oxygen (e.d.)

chapter twenty-five

{riley}
*4 1/2 days to birthday*

"close your eyes," my dad orders excitedly.

"why?" i ask as wyatt covers my eyes with his hands.

"you'll see." i hear my mom say.

i get lead into what i assume is the living room, and smile, hoping if it's what i think it is.

"okay... it's not ready yet, but open your eyes."

wyatt's hands come off my eyes and in front of me is the dress i've been eyeing since may.

i gasp, and my eyes light up. i run my hands over the silk and lace, feeling the smooth to bumpy texture transition.

"this is... amazing. thanks guys." i smile at my family.

"i hope i got the right size. go try it on."

i take the dress into the bathroom and take off my clothes. the zipper in the back is hard to reach, so i make my mom zip it for me.

i take a deep breath and walk out of the bathroom and back to the living room. i do a twirl and everyone replies with "wowww," or "oooo,"

"do you like it?" dad asks.

"i... love it." i grin speechlessly.

"good," wyatt says, "now that you have a dress, you need a party."

"oh shut up," i roll my eyes and nudge him in the arm.

"sloane and i already sent out invites."

angrily, i whip my head around and gawk at him.

"tell me you're kidding."

"no...?"

"wyatt," i whine, "i didn't want it to be a big ordeal."

"come on! it'll be fun. swear."

"where is it?"

"beach."

"wy," i say, "random people are going to show up and bring alcohol or drugs or some shit. i don't want that."

"i've thought about that," he argues, "but i really don't have a way to stop it. sorry."

i roll my eyes and looks down at the dress.

it would be nice to have somewhere to wear it.

sure, it might get a little sandy at the beach, but it would still be pretty.

and i would for once get to be the pretty girl at the party.

"no," i say, stopping my thoughts, "cancel it."

"riley-"

"cancel it."