Chapter 26: Chapter twenty six

Arielle

After what felt like years, Drayton's car finally pulled up in the front yard. I almost sobbed with excitement as I watched from the window.

Mum and Penelope were downstairs chatting about something that was too boring to keep up with.

I'd been anxious since Drayton hadn't come home after school. I'd ordered a ride home.

I wasn't worried about him. I'd overheard Penelope tell Mum that he sent a text saying he had something to do after school. Since Penelope hadn't questioned it, I assumed it was really important.

I became worried when he didn't show up even after my call. The party already started few minutes ago and I'd gotten some texts from Dan about it.

I'd needed Drayton to get out of the house. Mum wouldn't let me go out this late without an escort. She wouldn't have a problem with it if Drayton was going too.

My backup had always been Dan, but I couldn't ask him to come here. I still haven't told him about anything that's happening in my life lately.

I'd given thousands of reasons to convince myself it was good that way, but I still couldn't help but feel guilty for not telling him. We'd been best friends forever.

“Elle, sweetheart!” I heard my mum call from downstairs.

I stilled, my mind running wild with imaginations. Had Drayton ratted me out about the party? Was Mum going to lock me up for thinking about manipulating her?

“Elle!” She called again.

She didn't sound angry, but I knew my mum enough to know if she was mad, she wouldn't tip me off about it till she saw me. She was surprisingly good at camouflaging her emotions.

But then, she doesn't call me “Elle” when she's mad. She calls me my full name including my middle name.

“I'm coming, mum.” I yelled back.

I took a steadying breath and picked up the long coat I had laid on the bed. I draped it over my dress and buttoned up. I quickly threw on a pair of leggings. I threw my heels into a big purse along with my makeup, and wore sandals.

When I was sure mum wouldn't fuss over my dressing, I stepped out of the room and went downstairs.

Penelope wasn't in the living room when I got there. My mum was sitting on the couch, her gaze narrowed on me.

Drayton was leaning on the wall, his arms crossed. He smirked when he saw me and I immediately got a bad feeling. If he'd thrown me under the bus, I'll definitely kill him. I'll strangle him in his sleep and happily watch as he wither away. I'l l–

“Drayton told me about a party your classmates are having.” My mum's voice interrupted my murderous thoughts.

I pressed my lips together, waiting for her to continue. My entire murder plot had come to a complete halt.

The entirety of my reputation in school rode on whether I attended this party or not. Usually, the year’s glory usually goes to the person who host the first school party, but the incidence with “dear old dad” has robbed me of that opportunity.

And now, “stinky face Hannah” got the glory. It didn't make me mad as I expected when I learned who the host was. I was just excited that neither Drayton nor Natalie were the host. Especially, not Natalie.

Drayton seem to have forgotten about it entirely. He hadn't made any prepations.

It sounded completely ridiculous that I was worried about a party despite everything I had going on in my life. But after the day I've had, I needed to unwind.

It's not everyday a girl let out all her pent-up frustrations and have a full blown panic attack within minutes.

The party would be the first sense of normalcy in my chaotic life and also the fist step towards the transition back to my old self. Well, excluding my “mean girl era”.

If almost dying due to cancer thought me anything, it's that life is too short to waste it on making other people miserable. But I also didn't quite appreciate my new life either.

“Arielle!” Mum's call jerked me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, mum?” I forced a smile on and silently prayed she hadn't said anything important. I had completely zoned out and hadn't heard a word.

“Is everything okay?” She asked, her brows creased with concern.

“Yes, everything is fine.” I maintained the smile on my face.

I felt someone drape an arm around me. I stilled as the scent of mint and sandalwood instantly hit me.

“She's just so excited for her party.” Drayton said.

I snapped my head towards him.

“My party?” I asked confused.

“Yes, your party. The one Calebis throwing for you as a ‘welcome back’. We're already running late.” He said with so much enthusiasm that I would have believed him if I didn't know it was a lie.

“Oh, my party!” I exclaimed and turned to my mother. “Mum, can I go? Please.” I pouted and batted my eyelashes.

She chuckled.

“Of course, you can go. I'm not going to tell you to skip something that was planned for you. It was very thoughtful of your classmates to do that.” She beamed.

“Okay, we have to leave now. We'll make sure to come back early.” Drayton gave my mum a small smile before guiding me towards the door.

“Be back by eleven!” I heard mum yell behind us.

“Okay!” Drayton replied.

I couldn't answer because I hadn't fully registered what happened. As soon as the main door shut behind us, I shrugged off Drayton's arm and stepped away.

“You're welcome.” He scoffed and strolled to his car.

“What just happened?” I asked and got into the passenger seat.

“We're going to the party. Isn't that what you wanted?”

I ignored his irritated tone and said,

“It is, but I thought you didn't want to go.”

“As much as I don't appreciate being ordered around like your personal driver, I have my reasons for wanting to attend.” He started the car and drove out.

“Which are?”

“None of your business.” He said a bit sharply.

“Rude.” I scoffed.

I removed the coat and threw it in the back seat. Then, I proceed to remove my leggings, careful not to reveal too much skin. Drayton might not be attracted to me, but it doesn't mean I wanted to flaunt my pussy in his face.

“Stop undressing in my car.” His voice sounded restrained, but I didn't really focus on it. We were minutes away from Caleb's house and I hadn't done my make up yet.

“It's not like I'm stripping naked for you. It's just a pair of leggings.” I shrugged.

“I can see your entire…thing.”

I snapped my head towards him in rage. He did not just call my body a “thing”. And I made extra sure not to show much skin. That was low.

“Then don't look.” I snapped at him.

I brought out my make up and started applying it as fast as I could. I didn't say a word to Drayton or even acknowledge his presence. He did me a favour and ignored me also.

When I was done with my make up, we were already at Caleb's mansion where the party was taking place.

I was satisfied with my look, and honestly, short hair kind of rock.

I wore my heels and carried the small clutch purse I'd stashed in the big bag. I took one look at Drayton, but he still hadn't looked at me.

“Thanks for the ride.”

I didn't wait for his response before stepping out of the car. I took a steadying breath as I stared at the party already in full swing.

And I took a step towards my old self.