c h a p t e r • 27

-what deal?-

Lili's PoV

"Now that you are the manager of our school's football team, you need to know the important stuff." Coach Harry says and I nod.

"You will organise the trips and the place we will be staying for the time we are on the trips which you can get verification from me. You will also help me take care of the kids." Coach says.

"Okay. So, the tournament is next week, right?" I say.

"Yup. Please arrange the hotels and transport before the end of this week. I hope that's enough time." Coach says.

Depends on when I feel responsible enough. Which is never.

"Mhm." I say.

"You can leave, now. Thank you, so much for this." He says.

"Of course." I smile.

-•-

"Charity ball?!" I exclaim.

"I'm sorry, it's so last minute sweetie. You kids need dates and I had already arranged one for you. Kyle is going with Sam." My mom says but fangirls the last part.

"Who?" I ask.

"It's one of the Blaccs. Just shoo. Go get ready. There's a dress in your room for you. Just so you know, going to the charity ball means that your identities will be public and everyone will know who you guys are." My mom gives me an encouraging smile.

And it keeps getting better and better.

"Ryder?" I ask.

"No. His older brother. Ryder has another date." My mom says and shoos me off, saying Carla, my stylist, is waiting in my room.

Ryder has a brother?!

I couldn't help but feel a little down when my mom said he has a date as I walked to my room.

Ugh, why do I care!?

-•-

After a while, I mean, 4 hours, I was finally 'charity ball presentable-ish'.

"I knew you'd look amazing. You always do." Carla says.

I chuckle lightly as I look into the mirror in front of me.

I was wearing a red a-line, v-neck spaghetti strap burgundy formal dress.

My hair was styled to actual perfection. Not one hair out of place.

My makeup wasn't too cakey or anything and I was surprised when she made it simple but didn't leave out the smokey eye.

"Now, go away. We wouldn't want to waste your time." Carla pushes me towards the door.

I gave her a small hug, thanking her before going downstairs.

As I walked down the stairs, I saw a man who looked about two years older than me and a little like Ryder.

At least he's hot.

"Honey, you look beautiful." My mom hugs me when I reach the end of the stairs.

"Thanks, mom. You look amazing." I say, nodding towards the man.

"Oh, right. This is Jayden. He is Ryder's older brother and your date for tonight." My mom says.

"Nice to meet you." He says in an Scottish accent. Unlike Ryder's British one.

Wait, why do the have different accents?

"I've lived in Scotland for over 3 years." He says, noticing my confusion.

"I'm Lili." I say, shaking his hand that was held out.

"Okay, I'm ready. Kyle's at Samantha's house and okay, let's go." My dad says.

-•-

The ride to the destination was anything but awkward.

Jayden and I got along smoothly. We had so much in common and he was kinda good at cracking jokes.

He got out the car first, and waited for me on the side.

When I got out, smoothly, I was immediately attacked by paparazzis.

Of course, I expected this so I played it out smoothly.

Jayden's arm was around my waist and honestly, I didn't really mind.

We were bombarded with a ton of questions which we ignored.

"Are you two married?!" A paparazzi asks loudly.

Jayden and I look at each other and burst out laughing but we controlled it so we didn't embarrass ourselves or our family.

When we finally made it inside, where it's quiet, we looked at each other again and giggled.

The enormous room was filled with classy and elegant people.

We found our family on a table up front and we walked there side by side.

I felt someone staring at me and I turned my head towards Ryder.

He was definitely checking me out.

He looked breathtaking. His hair wasn't gelled like Jayden's and instead of wearing a tuxedo, he was just wearing a white button up shirt that wasn't buttoned to his collar and black business pants. He was the definition of Greek God.

Our eyes meet for a second longer before his eyes move to Jayden's arm around my waist.

My eyes instead, moves to the girl next to him.

She looked beautiful. She was flawless. Her hair was curled to perfection and her gown made her look like a princess. She had a kind look on her face. Innocent and pretty.

No wonder, she's his date.

A pang of jealousy hits me when I see their intertwined hands.

"Lili." Jayden brings me to our seat which is in between him and Ryder.

Ugh, yippie!

The table was huge.

Both out families occupied this table along with who I think is Ryder's date's parents and there were 4 more empty seats.

Suddenly, I felt an evil presence in the room.

A high pitched voice rings in my ear and I look at the source.

Mad Heather.

She was in the arms of someone I don't know and I don't care about him either.

"Eww, it's you." Heather looks at me at disgust.

"Are you talking to a mirror or yourself?" I ask.

She rolls her eyes at me.

Oh, I bet those eyes don't only roll like that.

I felt and arm go over my back.

"Jayden?" Heather looks at Jayden.

"Heather?" Jayden says unsure.

"I missed you!" She says and I tune out the rest of the conversation.

Not long after, the speeches were being done and after long torturing speeches, it was finally time to eat.

The waiters serve the food on our plates and I thank them.

Just as I was about to dig in, Heather stops me.

"You sure you wanna eat that. What if you get fat? Oh, right. They never stay in your stomach anyways." Heather mocks me with a smirk.

Little bitch.

I don't say anything, instead I just give her a threatening glare.

She flinched a little but covered it up.

No one noticed this but of course, Ryder.

Bitch made me lose my appetite.

I feel Ryder's hand on my thigh, and sparks even through the thick material of my gown.

It calmed my nerves but made my heart beat faster.

I look at her in the eye and take a spoonful of food and eat gracefully.

I would shove it but I would get my ass whooped.

She glares at me and continues eating little by little.

Bitch.

After I was done with about half of my food, I excused myself to the toilet.

As I walked to the restroom, I didn't notice someone was following me until someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me to a familiar warmth.

"Mr. Giraffe." I smiled, looking up at his face.

"Shortcake." He gives me a breathtaking smile, looking down at me.

"I need to go to the ladies room." I say and tried pulling my wrist.

He didn't let go.

"Control it." He says.

"What?" I say, confused.

"Control the urge. The urge to throw it all out." He says, wrapping an arm around my waist and caressing the side of my face.

"But I can't. If I could, this wouldn't be happening." I say, defeated.

"You have to control it. Don't let it control you." He says.

"I can't. Just like how you can't control your urge to smoke." I say.

"Okay, then. Let's make a deal." He looks at me in the eye.

"What deal?" I ask.

"I don't smoke and you don't throw up. Whoever gives in first, loses." He simply says.

Say what now?

-•-

A/n: so who is Ryder's mysterious date. Why do you think I'm asking you this? That cause she's an important character in this story so stay tuned on...wattpad channel?

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