My Therapist's Son,

My Therapist's Son, [8]

"I'll just meet you at the dance, Ry."

"You sure, Mia?"

"Positive,"

***

I finished the curls and adjusted the lavender fluff on the dress. I spun around in my dress, inspecting the finished product. I was no longer a mess. I felt loved. Ryan loved me. Whether or not it was in the 'I am completely in love with you, Maria', I wasn't sure, but it was definitely the 'I care about you, and I love you, best friend' kind of love.

And as much as I hoped it was more than that 'best friend love', it was nice to have someone there to protect you. Lately, I had been spending every few nights at Ryan's. It was so nice being away from home, even if it was for short periods of time. Ryan's dad managed to convince my mom that it was for therapeutically purposes.

And as much as I wish my dad was alive and my mom was still with him, it wasn't going to happen. And, as much as I wanted my mom and step dad--ew, he's not my step father, he's just Tim!--to make a huge fuss over me in my fancy dress, ready to go to a dance with a boy, I wasn't really expecting it. And, here I was, standing in front of Ella's mirror in his bedroom, waiting for her to come out of that giant bathroom. Stupid, spoiled, rich girls.

"El, come out!" I giggled, trying to be excited to see her dress, even though the thought alone bored me.

She walked out, and her dress was pretty, but not as gorgeous as she made it sound. She gasped, a glare growing across her already rude face.

"Your dress is prettier than mine. Change."

I was tempted to drop everything, to just do as she asked. "No," I whispered.

"I'm prettier. I get a prettier dress."

"Not tonight,"

"You're weak,"

"You're a bitch," and I clamped a hand over my mouth in shock. Did I really just say that?"

"Let's go." She hissed, probably accepting the fact that I looked better than her for once in our lives.

***

It was a nice feeling, getting all the looks from the cute guys instead of El. She wasn't happy, but she's Ella, she's never satisified. I saw Ryan in the corner, sort of by himself, making conversation with two other boys--Ella's dates. Why did Ella get two dates? But, I'd pick Ryan every time over those losers who wanted to bang her and ditch.

"You look--" Ryan smiled, but was quickly inturrupted by Ella's voice, "Hey! The princess is here!"

She smiled proudly at herself. I was beginning to hate her. Oh, who am I kidding? I'd hated her for quite some time before that.

"Yes, she is." Ryan smiled, walking over to me.

I looked pretty, and for the first time ever, I believed it. Ella sighed loudly, pouting, and stormed away, snapping her fingers. Her dates chased after her, practically drooling, yet somehow, I had managed to find my prince.

"May I have this dance?" He asked in an adorable, old-fashion accent. And, I thought for a second, as our hands touched, that I knew what it was like to be in love, but I was possitive that it would all change. And, it did.