Better Than I Know

Chapter 13

I opened my eyes waking up to see Luke sleeping on the couch beside the bed; and from the look of it; it's really not that comfortable. I shuffled in the bed till I was facing him; he looked like an angel sleeping.

I kept watching him trying not to make a sound so he won't wake up disturbed; just then he opened his eyes yawning; that got me to close mine instantly.

I kept stealing glances opening and closing my eyes quickly, he got up and walked to the bathroom in his room, he kept the door opened; he was brushing his teeth not paying attention to me, I slowly opened my eyes and watched him; he was shirtless ... And I felt like the air has escaped my lungs.

Quickly again I closed my eyes once more and kept inhaling and exhaling; trying to control my breath, how the hell could someone affect me this much? I then felt him coming closer towards me, how do I know? The answer is from his scent and the warmth radiating from his body till I felt his hands were on top of mine.

That was my cue to open my eyes; once I opened them he quickly moved his hands and smiled.

"Good Morning."

"Good Morning." I said getting up.My body still hurts a little but not like yesterday.

"How are you today?" I guess he could see the expression on my face and that made him offer me his hands for support.

"I am fine." I said taking them.

"C'mon then, I'll make you breakfast." He said.

"No no no. Luke let me make you breakfast; cause I am really hungry and I'd like to eat something which is not burnt." I said remembering the pancakes.

He pouted, "You mean you didn't like my cooking." He said childishly.

"Matter of factly, yes." I said walking past him to the bathroom.

When I finished washing and combing my hair, I went downstairs to find Luke watching tv and waiting for the breakfast I am going to make. I went straight to the kitchen and began to go through my options, I could make some pancakes with orange juice or something; everything I need is in here.

15 minutes later I called out for Luke to come and eat.

"Wow, the smell is amazing." He said taking his seat.

"C'mon I am starving here." We sat down and started eating in silence.

"Where did you learn to cook like that?" He asked obviously impressed by my skills in the kitchen.

"My nanny." I answered.

 "Your nanny?!" He repeated in confession.

"Yes, my nanny taught me how to cook."

And that's about it, I didn't add another word; cause if I went though details it's going to be too painful for me to remember and he's not going to get why would my mum and dad leave a small child with a nanny the whole time.

"David is texting me about the masquerade." Luke said suddenly.

Oh shit the masquerade, I totally forgot about that; with everything that's happening, it just skipped my mind. Luke's sensed my freaked out impression and carefully asked.

"What's wrong?"

"I totally forgot about the ball, and I have to be in Lila's house in..." I paused to look at the clock "fifteen minutes." Now I am officially freaking out.

"Calm down, it's fine." That was Luke's attempt to calm me down; which by the way failed.

But then he continued, "your car is outside and your house isn't that far away, you can defiantly make it in time."

I didn't need to hear anymore, I rushed past him to the front door and straight to my car. I stood there in total loss; I just feel like I've forgotten something.

"I guess you'll need those." Luke said waving the keys around.

"Oh Thanks." I snatched the keys from his hands and immediately hit the road.

I raced down the streets till I reached my place; I didn't even bother to cut the engine off, I left the car and raced to my room; collected the dress, shoes and the accessories we have bought and I was off to Lila's house.

In her drive away, I breathed a sigh of ultimate relief; I was just on time. I knocked the door and stood there waiting for her, when she finally opened up the look on her face was one of relief; like she mirrored my expression just a second ago.

"You came!" It was more like a statement.

"Yeah! I came." I said raising my eye brows.

"I thought you'd bail on us." She said inviting me in.

"Why would I do that?" I asked shocked.

"I don't know, being with Luke can be pretty distracting." She said playfully.

"Luke and I are not together, we are just friends." I said defensively.

"We'll see after the masquerade." She said walking away.

"Lila," I yelled running after her.

"Girls, Beth came." She said laughing.

"Hey girls." I said entering the room.

"Hey Beth."

"Now let's start getting ready." Lea said excitedly.

The next few hours, it was all about getting ready; doing our hair, makeup and the final touches. Lauren was the one doing my hair; and she made a pretty good job with it. When everything was set it was time to put our gowns on.

I stood in the bathroom with my back to the mirror afraid to turn over to look at myself. What if the dress doesn't look as good on my as it did before? I slowly gathered up every strength of courage that I have and turned around; I released a breath I didn't know I was holding I saw a good looking girl that looks nothing like me; she's pretty and sophisticated; and to my surprise that girl was me.

My hair falls in soft waves around my face, spilling over my shoulders, and the dress fits me perfectly. I walked out of the bathroom to the group of girls waiting for me, they all looked beautiful.

"The guys are waiting downstairs, c'mon." Lea said excitedly.

"Before we go, I love you girls." Lila said taking our hands.

"We love you too." We all said at the same time.

As we walked down the stairs, I felt like I am in some sort of a movie. The guys were lining up waiting for us. Lila was the first to go down; Ben's face was a complete awe, the poor guy's hands were shaking and I felt sorry for him.

When I walked down the stairs I felt everything's going in slow motion, I kept my eyes on the stairs; I felt like I am going to fall with those high heels but thank god I didn't. When I finally looked up my eyes went straight to one particular face, Luke's.

He was wearing a black tuxedo with a tie that matches the colour of my dress, his eyes had something in them that I didn't see before when I reached him he handed me the mask I am supposed to wear; he then grinned and bend down to my ears and whispered, "you look beautiful, Beth."