Part 36

I eyed the wrapped box with excitement and apprehension. On one hand I couldn't wait to see what Dash had given me as a form of an apology, while on the other hand I was afraid that it might be something horrible which would have Dash laughing at me.

"Come on, Bri. Just open the dang present. It's just a box; you can do it," I said to myself before taking a deep breath and hurriedly tearing the glossy paper to reveal a cardboard box. I started to get the feeling that I knew what was inside this mysterious box.

Running my fingers over the smooth texture of the box, I removed the lid to reveal a neatly folded dresses. However, it was not the dress that caught my attention but the envelope sitting on top of it. The baby blue envelope had my heart rate spiking as I recalled Dash's words regarding the letter and his insistence on reading it. Picking up the envelope, I tore it open and pulled out the letter.

Dear Chocolate chip,

I know I have not been the best boyfriend to you and for that I am utterly ashamed. Mind you, this is the first time I'm expressing remorse to someone for breaking their heart, which means that you are pretty special to me. And no, that does not mean I'm a psychopath, I just don't like apologizing to people.

Okay, moving on, I just want to say that I know this present doesn't make up for all the shit I'd done to you—and I don't even care that I'm using foul language in front of you—but it's a start and I hope you like the dress.

Choosing this particular dress wasn't easy; mainly because I really liked a pink dress but I know you hate pink, so I told my designer to change the color of the dress; I hope you like blue. I know you will look absolutely beautiful; just like Cinderella.

How did he still remember that Cinderella was my favorite of all fairytales? I told him about it months ago and the fact that he still remembered it touched my heart. Also, he had the color of the dress changed because he knew I hated pink. I was pretty sure that Damien didn't know my favorite color and he never even bothered asking me. Not that I hated him for that, but Dash made me feel special whenever he asked me about my likes and dislikes.

Shaking my head to rid myself of trivial thoughts, I went back to reading the letter.

Yes, I still remember your love for Cinderella; I haven't forgotten anything you told me, which by the way is something crazy because I am the first to forget any homework assignment I'm given. I guess what my dad says is true; "You only remember the things that are important."

You mean a lot to me, shortcake.

I know you are excited to see the dress, but before you do that, please consider this request of mine and wear this dress to the Winter Formal. Please, chocolate chip; I really want to see you in this dress.

My Cinderella.

So please consider my request and wear this dress. It will give me hope that we still stand a chance. And I will try my best to be the best boyfriend to you, no matter what.

I want you, Bri. You mean a lot to me.

Yours only,

Dash.

I read the letter two more times, unable to stop the grin splitting my face. I hope I wasn't being stupid by believing in this. Dash had put a lot of thought and effort while writing this letter, it was evident in every word.

His request sounded pretty sweet and after reading the entire letter I wanted to fulfill his request. That didn't mean that I'd forgiven him for betraying me, it just meant that my heart no longer wanted to push him away. But I was going to take my revenge by making him go through my ten semesters.

Setting the letter aside, I finally focused on the blue dress. The color reminded me of Dash's eyes and when I unfolded the dress and held it in front of me, it took everything in me not to have my jaw dropping to the floor.

Sequins littered the bodice of the dress while the dress flared wide and down, looking like ripples of water. It was sleeveless and made of silk. It was a stunning dress, I hadn't seen anything like it; even when we were at the mall looking for dresses, nothing had caught my eye like this dress did. I almost wanted to kiss him for giving me this dress, but I wasn't going to because that would destroy the whole point of making him suffer.

Tracey entered the room and her eyes widened when her gaze landed on my dress. I grinned at my best friend, happy to see that she was coming in now and not when I was reading the letter. I didn't know why but that letter was something I wanted to keep private.

"That is one gorgeous dress! Where did you get it?" She asked, bouncing over to me.

"Dash gave it to me. And you're right, it is beautiful," I agreed, laying the dress on my bed as carefully as possible.

"Wow, the guy is a jerk but he has good taste." She rolled her eyes. "I mean, of course he does, he chose you."

I blushed at her words. "Yes, he is a jerk." But he is my jerk.

"So, did you read the letter? What did it say?" She enquired, her eyes not leaving my dress.

"Nothing much. He just told me to wear this dress to the Winter Formal," I answered, not wanting to divulge the details.

"That's amazing. You should wear it; not for him though, but because this dress deserves to be worn and not be hidden at the back of the closet," she stated.

"True. I'll wear it. And Tracey, this dress makes me want to go to the dance. I never knew a dress could make you do that," I confessed.

Tracey rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder how you are even a girl."

"Hey! I am a girl!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, of course you are; that's why Dash likes you," she said.

"Do you really think he likes me? I mean, even after all that he did." I asked.

She shrugged. "The way he is acting makes me think so, but I can't forget what he did to you."

"I know, that's why I've decided to make him suffer." I grinned at her.

"Ooh, my best friend is becoming evil. Do tell what you have in mind." She sat down on my bed, next to the dress.

"Ten semesters!" I announced.

Tracey deadpanned me. "Ten semesters? Like seriously? You too?"

"Yes. And stop looking at me like that. I have ten chances to make Dash suffer and I am not going to miss out on any one." I told her.

"What will you do to him?" Her question had me stumped.

"Uh, I haven't thought of that...yet," I said, sheepishly.

She slapped her forehead. "The dance is in two days and you still haven't thought of how you are going to punish him?"

"If you haven't noticed, I've been a little busy!" I defended.

"Well you need to pull your socks up because I will not let him take you to the dance looking all happy and handsome," she stated.

"You think Dash is handsome?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Of course, the whole school thinks he is handsome. That's why Gemma wanted to be with him." The mention of Dash's girlfriend had me freezing on the spot.

"Oh my God!" My heart froze for a few seconds, as questions started popping in my head like party balloons.

"What happened to you?"

"Gemma is Dash's girlfriend. I can't go to the dance with him when he is with Gemma. Oh God, I can't do this." I held my head with my hands because I felt like it was going to explode any minute. How could I'd have been so blind? I was so busy thinking about my fairytale that I completely forgot that my prince was not charming at all?

"No, she isn't," Tracey said as if it was a well-known fact.

"What are you talking about? Are you blind? Gemma is Dash's girlfriend; do you not remember me apologizing to her for kissing her boyfriend?!" I should kill myself; I did not deserve to show my miserable face to her. I couldn't believe I was thinking about dancing with her boyfriend.

"Gemma and Dash are not together, Bri. I talked to Gemma yesterday and she told me that she and Dash were never together. She just pretended to be his girlfriend because Dash wanted to make you jealous." Her information had my fury igniting.

"What?! Are you serious?! That jerk! Now I'm really going to make him suffer!" I vowed to myself. I would not stop until I had him begging me on his knees.

"You actually thought they were dating?" She said it like she thought I was an idiot to believe it. Of course I thought they were dating, I mean they looked so great together!

"If you knew, then why didn't you tell me, huh? You are supposed to be my best friend and I can't believe you didn't tell me as soon as you got to know about it!" I shrieked. I needed to get a new best friend; this one was starting to hide things from me.

"I was busy with Ben. He and I were discussing the latest movie we watched; it was hilarious." She burst into laughter until she saw my face, then her smile vanished. "Yeah, okay sorry. I should've told you."

"Yes! Now help me come up with a serious punishment for Dash. He has wronged me and then tried to make me jealous, I shall punish him," I stated.

"Of course you will. What does he hate?" She enquired.

"Uh, Damien?" To be honest, I had no idea about what Dash despised. We never really talked about his dislikes, but he did express his disdain towards my ex-boyfriend Damien.

"No, besides him. Damien is human, we don't need humans. We need animals and insects and homework!" She stated.

"Dash doesn't care about homework; he doesn't do it. And he is not even afraid of failing," I said.

"That is so weird that he is in this school. I mean you get expelled if you don't perform," Tracey said.

I shrugged. "He is one weird guy. Maybe he knows mind control and uses it to bend the teachers to his will." I widened my eyes for a dramatic effect.

"Does he hate spiders? Or rats?" Tracey queried.

"He hates lizards...I think," I answered.

"You think?"

"Yeah we never really discussed what he truly hated. But everybody hates lizards, right? I mean they are so freaky and they look at you with these weird, big eyes," I commented, shuddering at the thought of a lizard in front of me.

"Excuse me? I like lizards," Tracey stated.

"How are we even friends?" I thought my best friend would at least be normal, but no, she was a lizard lover.

"I'm wondering the same thing," Tracey responded.

The door of my room was thrown open and in walked Dash, leaving me wondering whether it was the girls' dormitories or the boys'.

"Ever heard the word knocking before?" I asked Dash who grinned at me.

"I've forgotten the meaning of that word since I met you," he said before eying the dress lying on my bed.

"If that's supposed to flatter me, it didn't," I snapped.

"Did you like the dress?" He asked.

I shrugged, trying to be nonchalant. "Meh, it'll work. But I had a better dress for the dance."

Dash looked at me as if I'd slapped him. "You did? Can I see it? I want to know what this dress is missing."

"Uh, no you can't. And this dress is fine, I just told you," I said, hoping he'd shut up.

"No. I want to see that dress. Show it to me," he commanded, sitting down on a chair.

"It's not important. I love the dress." I changed my words.

"Show me the dress," he repeated.

"She never bought a dress. And this dress is beautiful, Dash, I wish you'd given it to me instead," Tracey cut in, making me want to bang my head against the wall. I was living in a hopeless world.

"Ladies and gentleman, this is my best friend." I gestured at Tracey, my words full of sarcasm.

"Oh stop being dramatic." Tracey looked at Dash. "I still don't like you though. I like the dress, not you."

"Thanks Tracey, but Bri is special to me, not you, so..." he trailed off.

Tracey scowled at him. "Forget my kind words; I hate you."

"Would you two stop fighting," I said. "Dash, why are you in our room?"

"I wanted to see you," he answered.

"You just saw me an hour ago," I argued.

"I know but I missed you. If the Headmaster hadn't called me then I would've never left you," he responded.

"You know, you are really creepy," Tracey remarked.

"And nobody is talking to you," Dash replied. Tracey stuck her tongue out in response.

"Why did the Headmaster call you?" I questioned, wanting to know more about Dash's relationship with the head of this academy.

"Because he has nothing better to do in his life. So he calls me to give me lectures on the importance of life and all the shit no one cares about." He rolled his eyes.

"You know, if the Headmaster heard you talking about him like this, he will expel you." I told him.

Dash laughed. "He won't do that. No matter how many nerves I get on, he can't and won't expel me. I told you I have a lot of power, chocolate chip."

"Why not? I would expel you if I was the Headmistress," I stated.

"Well you are not in that position, and trust me I don't even want you to be in that position. That would make things highly complicated between us," he replied.

"What do you mean by that? Why would it make things complicated?" I enquired.

"Because, shortcake, the Headmaster is my uncle."

The heck?!

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Author's Note.

Hi guys,

Here is another chapter, I hope you all like it.

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Thank you for reading.

Until next time.

Take care.

Ciao.