Relentless

Chapter 17

Jay

I have to be at the school in forty-five minutes and I haven't even started to get ready for the dance.

The dress is hanging on my closet doorknob, staring me in the face. As I sit on the chair next to my desk, I look in the mirror and start to put my eyeshadow on.

Once my make-up is done to my liking, I curl my hair and put the dress on, followed by the black high heels. I look at myself in the body length mirror and actually think positive thoughts about myself.

All of my scars have disappeared except for some on my wrists. Even the one on my eyebrow has diminished.

I hear my doorbell ring and grab the small black purse that Erica had lent me, walking into the living room and seeing Lisa's jaw drop.

"You look gorgeous! I'm so used to seeing you in your jacket! You're absolutely stunning, young lady!"

"Thanks, Lisa. I'll be back by eleven thirty." I say, walking to the door. I open it to see a flabbergasted expression on Erica's face.

"Whoa. You look amazing!"

"Same goes for you." I say, looking over her turquoise dress. It looks so elegant on her. She looks so pretty. I wish I looked like her.

Great, here come the negative thoughts.

"No, seriously, Jay. You really shouldn't hide underneath the hoodie. You are drop dead gorgeous." She says, smiling. We walk to her car and drive to the school. As we walk to the front door of the school, I take a deep breath and start to pace back and forth, pondering a thought that has been eating at my mind for hours.

"What's wrong?" She asks as I stop walking.

"I have a question but you might think too much into it."

"What is it?"

"Do you... Do you think Ashton McAllister will be here?"

"Taking into consideration that he is a rude, arrogant jock who goes against all school regulations and likes to make everyone miserable and envious... Yes." She says.

"I hate him. I loathe him!" I say, clenching my fists.

"He's something, alright. You know, where he goes, trouble follows."

"I know. I'm nervous. Extremely nervous." I admit.

"Don't be. People will never expect you to show up."

"That's what I'm nervous about."

"Let's just go in and get it over with. I promise you'll have a great time!" She says, opening the door. I walk in, followed by her and walk to the ticket stand. Once I purchase my ticket, I walk into the extremely decorated cafeteria where the theme for the dance is evident. Hollywood.

I feel eyes snap to me as I walk in and feel my cheeks blush. I look around at the faces expecting to see hatred and mockery. But when I look at them, I see amazement. I feel good about myself and walk to one of the tables, placing my purse down. I still feel the eyes on me and my hands begin to feel clammy under the intensity.

"Erica, everyone is staring at me." I whisper to her.

"Just relax and play it off. Come on, let's go dance."

As we walk out to the already crowded dance floor, the stares subside and I relax a little bit. We dance to numerous pop and country songs and I feel somewhat normal. I giggle with happiness and let Juliet come to the surface. I twirl around, fist pump, the whole nine yards, until I hear the introduction to one of my songs, causing my heart to sink into my stomach.