Under the Bridge

chapter twenty five- "you look like yourself on steroids"

I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO THROW UP ALL OVER my dress, it's the same dress that nearly costs than the average family makes in a month. My hair is in soft waves that took over an hour to do. An hour of my life I'll never get back. I'm wearing golden eyeshadow and natural looking false lashes. My makeup glows a lot in general. To the displeasure of my mother, I had Hope do it, and I think she did a good job. She kept it looking natural, save for the eyes. Hope left my freckles exposed, and she filled in my eyebrows softly with a pencil. 

As formal as I looked, it was also uncomfortable. Nearly my entire back was visible in this gown, which made me feel exposed. 

Why can't I just wear my hoodie?

I step down the stairs like one of those princess movies. Unlike one of those princess movies, however, I don't know how to walk in heels. I nearly make it to the bottom, until I'm at the third stair from the bottom, and I fall straight on my butt. 

I'm already flushed red, but I turn into a tomato when a calloused hand takes mine and pulls me to my feet. There, stands Liam Walker, holding my palm in his. 

His mouth is in a straight, unreadable line, but there's a little bit of worry in his eyes that resolves when he sees that I'm okay. His dark hair is still a little messy, but it's neater than usual. The suit he's wearing is a really, really, good look for him. 

It clings to his body in the right places, making him look put together and strong. Even if I hadn't seen him without a shirt, I can certainly imagine the muscles that linger underneath it. It reminds me of just how tall and powerful he is, something I'd grown to forget since I'd seen him soften up. 

He lets go of my hand and steps away, in silence. 

He's not talking to me, still. 

Hope cruises back in, wearing the same casual apparel she was showing off earlier. I envy her. 

"I let him in while you were upstairs, your mom hasn't seen him yet." Hope says, filling me in on the details. She glares at Liam for a second, and he raises his eyebrows, as if to accept the challenge. 

Hope could kick his butt in a heartbeat. 

My mother strolls in, wearing a tight, yet modest black dress that spews elegance and power. She looks like Claire Underwood in House of Cards, but she radiates the power of Hermoine Granger. She's scary, really, scary. 

Liam doesn't blink. Instead, he fakes a smile, and pulls off a charm I've never seen come off of him in his entire life. She approaches him with an extended palm and narrows her eyes before"Liam, I assume." She says, sternly. 

"It's nice to meet you Ms. Bear." He replies, voice smoother than I've ever heard it. 

"The driver will be here momentarily," Is all she responds with, and she renters the kitchen. 

Hope laughs. "Jesus Christ, I sometimes forget how terrifying she can be when she wants to." 

Liam shrugs and shoves his hands into his pockets, letting the charisma diminish. I feel my heart ache, as though it's about to shatter into a million pieces.  

* * *

We haven't talked at all. The entire ride was silent, save for my mother yelling at the driver for making an incorrect turn into the country club. Now we're inside the brightly lit building, with eyes attached to each of us from around the room. Liam is an outsider, and I brought him into this world. 

My mother has left us at our table, where food will be served shortly. The orchestra is playing a rendition of The Four Seasons. Right now, it's Winter. And I feel the cold already radiating off of him.