The Girl That Got Away

Jealousy

I sat on my bed, feeling a sense of amusement as I observed my sister Rory twiddling her thumbs and looking at me with a mischievous grin plastered on her face. "A dance?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "So, let me get this straight, Dean plants a kiss on you in the middle of the grocery store, and now suddenly you're all excited about going to some dance?" Rory's smile widened, and she nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement and wondered how much my mother had to do to convince her.

"I'll ask Dean, and maybe you could talk to the cute guy who seems interested in you," she suggested, flopping down on the bed across from mine. I'm not sure 'obsessed' is the right word to describe it. It was a bit creepy but also flattering.

As I crossed my arms and flopped back to lie on the bed, I said, "I don't know if he's interested. We were all working on portraits, and I happened to be seated across from him. It was convenient." Rory scoffed before mimicking my motions, and we both stared up at the ceiling. I hadn't even hung up the painting. His gesture was bold, and it had the entire party in awe.

"I know a romantic gesture when I see one," she said, prompting a laugh from me. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she playfully nudged me. "More like when you read one," I teased, poking fun at her love of books. She rolled her eyes in mock exasperation before bursting into a fit of giggles, her laughter infectious.

Once we caught our breath, I finally dared to ask, "So what are we wearing to this thing?"

"So you're going?"

"Clothes Rory, I'm just asking about clothes...."

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I have to ask him. He's just standing there at the end of the hall with his friends, some I recognized from Tristan's party. I slowly started making my way over when I was stopped by the man himself.

"Pixie, long time no see," his smile was bright, and the look in his eyes made my heart rate speed up.

"Hi, Tristan. Need something?" I asked, finally making eye contact with his blue eyes.

"No, just wanted to chat," he said, leaning against the lockers next to us.

"About?"

"The dance."

"Cha cha slide? Tango? The macaraina?"

"Hahaha, very funny. I want you to go with me," his smile seemed genuine,

A sudden warmth flushed my face, and I felt lightheaded, almost as if I might faint. Tristan is cute. Don't get me wrong, but Daniel was sweet. I looked past Tristan towards the group, making eye contact with him.

"He has a date," Tristan said quickly, easily figuring out what I had been planning to do.

"I'll go with you. It sounds fun," I said, sighing.

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"Ow."

"Mother"

"Be still."

"You keep stabbing me,"

"I'm trying to make your dress."

"The dance is in two hours."

"You need some things taken in. Are you losing weight?"

I was not answering that question.

The day before, Rory's dress had been completed, but Mom had forgotten that mine needed a slight adjustment. After finally finishing the alterations, she hurried me along to finish getting ready.