Aileen
I still find it hard to believe Dave has allowed me to go to the party. As I had no college, I decided to use the whole day to pick the perfect dress.
I went through my closet and put them on. But most of the clothes were either too plain or too overbearing to look at.
I had nothing in between. It's just a normal party, so I can't wear these gowns. I need something classy and chic.
But, I don't wear none of these.
During lunch, I ate while feeling stressed about my outfit. It was at that time one of the maids came to talk to me about changing the curtains of my room.
I told her to go with anything.
She told me Mom kept them in her closet. And I'm the only one with the key, So I should bring them to her.
After lunch, I went to Dave's room and opened the closet. I looked everywhere for the curtains but couldn't find it.
Suddenly, my eyes landed on the piles of clothes in my mom's closet. I took out a few and they looked very good, including the color.
I don't think Mom ever wore them, she hardly goes to attend any occasions. I guess Dave brought them for her. Lucky huh?
Feeling curious, I took out all the clothes and started putting them on one by one. Mom and I have exactly the same body shape, not too different from each other.
So, the clothes were a good fit and not too loose or tight. A few trials later, I found my dream dress.
A one-piece dress with straps and flowery prints and it was right above my knees. I decided to pair it with a denim jacket and heels.
I need to thank Mom for it later.
I folded the other clothes and locked the closet. Evening came by soon so I was getting ready.
After I was ready, I took a picture of myself and sent it to Dave asking how I looked.
He didn't reply yet so I waited for his message.
My phone rang right after. I checked in excitement to see Skylar's name. I picked up the call right away.
"Uh…hello, Skylar."
"Aileen, when are you coming? It's almost time for the party."
"Really?" I checked the time. I still had half an hour before the party started.
"Well, I'm ready. Should I head over?"
"yeah, come. People are starting to gather one by one. I've sent you the address right?"
"You did."
"Should I send you a car?"
"Uh, no. Please don't bother yourself. I'll be there soon. See you, bye."
"Bye, I can't wait to see you," he added in an excited tone.
I checked my face in the mirror for one final time before heading out of the house. The driver was ready and waiting, so we left in a few minutes.
I texted Mom and Dave that I was going out. And now I was ready to enjoy life.
Skylar's house was quite far from my house.
It took us 45 minutes to arrive at the destination. And as expected it was a lavish mansion a bit smaller than ours. But still big. I told the driver to park in the parking lot.
He opened the door for me and I went out.
There were several cars parked beside ours as well. I guess everyone is here already?
I went inside and at the door was greeted by a few butlers. The sounds of loud music could be heard from outside.
A butler accompanied me towards the party hall. He opened the door for me and I stepped inside the big hall.
The music was so loud it wasn't easy to hear anyone's voice over it. I saw people gathered all over the room, all dressed in pretty and sexy clothes.
I headed inside further, walking slowly, and scanning the room in great detail. There was a food counter with a buffet system, a drinks corner, and a stage too with giant speakers and DJs.
Does it look like a normal small party? No, it doesn't.
Where is Skylar? The source of attraction. I looked around, but among the crowd, I couldn't find him.
Feeling awkward, I stood in a corner all by myself.
A second later, a butler offered me a drink. There were several drinks along with it so I just chose the orange one.
I took a sniff and it didn't smell like alcohol.
But, I didn't drink it right away and instead called Skylar. Suddenly, a hand on my shoulder made me spill my drink for a second.
I turned around to see two girls. Their faces were familiar so they must be from my class.
They were smiling with a grin on their faces.
"Uh…what can I help you with?" I asked, holding the glass tightly.
"Isn't this the Alpha's daughter? Did Skylar invite you to his party as well?" one of them asked, in a sarcastic tone.
"Why? Is there any problem?" I asked.
"Nah, we are happy to see you," replied the second girl, "We just didn't expect you would come. As you don't like hanging out with us. Right, Emma?"
"Yeah," agreed the first girl.
"No, it's not like that," I stuttered in my reply, "I don't hate hanging out with you."
"You don't? Then, why do you never talk with anyone?" asked the second one.
Their questions left me speechless. I really had nothing to defend myself. Yeah, it's my fault that there is so much of a distance between me and my other classmates that they practically think I hate them.
But, I didn't want this at all.
"Uh…. I…." what should I say to them?
My throat went dry, I clutched onto the hem of my dress unable to find anything to say to them.
"Hey, Aileen!" Skylar's voice among the loud music made me feel relieved for a second.
I glanced behind me to see him approaching us with some boys behind him.
There he is, my savior!
He walked up to me and smiled, "Hi, when did you come?"
He wore a jacket and a white shirt underneath and some jeans and it was enough to make him shine. His friends who are more overdressed than him couldn't outshine him at all.
"Uh…a few minutes ago. I called you, but you didn't pick up."
"Really? My phone must be on silent. Sorry about that."
"It's okay, you must be busy anyway."
"That's true," he laughed, "How are you enjoying the party? Do you like the preparations?"
"Uh, yea–"
"Skylar, why are you ignoring us?" those girls who came to talk with me complained, putting their arms around his arm.
"What? When did I ignore you now?" he asked, looking at them.
"You did just no when you greeted her alone when there were the two of us also. It's not fair, you know?"
"I feel jealous," said the other. "Pay us some attention as well."
"Sorry, but I can't pay special attention to all of you," he apologized, putting their hands away from him. "There's so many of you and I'm only one. So, enjoy the party. I'd like to talk with Aileen personally. Excuse me."
"WHAT? This isn't fair!"
He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me further inside. Then brought me to the eating counter and made me sit down.
"You'll be safe from those girls here," he said, sitting down next to me. "They were a bit mean to you, right? I could tell."
"Mean?" I lowered my gaze to my hands, "No, they were asking me the truth."
"Like what?"
"They asked me why I don't talk with them even though I don't hate them exactly. And I had nothing to respond to it."
He looked at me concerned, "They asked you that?"
I nodded, "Yeah. You know, I really suck at getting along with people. I admit that myself. Wish I can stop being a scaredy cat and face people with courage."
"You aren't a scaredy cat!" he replied, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Or else how are you getting along with me and Rosalia then? We were strangers to you at first as well, right?"
"Yeah, but you made efforts to approach me persistently. That's why I finally gave in and decided to befriend you. It's not the same for everyone. Not everyone will go through the same efforts as you just to be friends with me. Nor should they! I wouldn't like to do it for a girl who doesn't pay me any attention either."
He laughed, looking me in the face.
"So, you accept you are a problem child after all?"
I nodded, "Embarrassing it maybe, but it's the truth. Nobody would like to deal with someone like me."
"But, I created this opportunity for you to get to know other people. Still, you are going to shy away and let the opportunity go to waste? That's not a very wise decision, is it?"
I looked up hearing his question.
"You don't want me to waste this opportunity? But, are you sure I can do this? I mean, not everyone here likes me or anything. I might get a lot of hate for him afterward. Do you think I can deal with it?"
He removed his hand from my shoulder and held onto my hand, "You believe in yourself? Do you believe in your willpower? Then, you should go ahead and don't worry about anything. If they'll hate you after this, let them. At least you won't be living in regret thinking you didn't have the opportunity to socialize with them, right?"
His words gave me a ray of hope. I got back the confidence I had lost since entering the party hall.
"Yeah, I can't live in regret," I replied with confidence, "I'll not focus on the results and only focus on my task for now. Thank you, Skylar. I'll go and talk with others."
He smiled, "Now, that's what I wanted to hear from you. Go ahead. I'll back you up if needed."