Chapter Six

As I checked my reflection in the mirror one last time, I wondered why on earth I had agreed to this stupid double date thing. It was going to be a disaster, I could tell already. If things went well between Lucy and Adam – which, let’s face it, was the whole point of the evening – I’d be left to fend for myself with Matt, making small talk and trying desperately to brush off his advances.

Matt Fitzpatrick was cute. In fact, if I’m honest with you, he was gorgeous. But he was also an arrogant twat who thought he was God’s gift to women. I’d heard many a tale about his "conquests". He was always in the common room bragging about the girls he’d pulled after the school footie matches, and the older women he’d met in night clubs. Whether any of it was true or not I didn’t know. He was an 18-year-old boy after all, and they did have a tendency to be economical with the truth.

Whatever, there was no way in the world I was about to become the next notch on his bedpost. Half of the sixth form may be swooning at his feet, but he simply wasn’t my type.

He wasn’t Ben.

I took a deep breath as I made my way along the corridor to Lucy’s room. I was staying at her house tonight – I was quite surprised she wanted me there actually, I thought she might have had "other plans" for after the date. She laughed when I’d brought the subject up.

"Don’t tell me you’re starting to believe all the gossip about me now," she giggled.

"I’m not!" I said quickly, worried I might have offended her. "It’s just that, well, I know you’ve liked Adam for a long time."

"Despite what everyone else at school thinks, I’m not the kind of girl to sleep with someone on a first date," she said, before a big grin spread across her face. "Second date though, that’s a different story!"

At least I knew that she wasn’t going to end up going home with Adam and leaving me on my own with Matt, which was a huge relief.

As I entered her room, Lucy stood before her full-length mirror admiring her reflection. She looked stunning in a long black skirt, slit almost up to her hips, and a plum halter neck top. I couldn’t help but feel a bit envious, wishing I had the legs to carry off an outfit like that.

"Wow, you look amazing," I whispered.

She turned and smiled at me. "You don’t look too bad yourself. You seem to have gone to a lot of trouble for a date you don’t even want to go on."

I could feel my face glowing red, although I had no idea why. It wasn’t as though I had anything to be embarrassed about. "It’s just a top and trousers," I shrugged casually.

Lucy giggled. "Your favourite pin-stripped trousers, and I don’t believe I’ve seen that top before. Is it new?"

I sighed. "Yes, it is."

"And you say you don’t fancy Matt at all?"

I shook my head. "Nope. But I thought I should make an effort, seeing as we’re going to a nice restaurant. Don’t want to look too out of place."

The truth was that I hadn’t really wanted to wear this particular ensemble. The trousers were a little on the tight side, and the top was low cut, revealing a bit more cleavage than I felt comfortable with. I didn’t want to give Matt an open invitation into my underwear. I had originally chosen a much more subtle outfit, until my mum had bullied me into changing.

"You can’t go on a date wearing jeans!" she’d scolded.

I don’t think she quite grasped the fact that this was a date I didn’t want to be going on!

It was too late to back out now though. I’d made my promise to Lucy. I don’t think she’d ever forgive me if I changed my mind at this late stage.

A horn sounded outside, signalling that the taxi had arrived, and I almost leapt out of my skin. It definitely was too late to back out now. Before I knew it we’d grabbed our bags and were out the front door, climbing into the back of the taxi as the driver asked us where we were going.

I was expecting Lucy to spend the entire journey babbling on about Adam, but she was far more interested in Matt and me. Not that there was, or was ever going to be, a Matt and me.

"I can think of worse people to do it with, you know," she said, using the cab window as a mirror to do her lippy.

"Do what with?" I asked innocently.

She raised her eyebrows. "You know perfectly well what I mean. He’s a studmuffin, you’d be mad to turn him down."

"I don’t want to do anything with him Lucy," I said quietly.

"What is wrong with you? Half the girls in our year would love to be in your shoes tonight."

"Yeah, well maybe I have higher standards than half the girls in our year."

Lucy turned to look at me. "There’s nothing wrong with having a bit of fun."

I glared at her. "Fun is all very well, but I’d like to have fun with someone who doesn’t have a reputation like Matt’s!"

She turned away from the cab window to face me. "You can’t spend your life waiting for Mr Right to come along."

"Why not?"

"Because he might not exist."

"He does."

"How do you know?"

"Because I…" I managed to stop myself from saying something I might regret later. "I just do, that’s all."

Luckily the cab was pulling up outside the restaurant, and the driver wanted his money. My stomach started to churn as we made our way up to the door of the restaurant. Not because I was nervous, but because the thought of what Matt was expecting from this date made me feel physically sick.

"Booking under the name of Maguire," Lucy said, smiling sweetly at the guy behind the reservations desk.

He nodded. "Certainly. Follow me this way please ladies."

I could already see where we were headed, towards a table in the corner at which Adam and Matt were already sitting. Adam stood up to greet us, leaning in to give Lucy a quick peck on the cheek, and whispering something in her ear.

She giggled, blushing.

Matt and I just smiled at each other politely as we sat down. I had never felt so awkward in my life.

"You look great," he said, flashing me a grin and winking at the same time.

"Thanks," I replied flatly.

I looked around the restaurant. I did have to admit that it was a pretty good choice. Not the kind of place I’d usually spend my Friday night. It was a bit more sophisticated than I was used to. Just a shame I had to be here with Matt…I would’ve liked to be here with Lucy, Ali and Chris, having a really nice night out. Or with Ben…

As predicted, Adam and Lucy only had eyes for each other, and their conversation was interspersed with longing looks and constant flirting. It wasn’t something I was really in the mood to see. I knew I had to try to enjoy the evening – afterall, how many dates did I actually go on? I was 17 years of age, and I had to admit that this was my first proper one. How sad was that?

Matt, I discovered, only had two topics of conversation; football and cars. Neither of which really did anything for me. And why is it that when boys get into a conversation with girls about football, they always have to explain the offside rule? Like we care!

Adam had bought a bottle of wine, which was quickly drunk and another one ordered. I was still on my first glass while the others were starting their third. The last thing I wanted to do was get drunk. I had a feeling I would need to stay totally in control with Matt around me.

"So," he said, leaning across the table towards me, no doubt trying to get a better angle on my breasts. "If you don’t like football or cars, what do you like?"

I shrugged. "Lots of things."

"Like clothes and make up?" he laughed.

"I guess…a bit. But I was thinking more along the lines of literature, and music, and theatre."

He looked confused for a moment. These were obviously foreign words to him! He placed his glass down on the table before gently slipping a hand onto my knee.

"I bet there are other things you like too," he whispered, and I could feel his hand creeping slowly up my leg.

I quickly pushed it away, repulsed at the fact that he actually thought he stood a chance with me. I could feel my face glowing red with embarrassment.

Jumping up, I turned to Lucy. "I…er…I’m just popping to the ladies."

"Ok," she muttered, her eyes not shifting their gaze from Adam’s.

I quickly turned on my heel, making my way through the restaurant to the toilets as fast as I could. Everything around me was a blur, I just wanted to escape from the table, from this date…

I knew I was over-reacting. He’d only put his hand on my leg afterall, it was no biggie. It just wasn’t something I was used to. I wasn’t exactly experienced in the whole getting-cosy-with-guys scenario, and I didn’t want to start with a slime ball like Matt.

I’d just about reached the door when I felt a pair of hands grab me around the waist, almost giving me a heart attack. They spun me around, and before I could register what was going on I was pinned to the wall, looking into Matt’s green eyes.

"What are you doing?" I hissed, desperately trying to struggle out of his grip.

"I’m just doing what you want me to," he said, a twisted grin appearing on his face.

"What I want is to go to the toilet." His hands were gripped tightly around my wrists, and his whole body was pushing me against the wall. He was starting to hurt me.

He laughed again. "Why don’t we slip outside and find somewhere more…private."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You don’t honestly think I want to be alone with you?"

"Oh come off it Sophie, you’ve been giving me the come-on all night." He’d obviously had way too much to drink if that was what he thought. "You wouldn’t be wearing an outfit like that if you didn’t want to get laid."

I couldn’t believe I was hearing this! I knew wearing this outfit had been a bad idea.

I had to stand my ground though. "Just let me go Matt."

I felt like screaming at him, or bringing my knee up and doing some serious damage…but he was much bigger than me, so I knew it wouldn’t do me any good. I felt so helpless.

He was still looking down at me, a crazed look on his face, and despite my best efforts to fight it, I could feel the tears welling up inside me.

"Please," I begged, closing my eyes to blink back the tears. "Just let go of me."

"You heard what she said, let her go."

I nearly jumped right out of my skin at the sound of a voice to the right of us.

But I didn’t need to open my eyes to know who it belonged to.