The Forgotten Ballerina

Seventeen

"Ok. My hair is curled, makeup is done, I'm wearing my prettiest dress, but I just feel like I'm missing something." I say. "Jewelry, Lilly!" Marissa says.

"Yes! That's it! Thank you." I reply. She hands me my shoes and I put them on. I'm almost ready to walk out the door and then she stops me again. "You still forgot jewelry, Lilly." She says. I laugh as she hands me some.

Eli is waiting bye the car for me. He's wearing a white long sleeve dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and some black dress pants. His hair is nice and curly. I honestly can't wait to be near him.

"Well, hello!" I say as I walk to him. "You look perfect. I mean, just absolutely stunning." He says, pulling me close to his chest. "You look good too." I say. He smiles and kisses my cheek. "Let's go." He says.

I get in his car and we drive to the restaurant, it's one of the most romantic and expensive places in the city. He opens the door for me and we walk in. They seat us at our table and we order our food.

Eli hands me a little black rectangular box. I shake it a little bit. "Woah there, it's very valuable." He says. I open it up to find a gorgeous gold necklace. "Oh my god. It's beautiful." I say. "I love it." I say again.

I thank him and we pay for our dinner.

We walk out the doors and we go to my apartment. It's really late and dark out. Marissa is out partying with some of her friends. "You're sure she's gone?" He asks. "I'm sure." I reply as we walk inside.

Eli closes the door behind me and moves my hair behind my ear. "Do you even know how beautiful you are, Lilly?" He whispers, leaning close to me. I smile at him and take his hand, guiding him to my room.

A thought comes across my head. "Can I tell you something? I just don't know how to say it." I ask, in a soft voice. "Anything, what's on your mind?" He asks.

"Well, you've never told me this but I know it. One night you had a conversation with the guy next door to you... I was in the room with him." I say. His brows furrow and he tilts his head in confusion.

He walks over to my bed and sits down. I follow him and lay my hand on his shoulder. "Please don't be mad. I'd rather tell you then never acknowledge it." I say. He looks back at me and nods as I go on.

"I promise you nothing happened. We knew each other before I met you, we had somewhat of a history. One day we saw each other for lunch and we kissed." I continued. "What?" He says in a deep tone.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want you to know about it but we've become so close in our relationship and I just didn't want to keep a lie with me for the rest of my time with you." I say, trying to keep calm.

"Did you kiss him or did he kiss you?" He asks. "He kissed me." I say. "Look, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at him for thinking something like that is ok." He says.

"Nothing like that will ever happen to you as long as I'm around. I'll talk to him." He continues. "No, please don't do that." I beg. "Okay. I'll leave this be." He says. "Are you ok?" I ask him. He places his hand on mine.

"I love you." He says, softly. "I love you too." I reply.