Christian Taylor, the famous basketball player in town, known to be a bad boy who give zero shits about anyone, the type to stay away from but also the one that draws you to them without even trying.
Victoria Edwards, a pretty but nerdy girl who fin...
I smooth the non-existent wrinkles from my dress, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My chest tightens as I imagine the crowded ballroom downstairs, filled with sharp-eyed people eager to pick apart everything about me. The thought makes me want to disappear.
A sharp knock on my door shatters the fragile calm. "Victoria," Mom’s voice carries an edge of impatience, "it’s time. Stop stalling."the door swings open before I can answer.Mom steps inside, her eyes narrowing at the sight of me still sitting. "I knew it. You’re trying to back out of this."
"Do I really need to go?" I ask, turning to face her. My voice is softer than I intended, betraying how much I wish she’d let me sit this one out. "It’s not like anyone will care if I’m not there."
She folds her arms, her big brown eyes sharp and unforgiving. "You don’t get to skip out on this. We’ve discussed this, Victoria. You agreed to play your part so Jake doesn’t have to deal with the pressure. This was your idea."
I press my lips together, guilt clawing at my insides. I had agreed to this—to be the "face" of our family, to take the attention off my younger brother. Jake didn’t deserve to be paraded around like this. But sometimes I wonder if I’m strong enough to handle it either.
Her words cut deep, as they always do. I look down at my lap, unable to hold her gaze. "I know. I just..."
"You just nothing," she snaps, walking over to adjust the strap of my dress. "You’re wearing that, so you’re going."
Her tone softens slightly as she steps back to examine me. "You look stunning. This is what I’ve been telling you—you belong in these circles, Victoria. You’re Catherine Smith’s daughter. Now start acting like it."
Not Jake’s sister. Catherine Smith’s daughter. The weight of her expectations presses down on me, making it harder to breathe.
"Fine," I mutter, standing up.
The champagne dress shimmers under the light as I move. It hugs my waist perfectly, flowing into a delicate, sheer skirt that brushes the floor. The beading on the bodice sparkles with every movement, catching the light like a constellation. My heels are high, elegant, and not at all comfortable.
Mom watches me with a satisfied smile. "Good. Now go down there and make an impression."
I leave before she can say more, clutching the banister as I make my way to the stairs. The moment I step into view, the hum of conversation below seems to fade.
All eyes turn to me.
My chest tightens, and my palms grow clammy. Their gazes feel heavy, their expressions unreadable. Are they admiring me, judging me, or just curious? I grip the banister tightly as I begin my descent, willing my legs not to shake.
One step at a time. Breathe. Just breathe.
I try to focus on anything but their stares, but my mind betrays me. Breathe, Victoria. Just keep moving.
I reach the middle of the staircase when I see him—Christian. He’s standing, talking to Michaela, looking every bit as confident and untouchable as ever. His tailored suit fits him perfectly, his posture relaxed as he talks.
My breath hitches as the memories flood back, unbidden.
Last night. The car ride after the game.
^^^^ I freeze but only for a second, then melt into him, my hands finding his shirt and clutching it as if it were the only thing tethering me to reality. His fingers held my neck, pulling me closer, and the kiss deepened, a battle of unspoken words and untamed feelings.
It was everything I hated about him—intense, overwhelming, impossible to ignore. And yet, it was everything I couldn’t seem to resist.
^^^^ Our eyes lock. I should be embarrassed that he found me looking at him, I should look away. I don’t look away, though every instinct screams at me to. He turns briefly to Michaela, smiles at her, says something, and then—he’s looking at me again, his focus unshakable.
I descend the last few steps, my knees threatening to buckle beneath me. His gaze is steady, unwavering, and I wonder if he’s thinking about last night too.
When he finally reaches me, I forget how to breathe.
"Victoria."
"Christian."
"You look amazing," he says, his eyes sweeping over me like I’m some kind of rare gem.
"Yeah, but I’m so uncomfortable," I reply, scrunching my nose.
He chuckles, a low, warm sound that makes my stomach flip. "I know."
That chuckle. God, that chuckle. I don’t know what’s been going on with Christian these days, but he’s not his usual brooding self. Whatever shift happened in the multiverse to cause this, I hope it never reverses.
I smile at him, about to say something, when I catch sight of Raven across the room.
She’s looking straight at me.
And she’s not alone. Alexis and Alexa are flanking her like guards, their gazes just as pointed.
The color drains from my face, and my smile falls.
What the fuck. What do I even say? Hi, Raven. So, yeah, Catherine Smith is my mother, and I’ve been hiding it from you guys because, well... I don’t know.
My thoughts spiral until Christian tucks a finger under my chin, gently lifting my face to meet his. Our eyes lock, and I feel myself sinking into the depths of his blue sapphires. There’s something grounding about his gaze, like it’s tethering me to reality.
"They’re your friends," he says, his tone calm and steady. "They’ll understand when you explain everything to them."
He looks serious, like he knows I’m seconds away from a full-blown panic.
"Wait, how do you know I never told them?" I ask, narrowing my eyes slightly.
"Shhh," he murmurs with a faint smirk, brushing off my question. "Go talk to them. I’ll see you later?"
He says it like a question, his voice softer now, and I catch the glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Yeah," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
With a deep breath, I step aside, letting him go as I walk toward my friends—Raven, Alexis, and Alexa—all of them wearing expressions that scream curiosity and confusion.
A/N hello, guys. So I know I was supposed to post tomorrow but I decided to do it today. I'm in a good mood.
Hope you love it.
And here is a peak at Victoria's page so we can get to know more about our character. Remember she recently gained a thousand followers. She doesn’t even follow Lexi lol.
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