Like Romeo & Juliet

Chapter 19

*Hastings*

Things have been tense in the Hastings's house. Spencer tried to not think about Toby by busying herself with packing for college. She and her father were walking on thin ice around each other. Her father tried to go on acting like he hadn't done anything wrong. He even tried lighting the air between them one morning by offering her a piece of her favorite candy. Spencer just glared at him then went quietly up to her room. Her mother tried to keep the peace. The nearer her graduation party came, the sadder Spencer became. This was supposed to be one of the proudest and happiest days of her life. Instead, all she can think about is how the one person she wants to be there can't be because of her pinheaded father.

Spencer regretted sending that break up message to Toby almost immediately after she sent it. What could she do though? It wouldn't be long until his father filled Toby in on the truth. He deserved to know the truth, so he knew to look for someone better. The tears never dried up between that night and Saturday morning. Her friends were allowed to visit her Friday afternoon. They sat up in Spencer's bedroom watching movies. All her friends could see how upset she was. They watched all of Spencer's favorite movies and she cried through almost all of them.

Saturday came around. Mrs. Hastings made herself busy with party details. They were having an indoor celebration at the Thorn Hill Lodge. A lot of Spencer's family were invited to come, and her friends were invited. All except one very important friend. Her mother told Spencer that she didn't want her to stress over anything when it came to the party. All she needed to focus on was enjoying herself and recognizing all the hard work she'd done over the last twelve years to get here.

That evening, Spencer stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom wearing her black party dress. Her hair was in loose waves down her back and shoulders. Her makeup was elegant, and her mom gave her a pearl necklace to wear as graduation gift. Her sister leant her a rose gold bracelet to wear on her right wrist.

"You look beautiful," Melissa said from over her shoulder.

Spencer turned around. She did her best to smile but struggled to make it full. Melissa cut across the room to help fix the pearl necklace around Spencer's neck.

"So, Toby Cavanaugh, huh?"

Spencer rolled her eyes and sniffled, "save the lecture okay. I'm not in the mood."

Melissa dropped her hands and smiled, "come on, Spence. I love a good Romeo & Juliet story myself." She grew serious and said, "dad was really mad, huh?"

"Oh, yeah," Spencer nodded.

"No one likes to see their daughter running around with the bad boy," said Melissa.

"He's not a bad guy."

"Maybe not now," said Melissa. "But, sometimes it's hard for dads to see any guy a girl is dating as a good man. Especially the son of a man you once sued."

Spencer looked at the floor and said, "dad has a bad temper."

"I know he does."

"Girls," Mrs. Hastings poked her head in Spencer's doorway. She smiled when she saw her youngest daughter. "You look wonderful, honey."

Spencer smiled and said, "thanks, mom."

"Your father's ready," said Mrs. Hastings. "Let's go."

Melissa wrapped her arm around Spencer and said, "chin up, it's party time."

A five-piece orchestra sat in the middle of the room playing string covers of modern-day songs. The room was loud with the sounds of over sixty people chatting amongst each other. Spencer's cheeks hurt from forcing all the fake smiles as each guest came up to congratulate her one by one. Her grandma on her father's side handed her an envelope with a check then kissed her cheek. She got a moment of relief when her actual friends made an appearance.