My Life Exposed

The Perfect Night

Finally, the party I've been waiting for. A perfect night with my father and with Jace. Tracy helps me do my hair; I know it's weird, but it feels kind of nice to have sort of a "mother figure" help me like this. I turn to look at her, "I know you don't like me very much, but I really appreciate you helping me get ready. As you know, my mother was never really a mother so just - thank you." "No, Mila, I'm sorry for not giving you a chance. I promise to do better. I owe that to you." It's time for us to go and we all gather in the living room. There's a knock on the door and Jace walks in. My father asked him to ride with us so I could walk in with him. I can see how upset Jade is that I'm the one going to the party with Jace, but I honestly don't care at this point. Nothing can ruin this big night for me. We get into the limo to head to the party. When we arrive, there are photographers everywhere, snapping photos of us. We make our way inside and I'm in complete awe. Everything is decorated perfectly. The people here are so beautiful and sophisticated. This is the first time that I feel like I belong in my father's world. It's finally time to accept that I do belong here; I deserve to be here with my father. Classical, upbeat music plays from the speakers and Jace grabs my hand to lead me to the dance floor. He holds me close and says, "I wouldn't want to be here with anyone but you - as friends, of course." I can't help but smile at that and tell him, "Yes, and you are a great friend." While we dance, we look into each other's eyes until it feels like we are about to kiss, but the music comes to a stop - perfect timing. My father walks onto the stage and requests that I join him. He begins to give his speech. He starts off by thanking everyone for coming to support him in his running for office, then he puts his arm around my waist and says, "I have some exciting news that I would like to share. I want to introduce my loving, sweet, and intelligent daughter, Mila Anderson. She's lived with her mother for the past 17 years, but has decided to come live with us and I couldn't be more grateful. Mila is on her way to get an early acceptance to Yale University. She takes her studies very seriously. She is a courageous young woman and I am very proud of all her hard work. So please, everyone help me in making my daughter feel at home here." Everyone in the room starts clapping and taking pictures like crazy. I tear up after hearing my father's speech. I give him a hug and tell him how much his words mean to me and that I was so happy to finally get to know him. Jace is waiting for me as I exit the stage and takes me back to the dance floor. "I'm proud of you too", he whispers in my ear. The evening turns out to be perfect. My father and I have a dance together and Tracy apologizes again with a hug and welcomes me to the family. I don't know if she is being genuine, but I don't care. Jade looks pissed, as usual, and my father and Tracy are laughing and mingling. It makes me happy knowing that my father is happy and that Tracy is finally being nice to me. This is easily the best night of my life. I'm starting to think things will start working out for the best for me around here. The next couple of weeks go really great. My father and I spend a lot of time together, getting to know one another better and honestly, he is the best father anyone could ever have. He's kind, honest, and loyal. I believe he will make a great District Attorney. I told him that he has my full support behind his campaign. He was incredibly happy to hear that. The weekend comes back around and Jace is out of town with his parents. I decide it's the perfect time to have a girls' weekend with Candace and Brandi. I invite them to spend the weekend at my house. My father agreed and said it would do some good for me. When the girls arrive, we decide to dress up and have a night on the town. After our hair and makeup are on point, I call Micheal for a car and we head out. We stop at what looks to be a well-liked club called Velvet Vibe. We have a few drinks at the bar and then make our way to the dance floor. A guy walks up to Brandi and introduces himself as John. He asks her to dance, so she looks to us for approval. "Yes! Go have fun," I tell her. He was a good-looking guy, good for her. Candace and I go back to the bar for another drink when two guys walk up and offer to buy us drinks. I decline but Candace accepts. She hits it off with one of them and I tell the other one that I'm not really looking for anything. "I respect that. I'm not looking for anything myself except conversation," he says. So, I sit and talk with him for a bit. I learn that his name is Matthew and he goes to school with us but we've never met. He has a girlfriend too. He says that she's out of town and his friends forced him to come out tonight. He's a nice, polite guy. "Wait, you're dating Jace Henderson, right?" "Jace and I aren't dating, we're just really good friends. Do people think we are dating because we are not," I feel my cheeks blush. He laughs and says, "Don't worry about it. Everyone knows that Jade is obsessed with him. They dated on and off, but it was never serious with them. I'm actually dating one of her friends, Sarah." "Oh yes, Sarah, the one that likes to give me the evil eye." "Yes, I'm sorry that. She just puts Jade on a pedestal and honestly I don't know why. Jade is not a good person. When Sarah is not with her, she's amazing, but anytime Jade is around she tries to act mean. Really I think it's all an act to get Jade's attention." I was surprised to hear that. "She talks about you sometimes," he says. "She doesn't really think that you are a bad person. Jade is just jealous of you." "Why would she be jealous of me?" "Oh because of Jace. You're a threat to her. Everyone can see how much Jace is drawn to you. Jade is evil so just be careful." We were having so much fun I lost track of time. It was almost 2:00 in the morning so I say goodbye to Matthew and go find Candace and Brandi to see if they are ready to go. We all decide that's it's time to head home. Brandi ended up leaving with John's phone number and Candace decided to not get her guy's number. She just wasn't that interested in him. When we get in the car, my phone rings and it's Jace. I wonder why he's calling me so late? "Jace, what's up?" "Nothing," he says. "I just miss you so much" "Aww I miss you too," I tell him. He asks me what I was up to and I tell him about our night and how I met up with Matthew. "Ahh yes. I know Matthew very well; he's a good guy," he says. Jace was glad to hear I was having an enjoyable time. He tells me goodnight and says he would call me tomorrow. Brandi and Candace were so drunk that they were half asleep. We get back to the house and I expect my father to be upset with me for coming home so late. We pass him in his study and he stops me to say, "If you're going to stay out late, please just let me know so I don't worry." "Of course, dad. I love you. Goodnight." Waking up the next morning, I begin to regret staying out so late. My head is killing me and I feel so drained. We all head downstairs and ask the chef to cook us the most greasy food he could make for us. "And coffee please? I need coffee now." I tell him. After breakfast, we decide to spend the day laying around, watching cheesy chick flicks and eating nothing but junk food. This was a much-needed weekend with my new best friends. I've never had a group of girls to call my friends before, so it makes me happy that I can call Candace and Brandi my best friends. Brandi has been texting her new friend John. She says that they are going on a date next weekend. I was excited for her. Brandi is my rock; she's always there when I need to talk and she always understands me without judgment. Candace is not afraid to tell me what she really thinks; she tells me what I need to hear even if I don't want to hear it. I honestly couldn't have found two better friends to have in my life. I also have Jace as a great guy friend; someone I can have fun with and be myself around. Life really is good and this weekend will be one that I will never forget. The only reason I can't wait for it to end is because I'm ready for Jace to be home. I'm not ready to go back to school, but only two more weeks and it will be winter break. I really hope that I'll be able to spend some of that time with Jace.