𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠

Chapter Twenty-Four.

     

     AFTER THE ADVICE that Shayla gave her, Ember decided on wearing her hair natural, her long curls cascading down her back as the front pieces were pinned back to keep her hair out of her face. Then she got her make up done and just sat there, staring at herself. She truly couldn't believe she was here. A debutante on the night of the deb ball.

"You look so pretty, Ems." Belly said suddenly so she quickly looked over at her sister and smiled. "You look beautiful, Bell..." She said then she got up, walking over to the table with all the flowers on it and picked up a bouquet. "See you out there, Baby Bell." She says, gently touching her arm and Belly giggled, she hadn't heard that nickname from her sister since they were kids. "See you out there."

The girls make their way to the back of the stage in a line, each girl being announced. "Prune. Prune." Belly whispers from in front of Ember who just furrows her brows, listening to her. Then Belly was next, after Gigi. "Isabel Conklin, daughter of John Conklin and Laurel Park. A student at Chesterbrook High School where she is captain of the varsity volleyball team." The woman announced as Ember stared at the two standing together, smiling.

"Isabel is also an avid swimmer, and this summer she raised $5,000 for the country women's shelter." Then Ember was next. "Ember Park, also the daughter of John Conklin and Laurel Park. Ember is a graduate from Chesterbrooke High School, where she finished top of her class and was valedictorian." The woman announced as Ember and Levi meet at the big floral archway.

"You look beautiful, Emmy." Levi whispers and Ember just smiled, the two walking out of the archway and standing together. "Ember is a selfless older sister, who helped her sister, Isabel, with raising money, and she is also attending Berkeley in the Fall." The woman announced as the two make their way to the spot on the dance floor, facing her family.

She walked over and gave the flowers to John, hugging him then hugging Laurel who had Belly's flowers on the table. She goes back to stand next to Levi, smiling widely at her sister. "That curtsy was so cute." The boy whispered to her and Ember rolls her eyes, giggling quietly. When Laurel hands over Belly's roses to Susannah, Ember watched the way the woman smells them and smiles. She glanced over at Conrad now, only to find him already staring at her. She stared back for a moment then quickly looked away, at her mom who was staring at Susannah with a frown.

She clutches tighter onto Levi as her mom suddenly got up and left. "Mom?" She looked over, watching her as John now got up and went to go after Laurel. "It is my honour to introduce this year's Cousins Beach Country Club debutantes." Applause erupts from the people in the audience as the girls all curtsy. And Ember looks to where her mom and her dad disappeared off to.

"I'm sure she's okay." Levi tells her quietly as Jeremiah headed off to where the two had gone off to. The two had now returned and sat down at the table with them. "And now introducing this year's debutantes escorts." Everyone claps and cheers as the boys all walk down the stage. As the boys all line up on either sides of the dance floor, the music began and the boys all began dancing as Ember laughs, her eyes fixated on her best friend.

"I've never seen Levi dance like that." She said as the crowd all whoop and cheer. She giggles loudly, covering her hand over her mouth as Levi, Steven and Jeremiah all body roll. Belly cheers them on and Ember just claps, shaking her head with a wide grin. "I'm never letting Levi live this down." She says quietly, laughing at the group of escorts dance.

The boys and one girl all pose at the end, making everyone cheer and clap their hands for them, even standing up from their seats. After the dance, Levi walked over and Ember pointed at him. "Don't you dare start," he says as she just giggled, embracing him.