Chapter 7

Alia’s POV

The birthday day party day was here already, and I haven't been looking forward to it after the embarrassment on Friday, I locked myself up in my room the minute I got home not wanting to talk to anyone.

Well, that failed woefully cause four hours later Tracy forcefully dragged me out of my room for shopping, which was a success because she was a fashionista and I was well, whatever you call those people that doesn't really care.

"We shouldn't be late you know that right? And wow Good am surprised you are still on your bed “Tracy said with sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes and rolled over to the other side of the bed, I didn't want to go to this party anymore not like I actually wanted to in the beginning thumbnut after the embarrassment I caused myself at school the other day, I definitely wasn't ready to see Zion or anyone from school yet, but deep down I knew I didn't have a choice, but I needed to try my luck them.

"Alia Trey Bailey! Get your ugly backside off the bed and go get dressed, Pearl would be mad at you, and your life at school would be worse than it ever was, and pp.’s you need to talk to Daniel! “Tracy screamed on the top of her voice which made me sit up immediately.

"Fine, fine I'm going to get dress now just don't yell again “I said and made my way to the bathroom.

I bathed as quickly as I could and then made my way to my walk-in closet where we kept the dress I was going to wear, it was a silver sleeveless dress with a green two piece down, it was paired with a silver sandals and an envelope silver purse with a silver mask beside it, I rolled my eyes at the mask the, I wasn't a fan of masquerade parties, let’s say this is the one thing Pearl has done that I didn't like.

After getting into the dress, I brushed my hair and applied a little make up, I took in my appearance in the mirror and sighed.

Beautiful, I guess.

"Wow! Guess who stepped out of a princess magazine, it’s not yet prom and you are already looking like a prom queen “Tracy squealed at the sight

"Yeah right “I said and rolled my eyes.

"C'mon let's go before we would be late and please put on the mask thank you “Tracy said and left the room.

I sighed and left the room, when we arrived down stairs where my Mum and nana where the drama doubled, Mum was in tears at the sight of me and we'll nana was looking at me like today was my wedding day, I almost rolled my eyes but stopped myself as I knew it would be disrespectful.

"Oh, my angel come give Mum a hug “my Mum said dramatically.

"Geez Mum it's just a birthday party, not my wedding “I groaned as she hugged me tightly.

"Shut up, doesn't mean you don't look beautiful baby, let momma admire her daughter in peace “Mum said when she pulled me out of the hug which I was grateful for.

"Okay I'm sorry to be the kill joy here but we really need to go “Tracy said and for the first time I was glad she was this, Tracy.

I pecked my Mum and nana on the cheek and left the house with Tracy, she brought her car but wasn't driving as she came with a driver who opened the door for us to enter, when we were both inside the car as usual Tracy brought out her make up kit to refix her make up.

"You guys really need to talk, I mean you and Daniel you are best friends, and he adores you, just try to talk to him tonight okay “Tracy said.

"Yeah, I would" I said and sighed, and a certain kind of sadness filled my heart, I really needed to talk to him.

The ride to pearls house wasn't that far I didn't know we leaved almost in the same hood just a few blocks and turns away from my house, but it was bigger than mine the, like way bigger as we approached the gate.

"Welcome to the knights mansion baby, I call it the mini palace “Tracy said.

"Wow, wow “I said as I was speechless sight in front of me was a beauty to behold.

When the car parked in front of the house the driver came down and opened the door for us, I took a deep breath and exhaled then came out of the car, the music was already in full swing and the place was already filled.

"Welcome to miss Pearl Xavier Daniel's party, may I see your invitations please" an elderly man in a black tux said to us. I turned to look at Tracy who was equally as confused as I was.

"Sir we don't have any...."I was saying before someone handed him an invitation letter from behind us, I turned and saw Daniel with a frown on his face, it sent shivers down my spine, but I turned back to the man who had made way for us to pass and said thank you to him before entering into the house.

"Well, I think I should leave the both of you to talk “Tracy said and left us.

The room was already jam-packed with students and friends of Pearl, everyone had a mask on except Daniel, standing alone with him at the far corner of the hall made me nervous he hadn't said a word to me but the anger in his heart where on full display in his eyes.

"I..... Daniel....I..."I began to say but the words couldn't form a single sentence.

I looked up at him and found his expression softened already, the anger was gone and the look I knew Daniel with was gone too, it lifted the burden in my chest, I felt a kind of peace to have my best friend back, well hopefully.

"You like him, and I don't blame you for that, but he doesn't deserve you at list not now, please don't put yourself in such pains Alkadienyl said and pulled me into a hug, he had worn his mask.

"I. I don’t like him, just a stupid crush that would fade away okay “I said and hugged him tighter.

"Okay enough of this let's enjoy the party okay “Daniel said and led me to the dance hall.

We danced and drank and ate and danced more, drank more, ate more, danced some more, drank some more, and ate some more.

Okay you would think we drank alcohol but hell no, it was soft drinks and non-alcoholic wine all through.

Then the music changed to a slower beat and people began to pair up, and unfortunately, I was in the middle of the night dance hall with no one to dance with, so I quietly excused myself and made my way to what seemed like the balcony.

The night was still fresh, and the fresh air seemed to wash away my worries. Daniel and Tracy were entangled in each other's arm, sometimes you would think they were in love, well one could never guess what might happen in the nearest future.

As I stood at the balcony, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, I looked up at the sky and the sight was beautiful, the tiny stars that had no worries, I loved them.

"I see you are a fan of the stars “I heard a voice say from behind me, and I was startled.

"Oh, am sorry to startle you but I got bored inside “the person Said.

He had blonde hair that was like Zion’s, but I couldn't really say because it was dark and he had a Batman mask on, he towered above me, and his blue eyes seems to shine in the dark, maybe it was the reflection of the moon causing it.

"It's okay, I was bored to “I said and continued looking at the stars.

"I love them, sometimes they erase all my pains, they give me hope most times “the stranger said.

He had moved close to me now and his hands where just inches away from me, the closeness felt familiar, the scent of his perfume was intoxicating like I was drowning in them, I looked up at him to find him already looking at me.

"May I have this dance then “he said and stretched out his hand which I took.

And slowly we began to dance, how funny the situation was, I was dancing with a total stranger and I felt peaceful in his arms, we danced and danced and enjoyed our peaceful silence, with the stars smiling at us.

"I think am in love with you already my mystery girl “he said and smiled at me.

"Same here “I said.

"Zion? Wow when did you fall in love? “a voice said interrupting us.

At the mention of his name, I quickly jerked out of his arms, I looked at the woman who was smiling at the corner, she didn't have a mask on, and she looked very beautiful, she and Zion had a slight resemblance.

I turned and looked at Zion who had removed his mask now and had a frown on his face, I began to take slow steps backwards because I didn't want to confront Zion, I didn't want him to know it was me.

"Hey, don't go, Mum thanks allot now please excuse us “Zion said to me them to the woman who I now knew was his Mum. She smiled and left the two of us.

I didn't bother to wait to be alone with him any longer, so I began to make my way back to the ball room, before he would discover who I was, and regret he just said he loved me.

"Hey....hey.... stop...come back...." I heard Zion say but instead I quickened my steps.

But his next word made me stop dead in my track.

"Alia Trey Bailey would you stop! “he said.

He knew it was me all this while?

I turned back and looked at him and the expression on his face was unreadable. Before I knew it, my feet did something I didn't know they could do.

They thought on their own and before I knew it, I was running very far away from him, I ran away from him.