The One Who Left | In Progress

{ Ch. 16 }

"I can't believe the homecoming dance is in a month!" Rey squeals and I laugh, this is the first time I've ever seen Aubrey so excited for an atypical high school event. She practically hates school spirit and pep rallies and everything high school related. "You hate school," Madison points out and I grin - it's like were more than stepsisters, we were soul sisters lol.

"What even is the point of this for me," Bri says matter of fact, "I'm not a senior." "It's the concept. The soul of the thing." Rey comments and I agree, nodding my head. "There's nothing like dress shopping and then going to a really expensive restaurant and getting someone else to pay for it." "- by the way, Jeremy is broke." Madison chips in and I laugh, I bet he told her to tell us that.
"Don't worry, we'll just ask Noah or Kael or Lloyd." "Geez, what's with you all and rich boys?" Morgan snickers and Jess rolls her eyes: "Trust me - if you don't get a rich one, you end up with a poor one." "Yeah, just ask Delilah." Madison says offhandedly and all the girls practically die laughing - everyone except me. "Ha ha guys, very funny." Distaste drips from my tongue and I roll my eyes as the five girls take their time in composing themselves.

"No Dels, on a serious note how are you and Noah?" Rey rushes to my side, slinging an arm around my shoulders and I sulk in typical 'Monica from Friends' fashion. "Please tell is, pretty please!" Morgan artfully flutters her big doe eyes at me, "I'll tell mine if you tell yours." "Ugh, fine." I gripe before sighing, "Noah and I are in a good place right now." What I mean about that is, Noah hasn't had many nightmares since the last one at Kael amd Jess', when he opened up about it amd told me that he has recurring nightmares of how everyone rejects him, I could relate - I mean, I thought my father hated me my whole life long. Some would tell me to get over it and trust me I want to but feelings don't work that way. They're irrational and ugly amd oh so messy - feelings are not reasonable, they don't listen to logic. I think that's why they're so hard to figure out.

"C'mon Dellie," Bri whines, "You gotta give us more than that." I shrug, "My relationship with Noah is my relationship with Noah." Jess scoffs, "At least she's admitting that there's a relationship." Rey and Morg exchange glances, "What?" "Oh yeah, Kael amd Lark wouldn't even know she was dating someone she was that aloof." They don't know that behind my perfect mask of indifference - my heart beats fast, my palms sweat and I force myself to stamd tall. Not to shake in the knees. I always play my cards close to my chest. My emotions too... if I can help it - if it's reflex I can't help it.

"Fine, I'll give you what you want - I kissed him." I sigh, as if it was a chore - but secretly smiling inside. "Where?" "On his face duhh." I remark and walk faster. Mwahaha, they'll be wondering if it was on the cheek, or lips, or forehead, or if it was tongue, or maybe even all four. The five of them release deep groans and I choke back laughter. "Come on Morgan, you said you'd spill the beans." Madison yanks her sister and Rey subtly takes pictures of our antics. "Fine, Lloyd told me he liked me and I said I liked him too." She sighs dreamily and Morgan snorts. "Amateur." Morgan looks at her sister with an evil eye. "I genuinely like Lloyd for who he is - which is more than what I can say for you and Jeremy." Madison's mouth drops open, "I like Jeremy for him too." Rey snorts, "Unlikely, unless you get your kicks by talking to a vegetable."

Noticing the atmosphere change fpr the worse, Jess quickly runs into a salon yanking me along - "Ooh, c'mon guys - I need to dye my hair." She says amd I laugh, reminded of her argument with Kael about changing her hair colour. God, that was a week ago - feels like yesterday. "Hi, what can I get you lovely ladies," The lady at the counter smiles and we titter. If that could describe the sound Morgan and Rey and Bri were making.

"I want my hair completely purple - I'm thinking maybe a lilac?" Jess muses and I scoff, "I'd jist like a trim and some layers." The lady looks up." And the rest of you?"" I also want a trim." Madison shouts and Rey, Bri and Morgan look at each other. "We'll just have blowouts."

"So Morg, spill the tea." Rey nods eagerly and unease crawls onto Morgan's face, "I don't know guys." She says nervously, eyes darting to Madison. Realisation dawns in me, "Don't worry about Maddie, she won't say anything."
Morgan exhales before dreamily looking up again. "I really really like him, I don't think I'm supposed to like a boy this much." Morg sighs and Madison rolls her eyes. "You're not a nun or a virginal saint. You can do whatever the fuck you want." She mutters and Rey nudges her to keep her mouth shut. "I'm glad to see someone appreciates intellect." Aubrey says pointedly and Madison snarls. "Leave my relationship alone Rey - it has nothing whatsoever to do with you." "I personally think that your outlook on relationships is refreshing. There are too many instacouples nowadays." Jess comments and Morgan smiles sheepishly. When no one says anything, Jess throws her hands in the air. "I know I'm not in high school anymore but I'm not old, okay." She protests, amd we laugh, "All done." The hairdresser smiles and we thank them and pay. "Oh my gosh Jess - I love your hair!" Rey gasps and we all swivel toward Jess. Her hair is a cute shoulder length bob, completely a light lilac. It makes her hazel green eyes pop and complements her dark mocha skin tone.

"We all look fabulous." She remarks and we laugh walkimg into a dress shop called Chantel - cute spinoff off Chanel. "So your dates?" Bri, of all people, brings up the topic. "Jeremy asked me last week." "Kael and I are probably just gonna have a date." "Gunner asked me if I wanted to go?" Rey says offhandedly, "But you guys..." Morg and Maddie and Bri squeal. "Oh, you definitely need a dress now." Jess says yanking Rey into a changing room and I laugh.

Bri, Morgan and I have something that Jess calls TBC. I think it means that our dates are to be confirmed but I'm fine going stag - I don't like parties that much anyway.

Eventually all of us find a dress.
Morgan's dress (as foumd by Jess - Jess demands to be acknowledged) is a midthigh babydoll style, blue lace dress. It's a light sea green colour with the blue intricate and complicated patterns of lace that makes the dress stand out.
Aubrey goes for a fuchsia pink jumpsuit that is fittest and strapless on top but flares out into almost a wavelike billow around her legs looking like a very stylish Jaz Sinclair.
Madison choses a bright red bodycon dress in a Aunrey Hepburn style.
Jess picks a two piece ensemble that matches haie hair but just a few shades darker... a magenta crop top and pencil skirt.
Bri ultimately decides on a little black dress - Madison stressed was a staple - and since Bri never wears dresses she started from the basics.

My dress (on the other hand) was also pitch black, a bodice made of smooth velvet, with spaghetti straps with a princess neckline, hugging my upper body. The skirt flared out at my waist, made of glittering black tulle, looking elegant and dazzling as it falls exactly underneath my knees. I looked like a ballerina.

I adored my dress... but I didn't even know I was going. Facepalm.