Jordan and I spent most of our afternoon talking in her room. She told me that she was going to the charity banquet for her father. He was making her go apparently.
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Jordan's last name was Rode. Her dad was supposedly very well known in this town and her family has been extended an invite to the Peters banquet every year. She said she didn't usually go but her father makes her go every other year.
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"I wish you could go. I don't even have a dress. My mom said she'd send me one."
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"It must be a big deal."
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"It sure is. I'd take you as my plus one but they don't usually let non members attend."
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A sudden soft knock at the door startled us both. I looked at Jordan and she just shrugged in confusion. She got up to open the door and I couldn't see who it was but I saw one huge matte black box and a smaller one. They chatted for about 15 seconds before she took both boxed and shut the door.
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When she turned around there was a white ribbon with a bow tied around both boxes.
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"These are for you?"
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"Me?"
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"Yeah the guy at the door told me it was for a Victoria C. I'm not sure how he'd know to bring it here."
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She got in the bed and placed the box in front of both of us as we sat across from each other. She waited for me to open it.
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I untied the ribbon from the top slowly and it fell gracefully on the bed, revealing the Versace logo on the box. I gasped. No way.
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"Hurry up! I'm dying to know what it is!" Jordan said bouncing up and down in anticipation.
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I opened the bigger one first that was on the bottom and there was a thin silk lining over the top of the gift and a piece of paper.
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The lady at the store told me your secret. That you love this dress. Please wear it tonight at the banquet with me. I'd love to see you in it one last time.
Love, Ian.
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Jordan snatched the card out of my hand and while she was reading it my face felt hot. I was flattered. I peeled back the satin cloth on the top and sure enough the dress I tried on with him days ago was neatly placed into the box.
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Jordan gasped at the note then looked over at the dress.
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"OH. MY. FUCK. It's so pretty!"
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We both covered our mouths in shock.
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"Open the other one!"
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I didn't even know what to say. I was still mesmerized by the thousand dollar dress that was laying in front of me. Jordan passed me the other box that was on the top. I opened it up and there were simple beige heels with a tiny specks of glitter lining them. They matched the dress perfectly and they were my size. How did he figure out my shoe size?
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I was so captivated by the gifts I didn't even notice my phone ringing. I checked the caller id before answering.
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"Ian."
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"Did you get my gift?"
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"I did. I'm- I don't even know what to say. Thank you so much."
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Jordan was whisper yelling at me and motioning for me to put it on speaker so she could hear. I loved how supportive she was of me and how she got excited when it came to me and Ian.
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"Is that a yes? Will you go with me?
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"Of course!"
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I couldn't see him but I almost felt his excitement through the phone.
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"Great. I'll see you there love."
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Once I hung up the phone I looked straight to Jordan with the biggest grin and we bounced up and down screaming like little kids on the playground.
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"We need to get ready immediately."
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We jumped off the bed and Jordan started the shower and told me I could shower after her. She put music on and while she was in the shower I took the dress from the box and put it up to my body and looked into her mirror.
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After a while we started to get ready. She played some music to get us moving and talked while doing makeup. I didn't want to do too much makeup because Jordan said it was a super classy event so I didn't want to stand out. She told me she wanted to do my hair in finger waves because it would look cute on me so she started with my hair first.
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I trust her judgement. My hair had grown quite a bit, still not very long but it was enough to slick back or do very minimal styles.
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Although I was super excited to spend time with Ian my mind was still stuck on having no where to stay. I really thought in the back of my mind that I might have to live with my dad. I couldn't decide which one was worse. My dad or my mom and her new boyfriend. Either way I was in no position to decide. I had to take what I could get and if I decided to stay with either one i'd be miserable.
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I know that I told Ian most of my situation but I didn't want to tell him i'd be homeless if I couldn't figure out who to stay with.
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I closed my eyes while Jordan did my hair because the brush she was using felt good on my scalp. She styled my hair into finger waves as my hair wasn't long enough to style into something spectacular yet but the end result was astonishing to me and I felt prettier than ever.
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We continued to get ready and talk about class and life. She was really the best friend i'd ever had in my 17 years. I made a note that if I ever found a good opportunity I would tell her the whole truth about me. Right now things were going good and I didn't want to ruin it.
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"Okay time for the dress!"Jordan added the final touches on her makeup while I was done a while before her.
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She pulled a dress from her closet that was very sleek and silky. It was a white silk dress with an open side and back showing off her side boob. We both took pictures of each other and videos and realized that we were about to be late.
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Ian had to go early because of his parents but he told me he'd be waiting outside for me.
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Once we finally arrived we were almost 20 minutes late even after speeding.
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"Hurry! My dads going to kill me for being this late." Jordan said as we rushed out of her car. They had valet parking and while one man took her keys the other one escorted us into the building. It was gorgeous.
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The floor was marble and the ceilings were high with pillars connecting them. There were a handful of people around most of them young adults. I was confused as to where to go.
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"Ugh hold on my dad is calling me. I'll meet you in there."
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"Wait where do I go?"
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"Down the hall there's a door that says ball room. Just go through there."
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"Okay."
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She put her phone to her ear and walked away towards a different door. I was left standing alone very lost. Go to the door that says ball room. Got it.
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After a few seconds I had found a large door that said Ball Room Entrance 1. I proceeded to push through the doors and once they were open I was on top of an indoor balcony. Eyes from below shifted towards me and my face became hot. I don't know if this was the right entrance.
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There were two set of stairs on both sides of me and looking over the balcony there were hundreds of people. I turned to the marble staircase and slowly walked down, looking at my feet so I could avoid the eye contact of hundreds of people. Once I reached the bottom level I looked up and was startled when I saw Ian standing in front of me.
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"You looked like cinderella coming down from there."
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"Why does it feel like people are staring at me?"
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He took my hand and kissed the back of it.
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"Probably because you're the most beautiful girl in here."
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I became flustered once again and knew my face was probably super hot and a bit sweaty since I was so nervous. He looked so professional with his suit and bow tie. It was tight fitting and hugged his body perfectly. I noticed he had the string necklace on with the ring I gave him a while back. I smiled looking at it, surprised that he'd wear something so cheap to such an important event.
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"I'm sorry I couldn't meet you in the front my parents wanted me to sit with them."
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"That's okay I'm late it's my fault."
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"I have something for you."
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"You do?"
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"It's at the table."
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He lead me to the table he was sitting at with his parents. They weren't currently there, probably mingling with other people. Everyone was up and conversing loudly filling the room with laughter. Ian pulled a small long box from the table and gave it to me.
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"Ian-"
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"Don't say anything. Just open it."
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I sighed looking at him questionably before I gave in. I gasped out loud causing a few curious looks near by. It was a simple necklace with a flower on the end made of diamonds.
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"What do you think?"
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"I love it."
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He took it out of the case and held it carefully in his hand. I stood still as he wrapped the golden chain around my neck and attached the chains together. His hands lingered on the back of my neck. They were soft yet firm and sent a chill down my spine.
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I turned around and hugged him to thank him for his gifts. I truly didn't feel like I deserved any of the things he'd been giving me but I wanted him to know I was forever grateful for them. I wanted to make sure he didn't feel like he was doing everything for nothing because I honestly was so thankful for him.
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"Thank you, Ian." I whispered in his chest.
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He gave me a tight squeeze back and made me feel warm.
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"Who is this we have here?"
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A female voice came up behind me and I straightened myself off of Ian to see who it was. It was an older lady with her hair completely grey but she seemed very youthful. Next to her was an older man also with grey hair but brown highlights. I automatically assumed that it was his parents because they looked exactly like Ian.
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"Mom, Dad, this is Victoria."
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"Pleased to meet you young lady." His dad reached his hand out to mine and so did his mom. I shook both hands and we chatted for a little bit. They asked me who I was to Ian and what my future plans were almost like I was his girlfriend. We made our way to the table and sat down on the seats assigned to us. Mine didn't have a name but all the other ones had a little metal sign that had their name. Kai was on my right and Ian was on my left.
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Kai showed up almost an hour and a half late. I wasn't sure if it was because he was here hiding away somewhere or he just showed up late. I didn't have a very good first impression of him and I knew that it wasn't smart to talk with him from the things i've heard. Also he was talking to one of my best friends, Sarah, so I made a note to avoid him.
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They served steak and wine, of course giving the underaged people grape juice but in wine glasses so we felt included I guess. I saw Jordan on the other side of the room with her parents and she looked excited to be here. I got lost in my own head while an older man started giving a speech about the community and the purpose of the banquet. I stared off through the crowd of people and almost tuned the entire speech out.
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It felt bitter sweet.
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I didn't know why but I felt tears welling up in my eyes after watching happy people live life. I closed my eyes for a a couple seconds to prevent myself from balling my eyes out in front of Ian's entire family along with the rest of the town.
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"Are you okay?"
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I looked up at Ian with his pretty green eyes looking at mine with so much concern.
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"I think so. I'm going to use the bathroom."
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I got up and headed towards the ladies room. The building was huge and a little confusing but I found the bathroom after some minutes of being lost. I reached for my phone to check the time when I realized I left it back at the table. I took a few deep breaths and looked at myself in the mirror.
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"You're okay." I tried to convince myself as I let out a breath and fanned myself until I didn't feel overwhelmingly hot.
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I decided to leave before they started to worry where I went for so long. Immediately after I took a few steps out of the restroom I was met with a tall man in a brown suit.
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"Are you sure?" It was Kai. I sighed in relief to know it was just him and not some crazy old man but I was also skeptical. Why is Kai here?
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"Sure what?"
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"Sure that you're okay."
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"What are you talking about?"
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"I heard you in the bathroom."
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"Are you following me?"
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He just shrugged.
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"I'm fine. Thanks."
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"You look...heavenly."
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Ew. Gross.
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"Um.. Aren't you in a relationship?"
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"No I'm not." He said almost laughing.
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No way. He's lying to me! He must not know that me and Sarah are friends.
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"Cool. I'm gonna go now."
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He stepped in front of me blocking my way and I slouched in frustration.
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"Hold on now. Aren't you talking to my brother? I wonder what a girl like you is doing with him."
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He touched my cheek with his thumb and gripped my face. I flinched and pushed his hand away and moved aside continuing to walk back to the table.
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I need to tell Sarah how much of an asshole he is.
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As soon as I sat down I grabbed my phone and saw 5 missed calls from Sarah. I was going to call her back when I saw a text from my mom.
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"We're leaving in a few hours, not too late to change your mind. Be smart and make the right choice. Come to chicago."
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I turned my phone over on the table and decided I would deal with it later. Just enjoy yourself tonight V.
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Soft music began playing and everyone got up and headed towards the center of the floor and got ready to dance. I looked around and almost everyone was attached by the hip dancing with someone. Even Jordan was dancing with a random cute boy.
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Ian stood beside me with his hand out signaling me to take it so he could lead me onto the floor. His parents remained seated and were staring me down super hard. I felt like they were trying to read me and see if I was fit enough to be with their son. Which is usually all parents so I didn't think too deeply about it.
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He led me to the middle of the room where everyone was already paired up. There was classical music playing and people were moving side to side with the melody.
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He pulledmy hips in closer to him and we were glued together from the waist down. His eyes never left mine. I couldn't read his expression but I could tell something was off. He seemed far away.
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"What's on your mind?" I said breaking our silence.
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"Vee I need you to be honest with me."
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"Ok. What is it?"
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"Are you really going to stay with your mom?"
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My heart sunk to my ass. He knows.
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"No." I said it so low I'm surprised he heard me.
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"Why did you lie to me? I don't understand?"
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"I don't know. I just didn't want you to keep worrying about me. I feel like a charity case. You do so much for me."
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"Why can't you understand I'm not doing these things because I feel bad for you. I like you V, a lot."
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"I'm sorry."
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I felt horrible. Even though it didn't seem like a big deal for me, I should've just been honest. There honestly wasn't a valid reason for me to lie to him other than me being completely embarrassed about my situation. He already knew most of everything and I just couldn't bare to also tell him I'm practically homeless now. I wasn't even focused on how he found out, I was just scared that I'd lose him from my idiotic attempt to make myself feel better.
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"Jordan mentioned to me that you were sleeping over for a few nights. Then you're mom texted you. I put two and two together and realized you weren't actually going."
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I stayed silent. He didn't even seem angry. He looked really upset but not angry.
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"Come stay with me."
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"In the dorm?"
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"At my house."
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"Your house? What will your parents say?"
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"They won't care. I just don't want you trying to figure out where you're going to stay every night. Just until you find another place. Please."
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He gave me the cutest little puppy dog eyes that made me almost melt on the spot.His eyes were so mesmerizing, especially when he looked at me the way he was. I couldn't resist his offer. As much as my pride told me to, my mind was pushing me to say yes.
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"Okay."
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"Okay?" He said with a hint of a smile on his lips.
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"Yes, but you can't tell anyone. At all."
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"I would never." He grinned from ear to ear and spun me around.
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After the last song played we all said our good byes and Ian told me to wait for a moment so he could tell his parents something. I found Jordan at the cake bar downing a pastry in her face. She called out to me with a mouth stuffed with sweets and I just laughed.
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"Vee! I was looking for you!"
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"In the cake?"
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"Haha funny. Anyway I was looking for you to tell I ran into Ian and I told him you were sleeping over and he asked if you could sleep over at his. He's such a gentleman. He literally asked me if it was okay and I was like "I don't care."
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"Yeah he just asked me. I was coming over here to tell you that. Are you okay with that?"
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"Duh! I'm not one to cock block."
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I rolled my eyes and hugged Jordan. "Thank you."
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