Chapter Nine

The echoing sound of a doorbell rang throughout the house, hitting my eardrums. Even though I was in a long dress and heels, I rushed downstairs to answer it being to oh-so polite person that I was.

       “Nick!” I said as I opened the door.

       “You’re wearing a dress,” he stated, coming in.

       “Yeah, I know. Kara told me she would personally kill me if I showed up in anything but one,” I laughed.

       Last weekend I had gone with Kara- scratch that- Kara had dragged me shopping to look for a dress for the benefit... of that she approved. I ended up getting this strapless black dress, with black sequins on the top part, and black ruffles that cascaded down on the bottom. It was a nice dress, but it was hard to walk in, and a DRESS. I hate dresses; they’re so not me! I’ve always been the jeans and a T-shirt type of gal; dresses aren’t something commonly found in my wardrobe.

       Kara also made me get heels that were like satin or something, and had a five-inch, rhinestone heel. Currently, I was wearing them, and they killed! Oh, and to make the whole look even more ridiculous I had a black purse- no Kara called it a “clutch”- that matched. It was a little bigger than my phone, and I had no idea what its purpose was. If I have a bag, I want to actually be able to put stuff in it.

       In my ears are a pair of diamond studs, and hanging around my neck, a matching necklace. I drew the line when Kara suggested I wear a bracelet and rings. Jewelry is wasted on me. I have my ears pierced and all, but I normally have simple pearls in; nothing fancy.

       “Well, I’m glad you’re wearing one, because you look beautiful,” Nick said.

       “You’re not too bad yourself!” I said. Nick was wearing a black suit with a simple white collared shirt. He looked cute.

       “I know,” he smirked.

       “Elle, who’s there?” my mom asked, rushing down the stairs in her modestly vibrant, red gown. Her dress flowed effortlessly down to the ground, and covered her shoulders. It had a low v-back, and fit her well. Her straight black hair was in a tight bun, and she looked as put together as ever.

       “Nick Ross,” I replied.

       “Oh, Nick, I haven’t seen you in years!” she smiled, looking him over.

       “We’re dating,” I blurted, shocked that the words had fallen out of my mouth so naturally.

       “I always liked you, Nick,” she said in approval.

       “I transferred,” Nick said, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

       “You did?” she questioned, probably wondering why Danni hadn’t told her.

       “Yeah.”

       “To where Elle and Jordan are?”

       “Yup,” he nodded.

       “That’s nice. Your mother’s going to be at the benefit, yes?”

       “Yeah, she’ll be there,” he affirmed nervously.

       “I’ll be sure to speak with her,” my mother smiled.

       “Elle!” Jordan called, entering the room while staring at his phone.

       “Jordan!” I said in response.

       “Oh. And Nick’s here. Cool. Wait, why is Nick here?” he said as soon as he spotted Nick.

       “He’s my date...” I said.

       “So you two are going out! I knew it!” he pointed at us as if he was Sherlock Homles and had just figured out who the murdered was.

       “Jord, where’s your date?” I asked, already knowing.

       “Very funny,” he said humorlessly, still incredibly mad about that Amy chick rejecting him.

       “Okay kids, let’s go!” my dad said, coming up from the garage in a black suit and a red bowtie, which matched my mom’s dress perfectly.

       “Oh, Charles, you look dashing!” my mother exclaimed.

       “Who’s this?” he asked, noticing Nick.

       “Nick Ross,” Nick gulped.

       “Why are you here?”

       “I’m here to ask you if I can take Elle to the benefit tonight, as my date,” he said politely.

       “You said your last name was Ross, as in Dean Ross?”

       “Yes,” Nick sighed a breath of relief.

       “Good man. You two have my blessing,” my dad said, not really caring.

       “Thank you sir,” Nick said formally.

       “Okay, you three can go, and we’ll meet you there,” my mom said.

       “Sure,” I said, grabbing a leather jacket to put over my dress. If Kara saw me put the jacket on, she would literally burn it. I’d just have to take it off before I went into the building.

       “We’re taking my car,” Jordan said.

       “No way!” I said. I hated Jordan’s truck. I always feel like I was going to throw up due to the height.

       “Well, we can’t take yours,” he pointed out.

       “Yes, we can,” I said.

       “How about we take two cars? I’ll take mine, with Elle, and Jordan can take his?” Nick suggested.

       “Fine,” Jordan and I said at once.

       “See you three there,” my dad said.

       We went out to the cars, and, I swear, I almost tripped going down the stairs. I went to Nick’s black Corvette, and Jordan went to his oversized truck.

       “Ladies first,” Nick said, opening the door for me.

       “Thank you,” I said, sliding into the car.

       “You ready?” he asked as he buckled in, and drove off.

       “I was born ready.”

       “Good. I can’t wait to see the look on John’s face.”

       “Stop.”

       “Fine.”

       We eventually got to the venue of the benefit, and pulled up to the door. It was at the country club I had grown up going to, and, apparently, it was a huge deal, so the entire club was being used for the benefit. Normally, only the function hall was where everything was held, but, tonight, both the junior, and main ballrooms were being used.

       “Let’s go,” Nick said, getting out of the car and handing his keys to a valet. I took off my jacket, threw it in the car, following him in. He linked arms with me as we entered the structure. Slowly, we went over to the sign in sheet to put our names down, and then went into the main ballroom to find our seats, and put our stuff down.

       The function hall was being used for appetizers and the open bar, while the junior ballroom was for dancing. The main ballroom was a ginormous room with a stage, and a dance floor, and tonight it had chairs and tables set up on the sides.

       “Shall we?” Nick offered.

       “Yes, we shall,” I said as we split off and found our parents’ table’s to put our stuff at. There were already tons of people there, and I recognized a good deal of the kids from school.

       “Elle!” Kara cried, dragging Ben behind her, “You look amazing!”

       “Thanks! So do you,” I said, looking her over. On her slendar frame lay a blue, strapless gown that matched the color of her eyes.

       “So, where’s your date?” she asked, puzzled.

       “You’re looking at him,” Nick said.

       “No way! No way! No way!” she shrieked.

       “Yes way,” I said calmly.

       “OMG! That’s so sweet! You going out with Nick? I never, ever, ever thought it would happen! Ever.”

       “Neither did I,” I admitted.

       “Wait, just to get this straight, so are you two, like, a thing? Or is this just, like, a joke?” she asked, completely serious.

       “No, we’re going out,” Nick said, putting his arm around my waist.

       “Okay. You two should totally go dance!” she said, pushing us to the dance floor roughly.

       Nick took my hand lightly and stepped on to the floor with me. He put a hand on my waist, and held one of my hands, as I mimicked his motion. We slowly glided in circles across the dance floor in the same motion as the other people. I could hear the live orchestra playing some boring, slow, classical piece that would probably put half the people to sleep.

       In fifth grade, our school thought it would be a useful idea to teach us how to dance. Back then, girls dancing with boys was completely disgusting, and a waste of our time. Looking back on it now, maybe there was a reason for it. Nick and I both knew somewhat how to dance, though I sucked at it, and he was no expert.

       “Nicely done, Elle,” Nick said as we came to a stop.

       “Thank you. You’re pretty good too,” I said.

       “Elle!” John said, coming up to us with a girl behind him. She had on a tight, green dress that had small ruffles lying vertically on it and brushed just above her knees.

       “John,” I said as I felt Nick’s grip tighten on my waist where his hand was evidently residing.

       “This is Hadley,” he said, introducing the girl in green.

       “Hi, I’m Elle, and this is Nick,” I returned, smiling at the girl.

       “Pleasure,” she said, shaking our hands.

       “So, where’s the mystery guy?” John asked.

       “Right here,” Nick said smiled.

       “You’re him?” John gaped.

       “Yes, I am.”

       “Oh no. No. No. No! Elle, what the hell?” John said, as I made a mental note that his words rhymed.

       “Nick asked me. Then you asked me. I had already said yes to Nick, what was I supposed to do, say no because you asked me after?” I explained.

       “That’s exactly what you were supposed to do!” he said.

       “John, calm down; get it over it,” I said.

       “Whatever. Had, let’s go put our stuff down,” he said to the girl in the green dress.

       “Kay, babe,” she said, glaring at me.

       “I feel so bad!” I said to Nick.

       “Why? Because you’re here with me, and John’s mad?”

       “I just don’t want him to be mad at me!”

       “Why do you care about what John thinks of you?” Nick asked, as his eyes traveled up and down my body, causing a blush to surface in my cheeks.

       “Because, unlike you, I actually like him, and would love to keep him as a friend!”

       “Fine.”

       “Nick Ross, and who is that, Elle Paterson?” an elderly lady said, coming over to us. I had no idea who the heck she was.

       “Yes?” Nick said. I was almost positive he too didn’t have a clue as to the identity of this lady.

       “You two have grown so much! I remember when you were younger you’d play in the pool for hours! How are you?” she asked, gingerly hugging us.

       “Good,” I said, unsure of what pool she was talking about.

       “How are your brothers?”

       “Fine,” Nick said.

       “That’s wonderful! Wow, you two just look so grown up now!” she gushed, as I feared she would reach out and pinch out cheeks.

       “Thank you,” I said.

       “Who is this lady?” Nick whispered into my ear.

       “No idea,” I murmured back.

       “Have you been in touch with my granddaughter?” she asked hopefully.

       “I’m sorry, refresh my memory, who’s your granddaughter again?” Nick asked.

       “Gina Clark,” she smiled. It made sense now.

       When we were younger Gina, who I actually talked to back then, Nick, and few other people would go for hours each day to the country club to swim, play tennis, and chill. I know, I know; Elle Paterson, a country club girl? No! Never! But alas, in the primitive years of my existance I was one. I was that girl who went along with everything, and never truly fit in. Ms. Clark was always there tanning, doing some exercise class, or playing golf with her husband. Apparently, she clearly remembered us. Not bad for an old lady, considering we didn’t have the slightest hint of whom she was.

       “Oh Gina! Yeah, she goes to school with us, actually,” I said.

       “Wonderful! I’ll have to tell her I ran into you two!” she said, patting me on the arm.

       “Absolutely,” Nick nodded his head.

       “You kids have fun! So nice to see you again!” she grinned sweetly.

       “You too!” I said, putting on the most fake smile I’d ever possessed.

       “Gina’s grandma. Wow. Nice Botox,” Nick commented as we watched her leave, making her rounds to her next victims.

       “How old do you think she is, seventy?” I asked.

       “Older. Her face is just screwed up from all the plastic.”

       “Uh huh.”

       “I would like to ask everyone kindly take a seat a this time,” a guy in a tux said on the stage into a microphone.

       “Keep your phone out, I’ll text you when it’s time to make our escape,” Nick said, departing for his table.

       “Kay,” I said, making my way over to my table.

       When I got there Jordan was already seated, talking to Jake Anderson, who’s family, evidently, was also at our table.

       “Phillip,” I said, taking a seat next to him.

       “Elle, you look, uh, nice,” he said, brightening up.

       “Thanks, so do you!” I said. Phillip was wearing a simple black suit and white shirt, like the majority of benefit-goers.

       “Ready to become bored out of your mind listening to why we care about this charity?” he asked.

       “Absolutely!” I laughed, discreetly slidding my phone out of my “clutch” I had been carrying around everywhere.

       “Who could you possibly be texting?” he asked.

       “No one. I’m stuck on level of Angry Birds, and I’m determined to beat it by the end of the night!” I said seriously, recieving a very concerned look from the boy I was talking to.

       “You’re kidding, right?”

       “Do I look like I’m kidding?” I challenged.

       “You’re such a dork,” he mumbled, extracting his phone from his own pocket. “I’m going to have to check my fantasy football team then.” I laughed, watching as his fingers viciously began tapping away.

       “Elle, you look great,” Jake complimented, turning to face me.

       “Thanks,” I said, taking my first of the many stabs at completing the level of Angry Birds.

       “So, Phillip, I thought you were here with Gina?” I said casually, focusing all my attention on the small screen in my hands.

       “Nah! She asked, but I kind of said no; she’s not really my type,” he said distractedly.

       “What does ‘kind of’ mean?” I inquired.

       “It means I said I was going with my family.”

       “Good excuse, bringing the parents into it,” I nodded.

       “I’m good like that.”

       “To start off, I’d like to thank all of you for coming today, without your help…” I heard the guy with the mike say on the stage.

       “Phillip, Elle, shush!” my mom warned. She was seated next to Jordan and Phillip’s mom, Kat, or Katharine Anderson.

       “Whatever,” I said, zeroing in on my phone I was holding under the table, so she wouldn’t see. Phillip was doing the same thing, but I noticed he was texting someone.

       I zoned out for an hour, until my amusement was interrupted by a cryptic text from Nick: outsd the room. I slipped my phone away into my clutch, and quietly started to get up from my seat when Phillip asked, “Where are you going?”

       “No. Where am I getting is the question, and the answer to that is out of here,” I said, withdrawing from the table and exiting out of the room.

       I got to the corridor right outside of the main ballroom, and instantly saw Nick standing there, texting.

       “Elle,” he said, not looking up.

       “That was boring,” I stated.

       “You’re telling me,” he said, shoving his phone deep into the depths of his pocket.

       “Yes, I am,” I said, leaning against a wall.

       “Mr. Ross, Ms. Paterson, what are you doing out here?” Ms.- I always forgot her last name, but I knew it was something snobby and British sounding. She was the event coordinator for the country club or something, and wasn’t my biggest fan.

       “Ms. W!” Nick greeted.

       “Why are you two out here?” the middle-aged lady demanded.

       “Because it’s boring in there,” I said.

       “Please pick a room,” she instructed.

       “Whatever,” Nick said as we both headed into the function hall.

       The room we chose to enter was filled with two types of people: teens and dads. Apparently, tonight was some big baseball game, so they had it playing on a TV mounted in the middle of the room. We went over to the bar to get something to drink.

       “Two glasses of champagne,” Nick said to the bartender. He looked hesitantly at us for a moment before going ahead and pouring us the drinks.

       “Here you go,” he said, handing one to each of us.

       “Thank you,” I said, taking it, and wandering off after Nick, who was pulled into the semi circle of dads watching the baseball game.

       “So, who’s winning?” I asked Nick, staring at the screen as a ball flew over the immense crowd.

       “The gray and red team,” he said, finishing the last of his champagne and pointing.

       “Baseball is so boring,” I sighed, trying my hardest to follow what was happening.

       “Do you want to go dance?” he offered, gripping my hand tightly. Without a reply, he led me into the junior ballroom. I looked around, and analyzed that this was where it was going down. There were  people dancing, singing, and having pure fun. This was the party scene I was used to. The DJ was blasting the music, and I saw a grind line starting to form. The only thing was, all the guys were in tuxes, and the girls all had on long, fancy dresses, like mine. Nick pointed to something on the door, and I read it: Teen Lounge. The room was for us.

       “Come on!” he said as we made our way through the strobe lights, and into the mass of people. He placed his hands tightly around my waist, and we swayed back and forth for a while.

       A few years ago, if someone told me I would be dancing with Nick Ross, I would have laughed, and said that it was impossible. Nick would never have even considered the possibility of talking to me back then. I was the nerdy, quiet girl back then, and I didn’t speak up for what I believed in. I went along with everything, and tried to please everyone. As ashamed as I am of who I was back then, I can only look at the positive: I’m not that girl... anymore.

       “Don’t turn around,” Nick whispered huskily into my ear. Obviously, I turned around and saw John standing a few feet away with that Hadley girl attached to his arm. He didn't look happy. 

       “He’s trying to make you jealous,” Nick said.

       “No shit, Sherlock,” I said.

       “It better not be working.”

       “Don’t worry, it’s not.”

       “Good.”

       “I know I am.”

       “Oh no.”

       “What?”

       “He’s coming over here.”

       “No he’s not!”

       “Hate to burst your bubble, princess, but he is,” Nick said as the sides of his mouth resisted the smirk that so badly wants to show itself.

       “Elle,” John said, standing right in front of me.

       “John,” I said, managing to find Nick’s hand a grasp it tightly.

       “Can we talk?”

       “Um, sure,” I said, not bothering to view the annoyed face Nick was most definitely making at that moment.

       “Not here,” he scowled at Nick.

       “Fine.”

       We left the ‘Teen Lounge’ and found our way outside to the giant garden that always amazed me. It was about eight o’clock, so darkness swept across the sky, leaving the garden to look enchanted.

       “So, what do you want to talk about?” I asked, sitting on a cold stone bench.

       “Why are you here with Nick?”

       “We’re… going out,” I sighed. When I said those three words I saw sorrow painted across John’s face. My heart dropped. Alas, I was living my life, not someone else’s.

       “You are?”

       “Yeah,” I confirmed.

       “Why?”

       “Why not?”

       “Because I didn’t even know you liked Nick!” he said.

       “John, there are so many things that you and the rest of the world don’t, and never will know, about me,” I said, memories flooding my mind.

       “Well, do you want me to share something with you that you may want to add to that pile of knowledge?”

       “Not really-”

       “I like you, Elle. A lot,” he said trying to stare directly into my eyes. Again with eyes! What was so hard about not making eye contact?

       “Oh,” I gulped, unsure of how to respond.

       “Like, as in more than friends.”

       “Look John, I do genuinely like you, as friend, but, like I just said, I’m... dating Nick.”

       “I’ve liked you since freshman year.”

       “Good for you,” I said, coming off ruder than intended.

       Freshman year was the year after I graduated middle school and learned that I would have to suffer another four years with Gina, and most of the people from that school. Freshman year was also the year I changed into the person I was actually proud to be. My physical appearance didn’t change, but my confidence and mental outlook on life definitely did.

       “I want to go out with you,” he said, causing me to freeze.

       “Do you not understand that I’m going out with Nick?” 

       “I understand that Nick’s a total douche, and that you and I have way more in common.”

       “John, I like you, I do. Nick asked first. If you had asked me out two weeks ago, we could’ve been coming to this thing as a couple. But you didn’t, and Nick did,” I said, unsure of why remorse was filling my heart. “I’m sorry, John.”

       “I understand, and I understand integrity is what’s keeping you from going after what your heart really wants.”

       “What?” I asked, completely bewildered, as I stood up to face him.

       “Nothing,” he mumbled, putting the statement he had made aside.

       “Ready to go back in?”

       “One more minute,” he gulped.

       “Ok-” I started but was stopped by two lips plowing into mine, and warm hands seizing my waist.

       “What the hell?” I spat, immediately pulling away.

       “I wanted to show you how it feels to actually kiss the guy you belong with,” he said. I could easily tell that his eyes were beaming with a mix of joy and fear.

       “Night, Elle,” he said, turning away. He crammed his hands in his pockets, and walked back towards the great building in the distance.

       I stood there, in utter shock. I wasn’t sure what I felt at that moment. Feelings and emotions confused me, so I tried my hardest not to deal with them if possible. When I didn’t know what I felt, it messed with my head, and I got lost in my thoughts.

       I heard my phone chime twice, and took it out to see who had texted me- Nick: Where r u bab? I hastily replied: Comin in now. Step by step I made my way up the long, twining path, and to the main building.

       “How’d the talk go with Kent?” Nick asked as he rushed up beside me and put an arm around my waist.

       “I don’t know,” I said truthfully.

       “What do you mean?”

       “In all honesty, I have no idea what I got out of that conversation, I’m just really confused now.”

       “Oh.”

       “Let’s go back into the boring room, I think I can hear the orchestra playing,” I said mindlessly.

       “Sure,” he agreed, wanting to find out what was racing through my mind.

       We quietly crept into the main ballroom, and saw everyone very formally dancing, and heard the orchestra blasting the classical crap.

       “May I have this dance?” Nick asked.

       “Yes,” I said, teetering onto the floor with him following. Heels sucked.

       We danced for a while, and, instead of everything feeling smooth, and pleasant like it was supposed to feel; something felt corrupt, and out of place. I was shaken up by John. When the song finished we took a break, and made our way over to my table, where Phillip was reluctantly talking to Gina.

       “Mind if I save him?” I softly asked Nick.

       “Go right ahead,” he said calmly, as if not intimidated by the thought of Phillip dancing with me whatsoever.

       “Phillip,” I said, taking a deep breath in.

       “Oh hey, Elle!” he chimed.

       “Do you want to dance?”

       “Sure!” he said, trying to sound not too excited.

       “Yay,” I said as he stood up. We reached the hard wooden floor, and Phillip took me in his arms. Being in Phillip’s arms, and gracefully moving in circles, was just the thing I needed to calm down. My heart wasn’t beating fast, and I didn’t have butterflies in my stomach. It just felt… natural. We didn’t say a word to each other, but I could tell we were both happy to be near a less stressful person. As I danced with Phillip I allowed all my thoughts and worries to slip away with the peaceful music.

       Then it occurred to me- I still hadn’t told Phillip about Nick and I, but why add even more unneeded tension, and drama to this night?