The mermaid hybrid

12. Sheila's Pre-winter formal party

*Rikki's p.o.v.*

The next week was blissful and happy and I spent as much time as possible with Brad.When it was just a week to winter formal,Sheila announced that she was throwing a Pre-winter formal party and everyone was invited.The party was to take place on tuesday evening.

I wasn't so eager to go but Brad was going to be there and so would Emily,Ray and Nick.

There was no way she would be able to pull any pranks on me with those people present.

Emily and I went shopping that tuesday afternoon before the party and were able to check out some really cool gowns.We eventually chose some really nice clothes.I chose a beautiful green blouse and black skinny jeans for Sheila's party and a carter leather Top-T-back gown for the formal.

Emily chose a one-shoulder ruched top and an unbelievably cute skirt for Sheila's party and a sleeveless peplum gown for the formal.We squealed when we found our dresses and Emily kept insisting we would look so beautiful at the party that Ray and Brad won't be able to look away from us.

I simply shook my head at her.Did she not realise that the cheerleaders at our school weren't fools at all and they would be dressed in their best gowns.Gowns that would expose things that our modest gowns wouldn't dare expose.

When we got to my house,Aunt Claire was all over us checking out our gown.She didn't look us in the eyes once and I immediately knew that something was terribly wrong but I didn't say anything since Emily was here.

As soon as Emily left,my aunt hugged me and released nerve-wrecking sobs while holding on tightly to my shoulder.We stood like that for a while till she gathered herself together and sat down.

I looked at her beautiful face that was so similar to my dad's.Her face was flushed and her nose was red from all the crying.There were dark circles under her eyes.

"Whats wrong Aunt Claire?",I asked.

"Nothing...I mean something's wrong obviously but I don't want to be a burden to you",She said.

"Uh uh Aunt Claire...what do you mean by that?",I asked.

"I'm sorry,its just that Pete said he wanted a break from me and my eccentrities...That I was boring and always depending on him and my family",Aunt Claire said.

"He did?",I said while clenching my knuckles.That bastard!!! ,he dared to insult my aunt like that.He better watch where he is going and never go too close to the sea or he'll have another thing coming.I'll personally drown him or at least give him a really good scare.

"Aunt Claire look I always knew that Pete did not deserve you,he's such a douche bag and a useless good for nothing.What man at his age still lives with his mother?",I said.

"Its alright Rikki,I'll just...just go and take a nap",She said walking away with a dazed look in her eyes.

"Lay off the sleeping pills Aunt Claire",I shouted after her.

I went up stairs to have a long bath and to get ready for the party.When Bradley came to pick me up,I called dad about Aunt Claire's current situation and checked in on her before leaving.

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When I,Emily,Ray and Bradley got to the party together,everyone was dancing and music was blaring from the speakers.

Some people were yelling the lyrics of the song and dancing on tables.Most of them were drunk just the way most people were drunk at any of Sheila's party.I always wondered why they called her parties the party of the year when most of the time,they had no memories of the event.I guess it was just to keep themselves in the good books of the head cheerleader.