"This is our only daughter, Adelaide."

The sentence kept repeating over and over again, her parents introducing her with a sickly sweet voice. Showing their perfect little daughter off.

Minute by minute, she was dragged around the ballroom, her high heels clicking against the marbled floor. Her parents thought it was a brilliant idea if she were to greet guests she does not even know. In their eyes, they were influential people.

The tight white gown they made her put on was suffocating her and her heels, were sending daggers through her feet.

Adelaide fiddled with the necklace she had on, trying to find an opportunity to get away. When no one was talking to her, she excused herself to go to the restroom, her parents shooting her sharp glares.

Darting for the exit she waited until she knew she was out of sight before slipping off her shoes; feeling the relief instantly.

Not caring that she was walking barefoot, she made her steps towards the fountain. The cold air prickling her skin.

Adelaide took a seat next to the stone fountain, being alone made her thoughts wander. She thought about how she's used to events like these without the need to go out but today was different, she did not have the energy to socialize.

Sighing, she focused her attention on the scenery that surrounded her, on how peaceful the area looked. It brought a smile on her face when she realized she'd rather stay here than inside that ballroom.

Looking up, Adelaide saw the stars that covered the night sky. She wondered if she saw a shooting star right now, would her dream come true?

"You shouldn't be out here all alone," A deep voice interrupted her thoughts. Facing the owner, her breath hitched.

"I assume you should be inside the party with that dress of yours." He was a gorgeous site to take in. His eyes were the first thing that caught her eye, it was blue, blue like the deep end of the ocean. He had a jawline that looked like it could cut a piece of paper and God, he had a dimple on the right side of his face. Even the scar he had near his eye didn't destroy his facial features. It was impossible not to stare.

Chuckling, he started walking towards the starstruck brunette. The closer he got to her, the more nervous Adelaide felt.

"Aren't you going back inside?" he asked her. Taking a seat next to her; only inches apart. Adelaide shook her head, she dare not enter the lion's chamber.

"It's too suffocating," she muttered, eyes looking away and she watched the fountain shoot water that was spiraling through the air.

"Then why'd you go in the first place?"

Sighing, she played with the hem of her dress. If only it was her choice not to go, she would've.

"My parents wanted me to accompany them," her replies were softly spoken, very faint to hear.

He took a pack of cigarettes out of his back pocket, taking one out and lighting it up. The taste of nicotine burning his throat, he turned to face her, offering the pack.

"No, thank you. I don't like the taste of cigarettes," her reply was polite. In truth, she had never tried one but the smell of it was already bad enough, the taste could be even worse.

"Just one? No? Alright then," he replied back, inhaling some of the fumes his cig had brought. She noticed how his shoulders relaxed each time he took a drag, his eyes closing in relief.

"Why are you here?" Adelaide asked, she was not a curious person, but when an attractive boy sits beside you; in nothing but black clothes-- in a place filled with suits and gowns, it makes you wonder.  Shrugging, he took another hit.

"My cousin's in there. She's making me wait for her till she's done." He blew out the smoke from his mouth, creating little circles as it polluted the air. "She's apparently picking her future husband."

"Oh..." was all Adelaide could reply. Honestly, what could you reply to that? She didn't want to say anything rude that could offend him.

"I'm actually planning on ditching her, do you think you're up for it?"

Adelaide was tempted to accompany him but she knew if she leaves the venue, her parents would lecture her even more when they got home. She didn't need that.

"It's alright, my parents would get mad at me if I left without a word."

He rolled his eyes at that statement.

"So what if they get mad?" he asked.

Adelaide shook her head. "I live under their roof, I need to abide by their rules."

"Shame." No one talked after that, both of them staring at two different things. She looked up at the night sky while he eyed her up; from the brown of her hair to the golden nail polish on her toe. He noticed the branded dress she had on and the dress that was showing off her curves.

"How old are you?" he broke the silence. If she had been younger than he thought, then that would be a problem.

"18," Adelaide replied. She intertwined her fingers together watching as he took the cig out of his mouth. He dropped it on the tiled floor, smashing it into tiny pieces so the flames won't spread out.

"Last chance, sweet." He offered his hand for her to take, stretching it out further than necessary, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

Biting her lip, Adelaide was tempted but she knew better. She still had the common knowledge not to go with a stranger even if it was her ticket out.

"Maybe, next time."

Adelaide sent him a sad smile, she knew boys like those only appear in your life once and then they're gone. Nodding his head, he started to walk away, his back facing the white dressed beauty. He looked at her one last time before shaking his head and stuffing his hands in his pockets. He would probably never see the lady again.

Before he was completely out of her sight, Adelaide shouted.

"Hey wait!"

He paused, turning to face her. His mouth curved into a tiny smile, thinking she had changed her mind.

"Do I at least get to know your name? I'm Adelaide." Adelaide walked towards him, she noticed how her height was relatively smaller compared to his.

"Maybe, next time," he quoted her, a smirk on his lips. Adelaide was about to reply when his hands caught a strand of hair that was on her face.

"When I see you again, I'll tell you." He tucked it behind her ear. Adelaide felt her cheeks heat up and then he started walking away.

This time she didn't stop him.

author's note
thank you so much for 50 reads and the votes,
the votes are heaven.
not edited but i'll edit when i get the time.

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- thea