Within the Walls of Kingsbury Prep (Kingsbury Prep #1)

21: The Expression of Feelings

"Wow I'm stuffed." I breathe, leaning back in my chair.

"That meal was phenomenal." Roman comments.

"You'll have to thank my mum later."

"Millie she's here now." Lola signals me to turn around.

Walking through the door dressed in a floor length wrap dress is my beautiful mum. She looks tentative as she walks in but beams when she sees me. I get up from my seat and rush over to hug her.

"Mum, look at you!"

"Look at me, look at you! My God, look how grown up you look." Tears fill her eyes.

"Don't cry mum, today's a happy day. Come say hi to my friends." I pulled her over to the table. "Guys, this is my mum, Melanie Anders."

My friends introduce themselves one by one.

"It's lovely to finally meet you all, Millie has told me great things about you all." My mum smiles.

"This is Roman Kingsbury." I direct my mums attention to Roman who's stood nervously next to me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Anders. That meal was phenomenal by the way."

"Call me Melanie, Miss Anders makes me feel old." My mum jokes.

One of my mum's favourite songs begin to be played so I pull her to dance with me.

"You too Althea!" I call over my shoulder. We make our way onto the dance floor, not caring who watches us.

Twirling each other about, we lose ourselves in laughter. As we're dancing I notice a few of the teachers congregated together in a corner, watching me, whispering. My mum snaps me out of my thoughts telling me she's going to the toilet, Althea decides to join her so I'm left alone.

I spot Roman talking to Charity and Charles, although I really don't want to talk to the evil C's, I what to spend this night with my date.

"I'm just saying, look at her. Why are you here with someone like that?" Charles scoffs. "I mean yeah she looks hot tonight, which is shocking, but she's still a guttersnipe.

"You should be here with someone like me." Charity moves closer to him, running her hand along his arm.

I turn and run straight out of the ball and down the corridor. I've never been so embarrassed in my life. I came to this ball with Roman thinking what, that everyone would be accepting? How could I be so stupid? I bet Roman's in there now agreeing with them. God Millie, why are you such an idiot? Tears blur my vision, my heart hammers in my chest; I feel nauseous but I keep running. I collapse breathless onto a bench, out of sight of the ballroom. I try to catch my breath as I feel myself begin to panic. My breathing becomes more erratic as I feel a presence beside me.

"Mind if I sit?" Althea smiles at me wryly. I can't speak so I just nod. "Don't try to speak, focus on your breathing." She rubs my back soothingly as I begin to calm down, my heart no longer pounding in my ears.

"Thank you," I sniffle.

"Are you okay, my dear?" I shake my head, tears threatening to fall again.

"No," I admit. "Is it supposed to be this complicated?"

"What's complicated?"

"This thing, whatever it is with Roman. I love being around him and he makes me happy, happier than I thought I could be but just as easily and as quickly he makes me happy, he infuriates me when he doesn't stand up to his friends. I wish we didn't have all their opinions weighing in, it makes everything worse."