I rushed out of the bathroom while trying to make the dress reach below my knees. I wasn't a fan of going around exposing my legs like those sluts that enjoy doing so. I quickly slipped my feet inside the 2 inch high black statement heels that went perfectly with my dress. The click of long heels on the wood stairs outside my door, made me half-walk half-run towards the dressing table.
Thankfully, the heels were cooperating today and so I reached the dressing table without falling over.
Ignoring the sound of my mum's heels on the tiles, I grabbed the knob of the drawer, pulling it open. I fished out the brown box from inside it, pushing the drawer back inside. I opened the box in a rush, gasping as soon as my eyes met the beautiful stones that were attached to the chain. It was a gift from my mom on my 16th and I'll admit it is one of the most amazing gift of all the gifts I've received throughout my life. I have only worn it once when my dad was invited to an office dinner party with his family of course.
I lifted up the chain high up in the air staring at the 3 hearts shaped diamonds on the front which were glistening under the sunlight. It looked so-
"Honey, are you ready?" Mom's voice brought me back to a situation where dad was honking his car like an annoying dog while mom was knocking on the door and asking me continuously if I was ready or not.
"Just a minute." I replied her back while fastening the diamond chain on my neck. The stones felt rough against my skin but it gave out a warm feeling.
"2 minutes only." Mom's voice felt distant as I felt her heels move away from the door towards the stairs. I let out a breath knowing that mom was probably going to go and wait in the car. Things I've seen her do like a thousand times now.
Putting on the earrings and a bracelet, I placed the box down on the dressing table, rushing towards the bedside table to grab my purse. I removed my mobile from charging placing it inside the purse, plus some money from under my pillow, fitting it inside the small purse along with the other stuff.
Before I went out of my room, I quickly looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a sleeveless, long v-neck turquoise dress. The dress was fully made of lace and showed out my curves perfectly. It reached up to my knees so I didn't have to wear any leggings. Overall, I think I looked good, not too overdressed and not under dressed.With that thought, I went out of my room, heading towards the main door as I stepped past the last of the stairs. I took the keys from the kitchen countertop since I knew mom would have left them behind for me to close the door. Locking the door perfectly behind me, I walked down towards the car.
"You look beautiful, dear." Mom said just as I got inside the back seat. She had a huge smile plastered on her face when I turned to look at her.
"Thanks mom. You too." I replied her back just as I opened my purse to get my mobile. I opened it to check for anything new and found a message from Paul, my cousin who lived not too far from our home. Mom and dad forced me to go over to their house like every once in a week. Paul had a younger sister too named Katie, 12 years old. I used to spend my time with her usually whenever I went over to their house. Their house was only a 10 minutes walk from our home which made things awfully much worse for me.
I unlocked my phone and opened Paul's message.
*Dress nice, cousin ;)*
I knit my eyebrows in confusion. What does he mean by that?
*What do you mean?*
I reply him back quickly silently praying for him to reply back like he was kidding or something because I think I do have an idea about it and I really don't wish for it to be true since things aren't going go much well if that happens.
*I mean exactly what you think I do ;)*
I could already picture him smirking through the phone as I gripped the phone tighter. I can't believe dad did this. Actually I do believe it. I know he did it so that I can get involved with Paul and then change my mind of going over to Acadia. He's sick if he actually believes that.
No! I can't let that happen. I will go to Acadia no matter what. And if that means playing along his games, then I will. After all, I'm his daughter, aren't I?
Surprisingly, dad remains quiet for the whole car ride. Though, he kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror but I kept my face expressionless. I didn't want him to know that I knew about his stupid plan. And honestly, I'm thankful he remained quiet because I have no idea what would I have given away if my temper went off the edge. He thought I knew nothing and I wanted to keep it that way for which I had to remain quiet.
We pulled in the parking lot of the Bambino Restaurant. It was one of the most expensive restaurants in town but dad got a special discount since one of his friends was the owner here.
We all got out of the car as my eyes roamed around searching and surely there were the Deluca's standing, a few feet away from the entrance, waving for us to come over.
Acting time.
I put on my best fake smile as we walked towards them. My fake smile getting wider and wider as we reached closer to them. My mind was practically shouting at me to go back. Run. Or whatever I could do to get away from them. I hope this dinner ends soon, before I erupt like a volcano in front of everyone.
"Kalvin, it's been so long." Mr. Deluca said before pulling dad into a long hug. I scoffed and turned away from them only to meet Paul's smirking face. I noticed he was standing a little too far away from his family which was rather amusing to me as ideas started filling my mind.
Plan #1. Let's see dad, how you handle humiliation.
"Why are you standing so far away, Paul?" I asked, my voice calm as I felt a lazy smirk slowly coming over my face. I could feel Paul knew what I was trying to do seeing as his face still remained the same.
"Want me to scoot closer to you?" He threw back but that was enough to drag everyone's attention to us. Perfect. First goal achieved.
"So your family finally decided to betray you and now you feel the need to throw yourself on others huh? What a shame though." That did it. I could hear gasps from behind me. I kept my expression cool, refusing to let anyone know if I felt sorry for my words or not. But in truth, I actually don't.
"Aky!!" Mom's voice came to me easily. I was surprised dad didn't say anything first seeing as his precious daughter just tried to humiliate him in front of everyone.
"Yes mom?" I asked after turning around, making my voice sound like honey. It always seemed to work in situations like these. Though, I hate to think to otherwise seeing mom's face. She didn't even looked fazed by my voice.
"Apologize to Paul right now!" Mom told me in a commanding tone which I clearly disliked and mom knew it. I guess honey's not gonna work today. I hate things the hard way although it does make the situation more amusing. You agree?
"Why should I? It's not like I said something wrong." I shot back trying to keep my calm which was getting harder and harder to do by every passing second. Why can't he just speak up and end the matter? I don't want to create a scene here, especially with mom.
"I never claimed what you said was wrong, but the kind of language you used to express you words was wrong." Leave it to my mom to make reasonable arguments. Although her voice was calmer than before there was an edge to her sentence which made me shiver. You must be thinking, I didn't use any slang language so what's the point of even saying that? Well let me clear up, our family I mean no one from our family is supposed to talk rudely to one another, especially relatives. You see, it hurt dad's pride getting insulted by his family members rude behaviours.
"Aunt Luna, it's alright. Aly's just a bit sad over leaving everyone so I guess she got angry and it came out before she could stop herself. It's not a big deal, really." Paul's voice came from behind me. Why was I even saying anything? But oh well who cares until it's benefiting me in a way.
"Come on everyone. We'll talk about it later." My father finally spoke up, giving me a sharp glare. I knew what he was talking about but this time I didn't flinch under his gaze, a slow smirk making its way to my lips. I kept my cool looking him straight in the eye, until he finally turned around and started walking towards the entrance gate with Mr. Deluca right beside him. I kept my distance and walked right behind everyone only to end up with Paul.
Surprisingly, he didn't try to make any sort of conversation with me for which I was grateful. We went inside and were immediately taken towards the roof top. There weren't any air conditioners as the restaurant was open from all sides, plus it was right beside the sea which lightened my mood a little.
I sat beside Katie, Paul's younger sister as she seemed like the only wise choice right now. Paul sat right in front of me and I decided to avoid him right away. Beside him sat his father and mine. My mother and Mrs. Deluca sat right beside Katie. The waiter came by and gave us the menus. Before I could open mine, my phone vibrated. I decided whoever had messaged could wait and opened the menu only to be stopped by another vibration. I took out my phone from my purse in slight frustration.
The notifications showed 5 calls and 2 messages from the person I'd been least expecting right now. Nate. It had been a month since he last called me so yeah it was fair of me to be surprised. I excused myself from the table and went downstairs, trying to find a much quieter area. His call came up again and I answered quickly before it could end once again.
"Nate!" I beamed excitedly. Though it's been only a month since I talked to him, it still feels like forever.
"Oh Aly, it's been so long. I'm so sorry I didn't call you. I should have called you sooner. But university is getting on my nerves seriously and then this job too. You won't believe Aly, I have piles of homework. And then, I'm having arguments with Hailee too. She wants to go to uni-" Nate had started to ramble and I think he didn't even knew it so I cut him off before he went out of breath.
"Woah, Nate, slow down. It's not like I'm gonna hang you up anytime soon. Now, how's university?" I asked him after a minute or so knowing that he would have calmed down by now.
"Aly, you won't believe it but I'm telling you. It's hell. As graduation's nearing, work's increasing. They're giving us tonnes and tonnes of homework along with assignments. And the worst of all, deadline for assignments is mostly after two days. Thank god Hailee is with me or god knows what would have happened." Nate said into the phone and took a deep breath before continuing. "What about you? School's finished right? You got into any universities?"
"Oh yes. I just got an acceptance letter from Acadia today in the morning. You won't believe this, they're gonna get me settled down in the dorms just tomorrow!" I told him not holding my excitement any longer. It felt good talking to someone about it who wouldn't judge me but instead be happy for me.
"Congrats Aly. That's great news. I wish I could come see you but you know how things are. I wish you best of luck for your future." Nate said to me.
We talked a bit more, catching up on what we had missed. Actually he was the one mostly talking because I was acting like an impatient interviewer. After Nate said he had to go out with Hailee, we finally hung up. Hailee was Nate's girlfriend and the same girl who dad clearly disapproved off and the same girl because of whom Nate had moved out. It's not like I'm blaming her or something, she's actually nice and I admit I enjoy spending time with her that's whenever I get to spend time with her. Mostly we have talked through video calls or Skype.
I turned around and quickly started walking back to the table knowing that I had already taken longer than I had intended too.
"Where were you? We were about to send Paul to search for you." Mom said as soon as I sat down on the table. And believe me, she actually would have sent Paul if I had taken 5 minutes more.
"I went to use the bathroom on my way back." I lied knowing that it was the most believable at the moment. No one could argue against that after all.
"Aly, we heard you got accepted at Acadia?" Mrs. Deluca asked me a few moments later. It took me a moment to register her since I had been lost in my own thoughts.
"Yes, I'm leaving tomorrow." I replied back facing towards her.
"That's great. Paul has applied for Acadia too." She said, her voice coming out more as a squeak.
"Oh. Weren't they supposed to update you by today?" I asked, disappointment clear in my voice. Classes will start in 2 days that's why all the students who have been accepted at Acadia are supposed to get settled by today or tomorrow.
"Well, we don't have any ideas. Was today the last day?" She asked me clearly confused by what I told her right now. Honestly, I had to keep away from rolling my eyes. Didn't they check the details before applying?
"Yes. Classes are going to start day after tomorrow." Just as I said, food arrived marking the end of our conversation for which I was grateful.
Dinner went quiet with small talk between mum and Mrs. Deluca. I couldn't help but notice Paul sneaking glances on me which was a little odd seeing as we only talked once tonight. I tried my best to ignore him but honestly it was a getting a little irritating. As dinner finished, I stood up heading straight towards the bathroom. It wasn't hard escaping this time since everyone was busy talking. I heard footsteps behind me a moment later. I knew he would follow me that's why I had stood up in the first place. I stopped in front of the bathrooms and the footsteps grew closer and closer. A moment later, I felt a hand grabbing my forearm but I quickly jerked away from Paul's grasp.
"Don't touch me!" I shouted at him. A few people passing by gave us odd looks and I quickly gained control of myself before I lost it.
"What's wrong with you, Aly?" Paul asked me in a much calm voice but I could feel he too was struggling for control. I guess I'm not the only one with anger issues. He continues, "I know you hate me but you don't need to act like a complete bitch to prove it!" That did it. The anger I tried to control went off like a bullet fired at its aim.
"Excuse me? I don't need to prove anything to anyone. Everyone knows what a complete asshole you are!" I nearly shouted at him but kept my temper cool. I know what would happen if my temper breaks off the edge and I'm in no mood of getting kicked out of the restaurant for physically assaulting my own cousin.
"Look Aly, I'm sorry for calling you a bitch but the way you're acting around me is annoying me a lot. I know you don't like me but it won't hurt if you could act like a decent person around me for at least 1 night." His voice was calm and sarcastic which made me more annoyed than I was. How can one person annoy someone so much that they literally wish to break their heads off??
"Fine. Whatever." I said and turned around to walk away only to be stopped by his hand on my shoulder.
"Um, Aly, can I say something to you?" He said as soon as I turned around to face him again with a cool expression hoping he'd just let me go. He almost seemed...nervous.
"What?" I said in a calm voice but making the 'Hurry' message clear in my voice.
"Um..well..I'm sorry for everything I've ever done with you. I hope we can end up on good terms before you leave tomorrow." I knew my eyes were wide by the time he finished. Paul was apologizing to me??? That. Is. Unbelievable. I swallowed before answering him. I'm probably dreaming. I quietly pinched myself but squealed in response. Paul looked back at me confused, and I quickly spoke up as I saw him open his mouth.
"Well, that's alright. It's not a big deal. After all, we are still cousins, right?" I chuckled, like actually chuckled with Paul which honestly surprised him as well as me too. Surprisingly, he hugged me out of the blue and it took me a moment to return his hug. This was all getting too weird to be honest.
"Thank you so much Aly! You know you're the best sister I ever have!" Woah. Did he actually called me his sister? I could feel tears piling up in my eyes. But I refuse to cry in front of Paul and quickly blinked them back before any of them could escape.
We stayed like that for another 2 minutes when Paul finally broke the hug with a huge grin plastered on his face which I felt was screaming 'Victory! Victory!'.
The rest of the dinner was mostly the adults talking while Paul sending smiles my way in every 5 minutes. Paul's friendly behaviour still felt odd to me. I guess he really wanted to end things in a good way between us. Or was this another one of his pranks? I'm seriously gonna kick his ass this time if the last part's true.
We finally walked out of the restaurant after mine and Paul's father's 20 minutes argument of 'I'm gonna pay the bill.' Those two can probably act like kids sometimes, I tell you.
"Well, I didn't thought the dinner would go by this soon, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it." I heard mom say to Mrs Deluca. Oh please god, please, don't let her cry. Mom can get seriously emotional sometimes specially in situations like these. And her crying in front of everyone was the last thing I wanted right now.
"So I guess this is it?" Paul whispered in my ear as the adults continued to talk to each other.
"Yup..." I replied back.
"Will I ever see you again?" He said.
"Maybe. On Christmas I guess." I replied back hoping this conversation would end soon.
"Well then, take care Aly." He said and hugged me. I returned his hug more quickly this time and we pulled away after a minute.
I went over to Sophie who was standing silently beside her mother. I hadn't talked to the girl the whole night. As if she knew I was walking towards her, she turned around and faced me with a big smile on her face.
"I'll miss you Eve." Sophie said and pulled me into a hug. I had to bend down a little but returned her hug nonetheless.
"I'll miss you too Sophie. Take care of yourself and don't you dare forget to call me. Alright?" I asked as tears filled my eyes. I've always considered Sophie as my little sister and that made it more harder to tell her goodbye.
"Of course. You call me too." She said and pulled away. I was surprised to see she had started sobbing already. I quickly wiped away the remaining tears from her cheeks that had manged to escape her blue eyes. I wish I had eyes like her. They were so pretty just like Mom's.
I gave her a quick nod and blinked back the tears before turning over to Mr and Mrs Deluca.
We quickly exchanged our goodbyes and surprisingly, Mrs Deluca had started crying as well. It felt a little odd seeing her cry but I guess she really liked having me around.
No one said a word as everyone settled inside the car. The journey was mostly quiet for the first 5 minutes with an uncomfortable silence, until dad finally broke it.
"You and me are going to have a talk, Alicia." Dad said as we closed in the distance to our house. I knew this was coming up and that's why, was afraid to say anything at all and had remained quiet.
'Of course, we are.' I said silently to myself before looking out of the window and ignoring my father's glances through the rearview mirror.
Ugh, I hope everything goes well.