16 | J E N N A

"It's Halloween!" I ran towards my Mom and captured her in an affectionate hug from behind.

"Happy Halloween, my love!" She replied and hugged me back.

She is baking the delicious cookies for breakfast. My Mom is sublime at making homemade chocolate chip cookies. I know I'm going to have to take a break from my diet that I literally started a few days ago to taste her exquisite cookies. It makes me sound like I'm a loser but I'm still doing it anyway. Maybe that's why Zack never liked me. And neither did anyone at school. I'm just the weird nerd obsessed with books and science and as boring as hell.

Although I love reading books, it sometimes gets a little bit boring especially without any friend to read with.

Today might just be the luckiest day of my life. I'm going to the Halloween party with Zack Alan Hudson, who's not just the heartthrob of Maxwell High school but my long time crush. I couldn't contain my excitement and had being preparing for the big day the moment our teacher invited us to the party.

Before we became friends, he was just a player to me like his best friend, Eric Lockwood, one of the richest kids of Denver. I fantasise about dating him since his Skylar days. Prior to my sister becoming the head cheerleader, Skylar held the title. My insecurities always become edgy when I see her. She's absolutely stunning with scorching, fiery hair that looks blazing to the touch and captivating deep green eyes. I don't know much about their breakup but they suited each other perfectly.

"Go join your father and have breakfast, honey. Finish on time and start getting ready for the gala," She said as she insert the congruent cookies inside the oven.

"Alright!" I left the kitchen to join Dad at the dinning table.

Dad was sitting on one of the dinning chairs, slowly sipping his coffee, his glasses lowered to the edge of his nose as he attentively type away on his laptop. My father is a workaholic. He's a freelance writer, always typing away on his laptop. While he enjoys his work, sometimes I think he's a little obsessed with it.

"Dad, today is Halloween. Please take a break" my eyebrows lowered as I childishly stare at him with puppy eyes.

He looked up from the laptop and smiled at me. "Sweetheart, I would love to but I'm about to finish writing this article. I promise I'll be done in two hours."

I rolled my eyes as I pick four cheesy Frittata muffins and dump them on my plate. I took one bite and it felt like heaven. I might be in love with chocolate but cheese is my addiction. I love the divine, soft taste of it. My Mom always made sure to cook a cheesy food for me.

"I heard you're going to the Halloween gala with your boyfriend."

There are so many mistakes in that sentence. "Firstly, you didn't hear it from anyone. I told you. Secondly, Zack is not my boyfriend. He's just a friend, a classmate."

Dad's perfectly arched brow rose up in a questioning way. "Do I have the right to differ?"

"No thanks."

"I think he's a decent guy. He's handsome with nice upbringing, just like you. His father's occupation is virtuous and his Mom is the kindest caterer you could ever meet. What are you waiting for? Another girl to snatch him?" He enlightened reasonably.

I roll my eyes to the back of my head. He came down on me like a ton of bricks, expecting me to start dating whoever he acquainted me to. "Cut it out, Dad. You're supposed to be overprotective of me..." I paused when something dawned to me. "Wait, how did you know about Zack's parents? We never talk about it."

He shrugged it off like it was nothing. "You said it yourself. I was just being overprotective of you. It's my job to make sure you're surrounded with the right peers."

Footsteps echoed as Daisy climbed down the stairs. My sister appeared at the bottom of the stairs looking as gorgeous as ever. A huge smile was plastered across her face. I longed to be loved by my sister the way I love her. I don't recall the last time I had a normal conversation with her. She made it crystal clear that she loathe me. It broke my heart into pieces but I never quit loving her. I don't know what I did to her wrong but I'm certain it's not much of a big deal.

"Good morning! Happy Halloween!" She gleefully greeted before joining us for breakfast.

I would have my head cut off if I dare to reply to her greetings. I simply look away and eat my breakfast in silence. Our parents faintly responded to her. They are completely fed up with her reckless behavior. They tried their best to guide her along the right lane but she always change her direction to dark side of the world. It's as if she was blind and couldn't see the havoc she's causing.

Denver is a rather, small city and most people know each other. Apart from home and school, the outsiders also know her audacious attitude. It's one of the main reasons our reputation almost tarnished. Almost. For me, people praised me for my tenderheartedness and compassionate moral standards.

My parents raised me to be what I am today; a simple, average girl with the values and enthusiastic manners. Although I have no friends other than Zack, the encouragement and appreciation my parents and teachers supported me with is enough.

"Are we going to have guests coming over?" Daisy asked as she picked Frittata muffins.

"Yeah," Dad answered, his eyes still on the laptop.

She shrugged. "For how long?"

"All day," Mom said before she joined us. There's nothing special about this morning. It's just the typical; Dad endlessly typing on the keyboard of his laptops, Mom eating in silence and Daisy pouncing on her food and eating like a lion who had been caged for it's whole life.

After a ten minutes breakfast meal, Daisy got up, said her goodbye and left in a rush. Our parents barely acknowledged her. If she decides to go out, no one - not even our parents - can stop her.

"Sweetheart, go get ready for your gala. I don't want you to be late." Mom smiled and reached out to gently brush back my hair.

My cheeks warmed at the tone of her voice. It sounded like a mother soothing her distressed, cold feet daughter who was about to get married. "Mom! Why are you talking to me like I'm about to go to prom with my boyfriend?"

"If you want, consider it that."

I can't believe she just said that. "Aren't you supposed to be protective of me? I thought teenagers aren't supposed to date until they are adults so they wouldn't get "pregnant", right?" I emphasized pregnant with an air quote.

"I met your mother when I was fourteen, dear. We don't want you to make the mistake of letting go of him only to discover he's your soulmate. When you find the one, get a steel grip on them. Don't let anyone take them away from you." Dad advised. He had shut his laptop, seemingly interested in our conversation.

"Zack isn't mine." I confessed, looking down at the floor. He will never be mine. He deserves a beautiful and smart girl, unlike me. I'm smart but I don't have the beauty quality. If I had my sister's beauty, I might be confident enough to woo Zack. In this century, no one is fascinated about having a nerdy girlfriend. Someone as charming as Zack deserves much better than a dorky nerd.

"You can change that," Mom whispered with a genuine smile.

"With your current diagnosis and lonely life, I think it's time you change that. I agree with your Mom," Dad added. "You're just underrating yourself."

My chest hurt form the way my life turned out to be. Unlike my famous sister, I have no one. She can easily take Zack from me. Although Zack is a nice sweetheart, he can fall for her charms effortlessly. My sister is a stunner with the sexy body, enchanting eyes and the luscious blonde hair like a barbie doll.

But, I'm not going to allow her to ruin my big day. I had always being patient and tolerant to whatever she does to me. However, I'm too tired to put up with any of her nonsense. For once in my life, I'll be myself and not some shitty rat chased by a hungry cat.

***

I stood before the full length mirror, staring at myself aimlessly. My hands rummage down my lacy ball gown dress. The dress is a yellow off shoulder with a corset that made my round stomach as thin as possible, giving me the complete Belle look. The tips of my hair was curled and the top half is piled in a tight bun.

For the first time in my life, I appreciate the way I look. I know nothing about makeup but my super Mom did quite a beautiful work on me. I love how my waist looks narrowed and how the hips flared underneath the ball gown. My head slightly tilted, I twirled around, just like Belle did when she danced with her beast. For Halloween, Zack and I decided to play beauty and the beast. It's technically my idea because he wasn't into fashion or movies to begin with.

I'm eager to see his reaction. My adrenaline swung into action and my heart started pounding. In just a few minutes, I'll meet him. He's going to be prince charming for a day with me as his princess. I couldn't be more excited. I thank God that Mrs Miller paired me with him. Who knows what would happen if it were someone else? Would he have treated me the same way Zack did?

"Hello gorgeous, your beast is here looking as sexy as hell." I can't believe my Mom just said that. I whirled around to find her standing by the door, smiling like a loon.

"Mom!"

"You look stunning, my love. Now, let's see if the shoes fit," she giggles as she squats to help me wear the shoes. It's a mule with a kitten heel and a small flower on top which I find so adorable.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Her eyes roamed over my dress and perfect makeup. I happily beamed at her in delight. My mom will forever be my best friend. She supported me through all my hardship and I'll forever cherish her love.

"Now you go and shock them to their core!"

I sighed before walking out of the room. I'm trying to calm my raging heart from exploding. Zack and I agreed to do our costume on our own, so I don't know what he looks like. There are going to be so many attractive girls at the gala. They are all beautiful in their own way and ready to snatch him without thinking much of a consequence.

The softness in his eyes and the gentleness in his smile made me stop in my tracks on top of the stairs. There he stood, looking like a guy about to take his girlfriend to prom. Why do I keep on thinking the same thing?

The aristocratic dark blue tailcoat with feathery brush accented the white shirt with pique wing collar underneath. The matching dark blue pleated pants decked out the look. His hair was gelled back, giving him the million dollars, aristocratic young lord. He was impeccably dressed, not a hair out of place.

"Hey."

I slowly came down the stairs and approached him with a wide smile. This close, I could see him the flecks in his eyes and the distinct cheekbones that makes him look devilishly ravishing. His intriguing dimple appeared and I almost had a mini heart attack from fangirling about it.

"Hey." I replied back.

"You look beautiful," he said as he takes my hand and kisses the back.

I chickened out. "Thank you. You too."

From the look on his face, he's trying to suppress a cackle. I frowned in confusion. Eventually, he broke the silence when his soft giggles turned into outright laughter. I had no idea why he was doing what he was doing, so I gave a nervous giggle and act along the line.

"Is everything okay?" His handsome face evoked a smile from me.

"Jenna, men are not described as beautiful but anyway, thank you," He responded after the laughter subdued. "It's time to go, unless you want us to be late."

Of course I don't want us to be late. I want to live my life to the fullest today. This is just the beginning of the fun. Today, I'm not going to look like a nun, rather a princess who just escaped prison after been caged her whole life.

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