Bad Habits 4

Where's Liam?

"Why the fuck are you looking in my closet?" Ethel stood by her dorm door and I doze.
I turned around and I had a guilty look on my face.

It was an hour since Hayden and I had an argument about the engagement and since I had nothing to wear, his wish would come true.

"Sorry Ethel but I need your help finding an outfit for the engagement tomorrow."
"Oh yes, you're going with the mysterious Liam Levin."
That's his surname? I had no idea.

I nodded "Yeah but I won't be able to go if I don't find something to wear. So jeans or-"
"Jeans?! To a engagement?! No no no, you're supposed to wear something elegant and classy. You're going to the Dawson's party remember? They're really into that." "I was invited too with my dad but I'm grounded so I won't be able to go but I have so many options for you to wear." Ethel ran to her closet and she threw clothes onto the floor.

I dodged a flying shoe and my eyes widened.
She finally found a dress and she handed it to me with a big smile on her face.

"This red dress is perfect for you to wear, in case of any drink spills."
"Ethel thank you-"
"That doesn't mean you can spill wine on my damn dress." She immediately cut me off and I put my hands up for surrender.

"I promise."

~
The next day—
6:00pm—

I don't know why but that evening felt like the same excitement I had for my prom. I know it was the day Aidan died but I had the same butterflies in my stomach that same night.
After Aidan died, I never went to any other school dances or events. Not even my senior year prom, which was going to be my last. This was the first time in forever I was getting ready for event. Wow! It's really been 4 years.

My hair was curled, my makeup was done and I finished applying my clear lip gloss.

"Wow, Malia you look great." KT smiled at me and I blushed. I wasn't used to compliments.
"Aww thanks KT."

"And I bet your friend would say the same thing. She did say she was gonna miss you when she left."
I looked at her and frowned a little.
Addison had to leave while I was in the hospital with Zack, she had to go back to her college back home. It was such a shame that we never got to catch up.

"Well Addison would probably say it looks great and then ask me to borrow this dress right after." I chuckled a little.

There was a knock on the door and I opened it and I saw Liam. He immediately looked at me and his eyes widened.
"Woah! You look great-"

"I already said that, come up with something else to say." KT interrupted him.
Liam smiled "Well you look stunning."

I looked at him nervously "Thank you Liam, you look great too."
He was wearing a shirt with his sleeves rolled up and navy trousers.

"So you ready to get this over and done with?" He sighed.
"Sure let's get the party started." I joked and shrugged as I followed him out of the dorm and we headed towards the elevator and out the building.

~

I felt like I didn't belong. At this very moment in time, I felt like the whole world stopped spinning and all eyes were on me.
Liam and I were walking up to our table and I saw so many new faces, people I didn't know.

"Hey guys how're you?" Shelby walked up to us with her arm latched to Hayden's side.
"Shelby don't start." Hayden rolled his eyes and he looked up.

"No no, I'm just making conversation. So.....newbie to the "thug gang"." Shelby looked at me and grinned.
I was so caught up in Zack the past few days that I forgot I joined that stupid Bitter Sweet Gang in the first place.