Skyler

The past week I ignored Shane. He tried to approach me a few times but I avoided him. Today was the day of the Gala. The day when Shane officially takes over. I was laying on my bed when he yells my name from downstairs.
"Skyler..."

"Coming," I yell back and go downstairs to see him talking to some woman. She was fair and had brown curly hair. She was a little shorter than me and she was pretty."Why are you screaming out my name so loud?"

"Emma is here. She is here to dress you." Tyler told me about Emma, her cousin. She looks at me and whispers something in his ear and Shane smiles."We don't have much time. Let's get you ready already."

I take her upstairs in my room."Let me take you to my room."

"Don't you have to go too?" She must go right. The entire family is invited but she wasn't ready for the occasion.

"I will make an appearance for the sake of it. I hate being in such events. Just because Shane is going to officially take over. I will come."

Just like me but then I never got a chance to attend an event like a Gala. The biggest event I might have gone to must be Will's birthday party at high school and it went badly."This is my first time at an event like this. I am nervous."

"Confidence is the key. You are beautiful and you will stand out and why worry when I am here."
I smile at her comment. She had this positive vibe which made me a little less nervous than I was.

"That's the smile we need. Now moving on. I have two outfits for you."

Emma showed me both the dresses and I I was confused between the two but I liked the second one. I don't why the thought that Shane will love it when I wear this came across my mind. Also, Emma told me it was designed by Shane.

"Both of them are great but I like the second one the most. You are great. You work in fashion too but I never saw you in Blitz."

"It's because I am in charge of the other branch of The Blitz." She said. Oh! I didn't know that. I should have. She is practically my boss now."I didn't know that you were in charge."

"It's fine. Now let's get you all glammed up." Emma started with my hairstyle and did my makeup. I told her I am not fond of make-up and did it exactly how I liked it. Then I put on my dress. I looked at myself in the mirror and I was in awe. I looked beautiful. I didn't imagine myself looking like this when I saw the dress. The hair, the makeup, and everything. It was perfect.

I came down the stairs I saw Tyler and Shane talking and when Tyler told him I was here. He looked at me. They both were standing down waiting for me but my eyes were on Shane. He was wearing a black tux with a black bowtie. He had gelled his hair. I could see a part of his tattoo on his neck. It was a tattoo that Tyler and his dad David had too and it made him look incredibly hot. My eyes were on him and him only. I couldn't shift my gaze from him. I felt myself blushing hard when I realized he couldn't move my eyes from me too.

I was looking at him and I saw him looking at me too without shifting his gaze from me. I walk towards Tyler and stood beside him and completely neglected his presence. I could not see him but I could feel his eyes staring at me.

"My job is done here. I am leaving. See you there and all the best Shane." Shane hugs Emma and then looks at me. He said glaring at me. "Thank you, Emma. Tyler if you don't mind can I take Skyler? I know you don't mind."

Tyler gasped and said."Of course, I don't mind. I can go with Hailey."

"Yeah. That's what I was explaining to her but she won't listen to me like always." I had forgotten about Hailey but his mention brought me back to my senses.
"I am not going with you. Let's go Tyler." I put my hand in Tyler. I saw the frown and anger on his face and then I walked out of there.

Tyler had booked a limo for us. This day is going to be the first of many. As we reached the place. A person comes up to our car and opens the car door. Tyler gets down and opens the door to my side.

He gives me his hand and I held him. Hardly I step out I see a red carpet and dozens of photographers taking pictures of us. I knew The Blitz annual Gala, it was a big deal and I was nervous. Tyler noticed and whispers."Don't worry. You will be fine, Skyler"

I smiled at him and we entered in and I was awestruck by the venue. This place is huge. We entered the hall and I take a look around.

I was stunned.

There were celebrities and upper-class rich people I probably would have seen in magazines and TV. The entrance opened to a huge hall. There was a space in the middle which was supposed to be the dance floor and the choir was playing songs on the left side. The bar was at the right and I could already see some people drinking because why not?

Many people were talking to each other. I felt out of place."It's a pretty huge place. This is huge."

"I have been to many events like these. I come here to have free food and wine." Tyler joked and I couldn't help but laugh. He was trying to lift my mood as he knew I was nervous. "But today is special. There are Mom and Dad."

"Nice to meet you again Skyler," Ava says. The last time we met we bonded over quickly. She was sweet, kind, and pretty. Not to forget she makes amazing food.

I smiled."Me too." I glanced over at David. He didn't quite look happy seeing me with Tyler."Where is Shane?"

Tyler replies."He is on his way with Hailey."

"I am so happy Hailey is back."

David said smiling. So everyone knows about Hailey. I don't even stand a chance against her. I did see her and I can't deny she is beautiful.

"Yeah. I missed her. It's been so long since I met her. I remember Shane and Hailey as kids. They used to be inseparable." They are childhood sweethearts. There is no chance Shane likes me. He is just helping me out and I developed feelings for him and expecting him to return the same.

"Ava, Let's greet the others. We will see you later." David says and they both smile at us."Excuse us."

"We can sit here at this table." That will be a great idea. I am not feeling that well. We sat down at the table and the waiter brought us drinks. Some people came by and greeted him and he introduced me to them and I would nod and smile.
"

Thank you for inviting me Tyler."

"I am sure Shane would have done that if I hadn't. There he is."
I turn back to see Shane with Hailey. He was standing hand in hand with her while answering the media and posing for pictures.

I was insanely jealous of seeing them together but I didn't want him to notice that. Shane whispers something in her ear and she smiles. I gulped down the wine from the glass seeing him. I turned back to Tyler to avoid seeing him.

(Coughs)I almost choked because of the wine. Tyler held my hand as I was coughing uncontrollably.

"Careful Skyler." Shouldn't have gulped down the wine. The coughing won't stop. "I am going to use the restroom."

"Let me take you," I reassured him and stood up.

"I will go by myself." After Tyler instructs me to the directions to the restroom. I head there.

The coughing won't stop and I felt a slight chest pain along with it. I took out my handkerchief to cover my mouth as I coughed. It came to a stop after some time and when I take a look at it I was shocked to see blood on my handkerchief. I washed off the blood from the handkerchief.

What's happening?

Why am I coughing out blood? I will have to check it out from a doctor as soon as I can. Shane cannot know of this. He gets worried unnecessarily then he pays all my bills and takes leaves to take care of me and I don't want him to worry because of me.

Realizing I was in the restroom for so long I head back and acted like nothing happened and sat next to Tyler."Are you fine now?"

"Yeah." I smiled at him.

Shane was standing with Hailey talking to his Mom and Dad. They were laughing and looked happy in their conversation.

After a few moments Shane headed in our direction and I start talking with Tyler and then again I look back at him not directly so that he doesn't notice me looking at him.

One isn't enough for him and now he is talking to some blondie who was extremely touchy and standing too close to him. I could see him a little frustrated by her. I could see him struggling to get away from her and that made me laugh. After leaving Shane with that blondie, Hailey came to us.

"Hales. Shane won't leave you for leaving him alone with Emily." Tyler mumbles at Hailey. I laugh to see him suffer. I saw the girl coming close to him and putting his arm on his."He is on his own. He wouldn't dare. You must be Skyler."

Hailey extends her hand for a handshake. We shake hands with each other and I fake a smile.

"And you must be Hailey."

The girl leaves when Taylor rescues Shane. He walks over to us."I love you, Taylor. You are a savior. I guess you are my favorite sibling now."

"I am kidding. I love you all equally." He chuckles and Tyler playfully beats his arm."Come on everyone has a favorite."

"End of discussion."

I saw her unwillingly dragging both of them away.

"Taylor and Tyler can you come with me for a second?"

Great. Now how will I ignore him if we are left alone? With them leaving, Shane took a seat beside me and there was complete silence between us. We both didn't say anything. He took the glass of wine and slowly drank it looking at me as if he was studying me.

I was supposed to be mad at him but the way he was drinking the wine from the glass. I was drawn to him. Why does he have to be so attractive? After a while he said
"Is something wrong? You are being distant since the last week. I can see you are ignoring me."

I nodded trying not to face him. I can't lie looking at him."It's nothing."

"There is something. Tell me. Talk to me, Skyler."

Should I tell you how you lead me on then I see you with other girls, how I feel insanely jealous seeing you with them?

How my heartbeat increases every time I am close to you.

How slowly I fell in love with you and how bad it hurts to know that you already have someone and that's not me.

No, not at all.

"We brought drinks." Tyler comes in with the drinks and Shane groans."Thank you, Tyler."

"Ahh! The dance is starting."

"Look at Mom and Dad on the floor." Shane glanced at me and I knew he was going to ask me to dance. I can't fake my feelings and stay normal with him when I knew he felt nothing. "Tyler we should dance too."

Shane was not at all happy with my decision. He looked like he would kill Tyler any minute now. His eyes narrowed down at me as he gulped down the glasses of wine. We were now dancing on the dance floor and his eyes were on me and I was looking at Tyler smiling.

(Skyler is coughing out blood. What's the reason behind it? Will Shane find out about it? What is Shane going to do next? What will the outcome of it? How will everyone react to it? Will it end well or bad...)

Find out next.
....Thank you for reading...
Sketch made by me.
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