My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 23: The day

"Sharon!" Bella screamed in surprise the moment she saw me. Her eyes widened as she looked me up and down. "You look beautiful, you know." She smiled warmly, clearly impressed.

"Yeah, I know," I teased, returning her smile. "You look nice too."

"You know, I actually thought you wouldn't come. It would've been so boring without you." She slipped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I could tell she genuinely missed my presence.

"I almost forgot today was the day," I admitted. "But thanks to my mum, here I am."

"Oh, thank God you didn't miss it! Lots of pictures are waiting for us." Her excitement was contagious.

"So... where's Helen? I haven't seen her," I asked, glancing around as Bella scrolled through her phone.

"She went to the bathroom. She'll be here any minute."

My eyes kept wandering around the hall, scanning faces without even realizing it.

"Are you looking for someone?" Bella asked, catching my distracted expression.

"No... I'm not."

"You look like you are," she insisted, studying me.

"Where's your mum?" I asked quickly, steering the conversation away.

"She's on her way."

"So... are you two on good terms now?" I hesitated. "Sorry for intruding, but you're my friend. I care about you."

"Yeah, we've settled things," she said softly. "But I still haven't gotten my answers." She paused, narrowing her eyes. "Wait... how did you know we had an argument?"

"Um... you know... in a dream, I guess."

Bella raised a brow. "Bad liar. You came to my place, didn't you?"

I sighed. "Yeah. I was bored... and kind of broken after what happened between me and Stephen."

Her expression shifted instantly. "What happened?"

"I'll tell you later," I said gently. "I don't want to ruin today."

She nodded, respecting that.

Just then, Helen came rushing toward us in her heels, almost tripping as she wrapped me in a hug.

"Sharon! I missed you!"

"Hm... doubt that," I murmured, remembering the last time I saw her.

"Let's take pictures!" she announced, dragging us close for selfies.

Afterward, we sat down, but my mind wasn't at rest. My eyes kept scanning the room.
Where are you, Steph?

"Are you okay?" Bella asked, noticing my tension.

"Yeah," I muttered, still searching.

"You sure you aren't looking for someone?" she pressed again, following my gaze.

"My mum! There she is." I spotted her, along with my siblings.

Bella got distracted by her ringing phone — her mum calling.

"Hello, Mum, where are you?" she asked anxiously.

"I've arrived. I'm sitting next to Sharon's mum."

Bella waved excitedly. "I see you!"

"I'm wishing for the best, Bella," her mum said before hanging up.

Bella exhaled softly. "I hope I win something. I want to make her proud."

I didn't dare bring up her father. It might ruin her mood.

My thoughts drifted to my own.
How could he leave us so easily? Did he even love me? Sometimes I wondered if I was even his real daughter. I tried to love him, tried to forget the resentment, but it never faded. He always favored Carly, Tori, and Matt. I was punished for things I didn't do.
I hated calling him my father.

"Sharon... is something wrong?" Helen asked.

I hadn't realized tears were sliding down my cheeks.

"It's tears of joy," I laughed weakly. "Big day, you know."

"You're lying," she said gently. "You'll ruin your makeup. Go fix yourself."

"Yeah... I'll go to the bathroom."

I walked off, but before reaching it, I nearly ran into Eric.

"Hey, Sharon," he said, stopping me.

"Hi..." I replied awkwardly.

"I saw your dad," he began.

"Really?" My heart skipped. Maybe I'd been wrong about him.

"Yeah... Sharon, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"You're already talking," I forced a smile.

He hesitated. "Did you ever have feelings for me?"

"Yes," I answered before thinking.

"Do you still?"

"I... can't answer that."

"Because you still do." He stepped closer.

"I don't," I insisted, though my heart betrayed me. I didn't want to reopen old memories. I loved someone else now... didn't I?

"Then answer me."

Before I could respond, he lifted my chin and kissed me.
The familiarity hit instantly — his scent, his warmth, the memories flooding back. I hated myself for it, yet I kissed him back.

Suddenly, he was yanked away.
Stephen's fist collided with his face.

"You animal! How dare you try to steal her from me?!" Stephen roared, throwing punches fueled by rage.

"Stephen, stop! You're hurting him!" I cried, trying to intervene.

"Stay out of this! I saw you — you kissed him back!"

"That's because she loves me," Eric shot back, retaliating.

"She's mine!" Stephen shouted.

"Stephen, please!"

He turned to me, desperation in his eyes. "I don't want to believe him. I love you. I'd do anything for you."

But the chaos overwhelmed me.

"You both can keep fighting," I snapped. "I'm leaving."

"Sharon, wait!" Stephen caught up with me.

"Leave me alone. You're always jealous."

"You caused it — but I'm sorry," he said breathlessly. "Whenever I see you with him, I fear something will happen... and it did."

"Not now, Stephen."

"But you kissed him back."

"Let's talk later," I said firmly. "They're about to announce awards. And my dad is here — I don't want him finding out about us. I didn't imagine today turning out like this."

I walked away, leaving him standing there, alone with his thoughts.