Fantasy Life

Chapter 16

I'm left speechless as my dad steps forward to hug me. I walk towards him numbly, but just before we hug I snap out of it and slap him.

"Izabelle!"

I'm not even sure if that was my dad or Mason but I really don't care.

"Where have you the past five years? I've been raising myself since Mason left to serve. You buried yourself in work and I haven't spoken to you since I was eleven! Do you really think I would just forgive you if you came to see me on Prom night?

There's an empty silence in the room after I say that. For once I'm not even embarrassed.

"I'm sorry you feel that way Izabelle."

If they thought I exploded then, they had no idea what was coming.

"Are you kidding me? That's all you have to say? I've had to be resized by my brother and then myself and all you have to say is your sorry for the way I feel about it?"

I feel a little bad because my dad looks very hurt.

"I have been a terrible dad to leave you here alone all the time. I was hoping this would be an alright time to try to apologize."

Everyone was quiet at that for a while until I spoke up.

"I know that loosing mom was hard on you, but don't you think your daughter would miss her too? We could have helped each other through that together. Instead you buried yourself in work and I became loney and shy."

"Izzy, I didn't . . . I wasn't . . . "

We were all quiet as my dad tried to find his words.

"I hadn't realized that you were in so much pain after your mothers death. I figured you and Mason were doing better. I had no idea."

For the first time since I slapped my dad, Mason decided it was his turn to speak.

"I think Izabelle understands now. I also think that we should leave her alone until she is ready to have a wonderful night with her friends."

"I''m ready, Mason," I said.

He smiled and said, "then let's get you to that dance."

*****

Mason drops me off at the dance and I slowly walk inside, unsure whether I'm shaking in fear or if it's just the bass of the music rattling me. I read the banner above the door with the theme this year,

Fantasy Life

I open the door to the building and walk inside. I pause just outside the doors that will lead me to a wonderful night, nervous I will look stupid coming alone.

I look down at my dress and readjust it so I look my very best when I go in there. I take a deep breath and walk inside the room.

I work my way over to the dance floor, feeling many eyes upon me. I notice a girl smiling at me from where the food is and I smile back. She looks familiar. I think we have biology together. The song ends and another one starts. The girl jumps up and looks excited. She runs over to me and says,

"I love this song! Do you want to dance?"

I agreed and we started dancing to the fast paced song. I had so much fun, but the whole time I was afraid I would fall because of my shoes. Thankfully I have some talent that has been hidden I guess with dancing in super high heels.
I feel like the theme this year is so true, because I feel like I'm in a fantasy.