𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 • steven conklin

𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐨

ball gowns. tiaras. flower crowns. headbands. pearl earrings. dancing. bowing. clapping. that's what the debutant ball was all about, right?

not that night. and after that night, nothing would be the same ever again.

eden sat next to shayla, the two helping each other get ready.

eden had her hair up in a bun on the top of her head with a white flower crown head and on her head. she had pear earrings in her ears and a necklace with crystals on it.

"how do i look?" she asked shayla.

"gorgeous as always." shayla smiled. "how about me?"

"beautiful. totally and utterly beautiful." eden replied.

both girls giggled and shayla rubbed eden's shoulder before walking away.

it was time for the girls to grab their flowers and make their way out.

everyone got introduced and eden was last.

she took a deep breath and walked out, steven walking next to her and linking arms with her.

"you are absolutely stunning. the most beautiful girl i've ever seen." he whispered.

she smiled at him and whispered, "i love you."

after introducing eden, they stepped down and walked over to their table where jeremiah and belly were already standing.

she went over and hugged her mother. susannah gave her a huge kiss on each cheek.

"you're beautiful, honey."

susannah then got tears in her eyes.

"mom, don't cry."

susannah let out a breath. she didn't want to start crying in front of her daughter. not here, not now. but she just couldn't imagine what it would be like for that beautiful girl to live the rest of her life without a mother.

why did she feel that way?

we'll soon find out.

eden smiled and handed susannah her flowers then went back over to her boyfriend.

a minute later, laurel sniffed, then got up and walked away.

steven and belly watched their mother walk away with furrowed eyebrows.

"it is my honor to introduce this year's cousins beach country club debutants." paige introduced.

all the girls room a curtsy and everyone applauded them.

eden was actually happy to be there. although she never really wanted to be part of the debutantes, standing there in front of everyone made her feel like she accomplished something. and she was making her mom proud which was worth it.

what could possibly go wrong?

the girls took their seats and the escorts went out to do a dance.

eden slapped her hand over her mouth when she saw the dance.

it was sort of ridiculous, but it was funny and steven looked pretty good doing it.

eden cheered and clapped for her boyfriend.

the dance finally ended and everyone had a smile on their face.