard my phone buzz. It was Ace.

hey, I’ll be there in 15, looking forward to it – A x 

With butterflies in my tummy I quickly put on my shoes and coat followed by a cream scarf. I kissed Billie good bye.
“Good luck, she smiled.
“Remember what I said!” I called after her.

As I walked towards the restaurant I noticed Ace standing outside. The closer I got the more handsome he looked. He was wearing a smart shirt with a long, brown dark leather coat. His hair wasn't as straight as before and I liked it, it had some volume to it. I almost giggled to myself thinking of him doing his hair. Once I reached him I felt his hand slip around my waist as he pulled me in and kissed me on the cheek. “Hey, I smiled."
“Wow, you look amazing,” he laughed. I blushed slightly.
“Thanks, I thought I’d make an effort this time,” I laughed.
“You don’t need to, I thought you looked fine before,” he added. I smiled, even if he didn't mean it, it was sweet of him to say so.

Once we had ordered our food I noticed Ace smiling at me, that mysterious rough smile he had which was handsome, waay too handsome.
“What?” I blushed, “do I have something on my face?”
“No, no,” he laughed, “I’m just thinking.” I was about to ask what he was thinking about when the waitress came over with the food. We thanked her and then begun eating. We were silent for a bit as we ate. “This stuffs really good,” he nodded approvingly, “Here,” he said lifting the piece of chicken up with his chopstick and putting it onto my plate for me, “try some.” I bit into the chicken and he was right, it was really good. He then smiled again.
“What?!” I burst laughing.
“Nothing, nothing you just look really cute when you’re eating,” he laughed.
“Whatever…” I smiled. There was a silence again. “Tell me about yourself.” I smiled looking up from my food.
“Well, I’m twenty five, I've lived in the United Kingdom for the past five years, I like playing the guitar, I love animals-“
“Do you have any pets?” I smiled. He shook his head.
“Same with me, ive been thinking about getting one though.” He nodded.
“Cat, dog, hamster?” I smiled.
“A cat.”
“Because of where you live and your job?” he asked.
“Yup, I mean dogs are more loyal and fun but, I work all day which means it would have to be on its own, cats can deal with that more than dogs” I smiled. We carried on eating until he stopped and looked up at me.
“You wanna get out of here?” He asked. My eyes suddenly widened, was he suggesting sex?
“Don’t look like that!” he laughed, “I wanna walk around at bit, it’s a bit kinda, fancy in here,” he shrugged.
“Oh,” I smiled relieved he didn't think I was the kind of girl to get off with him on the first date; I’d certainly made that mistake before…

As we walked around Chinatown I realised just how much I liked the place. My mum used to take me there when I was a little girl as she could buy certain Asian ingredients from the supermarkets here which she couldn't find in the local Sainsbury's. Just as I was lost in thought I felt Ace’s hand grip onto mine and I smiled.
“What you thinking?” he asked casually.
“Just about my mum, we always used to come here.” He nodded.
“It reminds me of home I guess,” he then said. He stopped and turned to face me. He was about to say something then I heard my phone buzzing in my pocket. I laughed and excused myself before answering it.
“Scarlett you know I didn't want to do this but something’s up… you need to get down here.” Billie said down the phone. Suddenly I began to panic.
 “Oh my god Billie, is it James is he okay?” I looked over to Ace he looked concerned.
“He’s gone,” she breathed, “he’s gone.”