Stop in the Name of Love (Completed)

Chapter 38

Tonight is the fundraiser, and I've never been more scared in my life. On top of the fact that my dad will beat me to a pulp for being out and not making dinner, Dominic has been acting out at me more and more every day. He doesn't let me get my own food at lunch, he doesn't let his friends talk to me, he doesn't leave me alone with anyone outside of class, and he is always holding onto me in some way and it's usually unwelcome.

Last week I told him I didn't want him touching me and he lashed out, grabbing my wrists and pulling me close, "Just shut up and look pretty alright?" I hid in the bathroom not long after class started that day.

Yesterday he held and twisted my wrist hard enough I thought it would snap, all because Zach talked the me. Dominic told me to stop flirting with his friends or else.

He picked out my dress for tonight, my only comfort comes from knowing his mom helped. I haven't seen it yet, I arrive at the event with his family at seven. I pull into their driveway ten minutes to six.

I'm greeted by Mrs. Stom, her hair in curlers and her in a very nice robe, "Oh hello Rhea, I was starting to worry about you. Come in, let's get you started," She gently takes my arm and guides me inside.

It doesn't take long for Emily to come running up to me. She has the largest smile I've ever seen as she twirls in her sparkly black dress with little white flowers on the tulle skirt.

"Mommy made me a princess!" She's got a little bit of shiny lipgloss on to help add to her already precious smile. Her hair is pulled back into braids that wrap around her bun.

"You were already a princess," I tap her nose and she takes my hand giggling.

"It's your turn!" She pulls me along to the stairs.

Her mother pats my shoulder as we climb up the stairs and to the master bathroom, which is huge beyond words. A long two sink vanity spreads across the entire far wall, with a large mirror above. Parallel to the vanity is a large claw foot tub and a large marble walk in shower. Everything in the bathroom is white marble with gold accessories. How Emily doesn't feel like a princess everyday is beyond me.

Mrs. Stom sits me in a chair at the vanity and starts playing with my hair. It's getting pretty long, reaching the lowest part of my shoulder blades. I guess I'll always have that going for me, my hair grows really fast.

"Emily says your name is Greek?" She tilts her head as she examines my hair.

"Yeah, the mother of the gods," I smile at her in the mirror, hoping to lighten her serious face.

"I think I know just what to do for your hair," A sly grin spreads over her nude lips. She starts by brushing my hair back and grabbing tool after tool, lots of Bobby pins and a curling iron.

A half an hour later, she's sliding a golden hair comb into my hair and showing me the finished product. At first the style looks messy, but I can make out the loose braid and gentle waves giving me a certain elegance I never would have thought I could have.

"Befitting a Greek goddess, hmm?" Mrs. Stom leans in and gently grips my shoulders as I admire myself in awe, "Let's finish the look, shall we?"

I nod gently and lean back into the chair. I sit and do as I'm told, closing my eyes when necessary or opening them wide. All the products and brushes feel weird on my skin but it's almost soothing. When she pulls back to let me see, I don't feel like I'm looking at me.

My eyeliner is a perfect cat eye with black and creme eyeshadow to compliment it, my lipstick is a similar nude shade to Mrs. Stom's. I actually look like I could belong at this event.