Chapter Five

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ELLA stood beside me, and for a moment, I had completely forgotten she was still there

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

ELLA stood beside me, and for a moment, I had completely forgotten she was still there. Her gaze shifted from me to the house where Dillon had disappeared, and then to Jared, whose face was still marked with envy. However, Ella paid him no mind, as a wide grin spread across her face.

"Oh my goodness! That was absolutely adorable," Ella exclaimed. She let out a chuckle. "You must realize that this man is head over heels for you. Just look at the way Dillon was gazing into your eyes, as if you were the only person in the entire world." She glanced at the box I held in my hand. "And that bracelet is so beautiful. It will perfectly complement the outfit I selected for you, for the party." Ella linked her arm with mine. "Come on, let's get you prepared for your birthday." They proceeded to make their way upstairs, with Ella leading the way on the right-hand side. She released my arm and pushed open the door, stepping into the room, and I followed closely behind. On the bed lay an ensemble that struck the perfect balance between fancy and casual. "Get ready quickly and join me downstairs," she urged with excitement. "We have to dance!"

After her swift departure, I was left alone to prepare myself. Shedding my current attire, I slipped into the ones that had been carefully laid out on the bed. Approaching the mirror, I inspected the outfit she had chosen for me - a vivid blue summer top with a single shoulder, paired with high-waisted flare leg jeans in a faded denim blue. She had been accurate in her claim that my bracelet would perfectly complement the ensemble. However, there was still something lacking. Making my way to Ella's closet, I opened the double doors and sifted through until I discovered a black sweater. I knew Ella wouldn't mind; she had always been generous in allowing me to borrow her clothes. Securing the sweater around my waist, I tightly tied it to ensure it wouldn't come undone.As I prepared to head downstairs for the party, I couldn't resist taking one last look at myself in the mirror. My eyes scanned over my outfit one more time, taking in the way the fabric hugged my curves in all the right places.

But it wasn't just my outfit that caught my attention. I also couldn't help but admire the stunning bracelet that Dillon had made for me. The way it caught the light and sparkled on my wrist was truly breathtaking. I twisted my hand back and forth, marveling at how the colors seemed to shift and dance in the light. A soft smile played at the corners of my mouth as I took in the beauty of the piece. It was truly the most exquisite thing I had ever owned. With a deep breath, I made my way down the stairs, the sound of the party growing louder with each step. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my chest as I stepped into the fray. Jared was leaning against the wall, one hand tucked under his armpit while the other was looking at his phone.

"Hey." I said, as he looked up from the screen.

"Hey."

"I can't believe all the people that are here." I said, trying to make conversation. Usually I had no problem talking to him but now I felt as though I had to monitor every word that came out of my mouth. I didn't want to lead him on.

"They're all here for you, babe," Jared assured her. He took a step forward, wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me into an embrace. He took a step back, his face darkening as he peered down at the jewels on my wrist. "I don't trust him."

My eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

"Who?"

"Dillon. I really don't trust that guy. He's not a good person Reya."

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I lifted my gaze to meet his eyes. It seemed like every time we hung out, he found a way to start a fight. I couldn't help but wonder why he always had to be like this. All I wanted was to enjoy myself without any unnecessary drama. As soon as he had spotted me talking to Dillon, I knew something was going to happen. I could feel his eyes burning into my skull the way he was looking at me. The air around us was thick with tension as he approached, his jaw clenched tightly. I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface of his skin, ready to boil over at any moment. It was as if he was looking for a reason to start a fight, and I knew that Dillon's presence was enough to set him off. I tried my best to keep calm, but the knots in my stomach told me that this was going to be another one of those nights. I couldn't help but feel frustrated by his behavior. Why did he always have to ruin things? I wanted to have fun, to let loose and forget about all of my worries. But with him around, it was impossible to do so. He had a way of sucking all the joy out of the room, leaving me feeling drained and exhausted.

I could see the veins in his neck bulging with rage. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, and I knew that he was gearing up for a fight. I didn't want to argue with him, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to avoid it this time. I just hoped that we could get through it quickly and move on.

"Please can we not do this. It's my birthday. Can we get through the night without any drama?"

A smile pulled at the corner of his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes as he nodded his head.
"Yeah sure. Come on, let's go out back."

He grabbed her hand in his and headed into the back.

The night continued without a hitch, there was dancing and laughing and more dancing. Her dad had ordered the biggest chocolate cake he could find. It was covered in what seemed like a hundred candles.

As the night wore on, the crowd began to thin out and I found myself waving and thanking those around me for their presence. The atmosphere was electric, with the sounds of laughter and chatter filling the air. As I walked my dad to the gate, I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me. I hugged him tightly, thanking him for everything he had done to make the night so special. His embrace was warm and comforting, reminding me of all the love and support he had given me throughout my life. As he turned to leave, I couldn't help but watch him until he disappeared from sight. Lost in thought, I suddenly bumped into Dillon, jolting me back to the present moment.

He gently placed his hands on my shoulders, ensuring that I remained balanced. "Are you alright?" he exclaimed, scanning me from head to toe. I observed his expression closely, assuring him that I was unharmed. As I remained silent, his countenance grew increasingly worried.

Realizing he was worried that I didn't answer, I cleared my throat."Oh um, It's ok. Where are you going in such a hurry? You're not staying for the bonfire?"

"I wish I could. I have a minor family emergency." He said quickly.

"Okay, well I just wanted to say thank you for my gift," In a sudden moment of impulse, I found myself leaning in towards him and planting a soft kiss on his cheek. As soon as I did it, my eyes widened and I quickly pulled back, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, unsure of how he would react to my sudden display of affection. He looked at me with a surprised expression on his face, leaving me to wonder if I had pushed things too far. Did he not feel the same way about me as Ella had suggested? My thoughts were interrupted by the sight of his lips curling up into a smile, and I felt relief wash over me. The warmth of his smile was enough to ease my nerves and make me feel more at ease. Before things got too awkward, I quickly cleared my throat. "I hope everything's okay with your family."

As Dillon took my hands, I felt a rush of warmth spread throughout my body. His touch was gentle, yet firm, and his thumb caressed my skin with a tenderness that sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and safety in his grasp. As I looked up at him, I noticed the way his eyes sparkled in the dim light, and his lips curled into a small, reassuring smile. It felt good holding his hands. The sensation of his touch lingered long after he let go, leaving me with a feeling of longing for more. Dillon had a way of making me feel like the only person in the world, and I couldn't help but be drawn to him.

"Nothing I can't handle. I hope you have a good birthday Reya." He disappeared in the same direction my dad went.

I bit her lower lip and smiled.

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