The Preferred

Chapter Three

Prom day came, and I hadn't even chosen a dress. Two hours before Erik arrived, I went to choose a dress. If I could I would go in a sweatshirt.

I chose a long, loose water green dress that left my back bare. I put on a skin-colored heel, which wouldn't even show up because of the dress, but I couldn't put on sneakers. It's a pity.

I made a high ponytail. The result was good, at least for my taste.

Erik arrived to go to the ball together. It's amazing how well he looks in a suit. His jacket is burgundy and his dress shirt is white. The tie is black, which matched the shoes. He combed his hair back. It seemed that today he wanted to drive all the girls at school crazy.

- Good night Sir. and Mrs. Bittencourt. - said Erik, with a small smile.

- Good night, Erik. - my father said. - I like the jacket. - He added, pointing in his direction.

- Ah thank you. - he said smiling.

I hadn't come down the stairs yet, but I could see them from where I was. I decided to go down.

- Good night, Miss. - said Erik, with a playful smile, as he put his hands in his pockets.

- Good night Sir. Walker - I said, in the same playful tone.

- You look beautiful, daughter. - My mother said while looking me up and down.

- Thanks Mom. - I said, with a smile. - So, should we go? - I looked at Erik.

- Yes, you better go. - My father said pointing to the door. - Take good care of my daughter. - My father added to Erik.

Was there a need that?

- But of course. - said Erik smiling at my father. - Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Bittencourt.

- Bye mom, bye dad. - I said, waving to them.

- Bye. Enjoy the party. - My mother said, with a bright smile.

We got in the car and headed for the dance. When we arrived, it looked like we were the celebrities at the party. Maybe we were.

There were girls in flashy dresses. How can they wear that?

I caught sight of Eloise with Matthew. They were both very handsome. Eloise is wearing a long, tight black dress. The dress had an opening that went up to her knee. Their heels are also black. Stiletto heels. If she fell from that height she could die, for sure. Matthew was wearing a black shirt with a gray vest over it.

Eloise saw me and I waved at her. She called Mattew and the two came towards us.

- Camille, you look beautiful! - Eloise said, opening her arms to me.

I hugged her and said: - thanks, you look beautiful too. - I said while we finished the hug.

- Hello Mattew. - I said with a smile.

- Hello Camille. I like your dress. - He spoke, pointing to my dress.

- Oh thanks. - I said, blushing a little.

I hadn't gotten used to praise from boys.

- Hello, Erik. - Said Mattew with an air of superiority.

Erik and Mattew never got along very well. The martial arts teacher doesn't even let them train together.

- Hello, Mattew. - said Erik, his face serious.

There is a strange silence after that, and the two continue to stare at each other with their hands in their pockets.

Then Eloise, our savior of silence, said with a slightly embarrassed smile: - So, uh, Mattew, let's go get a drink.

- Let's go. - He replied, still looking at Erik.

- Then we'll talk to Camille. said Eloise with a wry smile as she took Mattew's arm and forced him to walk towards the tables with drinks.

- Ok. - I said with a little smile.

When they finally left, I looked at Erik. He had his eyes on Mattew.

- Hey, - I said, touching his arm, trying to get him to look at me. Unsuccessfully. - Erik? ERIK!

- Ah, hi - he said, finally looking at me.

- Let's find a table to stay.

- Let's go. - He said, nodding his head.

After a while, they finally put on a good song to dance: Sugar of Maroon 5.

Erik and I had done a choreography for this song.

- Erik, the music. It's Sugar! - I said leaning towards him with my hands in the arms of the chair and with a smile from ear to ear.

- And I realized. - he said, looking at me with a raised eyebrow as he took his glass.

- Will you say just that?!! Come on, let's dance! It is the first good song that is playing here. - I said, dropping all my weight on the chair.

Erik said nothing more. I got up and started pulling him.

- Come on, stop this. Let's Dance!

- The music is half done, Camille. - spoke without making any effort to get up.

- This is not a problem. I ask to go back to music. Please Erik! - I said making a dog face without an owner. Sometimes it worked.

- Okay, okay, go ahead and ask me to dance after. - he said, after taking a sip of his drink.

- Ahhhh thanks! - I said, for after a kiss on his cheek.

I practically ran out to ask for the music to come back, which was not difficult to achieve, since the one who was taking care of the sound was a boy from school. Being the most beautiful at school had its advantages. I ran back to get Erik to dance.

After that, we were a lot looser at the party and we even managed to choose some songs. Everyone had more fun. I had never liked a school dance so much.

- The dance today was really cool. - said Erik, when we were in front of my house.

- Really was. - I agreed, with a smile as I held my bag in front of my body.

- So, bye, Camille. - he said, with a smile.

- Bye Erik.

As soon as he got in the car, I got in the house. My parents were already in bed at that time. I was received by the same maid who gave me that meaningless letter.

- Good night, Miss. - She said, hands in front of her.

- Good night, Caroline. - I said, taking those heels off my feet.

- Another letter arrived for you. I put them on the table in your room. - said.

One more?

- Ok, thanks.- I said thoughtfully. - Now go rest. You did a good job today. - I said, with a smile.

- Have a good night, miss. - She said, with a smile on her face.

- You too, Caroline.

I went up the stairs almost running towards my room.

As soon as I entered, I went straight to my mini office to see the letter. Again, no name.

When I opened the letter, it had another drawing: a gallows.

My God, a gallows?

I took the first letter, which had arrived the week before. I looked at the two for some clue. Nothing.

What did that mean? Threat? Or rather, who was sending me letters like that?