Grace's father? So this is the man who put his daughter out on the streets. Why is he here? "Come in. We've been waiting for you."
I cautiously enter Grace's dorm and find her sitting on the couch with an older woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes. Sophie sits on her lap chatting with her.
"Daddy!" Sophie exclaims when she sees me. She hops off of Mrs. Valentine's lap and runs to me. I pick her up easily and place a kiss on her head.
"Aaron, I'm sorry." Grace says, giving me an apologetic look. "When I didn't show up for my classes this morning, the school called my parents. They showed up here. I know you wanted to keep Sophie away."
"Young man, why are you insisting on keeping our grandchild away from us?" Mr. Valentine asks.
"Are you really asking that question?" I glare at him. "You left your fifteen year old, pregnant daughter on the streets to fend for herself for nine months! And when she finally returns to you, you send her here to a boarding school instead of spending time with her. I don't want my daughter anywhere near you people."
"Daddy," Sophie says, placing her small hands on my cheeks to grab my attention. "Grandma, and Pop Pop say they take me to get toys and eat cake! And they say I get a new room at their big, big house!" The excitement in Sophie's eyes makes me want to smile, but at the same time I want to punch something.
"Why would you lie to her? She's a little girl."
"Don't make us liars." Mrs. Valentine says. "She's our granddaughter and we want to be able to spend time with her."
"Grace, how could you let them do this? I thought you were on my side."
"I understand your reasons, but I feel my parents should have a second chance, just like you gave me. They're really not as bad as you think."
"You struggled for nine months of your life because of them and you're just going to overlook that? Who knows what kind of damage they could do to Sophie. Are you even thinking about our daughter and the outcome she could have?"
"I'm always thinking about our daughter! I'm her mother! And I believe that having my parents in her life would benefit her."
"Wow. I can't believe this is happening right now. No, I don't want your parents around her. I'm taking Sophie home, we'll see you later."
"Young man." Mr. Valentine says as I head for the door. "I suggest you get the best lawyer you can afford because we're going to see our granddaughter no matter what. It's not just you and Sophie anymore. There's more to this family now."
*Victoria*
I rush around the house trying to get myself ready for the dance. Unfortunately my boss called me in to work and now I have less than an hour to get ready.
"Relax." My mom said. "Go take your shower and I'll take care of everything else."
"But..."
"Go!" she cuts me off and pushes me towards the stairs.
I reluctantly do what she says and take my shower. By the time I get out, my dress, shoes and makeup are laid out and my mom holds a flat iron in her hand.
"Come on, there's no time for day dreaming. We want you to look your best tonight. It's the first date!"
"Mom, I told you this isn't a date!"
"Oh, I know a date when I see one. Now come one so you won't be late."
I slip on my dress and shoes and do my makeup as my mother does my hair. Once finished, I look myself over in the mirror.
The strapless bodice to my white dress fits to my body perfectly as the sheer skirt lightly fans out around me, stopping mid-thigh. The gold sequined zigzag pattern wraps around my waistline. My gold pumps accents the gold around my waistline. My natural makeup allows my dress to speak for itself and my hair, now straitened, is neatly pinned up in a bun.
"You still don't think the white is too much?"
"Of course not! It's perfect." The doorbell rings and my mom nearly squeals with excitement. It may be possible that she's more excited than I am. "Time to know him off his feet." She says, pushing me towards my door.
She runs ahead of me to open the door as I make my way down the stairs. By the time I make it to the bottom, she has Caleb in position and her camera in hand, ready to snap a hundred plus pictures. Caleb wears a nice pair of slacks and a nice shirt with a tie. He stares at me as I approach him.
"Hi." I say to him.
"Hi." He smiles. "You're stunning."
"Thanks. You look great too." I lower my head. Friends can say that to each other right?
"Come on, I need my pictures!" my mom scolds. I sigh as I stand beside Caleb and allow her to snap her pictures. "You two are so cute!"
"Mom, you're going to make us late."
"Just a few more and you can go." She snaps over a dozen more pictures before finally putting her camera down. "Okay, I'm finished. You two have fun and have her home by midnight."
"Yes ma'am." Caleb replies with a small smile and a nod.
***
We arrive to the dance and I'm momentarily blinded by the multicolored lights moving around the room. Music blasts and voices fill the room.
"I'm going to get us some drinks. How about you find an empty table." I nod in agreement as we go our separate ways. I make my way to the tables sitting to the side and attempt to find two available seats. Shoes and purses lay around each table so I randomly choose two seats. I sit and wait for Caleb to find me.
"Hey, the others are over by the snack table. Want to go hang with them?" He hands me my drink and I take a sip.
"Uh..." Is Aaron with them? I'm not in the mood to hear about his success of getting Grace into bed with him so soon.
"Aaron isn't here. This isn't really his scene."
"This doesn't really seem like your scene either."
"It's not, but you need to have some fun. You need to get your mind off of everything. So, do you want to go over there?"
"Sure, why not?"
I follow Caleb through the crowd and to his friends. As usual, Fawn stands out from everyone else. She wears a strapless, striking red dress that fits to her perfect curves. Silver jewels wraps around her waistline. Her blonde hair is pulled up into a curly messy bun.
"Hey guys." Caleb greets them.
"Oh look. It's the guy I once called my friend." Connor says, glaring at Caleb. "What was your name again?"
"Not now Connor." Caleb says calmly.
"Hey beautiful." Connor greets me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to him. "You look amazing tonight."
"Thanks, I guess." I wiggle out of his grasp and move away from him.
"Can you keep your hands to yourself for once?" Caleb asks Connor. "She's a person for crying out loud, not a toy for you to play with."
"I'm sorry, unless I've missed something, you two aren't dating so how about you mind your business. Victoria can speak for herself. Stop acting like a protective boyfriend."
"Actually Connor, I'd really like it if you'd stop trying to treat me as you girlfriend." I say as nice as I possibly can. "It makes me feel uncomfortable. I'm just not interested in you that way. But we could be friends, if you'd like." I tried to make that sound as nice as I possibly could, yet it still seems like that came out a little harsh.
"Whatever." Connor shrugs. "You were becoming a nuisance anyway. You're too innocent. No wonder Aaron dumped you, he couldn't get in your pants. You're just a tease. Caleb, just give up. Don't waste your time on her. You could do so much better." Caleb frowns in disgust.
Tears begin to form in my eyes. Is that really how they see me? Is sex really all they think I'm good for? Is that why Caleb has been so nice to me lately he expects something out of me? I'm learning quickly that you can't trust anyone. Now I wish more than ever that I'd taken a different route to my class the day I bumped into Aaron. None of this would have ever happened. I never would have met Aaron, never would have fallen in love with him. I never would have met his horrible, deceitful friends. I never would have met Sophie and I wouldn't be missing her now. My life never would have changed for the worse. I wouldn't be feeling this pain.
Caleb gently places his hand on my shoulder and I immediately shrug it off. Without my permission, a tear streaks my cheek immediately giving Connor the power he wanted over me.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt your feelings?" He mocks sympathy as smiles. "She's a crybaby too. Another reason Aaron probably dumped her, he already has one of those." His friends laugh including Caleb who unsuccessfully tries to cover it up.
Not able to take it anymore, I rush out of the room, pushing my way through the crowd. I make it outside and finally let the tears fall. My breath gets caught in my chest and for a moment I can't breathe. I wipe my cheeks clean and in seconds they're wet again. I slip off my heels and begin to walk home.
"Vicky!" Caleb calls. He quickly catches up to me and takes hold of my hand. I pull free and keep walking, ignoring his presence. "Vicky, please stop."
"I can't believe I actually trusted you!" I said, facing him. "You're just as awful as the rest of them. I wish I never met you or Aaron, or any of your friends. You're terrible people, all of you."
"I'm your friend Vicky." He gives me a sweet smile.
"Friends don't laugh at hurtful jokes, and they definitely don't stand by and watch as their 'friend' gets verbally torn apart. You're not my friend and you never were. If you see me in the halls, don't speak to me. Don't even look in my direction. I'm done with all of you." I turn my back to him and continue home, my heart seeming to shatter more and more with every step.
********************************************************************************************
Finally I have this part up! I've literally been working on this for three weeks. Every time I'd sit down to write, I'd end up falling asleep. I'm sorry you all had to wait so long. I'll be able to update more in the middle of December after this semester is over, I promise.
Please comment, vote, and/or fan (follow). Thanks!! ;-)