Sam pulled up and I left the hospital, glad of the fresh air. Neither Sam nor I said anything on the way home.
He walked me to my door, and I hugged him for a very long moment. Sam kissed me, and then we stayed in an embrace for a moment longer. He was going to turn away, but I took his hand and he stopped walking.
“Stay.” I told Sam. “Please.”
Sam looked at me for a moment, he looked puzzled but then he turned back to me, and waited as I unlocked the front door and then I led him in. He shut the door behind us. I started to walk up the stairs, and Sam turned me around and kissed me passionately. He pressed me to the wall and started kissing my neck. I put my hand on his head, and he pressed more into me.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXF1Abz47n
“Come.” I managed to say, and we went back to kissing as we continued up the stairs. His hands raced under my shirt and up my back.
We made it to my bedroom and then he closed the door behind us.
I woke up to the sun blinding me in the face. I looked next to me where I left Sam before I fell asleep, but he was no longer in the bed with me. The emptiness made my naked body cold. I wanted him there by me still. I wanted the warmth of his body next to mine. His presence made me feel safe and protected in my dark world.
I did however find a note on the bedside table that told me to come over to his house when I was ready. Oh yes, the debutante ball for Briana was that night. I stayed in my bed for a moment. The clock on my phone read 3:30. I shivered as I got out of bed. Luckily no one was home so I didn’t have to dress before going to the bathroom to shower.
When I was done bathing, I put my hair in a braid, and in an off center bun. I put on leggings and a t-shirt before leaving to Sam’s house.
I knocked twice before the door opened. Sam was there with a smile on his face.
“Hey.” Sam kissed me, and I came inside. I looked at his lips and remembered them pressed to mine. I liked the way he kissed me. I looked at his hands at his side, and I remember how he held me so closely, and how much I wanted him to hold me again.
Things were different now.
I took a deep breath, in all actuality not wanting to go to this ball. Maybe something would happen and I could find a way to get out of it.
I had a feeling it was a little late for that.
“Well.” I said to Sam.
He stood there just looking at me.
“Time pick out a dress, I guess.” I said and fiddled with my t-shirt.
Sam led me to Briana’s room, where several cocktail dresses laying on the bed. One was light pink, another was yellow, there was also a maroon one. They were all pretty dresses, but I didn’t like any of them particularly. The one was eyes went instantly to was the teal strapless dress on the furthest side of the bed.
“That was my pick for you.” Sam admitted.
I looked at him half in disbelief. “You helped Briana pick dresses for me?”
Sam scratched the back of his head, and looked down. He was slightly embarrassed. “Well…I… Uh… Yeah.”
I smiled at him. “You’re better at fashion than I am.”
He looked up at me and laughed. “I just wanted to see you in that…” He walked closer to me, and wrapped his arms around my waist and whispered in my ear. “Maybe I’d like to see it on the floor even more.”
I playfully pushed him away and laughed but he was back with his arms around my waist, and he kissed me.
“Okay, I’ve really got to go finish getting ready.” I laughed. “And you’re messing up my hair!”
Sam finally let go of me, and I took the dress.
We were back downstairs again, and he saw me out the door.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41Oie156nP
“Pick me up say 5:30?” I asked him. That gave me 20 minutes to finish getting ready.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dMqH30t5Y
“I’ll see you then.” Sam kissed me one last time before I left.
When I got back, I saw the car in the driveway. My parents were back, probably with Olivia and Mia. I would need Olivia’s help with the finishing touches.
I said a quick hello to my parents, who were in the kitchen talking quietly. The television was on in the living room which probably meant Mia was in there.
Olivia was in her room when I knocked on the door.
“Hi Violet.” She said quietly, as she stepped out of her room.
“I really need your help.” I said to her, and held up the dress. “Sam is picking me up in fifteen minutes and I really need to hurry to get ready to go.”
“Okay.” Olivia was still saddened from earlier this morning, at least that’s what I thought.
She helped me to dress, and to put the finishing touched on my make up. The doorbell rang, and she hurriedly left the room as I put my strappy heels on.
I found my nice coat from my closet, and left my room. I nearly fell down the stairs, if Sam wasn’t there to catch me, I probably would have face planted into the ground.
Damned heels.
“Thanks.” I said breathless as Sam made sure I was standing properly before he let go of me.
“Look at you.” My mother said as she came out of the kitchen. “You look lovely a stor.” A smile crossed her face. Her eyes went to Sam. “Take care of my girl.
“Yes Mrs. Bello. I will.” Sam replied to her.
My dad appeared in the doorway, and he looked at me. “You look very beautiful Vi.” His voice was quiet as usual.
Sam looked at me. “Shall we?”
I nodded.
“Have fun you two.” Olivia said with a small smile and then went back upstairs.
Sam politely opened the door for me, and led me to his car which was in front of my house now.
I stood and laughed.
“What’s funny?” He asked genuinely concerned with my laughing fit.
“You drove from over there,” I pointed to where his car had sat before which was 500 feet away, and then I pointed to where his car sat now. “To here.”
He shrugged. “Well I didn’t want you to have to walk so far.”
“I wouldn’t have minded.” I said to him, and he opened the door for me and I got into the car.
He was always so polite, Sam.
Sam go into the car and we were off.
The building was in downtown was bustling with people. Inside everyone was beautifully dressed. I couldn’t wait to down champaign. We went to the coat check to drop off our coats and then we went to find Sam’s parents.
A waiter with a tray of champagne was going past me and I took a glass, and started drinking.
Sam and I arrived at our table. We were the first ones there. I was finished with my first glass of champagne when Sam brought another. I noticed his father walking behind him.
Oh god, it was beginning.
I tried avoided making eye contact with anyone at the table.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pjGM9nIuL
Before I knew it the table was full, aside from two empty chairs.
“Violet, it’s good to see you again.” It was Susan.
I looked up and saw her smiling at me, though her eyes told a different tale. It was clear she did not want me to be here; to be with Sam.
“You too, Mrs. Duvall.” I replied and took a drink of champagne.
“Samuel, you didn’t introduce your friend to the table.” Susan addressed Sam. There was a huge emphasis on the word ‘friend’.
“Oh.” Sam said and looked at me, and then back at the others on the right side of the table.
I hadn’t taken a good look at who was there. There was a woman in a red and black long sleeved dress, and her hair was done in a high bun on the back of her head.
“Mrs. Ames, I’d like to introduce my girlfriend Violet.” I watched as Sam shot his mother a look. Then he looked back at me. “Violet, this is Mrs. Ames, and her son William, and her daughters Lyla and Meg.” Lyla was probably our age, but I had never seen her before, and Meg was significantly older.
“My son Patrick is escorting Briana.” Mrs. Ames said excitedly, and wriggled her eyebrows.
A voice came over the speaker and I turned my head to find where the woman who was speaking was standing.
“Welcome to the annual Columbus City Debutante Ball.” The older woman said., she was standing on the last of a staircase. “My name is Cynthia Mills-Cooper, regional president of the Debutantes of America Association, and I gladly welcome you to this year's ball.” Cynthia Mills-Cooper continued to talk, but didn’t pay attention. I looked over at Sam, and then back at the stairs, and that's when people started applauding, and I joined in.
Another voice - this time it was a man's voice- came over the speakers and started introducing girls to the crowd, as they descended from the stairs. “Abigail Alexander” was the first girl who came down the stairs. Several others were introduced before I heard the name “Sierra Cooper”, and I couldn’t turn my head fast enough. There was Olivia’s girlfriend. Did Olivia know she was here? Sierra looked beautiful, with her curls framing her face. Her white gown had sleeves that just came off her shoulders. I could tell she looked uncomfortable
“What?” I said to myself, and then I looked at Sam. “That’s Sierra. It’s Olivia’s Sierra.”
Sam laughed at me. “Yes I know!” He poured my glass with water and said “Drink this please.”
I narrowed my brow, and took the water from him.
“Now drink.” He said.
“Here she comes!” Susan said and clapped her hands twice.
“Drink the water.” Sam said quietly.
I turned my body and saw Briana beaming as she came down the stairs. Her straight hair was tied to the back of her head, and she was escorted by a much taller (and very buff) young man (was his name Paul? Patrick? Peter? At this point I had completely forgotten).
“She looks so beautiful. Oh honey, look at our girl, she is beaming.” Susan said to her husband, and he grumbled and said.
“Yes yes dear. Very nice indeed.”
It was a little while before Briana and What’s-His-Name sat in the empty chairs.
“Violet, it’s so good to see you! You look lovely.” Briana kissed me cheek with a light peck.
“Congratulations Briana! You look beautiful.” Mrs. Ames said to her.
“Thank you Mrs. Ames. I couldn’t do it without your son here.” Briana nudged the young man.
I took another drink of water, and was SO relieved when food was put in front of me.
“I didn’t know what you liked, I hope that chicken is suitable enough for you, Violet.” Susan was not impressed with my being here, and I could tell now.
We all ate in silence. The scraping of forks on plates ceased and I was scared of being put on the spot… I knew it was coming.
“So Violet, tell me.” Said Mrs. Ames. “What do your parents do for a living?”
“My parents?” I asked, confused. “Well, my father is a doctor, and my mother writes books for a living.”
“What’s her name, perhaps I’ve heard of her.”
“Her penname is E.T. Lynch.”
Mrs. Ames eyes widened. “No really? E.T. Lynch, the Irish writer.. That’s your mom?No. NO! That’s so amazing.”
I nodded.
“I love her!” She gasped. “I’m always watching the adaptations of her books!” Mrs. Ames started going on about the books, which in actuality, I knew nothing about having read none of them.
When she was done talking, I was glad to not have to go on about.
I scanned the room for the restroom, and then once I found it, I told Sam that I would be back. I had almost made it to the bathroom, when I found myself in front of Sierra. I forgot how tall she was.
“Violet.” She was surprised to see me. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi Sierra.” I smiled. “Um Sam’s sister Briana is a debutante. What are you doing here? I didn’t expect you to be here.”
Sierra sighed. “My grandparents got me to do it. My grandmother is regional president, so I am kind of obligated to be a part of this. I hate it to be honest. I don’t want this kind of life. I can’t be truly myself if I am to be what my grandparents, and even my mother want me to be.”
“What do you mean?” I asked her.
“They don’t know about Olivia, or about me.” Sierra looked at her hands, and then back at me. “I love Olivia, and I want to be with her so much. I just can’t tell my family about it… Not yet anyway.”
A woman came behind Sierra and got her attention. The woman and Sierra looked so much alike.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lh523Pqz8
“Come on Sierra, there are some people I’d like to introduce you to.”
“Well. Goodbye Violet.” Sierra said quietly and then turned and followed her mother away.
After I found the bathroom, I found my way back to the table and plopped in my chair.
Half of the table was gone, including -to my benefit- Susan.
“I am so ready to leave.” I said to Sam.
“Me too,” He admitted “but we have to stay just a little longer. Then I promise we can leave.” He took my hand in his, and held it for a minute, before taking a drink of his water.
Susan was back and a woman who was probably the age of Sam and I was trailing behind her.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfthrGU3EK8
“Samuel.” Susan smiled. “You remember Briony Van Hausen, don’t you.”
The girl behind her was wearing a blue dress, and her chestnut hair was pulled back in a half pony tail.
Sam became frustrated.
“Nice to see you Briony. This is my girlfriend, Violet.” He introduced me to Briony.
I would say she was nice, but she wasn’t exactly social with us.
There wasn’t much of any conversation going on, so she excused herself.
The look on Susan’s face when Briony left almost made me laugh out loud, and I managed to stifle it until she left.
“Your mom really hates me.” I said to Sam, and then I took a drink of another glass of champagne.
“She’ll come around.” Sam said to me. I watched him take a quick look around. “Okay, we’re leaving now.” He took me by the hand and we half-ran out of the ballroom. We got our jackets and we were both so relieved to be out of there.
After we got into the car, we both sighed in relief, and then Sam drove off.
“Where to ma’am?” He asked me.
“Anywhere but home.” I replied with a painful smile.
“To the moon then.” Sam said.
“The moon sounds wonderful.” I rested my head on the seat and looked at Sam. His face wasn’t very visible in the darkness.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDalAQEU7dk
We pulled into a parking lot of a grocery store. Sam took my hand and led me to the wine selection, and grabbed one from the shelf.
After we checked out, we went to Sam’s house. He got a bottle opener from one of the kitchen drawers in the kitchen, and then we went upstairs to his room. He plugged his phone in, and turned on an album by Forget December. We both drank the bottle of wine, and sang along at the top of our lungs, until the door opened, and Briana was in the doorway. She was smiling and leaning on the doorway with crossed arms.
“Hello.” Briana said to us.
I sat on the bed, giggly as Sam turned off the music.
“You two party animals need to settle down. Mom’s pretty pissed right now.”
I quit giggling and slouched over. “She hates me.”
“Violet, I should see you home.” Sam grabbed at my hand.
“You’re both very drunk right now.” Briana said, “I’ll take Violet home.”
“Bri no. I’ll-”
“What you will do is change into your pajamas, and wait for me to get back, you got it?”
Briana found my coat as I felt myself become nauseated.
She led me down the stairs and outside. We were halfway through when I couldn’t hold my vomit any longer, and I threw up right on our feet.
“This is so disgusting!” Briana said, and tried to shake the puke off her shoes.\
She got me to the front door.
“Just open the door.” I told her. “It’s unlocked.”661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz3iGOER8E
Briana sighed and shook her head. She opened the door, and led me upstairs. Olivia and Briana used to play together so I wasn’t surprised when she found Olivia’s room and knocked a few times.
“Special delivery.” Briana said as she opened the door.
Olivia raised her eyebrows at me.
“Heeeey.” I said. “Little sister.”
Olivia smiled at Briana, “Thanks for bringing my very responsible big sister home.”
“She needs a shower because she threw up outside. Also make sure she’s got water to drink, and that she sleeps with one foot on the floor.”
Olivia took me to the bathroom once Briana had left.
After I took a shower, she forced me to down three cups of water from the bathroom sink.
Once she led me to my bed, and she made sure I was laying down properly, I remembered what I was going to tell her.
“I saw Sierra tonight.”
Olivia became upset. “I really don’t want to talk about this Violet. Goodnight.” She clicked my light off, and she left my room.
“Love you.” I said loudly before I fell asleep.
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