Me With Him

chapter sixteen

I woke up and it hit me. Today was the valentines dance. I called the girls to see if they wanted to meet up somewhere to get ready together. We agreed to meet at Colbilyne's house in an hour. I showed up right on time. Colbilyne's brother answered the door.
''Hey C J''
''Hey Eric''
''Here for Ariel?''
''Yeah"
''Cool come in''
I went to her room and they were getting ready. Colbilyne was curling Brenna's hair. Her red dress looked perfect. It hugged her curves and poofed out on the bottom. Colbilyne was in her gorgeous green dress. It was ruffled all over. I went into the bathroom to change into my dress and heels.
''What do you think?'' I asked them
''OMG THAT DRESS IS AMAZING''
Brenna said
''The heels don't go with it.'' Colbilyne said
''We need a guys opinion.''I decided
''Eric we need you to come look at C J's dress.'' She called her brother into the room.
''Wow C J you look amazing.''
''Thanks Eric that's sweet of you to say.''
''Anytime.''
He left the room and the girls oooed.
''What?''
''My brother sooo likes you!'' Colbilyne said
''No way! He was just being nice.''
Brenna helped me curl my hair. I put on my makeup. Deep purple eyeshadow, peach lipstick, black eyeliner and mascara. I put on Carter's silver bracelet and the jacket from Brody.
Then the boys showed up. And let me tell you they clean up nice.
Carter was in a white tux and white shiny shoes with a white under shirt and a royal purple shiny tie to match my dress.
Nick was in a red tux and black shoes with a white tie. Justin was in a black tux and black shoes with a minty green tie to match Colbilyne's dress.
''Wow you guys look amazing.'' I said
''Yeah you look fine.'' Colbilyne said.
''You look fine yourself'' Nick said walking up and putting his arms around her. Carter walked torward me.
''Hey beautiful wanna dance.''
''Let's wait for the dance floor handsome''
''Fine but your next to me in the limousine.''
''What!?''
''Dude that was a surprise'' Justin said.
''Oops''
''Awww guys you didn't need to get a limo, thanks so much that is really sweet.'' I thanked them and pecked Carter's nose. He crinkled his face and took both my hands to lead me outside.
We got in the limo and headed to the dance. When we got there I went to get out and Carter told Justin to hold me still. He got out and opened the door for me. He took my hands and helped me out of the car. He held my hand as we walked in. When they went to take our picture he put one arm around my waist and held the other one. He stared into my eyes, bringing a genuine smile to my face to match his. The camra went off and we moved on.
''Can we dance now?'' He asked
''Yes if we must.'' I joked.
He put his arms around my waist and held me close. My arms around his neck he began spinning me gently ss we swayed to the music. A fast song came on and we moved off the dance floor.
''You want something to drink?''
''Yeah sure'' he left to get some drinks and I layed against the wall.
''Get off me! Help!'' I heard a call off my left and ran that direction. I grabbed Justin to help me. We found Jane, a girl in our grade with black eyes and pink hair, fighting off a guy who looked at least two years older than us. Justin pulled him off and I grabbed Jane and ran.
''You okay?''
''Yeah he's just alot bigger than me and he was really drunk. He would never hurt me sober.''
''How often is he this wasted?''
''Too often, but he loves me.''
''That doesn't mean he won't hurt you. When someone is that drunk you need to stay away until they're good. Has he ever hurt you?''
''Not bad.or ever on purpose.''
''Let me tell you a story, I know this girl who's older brother was in love with this girl who had an abusive boyfriend. She called him late one night,'' my voice cracked and tears swelled in my eyes. ''She asked him to pick her up, but he couldn't. His brother had the car. The next day police found her body in a dumpster, she'd been beaten to death. This is a real story and abusive boyfriends are a real issue so please get help.'' We were both crying at that point and she nodded at me and took out her cell phone. Carter walked up to me and put the drinks on a nearby table. He lifted my chin and wiped my tears. He put his arms around my waist and held me close. We stayed like that for a long time.
''Do you want to dance?'' I asked
''Yes'' he replied.
He led me onto the dance floor. He put one arm around my waist and held my hand with the other one. We swayed and spun to the music. He pulled me off the dance floor.
''Why did we stop dancing?'' I asked
''My mom is calling.'' He answered his phone.
''Hey mom. It's for you.'' He handed me the phone.
''Mrs. Anota''
''Hello dear, your brother called, he told me to tell you he would be at Rachel's''
''Okay, thank you bye''
''Bye dear'' I hung up his phone and gave it back to him. A man was on the stage.
'' may I have your attention please. It's time to announce the winners of cutest couple. The winners are................Carter Anota, and Courtney Cappellmen.'' Carter was on stage and he stared in disbelief as Courtney took her place next to him.
''I don't think you understand, we aren't a...'' he didn't finish. Courtney crashed her lips into his, he threw his hands up in protest, but he didn't push her off. I'd seen enough, I ran out of the dance. I called Cason.
''Hey what's up.''
''Can you come get me?''
''I'm with Alicia getting ice cream do you want me to bring you here?''
''Yeah I could use ice cream.''
''Okay? You ok?''
''I'll tell you about it when we get comfort food.''
''Ok I'm on my way.''
''Thanks'' I hung up and put my phone away. He showed up a few minutes later. I got in the car and he drove in silence. We got to menchies and I got a large strawberry fro-yo with gummi worms.
''You must be C.J'' a pretty girl who must have been Alicia.
''You must be Alicia. Will you help me fix my makeup?''
''Yeah sure'' we went to the restroom and she looked at me.
''Your makeup is flawless, why did you want me to come in here?''
''I like you, but if you break my brother I'll break your teeth.''
''Ok I'm not going to hurt him though.''
''Good so we can be friends.''
''Yeah'' we walked back to our ice cream.
''So what was wrong?''
''Carter.''
''What did he do?''
''Okay so he and Courtney were chosen as the perfect couple. He tried to explain that they weren't a couple but Courtney kissed him.''
''And that's his fault how?''
''He didn't push her off. He kissed back.'' I was crying now. Alicia was stunned and Cason came and sat next to me and held me.
''Can you take me home?''
''Why?''
''You're on a date.''
''Take my car and I'll just have Alicia drop me off later.''
''Oh yeah, this whole having a license thing is new to me sorry''
''It's ok bye''
''Bye''
I drove home and found Harrold sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.
''What happened at Rachel's?''
''What happened at your dance?''
''I asked you first.'' I sat next to him.
''You know we've been engaged for five months?''
''Yeah, she didn't call it off did she?'' His eyes fell.
''She's pregnant.''
''What?! Who's the dad? Tell me it's you!''
''It's mine alright.'' I'm not ready to be a dad.''
Sure you are.Cason and I'll be fine. Move into her apartment. I think almost 21 is a good age for your first kid. You're almost married. You have a degree in electrical wiring. You have a good job. You'll be a great dad. You practically raised me and cason and we turned out ok.''
''Speaking of you, spill.'' I told him the same thing I told Cason.
''I'll kill him if it'll make you feel better.''
''Cason called it.''
''Dang it.'' We laughed and I hugged him then I went to bed.