Chapter Nineteen

 “Yes Drew, it’s really happening,” I laughed, crossing my arms over my chest though I felt extremely self-conscious.

“Impossible,” he shook his head, leaning against my new car.

We were waiting at the parking lot for the police to bring out Mr. Everett and Drew kept asking if this was really happening.

“It’s possible,” I corrected him, “Stop doubting everything and just savor everything.”

He let out a sigh and we saw a police man who was dragging Mr. Everett to our direction. I gave both men a smile as I met them halfway with Drew trailing behind me.

“Here you are, Miss Graham. I think you are perfectly oriented and we expect him to be back before midnight,” he laid out and I nodded. Finally, he took out his keys and released Drew’s father from the handcuffs secured behind his back.

“Thank you,” I said to him before gesturing the pair of father and son to my car.

When we were all inside and I was already driving down the road, Mr. Everett spoke up.

“Miss Graham,” he started formally but I held up a hand to stop him.

“Please call me Celeste, Mr. Everett,” I told him.

“Very well,” he coughed out, “Then can call me James, if you don’t mind.”

“I think that’s fair,” I agreed, stopping at a red light, “What do you want to tell me?”

He really needs to relax. He’s fidgeting in his seat and I don’t really blame him. I have a feeling that he has a mentality that if he says something wrong, I’ll kick him right back to jail the second he does.

“Why did you free me?” he asked and even though he was the one asking, my attention was on Drew who was looking at me as well, waiting for my answer.

“Because it’s Drew’s birthday,” I replied simply, “I think he would at least want to spend some time with his father even if it was only for one day.”

He seemed to be taken aback by my answer but the smile that I earned from Drew was enough to make me resist with any bone in my body to melt under his gaze. God, I love that smile.

When the stoplight turned green, I started to drive again until we finally reached their house. James gazed at his house with an emotion I can’t place my finger on.

“We’re here,” I announced, taking off my seatbelt and getting out of the car. Drew exited from the passenger’s side and opened the door for his father.

“Welcome home, dad,” Drew said with nothing but gentleness in his voice. James got out of the car but not once did her take off his eyes from the house.

James started his way to the front porch and I walked to Drew’s side, “Also consider this as a Christmas present to Ariel and Savannah.”

“Good,” he breathed out, “This is too much to think that you only did this for me.”

I wanted to tell him that from the start that I only thought of him. He was the only person on my mind when I gathered up the courage to give my father a call to beg him for the release of Drew’s father on Christmas Eve.

That would be too much, he might think differently of me when I say that to him.

Keeping my mouth shut, I followed Drew to his house. James didn’t enter yet for he only had his hand on the door handle, preparing himself to what would happen.

“Calm down, dad,” Drew encouraged, placing a hand on his father’s shoulder, “Mom is inside waiting for you.”

James nodded and finally pushed the door open. He stepped in and we followed the suit. Drew closed the door behind us and called for his mother.

“Mom, we home!” he called out.

“Coming!” we all heard Ariel call back. We could hear her feet approaching and when she stepped into view, James took in a sharp breath.

Ariel paused in her steps and stared at James with disbelief, the same look Drew sported when we were in jail.

“James,” she breathed out, walking slowly to her husband.

“Ariel,” James let out with the same tone used by Ariel.

In a flash, Ariel was in James’ arms and they hugged furiously, “I missed you,” she sobbed to his chest.

I watched the couple with nothing but awe. Nothing was better than seeing two people who love each other so much being reunited.

“I missed you too,” he cooed, kissing the top of Ariel’s head.

“What’s going on?” Savannah asked, appearing from where Ariel came from.

“Is that my princess?” James asked and a huge grin spread to Savannah’s lips.

“Daddy!” she squealed, running up to him. James let go of his wife and caught Ariel who leapt into his arms.

“How did this happen?” Ariel asked as she wiped away some stray tears.

“Celeste happened,” Drew chuckled and Ariel finally noticed that I was there.

She pulled me into her arms, crushing the life out of me, “Thank you,” she sobbed out, rocking us back and forth.

I so desperately want to tell her to let me go but I think she wouldn’t hear me anyways. She had a death grip on me and I sent a pleading look to Drew who had the nerve to shoot me an amused smirk.

“Help me,” I mouthed, sending him a glare.

He chuckled at my expense before finally prying his mother off of me. I relished the sweet oxygen that entered my system once again. Ariel surely knows how to hug and that was not a compliment in any way.

“Well then,” I smiled, looking at the Everett Family, “Looks like I’m no longer needed here.”

“Nonsense,” Ariel waved off, “Stay with us.”

“Nah,” I refused, “I’ll just come back later to pick up James.”

“Let me walk you to your car,” Drew insisted, leaving me no place to refuse. I nodded, saying my goodbyes to Ariel, James and Savannah and walking outside, Drew right behind me.

“You have plans for today?” Drew asked when we finally reached my car.

“Not really,” I replied, opening the driver’s door.

He frowned at this, “Then stay.”

I shook my head and looked inside the house from the opened front door, “It’s a rare time for your family to be together, I don’t want to be a bother.”

“A bother?” he repeated in disbelief, “You’re the reason why we’re together in the first place.”

“That’s true,” I agreed, “But my parents are the reason why you can’t be like this every day.”

He stopped and stared at me for a good minute. He was processing what I have said, it was two contradicting statements and as much as I hate mentioning the little fact that my parents placed him in jail, I know he was a persistent guy.

Drew let out a defeated sigh and looked at me in the eyes, “Stay,” he said, “Please.”

Let me tell you one thing, Drew Everett never says please. Well, not to me anyways. Just by saying that one word, he has no idea how much it makes my knees weak. His green eyes were staring intently, waiting for my decision.

I closed the door of my car and locked the vehicle once again which earned me a victorious smirk from Drew.

“Wipe that smirk off of your face,” I told him, walking right back into the house.

“You’re back!” Ariel chirped and I instinctively stepped back in case that she decided that she wants to squeeze me to death once again.

I’ve noticed something with Ariel, she seems to be a lot more hyper ever since seeing James. I don’t know if she’s just really happy to see her husband or she was like this before James got into prison.

Ariel pushed us all into the dining room, scrambling around back and forth from the kitchen, bringing in platters of food that she cooked.

I felt extremely out of place as we ate but I couldn’t stop smiling at the scene in front of me. Savannah was talking animatedly about the most random things, Drew was answering with smart ass comebacks and their parents were watching their children fondly.

Why can’t I have a happy family like theirs?

Drew caught my stare and gave me a wondering look. I offered him a smile then dropping my gaze to my plate and shoving some food into my mouth so they wouldn’t talk to me.

My phone suddenly rang, silencing the whole Everett Family.

Talk about awkward.

“I’ve got to take this,” I told them, standing up and leaving the room with my phone in hand.

Lucas’ name was flashed on the screen and right now, it could be anyone and I’ll be thankful that they gave me an excuse to pull myself out of that lunch.

“What?” I asked the second I pressed the device to my ear.

“You coming to the party later?” he asked.

I looked back at the family and felt extremely guilty, I was a bother to them no matter how much Drew says. So instead of spending my Christmas Eve alone, I decided that I should go to the Smith Brothers’ stupid party.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“Great!” his tone changed into a happier one, “Could you do me a favor then?”

“Sure,” I replied with no hesitation. It’s not like I’m going to do anything today and the earlier I get out of this house, the better.

“I ordered a huge cake at the bakery near your house, could you get it for me?”

I didn’t even bother to ask why he doesn’t get it himself. Even though I’m on the other side of town, it would at least give me something to do. I agreed and he told me to deliver it to his house after I pick it up.

I headed back to the kitchen and shot Ariel an apologetic smile, “I got to go.”

She jumped to her feet, “Why?”

“My friend needs me to do something,” I replied vaguely, looking at Drew.

A frown graced his face but I did my best to ignore it. I don’t need that look to make me feel any guilty.

“Thank you for the lunch, it was delicious,” I praised, “I’ll be back at eleven tonight to pick up James.”

“I’ll take him back,” Drew suddenly said and I stared at him for a moment before nodding.

“Happy birthday, Drew,” I finally said, “Bye,” Grabbing my coat from the back of my chair and putting it on then lazily wrapping my scarf around my neck.

I waved at them before heading to the front door when I was finally outside, I closed the door behind me and practically ran to my car.

Using the direction texted to me by Lucas, I drove to the bakery that he said. I entered the bakery and approached the counter.

“I’m here for the cake ordered by the Smiths.”

She looked at her log book and went to the kitchen at the back then returning with a cake being wheeled in by one of the chefs.

When Lucas said huge, he meant a four layered cake decorated with icings of green and red. A Santa Clause figurine was topped the uppermost tier. I have no idea how I would be able to carry it to my car.

“Here you go,” the woman said before making me sign a paper that gives recognition that I picked up the cake. It was already paid for so that was no longer my problem.

“Would you like us to help you load it in?” The chef offered and I nodded immediately.

After securing it at the passenger seat, I tipped the chef for his effort and climbed into the driver’s side. The only reason why I placed it on the passenger seat so that I could keep an eye on it.

Parking my car at the Smith’s driveway, I pulled my keys out of ignition after honking my horn to make Lucas aware of my arrival. There was no freaking way am I carrying that cake inside.

Lucas and Blake emerged from their mansion and greeted me. The both of them carefully took the cake out of my car and carried to the inside which was already decorated into a Christmas theme.

“Nice,” I complimented, looking around the place. There was a long table where a bunch of snacks and drinks were lined up. Sure enough, a big keg of beer graced the very end of the table.

Blake and Lucas lived alone, their parents were still stuck in Canada. They were already eighteen so they decided to move back to their old house without their parents who still had some loose ends to handle with their business in Canada.

The Smith Brothers were notoriously known for throwing parties even when they were in middle school. They threw the wildest party a middle school can and let’s just say they had a spectacular, and somehow illegal, farewell party.

“Lucas, go check out the light at the garden, we don’t want this place catching on fire,” Blake ordered his brother who replied with an eye roll though did what he was told.

“You know he’s been jumping for joy ever since that day at the mall,” Blake told me once Lucas was out of earshot.

“Whatever,” I blew out, “Let him be.”

“I guess so…” Blake trailed off.

“What’s with the deal with you and Jessica?”

Blake stiffened beside me before falling down on the couch, “She hates me, doesn’t she?”

“Hate isn’t exactly the word to define what she’s feeling,” I started out, sitting gently on the spot next to him, “It’s more like she’s confused and slightly annoyed.”

“I deserve that,” he muttered truthfully, “I knew she had feelings for me and all but-”

“You don’t want to ruin your friendship,” I finished for him and he nodded in confirmation.

“So dancing with another girl in front of her was a good idea?”

His head snapped to face me and his face morphed into a one of regret, “She told you that?”

“She’s my best friend,” I snorted, “Of course she’ll tell me.”

“I want to apologize but she wouldn’t even listen to me,” he sighed, looking absolutely crestfallen, “She doesn’t even want to go to this party.”

It was clear as day that Blake likes Jessica. They’re just really stubborn to give their relationship a chance, all they need is a little push.

 “How about I go next door and coax Jessica into going tonight,” I suggested, “But you’ve got to promise that you won’t hurt her.”

“I can’t do that,” he instantly said, “But I’ll try my best not to.”

His answer made me smile, he was being practical. He wasn’t one of those boys who just kept on saying that he won’t hurt the girl but always ends up doing it. He’s actually proving that he was no longer that jerk who broke my heart five years ago. I’m actually helping him get together with my best friend.

“Okay,” I agreed, “I’ll get Jessica to come tonight.”

His face lit up and he enveloped me in a hug and he was laughing at my expense. What is it with people crushing the life out of me today?

“Oh my gosh,” he spoke in a high pitched voice, “I can’t believe it girl, you’re like, the best.”

Even with him crushing my lungs, I gained the strength to laugh at him, “You sound ridiculous.”

“What’s going on here!” Lucas’ angry voice yelled.

“How about we tease him a little bit,” Blake whispered to my ear causing me to giggle. Lucas looked absolutely when he did making both Blake and I smirk in victory.

“Nothing brother dearest,” Blake chuckled, letting me but remained one arm draped over my shoulder.

“Arm. Off.” Lucas gritted out, glaring at his brother.

“Look at the time,” I announced, “I better get going,” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed Blake on the cheek, “I’ll get Jessica here tonight, I promise,” I whispered to him, making sure Lucas didn’t hear.

“You’re the best,” Blake grinned and I gave him a thumbs up.

We looked at Lucas who was already shaking with fury, “Try not to kill each other,” I sang, skipping out of the living room.

“What the fuck Blake?!” I heard Lucas growl causing me to burst into laughter. I escorted myself out of their house and walked to Jessica’s.

I rang the doorbell then waited until the door swung open. Jessica stood there with a surprise look on her face.

“What are you doing here, Cel?” she asked and I stepped in without an invitation. I didn’t exactly need one, I’ve been to this place so much that I could call it my second home.

“You’re going to the Smith’s party tonight,” I told her with finality only for her to jump into a fit of saying incoherent words.

“No!” she stomped her foot once we got into her room.

“Come on,” I persuaded, “I’m going tonight and I need my best friend to be there.”

“Lillian and Annabelle are going,” she stated with a huff, sitting on her bed.

“I want three of my best friends there,” I corrected myself, marching to her closet.

“But-” she started to protest but I gave her a look that was sure to shut her up.

“Look, I know you’re mad at Blake but think of it as a girl’s night out.”

She pursed her lips and watched me as I grabbed various articles of clothing from her closet.

“Here, it’s time for us to get dressed,” I told her, shoving some clothes into her hands, “I’m borrowing some clothes.”

She nodded at this and I found myself looking for a dress that would look decent on me from Jessica’s closet. This girl owns a lot of pink, majority of the clothes she wear is pink.

So an hour of putting on, taking off and throwing clothes on the floor, we managed to whip out a cute little outfit for the party.

Jessica wore a cute red dress that had sleeves that stopped by her elbows. It went right to thighs and her legs were covered with black tights that would prevent her from shivering all throughout the night. On her feet were a pair of black boots that she seems to love.

I on the other hand wore a white long sleeved blouse that tucked into my blue high-waisted jeans, adding a bunch of layered necklaces for accessories. I wore a pair of peep toed heels which were my favorite kind of heels.

“So is Drew coming tonight?” Jessica questioned casually as wrapped a section hair on her curling iron.

I haven’t actually thought about Drew since I arrived at the Smith’s residence earlier.

“Maybe not,” I replied, trying to make my voice leveled.

Jessica seems to see my mood switch so she changed the subject, “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Probably stay home and watch a bunch of Christmas specials,” I scoffed. It was like this every year, Jazzy would cook up some good food but that was the nearest festive like activity that I would do for the day.

Once again, Jessica chose the wrong subject.

“How about you and Lucas?”

That question never really entered my mind. The idea that Lucas would hurt me was no longer in my brain, he was nothing but careful in proving every belief of mine wrong. He showed me that he has changed and doing the best he can for me to like him.

“I guess he’s alright,” I answered, looking at myself at the mirror, “He’s a lot sweeter than before.”

“Do you still hate him?” she pushed further.

“No,” I replied with no hesitation. In all honesty, with the way Lucas is acting recently, there was no way that I could hate him.

“Do you like him?”

I paused for a moment to think about this. Lucas certainly was successful in getting rid of my hatred for him but do I like him? In all honesty, I have no clue what’s my answer to that.

“I don’t know.”

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I seriously don't like this chapter but I need to get this done so I can finally move into the next one which I'm bursting with ideas for.

Question: What do you think will happen at the party?

a. Celeste and Lucas will spend time with each other

b. Drew will attend the party and hang out with Celeste

c. Again, whatever floats your boat

Please read my other story, Hollywood's Princess which would be the external link and here's the summary:

Sophia Heart Valentine makes all her fans scream by the mere mention of her name. She's Hollywood's Princess after all – the singer and actress that can make anybody fall for her charms. One little flaw of hers is the too arrogant personality she came upon on after being