by K. Walker
“Not really because it’s Chad, but because of the restaurant. I don’t want to show up there looking plain.”
“Sophia, you’re anything but plain,” Liz commented. “And we’re here to make sure that when Chad and every other woman in that place sees you, they’ll wish they were as young and pretty.”
“Aww,” I said and hugged her. “I’m glad you’re all here because I don’t know what to do with my hair.”
“Let’s go up to your room,” Amanda suggested as we all ran off, knocking into each other as we scurried upstairs.
It was a few minutes past three, and dinner was at seven – it didn’t give me much time to look like Cinderella after her fairy godmother visited her.
They tossed their various apparatuses onto the bed and the floor – everything they would need to make me shine, pop, and glow.
“I already showered so work your magic, ladies,” I told them and spread my arms.
“I think I’m up first with the hair,” Stacey said excitedly. ‘I haven’t done this in a long time.”
I held my hands out to her before she touched my hair. “Um, should I be worried about that?”
She laughed. “No, silly.” She slapped my hand away and picked up the comb and started to brush it through my long locks. “Do you want it down, or up, sideways?”
“Sideways sounds nice,” Alexi replied. “It’s a new look.”
“Depends on what she’s wearing,” Liz added. “What are you wearing?”
“Oh,” I grunted and jumped up. I ran to the closet and pulled out three dresses – white A-line with diamond straps, turquoise ballgown type dress that stopped at my knees, and a black dress with pencil bottom that fell just below my knees. It was covered in the front and had an opening in the back where the material dipped and landed in a fold just above my ass.
“I like the white one,” Amanda said. “It’s classy and reeks of money. Did Chad buy that?”
“Me, too,” said both Liz and Stacey.
“Okay, white it is, and yes he did,” I gloated as I held it in front of me and turned. “Isn’t he a dream?”
“Sure is,” Amanda said grudgingly. “Now you make me want to have a boyfriend, too.”
“Whatever, Amanda,” Alexi replied. “You get your pick and you’re not interested.”
“Yeah, I remember that boy she had pinned down in the corner of the room at that first party I went to at Cody’s,” I giggled.
“Bitch!” Amanda laughed and tossed a pillow at me. “I wasn’t holding him down. He wanted all of this.”
“That’s right,” Stacey laughed. “But back to the issue at hand, if you’re wearing that dress, then sideways would work perfectly.”
The others nodded in agreement, and Stacey began her work with the flat iron and clips.
“So, did you guys hear about Wes?” Alexi asked as she looked at me in a cautious way.
“Yeah,” I replied with a sigh. “He was sent to juvey and I’m guessing it will be longer than a year.”
“Rightly deserved for what he did,” Liz spat. “Withholding evidence, doctoring video and now the cops are going to be examining his car. He fucked up so bad.”
“What about his rich dad? Why can’t he help him?” I asked naïvely.
They looked at each other and then burst into laughter.
“Wes’ dad? Help him? Please,” Amanda laughed. “He would rather send him to prison himself. That man is the no-nonsense type.”
“Wow. No wonder he’s such an ass. Product of poor parenting or something,” I defended.
“Call it what you will,” Stacey said above me, her words garbled liked she had something in her mouth. Maybe a clip. “He didn’t have to be such an asshole, though, or to use you to get back at Chad. And he certainly didn’t have to mention drugs like a damn idiot. Principal called the cops right away.”
“Yeah.” I was hurt by what Wes did, but I didn’t hate him. I still felt bad for what he had to go through and how it could affect his life. Goodbye college and a decent job.
No one mentioned Wes for the rest of the evening, which was just as well with me. I was looking forward to seeing Chad. It had been almost one week since the incident at school, and he had taken every opportunity to let me know how much he wanted me still.
Not that I was hard to convince. I had never stopped loving him. I couldn’t deny that once the anger wore off.
By the time the girls were done with me, I was a new person. “Omg! I don’t recognize myself.”
“Well, it’s a good thing Chad’s picking you up,” Liz laughed. “He would walk right by you.”
“That’s a distinct possibility,” I snickered.
Beep! Beep!
“Oh, that’s him,” I said and froze. I took a deep breath and walked off as they all lined up behind me like they were my parents and it was my first prom.
“I’m so happy right now,” Amanda said and threw her arms around my neck.
“Careful,” Stacey said and removed her hand. “Watch the hair.”
We laughed as I continued to the door, and when I opened it, Chad was standing in the doorway, his green eyes twinkling. He looked so damned handsome in his blue and black patterned blazer with button-down shirt, black tailored pants and loafers.
“Wow!” His lips formed an O and then he whistled.
My eyes zoomed in on his lips, and he touched my waist and kissed me. I loved the way he didn’t care who was around – like there was just only us.
“Ooh!” the girls cooed behind us, and I giggled and pulled away.
“Okay, you guys can leave now. Get out!” I ushered them out playfully.
“Have fun, you two,” Liz said as she touched Chad’s arm.
I watched them leave and then took Chad’s arm as he held it out for me. “You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We held hands the entire ride to the restaurant, which was only fifteen minutes away, tucked away on a remote section of a cove. The lighting was soft and beautiful as we walked along the path that led to the restaurant.
Lights marked our course on both sides, and Chad locked his fingers with mine as we walked, side by side, as if to the altar.
Wouldn’t that be something?
The exterior of the restaurant didn’t prepare me for what was inside. The room was elegant, with expensive, contemporary styled furniture and accessories – color block paintings, art that transformed the space into another world, and elegantly set tables, waiting to be taken advantage of.
It was breathtaking.
“This place is amazing,” I told Chad as he held out my chair for me.
“It really is,” he agreed and kissed my face.
I didn’t want to look out of place, but I couldn’t help staring. It was as if I was in another world.
“Good evening,” the waiter said as he walked up to the table, “and welcome to Ocean Hills. I’m Vincent, and I’ll be your waiter for this evening. Is there anything I can get you, or would you like some more time?”
“Yes, I would like some water, please. Or, rather, make that club soda.”
He nodded and looked at Chad. “And will you be having anything, sir?”
“The same,” Chad replied and eyed me suspiciously. “For now. I’m expecting company.”
My eyes widened, and I was a little disappointed. “Company?” I asked when the waiter walked off. “I thought this was our date.”
“It is,” he said and reached across the table to touch my hand. “But it’s also a surprise for you.”
“Chad? I don’t do so well with surprises.”
My heart started to thump in my chest and I subconsciously looked around for who might be joining us. “Is it your dad?”
He smiled. “Relax, babe. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Too late,” I said and fell back against the chair.
“Oh, here they are,” he said and rose, pushing his chair back.
“They?�
� I wheeled around, clutching the arm of the chair as I did. I was glad I was holding on when I turned – my parents were walking towards us, and another man that was the splitting image of Chad, but an older version.
“Chad? What’s going on?” I asked and started to stand, too.
“Hi baby,” Mom said as she got to the table, right before she extended her hand to Chad.
“Hi, Mrs. Daniels, Mr. Daniels. Thanks for coming.”
He clearly knew who they were, and my jaw tightened when I saw Dad grinning at me. “Dad,” I said plainly.
“Hi sweetheart,” he replied and kissed my face.
I was too stupefied to react. I had no clue what was happening or why we were all there. Wait, was this meant to be an engagement? Is Chad going to propose? No. Couldn’t be. He wouldn’t ask my family and his here for that.
“Hello Sophia,” Mr. Minor smiled and greeted me. “It’s so nice to see you again. You look lovely.”
“Thank you, sir.” I nodded.
But I couldn’t swallow the fact that they were all seated right there. Why?
“I’m sorry, but would someone please tell me what is going on? Dad, why are you here? And Mom?”
They all looked at Mr. Minor. He reached into his pocket and took out an envelope, which he slid across the table towards Dad.
He picked it up. “Is this everything?”
“Yes it is,” Mr. Minor replied. “Everything you need to take down the Humprys.”
And my jaws fell as I watched a smile spread across my mom’s face. I heard nothing but faraway voices after that as Dad slipped the envelope inside his pocket and Chad squeezed my hand, a big grin spreading across his face.
To be continued in the final installment…
Book Three in Madison Falls High series is coming in December 12th!
Pre-order: Amazon
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