As I step inside the crowded restaurant, I feel slightly nervous.  I had no idea it would be a function. Guess I wasn't paying much attention when mom was talking about tonight.

"Wow, everyone's dressed real nice. Thank goodness we made an effort" Val leans in to tell me, giggling.

"I know right! It would've been embarrassing if I wore my red flannel" I replied, smiling.

"Dad would've left you at home" she says and I laugh. That was true.

"Okay family, I need to meet with some people. Honey, come with me. You two, don't do anything to embarrass me" dad tells us, guiding mom away as he eyes us like a hawk.

"Don't worry, we'll behave" I tell him, chuckling.

《×》

Val and I walked over to one end of the restaurant to get some food. They had fancy finger food that didn't fill me up. What a joke! I sipped on some pink lemonade as I shoved the mini sushis in my mouth.

"Um, I'm gonna go introduce myself to everyone" Valerie tells me, setting down her plate.

"Why?" I replied, slightly confused.

"Because that guy in the suit is staring at me" she tells me, flashing her best smile.

I roll my eyes and turn the other way. My sister ditched me for a stranger. How lovely.

I managed to finish the whole tray of a dozen mini sushis before the waitress came over with a concerned look on her face.

"What?" I asked, shoving the last one in my mouth as she came to stand beside me.

"Nothing, Ma'am. Enjoy the food" she says politely, giving me a forced smile as she walked away with the dirty plates.

I stood awkwardly still facing the table with my glass in hand. Well, atleast I've got all this food to keep me company.

"Excuse me, miss. Need some company?" A voice says from behind me, almost giving me a fright.

I turn around and freak out when I see Jesse, standing infront of me. In a suit.

Oh my, this is his second best attire. The best being the one I saw this afternoon.

"Hi, um..what are you doing here?" I ask, already flustered by his presence.

"I told you I would see you" He says, moving in close enough for me to inhale his delicious scent. My god. Why?

"Oh, I guess I didn't know what you meant" I reply nervously, looking around the place for my dad. He was nowhere to be seen.
I pour myself more lemonade before I melt into the floor.

"You look absolutely breathtaking in that dress" Jesse says with a smirk. His eyes raking over my body. He was standing behind me, towering over me like a huge shadow.

"Well, you look good" I compliment him, not daring to turn around.

"I'm hurt. Only good? I was expecting dashing or incredibly hot" He responds instantly, pouring himself a drink beside me.

"Fine" I sigh, looking up at him. "You look handsome tonight."

"Aww! Thanks Rose. I aimed to look this good tonight" Jesse exclaims, pulling me in with one arm.

"Yeah, yeah" I said, slowly moving away. My eyes scan the room for dad. I finally spotted him at a table opposite us. He's distracted so he isn't eyeballing me from afar. That's good.

"You wanna go sit down?" Jesse asks, interrupting my thoughts.

"Um, sure" I nod, before following him to an empty table in the corner.

I set my drink down and Jesse does the same before he takes a seat opposite me. I notice Valerie talking to a few guys and chuckle to myself. She was having a good time.

"So, this must be a busy last week for you, yeah? You know, organizing prom and all" Jesse says, taking a sip of whatever he was drinking.

This is the first time he's mentioned something about prom. My ears perk up incase he mentions anything else along the lines of that.

"Yep, but so far it's going well. Can't wait too, it's gonna be epic this year because Chloe's onboard" I say excitedly, hoping we don't stray from this topic.

"Chloe? Okay! Now I know it's gonna be great. That girl is something else" Jesse exclaims, shaking his head.

"Yep, you got that right" I say, giggling at the thought of my best friend trying to make this our most memorable event of the year.

"Is um, is Lyla still part of the committee?" He asks in a low tone, looking down at his drink.

Wow! Lyla? Seriously? !

"Well, she pops in and out. I guess she's busy with other stuff too" I reply, shrugging. I try to force a smile out. I don't want him to think talking about her affects me. Even if it does.

"Oh, okay" He says, before finishing his drink. There's a slight change in his eyes, like he's distant. I decide to mind my own business and finish my drink. Lyla is a very sensitive topic.

"Rose, it's dinner time. Your dad's waiting" Mom says, startling me. I didn't even notice she was standing beside our table.

"I'll be right there" I tell her before standing up.

"You too, Jesse" she says, before leaving us. Jesse gives her a smile before standing up and fixing his suit.

"Come" Jesse says to me, pulling me by the hand. This is the second time he's held my hand and it's as electrifying as the first. He's making me nervous again.

《×》

When we got to the table, they were serving the food. Ah, the real food. I guess it's just the important people because I see some of dad's bosses. Jesse's parents are also here with a few other people I don't know. I sit down beside Jesse and look around the table. Soon, Valerie joins us. She plomps down beside me, grinning like an idiot.

"Oh my gosh, are you drunk?! It hasn't even been an hour" I half-shout at her.

"Shht!, dad's looking" she replies with a slight slur, still laughing.

I roll my eyes at her and pay attention to everything else. Jesse was examining the plate infront of him. I looked down at mine and took in the delicious aroma.

"Not bad" I say to myself, all ready to dig in.

"I'm starving" Jesse adds, picking up his fork.

Everyone else has begun eating. Dad and mom engage in a boring conversation with his bosses. I notice mom gulping down her wine. Guess she's tired of their talking already. Can't blame her though, they do look boring.

"So, Jesse.." Valerie squeals, glancing at him.

Oh, no.

Jesse cocks his head sideways to look at her. I lean back abit so he could see her annoying face.

"Are you going to homecoming?" She blurts out and I close my eyes. Of all the questions in the world! I step on her left foot, making her groan in pain.

"Ow! Not cool" she says through gritted teeth, taking one hand and massaging her foot.

I continue eating, paying no attention to Valerie. Jesse takes a sip of his drink before turning to look at Valerie again.

"Well, if you must know. I'm actually not going" He says, then carries on eating like my heart didn't just sink to the floor.

"What? Why?" Val presses further, ignoring the dirty looks I was giving her.

Did I mention I hate her?

"Guess I just don't want the spotlight on me right now" Jesse answers, shrugging.

I sit there and pretend I didn't care about what he just said. Pretend that I wasn't affected one bit. Pretend that -- oh, nevermind. It doesn't matter now.

"Excuse me" I mutter, before abruptly standing and making my way to the bathroom. Valerie looks at me weirdly but doesn't say anything.

I burst into the bathroom and examine myself in the large mirror. Luckily there wasn't anyone in here. There was nothing wrong with my face. Except for the fact that my eyes were turning red and it looked like I was on the verge of crying.

Silly me, I thought that even if he didn't ask me to homecoming, atleast he would show up and I'd get to see him. Looks like even that's not going to happen.

A/n:

Sorry for not updating! Promise to update more faster now xo (: