Chapter 20
*Aaron*
I wrapped my arm around Victoria's waist as we waited in the long line. People around us chatted loudly in excitement. I looked down at Victoria who had nerves written all over her face. It's obvious that this show means just as much to her as it means to her mother. They're sharing this moment together.
"Has your mom wanted to do this her entire life?" I asked.
"Yeah." Victoria nodded. "When she was in high school she'd make a few dollars here and there selling her clothes to classmates. She went to college to major in business, in hopes to run her own fashion industry someday. When that didn't work out so well, she began try and get discovered. Now that's finally happening."
"Why wasn't she able to start her own business?" Something drastic must've happened or maybe she couldn't afford to open a shop?
"Um, she met my father in college and just before her senior year she fell pregnant with me. She couldn't afford tuition and to take care of me so she made a decision."
Wow, I can only imagine how that makes Victoria feel. I know I'd feel guilty if I stood between my mother's dreams and life goal.
Eventually we made it to the entrance and showed our tickets. The woman frowned as she looked at our tickets and a nervous feeling filled my stomach.
"You didn't have to wait in this long line. These are VIP tickets. You could have come right to the front."
"Oh, great." Victoria said sarcastically. "Well at least we know for next time."
"Your spots are reserved in the front row with your names on them."
I took Victoria's hand as we made our way into the fashion show. The room was dark with the catwalk illuminated, and multi colored lights shone around the room. Loud music played to the point you could hardly hear yourself think.
We found our seats in the front, our names were written on them just like the woman had said. We sat and waited for the show to start. I draped my arm across the back of Victoria's chair and she leaned into me.
"Do you think your mom is nervous?" I asked her as I watched more people flood in and find their seats.
"Oh, I know she's nervous. This is what she's wanted to do her entire life and now it's finally happening. I'm so happy for her. She deserves this, and I'm not just saying that because she's my mom."
"So do you think you'll still love me once your mom is famous and her fame rubs off on you?" I joked.
"I don't know, we could probably fit in a few seconds for us to hold hands, but that's about it." She said thoughtfully. She then cracked a smile and I leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead.
"Funny." I said sarcastically.
Soon the lights that scattered the room came to focus on the stage. The music changed to a different upbeat song and I knew the show was starting. Victoria sat up excitedly as she waited for the models.
"This is it!" She exclaimed, a large smile plastered on her face.
*Victoria*
This is the moment that my mother has been waiting for. She's worked towards this achievement her entire life. I do feel bad for uprooting my mother's life, but at the same time she's never made me feel like a mistake. She's kept up a full time job and her fashion designs on the side. She's provided for me and there's nothing more I could have asked for. She deserves this, and she's more than equipped for this lifestyle.
As the models strutted down the catwalk, I beamed at my mother's designs. Of course there were other designer's material on display, but I could easily point out which were my mother's. She's one of a kind.
I searched the faces of the audience and found looks of approval. They're liking what they are seeing, which means my mother will be able to start her own clothing line sooner than we'd thought.
***
After the show Aaron and I waited inside for my mother. The large room was empty and now seemed even larger than before. Staff were cleaning and putting away chairs.
"You know, your mom is really talented." Aaron said. "I mean, I know I've seen her designs before, you wear them sometimes, but still it's great. It's pure talent."
Aaron's phone rang and I have a feeling I know who it is. He gives an apologetic look before pulling out his phone and answering it.
"Hey Grace." He said. "No this isn't a bad time. The show ended a couple of minutes ago."
My mother appeared from the back and made her way down the steps of the catwalk, a large smile plastered on her face.
"So what did you think?" She asked excitedly.
"Perfect and inspiring."
"I feel like I'm in a dream. I never in a million years would have thought I'd end up here."
"You're talented mom. I knew it would happen eventually."
"What did you think Aaron?"
She turned to face Aaron who was still talking with Grace. He moved the phone away from his mouth.
"It was great! You're practically famous."
"Thanks." My mom beamed.
Aaron turned his attention back to Grace. A small smile slowly began to spread across his face and I wondered what she was saying.
"I'm starving." My mom broke the silence. "What about you guys?"
"I'm surprised you can eat after all of that." I said.
"Well I definitely couldn't eat before." She laughed.
"Room service?"
"I don't see why not. It's all free."
Once back to the hotel, we all sat in the room and ate dinner from room service. We talked about the highlights of the show.
"Well there was that one model with the blue eyes and the long blonde hair..." Aaron started.
"Hey." I said, nudging him in the arm.
"She wore your designs the best." He continued.
"That doesn't make it any better." I rolled my eyes.
"I'm just kidding." He laughed. "You know I love you." He leaned over and placed a kiss on my cheek. "To be completely honest, your designs stood out the most. They were all very unique and trendy."
"You keep up with fashion?" My mom asked in disbelief.
"No." Aaron shook his head. "I just know what's current. And I think your designs fit that."
"Thank you. It really does mean a lot."
***
It was pretty late when we all decided to go to bed. Aaron stared at me as he waited for me to ask my mom for permission to sleep in his bed with him. I shook my head at him and he gave me a pleading look.
"Mom." I said, getting her attention. She looked at me with raised eyebrows. "Aaron and I were thinking since you let me go to the beach house with him on my own, and you have no reason not to trust us, would you mind if I slept in Aaron's room?"
I waited for her to blow up at me. She's easy going, but not this easy going. If she bites my head off for even asking this, Aaron is going to get an earful later.
"I don't see why not." She shrugged, surprising me.
"Really?" I asked in disbelief.
"Like you said, I trust you and if I didn't I wouldn't have let you go to the beach house alone. Besides, I'll be right next door with my door open." She grinned. I smiled back. How did I get so lucky to have one of the coolest, easy going moms ever?
I showered and changed into my pajamas. I tied my hair back into a ponytail before leaving the bathroom. Aaron stood with his back to me. He wore a pair of black sweats, his upper body exposed. My breath caught for a moment as my eyes trailed over the muscles in his back. He held his phone to his ear and he laughed as he spoke to whoever was on the other end.
"Sure, if that's what it takes." He said. "I'm just glad you guys are warming up to the idea." He turned to face me and gave me a small smile.
"Who is that?" I whispered.
"I promise you'll fall in love with her as soon as you meet her. She has that effect on people." He continued to speak to the person on the line. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." He hung up and tossed his phone on the nearby chair. "That was Fawn. She called to tell me that she and the guys are all willing to meet Sophie. I thought I was going to have to get used to my friends hating me and not trusting me, but everything seems to be looking up."
"That's great. I didn't even know you talked to them."
"Yeah well you had other things on your mind, more important things. Besides, it's over with now." He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer.
"Why do you always feel the need to keep things from me?" From the moment we've started dating, he's kept secrets. He kept the fact that a scout wanted to sign him, and he didn't tell me Grace was in town. This time he didn't tell me about losing his friends. Who knows what else there is.
"I don't keep things from you. I just don't want you to stress over my issues. You have enough on your plate without me adding to it."
"You're the one with a three year old, your daughter's mother storming back into your life, and you're trying to go pro in football. Who has more on their plate than you? I expect you to vent to me, I want you to because I want to feel close to you."
"There are some things in my life that are private. We've only been together for a couple of months, we hardly know each other. Some of these problems have to do with my life before you and me. Believe it or not, I had a life before us Victoria. I don't want to tell you everything because sometimes it's none of your business. I'm sure you have your secrets too."
His words were like a slap in the face. This is the man that I actually let into my life. I trust him and I love him, at least I thought I did. I would always tell myself never to get caught up in a relationship because my academic career was more important. I took a chance on him but I guess I was wrong.
"Actually I don't have secrets. With you I'm an open book, but I guess I'm stupid for wanting the same from you." He opened his mouth as if to say something, then changed his mind. "I'm going to bed. See you in the morning." Without another word I went to my mother's room and climbed in the bed beside hers.
I woke the next morning to the sun streaming through the window. I stared up at the ceiling and sighed, thinking about last night. How could such a great day end so badly? Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut. Sometimes I need to know when to keep it to myself. I'm ruining my relationship all because of my low self-esteem.
I rolled out of bed and went to pull my outfit from my suitcase. High-waisted jeans and a crop top. I slipped on the clothes and applied my normal, barely there makeup. I let my hair fall to my waist in its natural curls. Once finished, I shook my mother awake to tell her I was heading down for breakfast.
"Okay, I'll meet you two down there." She mumbled, turning away from me and pulling the blanket over her head. The two of us. I didn't even think to wake up Aaron and invite him down. I walked across to the other room and found Aaron's bed empty. His entire room was empty, his suitcase was gone too. He left. I checked my phone for a text message but found nothing. I know we didn't end the night off so well, but he could at least tell me when he was leaving or why.
*Aaron*
I knocked on the door to Grace's dorm room. I've been dying so see Sophie. I hate being away from her, even just for a moment. I hope Grace didn't have too much trouble with her.
The door opened and Grace stood in a knee length blue dress. Her short blonde hair has slight waves and a small bow. A smile crossed her face when she saw me.
"Hey." She said. "Come on in."
I went in and looked around for Sophie. I began to feel panic until I remembered that it's early and she's probably still asleep.
"So how was the show?" Grace asked. "It's was nice. Victoria's mom may have a contract for her own fashion line."
"Wow. That's amazing. I'm sure she's very proud of her mother."
"Yeah. Where's Sophie?"
"Oh uh, she's still in my room sleeping. We had a long night." She laughed. "She hates bed time."
"Yeah, sometimes it takes a little more work than needed, but eventually she gets there."
"Thank you so much for trusting me to watch her. I took great care of her I promise. I know I'm still learning how to be a mother, but I really am trying my hardest. I want to be the best mother possible for Sophie."
"I know you do, and I'm glad that you're in Sophie's life. If you want to set up a visitation plan, we can do that. No legal stuff involved."
"Really? Thank you so much. That really means a lot."
I made my way over to the couch and sat down. I'm actually exhausted. I'd probably still be asleep if I hadn't left so early. I couldn't face Victoria after what I said last night. I may have ruined our entire relationship. And now I have no idea how to fix it.
"Are you free for the rest of the day?" I asked her. "I'm a little out of it and I don't think I can give Sophie the attention she requires today."
"I can keep her, no problem." She sat beside me. "Did you party a little too hard last night?" She laughed.
"I wish that was that was the case." I mumbled.
"What's wrong?" She asked me, her expression turning to concern. "Did something happen last night?"
"Victoria and I had a fight last night. It was the worst one we've ever had and I said some stupid things."
"What kind of stupid things? If you don't mind me asking."
Grace and I have become close since she's come into Sophie's life. She's become someone I can talk to and get real feedback from.
"She thinks that I keep too many secrets. I denied that and told her that she needs to mind her business." Grace's facial expression turned into a grimace.
"Why the hell would you say something like that Aaron?"
"I just don't see why I need to share everything with her. There are some things she doesn't need to know."
"Secrets ruin relationships. That's why it's best to tell your significant other everything. Gosh, I can only imagine how she must be feeling right now." Grace suddenly stood from the couch. She took my hand and pulled. "Get up, you have to fix this." I stood and she began pushing me towards the door. "You need to apologize to her, before you lose her. If I was her, I wouldn't want to be with a jerk like you but if you apologize and admit you were stupid, you may just get her back."
She opened the door and shoved me outside. Before I could say anything, she shut the door in my face. I know she's only trying to be a good friend and look out for me. But I'm not entirely sure I want to mend things with Victoria. I thought I was ready for a relationship. I thought I was ready to leave behind my old ways of sleeping around. Now I'm beginning to second guess the whole relationship things. I'm just not made for it and now I think Victoria knows that too.
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I am so sorry for the long wait. It's been 3 long months since I last updated and that's due to classes and working full time. I've been working on this for a very long time and I'm sorry it's not better. I hope to have the next update up sooner.
Please comment, vote, and/or fan (follow). Thanks!! ;-)