My beautiful moon how you swoon me like no other

The next couple days of my visit flew by. I spent my days with Toni, trying to help her with the kids, but usually just riling them up and making a big mess. My evenings were with Drew, eating dinner at our favorite dives, and usually coming home to pop in a movie and crash in the middle of it. I tried to forget about Jason, which worked sometimes, and not so much at other times. I also tried to forget about my Halloween costume, and fight the urge to return it for something safer, something more me.

However, when that thought popped in my head, I’d beat it back with the fact that I was tired of being me. Me wasn’t working out so well, and I was ready to change things up.

Still, I was hesitant, and Saturday night came a lot faster than I was expecting it too. I went over to Toni’s to get ready, hoping she would give me a pep talk and boost my confidence.

“Maybe I should try to find something a little less sexy…” I said, as Toni was putting the finishing touches on my makeup.

“You’re not going to find anything on this short of notice Ella. Besides, it isn’t too much. Just relax. Drew’s going to love it.”

“I’m not dressing up for Drew.” I protested.

She waved me off. “Whatever. Did he tell you what he was going to be?”

“Nope. I didn’t really ask though.” I looked in the mirror, and was shocked at what I saw. I wanted to be someone else, and I certainly looked like someone else. My dress was red, with sequins, and probably the tightest thing I’ve ever worn. I was surprised there was room for my strapless bra and thong under there. There was a slit that came practically to my hip, and strapped to my feet were shiny red stiletto’s. They were Toni’s from what she called her “BB” stage. Before Babies. My hair was pulled back tight into a bun, and over it I wore a long, silky red wig. I didn’t look a thing like myself, and I had to smile at whoever the stranger in the mirror was.

The doorbell rang.

“Shit, that’s Drew.” Toni said. She quickly put on a few finishing touches. “Wait here, I’m going to go down and announce you!” She was so excited, I had to smile.

However, when she left the room, I felt the butterflies in my stomach all over again. I don’t know why I was so nervous, it was just Drew, and a bunch of his work friends that I would probably never see again, aside from his Dad.

“Oh God, Drew’s Dad’s gonna see me like this!” I exclaimed allowed to myself. I suddenly wanted to change into something much more modest.

“Ella! We’re ready for you!” Toni had called.

I took a deep breath. It was too late now.

I climbed down the stairs, keeping my head down, embarrassed to look anyone in the eye. I heard someone let out a low whistle.

“Wow.” Nick said.

“Ella… You look…” Drew started.

“Stupid. I know.” I said, looking up at Drew. I was shocked to see he was in a tuxedo.

“Oh God! It’s not a costume party? Why didn’t you tell me!” Feeling even dumber.

“No, El.” Drew said laughing. “It’s a costume party. I’m Bond. James Bond.” He said, pulling out a fake gun.

“Oh.” I said, relieved. It was then that I really looked at Drew, and how good he looked. I had never really seen him dressed up before. And he looked… Good. So good that it made me feel shy and nervous all over again.

“And you’re Jessica Rabbit, right?” He asked, smiling at me. “You make a damn good rabbit.” There was an edge to his voice, and it caused us both to blush.

“You guys better get going. You don’t wanna be late!” Toni said, and then she winked at me. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

She pretty much pushed us out the door. I looked around for Drew’s truck.

“Where’s the truck Drew?” I asked, not spotting it.

“I borrowed a car. I didn’t know what you’d be wearing, and I didn’t know if you’d be able to climb into the truck.” He glanced at me. “Good thing too, there’s no way you’re getting in with that dress on.”

The way he said it made me blush. I felt butterflies rise in my stomach, and that annoyed me. I had wanted things to be different, but not me and Drew. We were perfect the way we were. I didn’t want things to be different between us.

The party was being held at a hotel. It was being thrown by the hotel, and Drew and his Dad had gotten invited since they did the hotel’s landscaping. It was loud and crowded, but I welcomed the noise and the people, it made me feel less alone with Drew, and some of the nervousness left. Drew got us some drinks, and that helped more nervousness leave. By the time we hit the dance floor, I felt like me again, and I did my best to bust a move, despite my tight dress.

However, I kept meeting all of Drew’s co-workers, and it seems like every time I did, someone would bring me a drink. I should have known better, but I didn’t. I drank, and danced, and we ran through the buffet a couple of times. An hour into the party, I was feeling pretty good, and I think Drew was too.

One of the co-workers broke out his digital camera and began snapping pictures of everyone and everything. This, of course, made me act like a fool, trying to show off and do funny things in the photos. When you’re drunk you just don’t realize that the pictures will be posted all over facebook the next day. Or, maybe you do, but you don’t care.

At some point, I forgot about the camera (although, I’m sure it was still there, snapping away) and without speaking, Drew and I entered into some sort of dance contest. We had never really danced together before, at least, not like this. Drew’s hands had never touched me before the way they were touching me now. Had I been sober, I would have realized how good it felt, and that would have freaked me out. I didn’t realize this, I don’t even think I realized that he was my best friend, Drewbie. And so, I grinded back against him, flipping my fake hair, touching his chest. I was flirting with him.

Eventually I felt all those drinks, and desperately needed to pee, so when Hannah, one of Drew’s co-worker’s girlfriends, said she was going to the bathroom, I tagged along with her.

I peed, washed my hands, and inspected my hair and make up in the mirror. Despite the heat and sweat, it had held up nicely. I leaned against the sink, enjoying the cooler air, quietness, and waiting for Hannah to finish.

“I hope this doesn’t offend you,” she said, exiting the stall and going to wash her hands. “But Drew never mentioned he had a girlfriend. I mean, I did wonder, he never wanted me to fix him up with anybody, but he never said anything. How long have you guys been together?”

“Oh.” I said, laughing. “Drew and I aren’t together.”

“Really?” She said, smoothing some lip gloss over her lips. “You two just look so… Perfect for each other. And in love.”

“No.” I said more firmly. “We’ve just known each other for forever. I guess we’re just in sync.” I said, not being able to stop the nervous laughter that came out of my mouth.

Hannah shrugged, and placed her gloss back in her purse. She pushed open the bathroom door, and I followed her out, back into the hot air and pounding music. My nerves were back, and I didn’t follow Hannah back on the dance floor, instead choosing to go back to the table, to sit down, regroup, get my head back on straight.

It didn’t last long. As soon as Hannah came back out without me, Drew came to find me.

“Tired?” He asked, plopping down next to me, and picking up someone’s beer.

“Not really. Just a little noisy in here. I’m starting to feel a little closed in.” I said, looking down at my shoes.

“You wanna go for a walk? Get some air?” He asked.

“Yeah. That sounds good.” I replied. I stood, and he offered his arm. I laughed, and linked mine with his.

We went out the side door, the cooler air hitting up immediately. We passed by a couple of smokers, Drew taking the lead, seeming like he knew where he was going.

“Where you taking me?”

“Someplace quiet where they won’t hear you scream.” He joked, winking at me.

We ended up in a back garden, sitting on a bench in front of a fountain. There were a few flowers and tree’s hanging in there, but mainly it was bare, except white Christmas lights twinkling on the trees. Drew took off his jacket and dropped it around my shoulders, and I smiled back gratefully.

We sat in silence for a moment, listening to the music that was filtering out from the ballroom.

“You look good tonight, Ella.” Drew spoke softly.

“Thanks.” I said, patting him on the leg. “You don’t look half bad yourself.” I said, smiling back at him.

Inside the ballroom, the harder, club beats fell away, and Michael Buble came on, crooning “the way you look tonight”.

“Can I have this dance?” Drew asked, standing and offering his hand.

“Oh come on.” I said, laughing.

“I’m serious Ella. I don’t think I’ve ever had the honor of slow dancing with you.”

“I think you’re taking this James Bond act a little too far, Mr. Smooth Talker.” I teased. Still, I slipped my hand in his, and let him pull me to my feet. His arms slipped around my waist, pulling me close. I moved my arms around his neck, and laid my head on his shoulder. I’ll admit, it felt good, better than I thought it would. We swayed to the music slowly, and when the song ended, we continued to sway.

Finally, I looked up at Drew, to thank him, and that’s when he leaned down and kissed me.