We stayed at the clinic till morning. Coco was discharged and Dad paid her medical expenses. Mom was at the parking lot, waiting for us,still dressed in her night gown. Dad was angry at Owen for driving his car without his permission. But since it was for a good cause,he let it slide. I kept Coco on strict surveillance. Whatever she eats and drinks must be approved by me. And of course, Mom and Dad too. Dad called Principal Don and told him we won't be able to come to school today. YAY! NO SCHOOL TODAY! This will give me a head start in choosing my prom outfit. Dad had given me my allowance for the month. I texted Kenzie and Claudia to meet at the mall this afternoon. It's just going to be me,my phone and my bed the whole morning. Owen hogged the TV, watching the season finale of the world's tennis tournament. He wouldn't even let me watch with him. He's such a jerk. I lied down on my bed thinking of the fun things I could do today. But come to think of it,what fun activities will I even do? Mom went to her baking class,Dad was at work, Chloe is on playdate with Emily and Owen is stuck on the couch watching his tournament while I'm here doing nothing. Hm,I've always wanted to see the new movie everyone has been talking about. I guess this was my chance to see it. I got dressed and went downstairs. I wore a coat because of the cold weather. I went to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water. I was still in the kitchen when the door bell rang. Owen paused his tournament and opened the door. It was a postman, dressed in a blue shirt and trousers and cap with the post office logo on it.
"A package for Ms Jocelyn McDonald"The postman said
"Okay"Owen replied, collecting the parcel from him
"Please sign here,here and here"The postman said, pointing at the clipboard
"There you go"Owen said
"Have nice a day"The postman said
"You too"Owen replied, closing the door
"Who was that?"I asked
"A postman. He brought this package for you"He said, handing it to me
"A package? For me?"I said,surprised to see the parcel
"Did he say who it was from?"I asked
"No. He didn't"He said, returning to the couch
"Huh! That's strange! I wasn't expecting any delivery"I said, opening the parcel
"What's it?"He said, curious to know the content
"It's..a necklace"I said, surprised to it
"A necklace?"He said, turning his head to my directon
"Yes!"I said happily
"Who is from?"He said
"It's from... Xavier"I said, seeing the note he left inside
"Xavier? The one in our school?"He asked
"Um...yes. He's...my friend"I said nervously
"A friend uh?"He said, doubting my answer
"Yes"I said
"Okay! If you say!"He shrugged
Phew! That was close! For a minute there I thought he would force the truth out of me. I went back to my bedroom and hid it in my drawer, burying it with some magazines. I came downstairs and informed Owen where I was going. He didn't seem to care and was focused on the tournament. I went to the subway station and boarded the train. I went to the cinema and bought a ticket. I also bought some popcorn and smoothie as well. There were much people at the cinema. I sat down in the second row and watched the movie. The movie was really good at the beginning but turned out boring at the end. Wow! What a movie!
I left the cinema and went to the mall. I did some window shopping to pass time. I went to a book store and viewed their new arrivals. Then I went to jewelry store and last at a confectionery. I was trying out some free samples when I saw Brianna and her minions outside the store. They were giggling and talking about something. They were accompanied by a guy who wore a black hoodie and held Brianna by the arm. His physique looked exactly like Xavier. That's odd. Xavier was at home recovering from his injury. He had some shades on and made it hard for me to recognize him. Maybe I misjudged him. Xavier can't possibly leave for Brianna,can he? I ignored them and went to the boutique. Kenzie and Claudia were already there waiting for me.
"Jocelyn!"Kenzie said, waving her hand to get my attention
"Kenzie! Claudia!"I said
"How are you?"Claudia asked
"I'm good"I replied
"I saw your text. How is she?"Claudia asked, referring to Coco
"She's good. The vet instructed me to monitor whatever she eats and keep marbles away from her"I said
"Thank God she is okay"Claudia said
"So how was school today?"I asked
"It was good. Just the usual"Kenzie replied
"So... let's go shopping!"Kenzie said cheerfully
We went in , choosing different clothes from the racks and trying them out. It took Kenzie twenty dresses before made up her mind. I was still going through the racks, searching for a perfect dress till I found one. I wore it and asked my friends for their opinions.
"So how do I look?"I asked, looking at them
Their eyes widened and their jaws dropped.
"Is it bad? I can go change it"I said
"Wow! You look amazing!"Kenzie said happily
"You look like a princess, ready to meet your prince charming"Claudia said
"You really think so?"I said with a smile on my face
"I know so"Kenzie said
"Wow! Thanks!"I said, staring at myself at the mirror
"This dress will definitely make Brianna jealous"Claudia said
"Yeah! She will pop up like a balloon"Kenzie teased
"C'mon guys. This isn't a competition. It's just prom"I said
"That's what you think"Kenzie said
We went to the cashier and paid for our dresses. Kenzie bought a lot of dresses,not sure which she will wear to prom. Her driver gave us a lift home. I was silent throughout their conversations. I was thinking about the guy I saw earlier. The car pulled up at my house and I got down. I waved my friends goodbye before they drove off. I opened the door and dropped my bag on the couch. I went to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water. I took a sip and left the rest on the counter.
"You're back"Mom said, giving Chloe a piggyback ride
"Hi Mom"I said
"How are you? How was the movie? Owen said you went to the cinema to watch a movie"Mom said
"Yes I did. And movie,it was good..ish"I said, returning the jug to the fridge
"Owen told me your school is organizing it's annual prom"She said, putting Chloe down
"Yes"I said, finishing the water in the glass
"Do you need a chaperone? Have you thought of what you're going to wear? Do you need help with anything?"She asked
"Mom, its just prom. I don't need a chaperone. Owen will be there the whole time. And for the dress,I've already picked out the perfect outfit to wear"I said, keeping the glass in the sink and washing my hands
"Are you sure?"She said,a bit worried about my decision
"Mom,I'm not a child anymore. So stop worrying. I'll be fine"I said
"It's just...this is your first prom in Florida and I don't want you to feel..."She said
"Mom,calm down. You usually act all nervous,tense when it comes to the word 'prom'? I'll be fine. Trust me. It's not like I'm getting married or something"I said, assuring her
"I just want you to be safe,that's all. Even though you're all grown up, you'll still remain my little Jocelyn to me"She said
"Oh Mom!"I said, giving her a hug
"You know I love you and I'll always do"She said
"I know Mom. I do too"I said
"Enough all this,it's time to make dinner"She remained
"I'll go upstairs, change and meet you back here in two minutes"I said, leaving the kitchen
"Okay"Mom replied, getting a frozen chicken from the freezer