Chapter Forty Nine. Prom pt.i

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Edited.

Song for this chapter: Rihanna-Diamonds.


The calm before the storm. That's what it felt like. Everything was still, silent. No one was moving, nothing was happening. That was how I knew what was coming was terrible. From the first second I met him, I knew to beware. He was the storm on the horizon. My mistake was spending all this time anticipating it's arrival instead of preparing myself. I didn't recognise my blunder until the rain was pouring and there was no way out.

People say that the worst storms come silently and damn they are right. 

                                                                                                                                                       -K.N.M.

When the knife pierced my neck, my scream ruptured the night and echoed along the damp alleyway. Hot, slick blood trailed down the delicate skin there. I reached up to touch it. My hand came away from the wound shaking and stained, much like my heart felt. I collapsed onto the wet pavement and watched the ruby-hued rainwater flow into the sewer grate nearby.

My blood. My life. Down the drain. Literally.

He had claimed ownership of me as he'd always wanted. I knew tonight hadn't gone as he had planned, something had gotten in the way and ruined how he envisioned tonight going. I knew it was his intention to hurt me, but he didn't know that his failed plans had killed me more than his original ones.

He had stolen a piece of my heart that I had cherished and loved more deeply than the deep, dark oceans could ever love the sun for shinning through and making their waters bright.

I didn't know much in this moment, but what I did know was;

Nothing would ever be the same again.

24 hours earlier...

The stars dazzled in the black sky in a monstrosity of blazing lights. Grayson and Twizzlers were by my side as we lay down looking up at the night sky, the Hollywood sign just in front of us. After our little escape from the man with the torch we had dropped Blake off at his lavish home and had decided to come here for no reason at all but to enjoy our last moments of being young.

''I want this moment last forever'' He whispered, his hand clutching mine like I was his life line and he wasn't ready to let go.

I found myself staring at him, taking in every feature of his face. His emerald eyes shinning up at the stars, how his lips curved up into a smirk knowing I was intently watching him and how yet he didn't move an inch.

I always found myself at random times during the night, walking to the deserted window in my shared bedroom and looking at the stars with the hope that he too would be looking back. Like if I looked hard enough, his reflection would shine through. 

Every time I did, it felt like a comforting hug. Like he was with me mentally but not psychically, it had helped me sleep most nights when I was too curious to know what he was doing. If he was sleeping or listening to music on earphones as he tapped his finger along to the beat on his bedside locker.

Those questions had kept me up most nights, but looking at the stars was like looking into the window of his soul. As though when I did, he knew I was there and I knew he was there too.

''It will'' I answered, my voice promising. ''I use to imagine what life would be like on nights like these, would they be filled with love or a dark hole of emptiness''.

His face had turned to mine, ''I use to too, those questions had kept me up all night. But if I-''.

''Looked at the stars, I knew somewhere out there someone was looking back too''  I had filled in, cutting off his words.

His eyes burned with happiness, content. His hand finding its way to my cheek, he rubbed circles making me close my eyes and let out a casual breath. ''I am so lucky to have found you, Libby Johnson''.

''As am I, Grayson Smith''.

No words needed to be spoken after that, we were happy just enjoying each others presence as we both stared up at the night sky, our hands in each other's. Nothing would change between us after this night, we would no longer be high school students in love but just two ordinary people who crossed paths and found themselves falling for each other.

As I took a short glance at his features, I had wondered what he was thinking about. I had known almost everything there is to know about Grayson, but what I didn't know was what was going on inside that head of his.

But I didn't ask and left my mind to curiosity. 

After all, curiosity did kill the cat.

-

The annoying buzzing sound of my smashed dollar tree alarm had woken me up with a loud mass of buzzes, the sun piercing in through the sheer curtains on my bedroom windows. I turned it off with a loud slam against the wooden floors making a mental note to invest in a new one with the left over money we had from Elizabeth's pay checks.

She had been coming around more often than not, sometimes unannounced when I had asked her not to, for no valid reason other then me not wanting to spring it onto Gabriela so quickly. Speaking of Gabriela, her messy hair clad head stuck up from under her sheets,wiping her tiresome eyes.

Probably not the best idea in the world to set an alarm for 9 am when you share your bedroom with your seven year old sister.

''Do we have school?'' She mumbled from her sleepy state making me chuckle. 

''No, Gab. Go back to sleep for as long as you want''.

She didn't reply but just fell back against her cushion, pulling the blankets over her head to block out the sunlight. Blinds would also be a good investment to think about.

I tip toed my way out of the bedroom, lightly closing the door from behind me. Snores were drumming from the end of the hallway signalling that I was the only one awake in this household. 

I made my way downstairs to get a bowl of cereal since I was too excited for tonight to stomach anything bigger than a bowl of coco pops. I hadn't thought I would be the girl to be excited about prom, but when you surround yourself with people who love themselves enough to love you back, your mind opens up to new things to love, new people. And one of those things happened to be prom.

Grayson also had a huge part of my liking towards the party of the century according to Stacey, but i'd never tell him that.

I sat down, enjoying the peaceful quiet and the agitating sound of my cereal crunching between my teeth. The doorbell dinged making me scrunch my brows in confusion, I swung off the chair making my way to the front door not knowing who it could be since I wasn't expecting Grayson to come until half two.

I hesitantly unlocked the door, letting out a heavy breath before I hastily opened the door. I let out a sigh of relief when I was met with dark brown hair and a smile I was familiar with. I stepped aside to let Elizabeth in, I closed the door behind her. 

''Uh, I wasn't expecting you'' I said, wiping off a coco pop that stuck onto my pyjama top. She nodded knowing I wasn't. I furrowed my brows at her questionably as if she was going to ask to buy my soul to sell on the black market.

''I just came to stop by with another check''.

Today was Saturday, I had received one on Wednesday. It was always on a Wednesday when Gabriela wasn't home that she would drop by with one, but she was four days early today leaving me confused and wondering why she had came by in the first place knowing that she could have kept it until Wednesday. 

''But you usually don't come by until Wednesday, is everything okay?''.

I lowered my voice so no one upstairs, most importantly so Gabriela wouldn't hear us talking and come down in curiosity. She was a very curious child, open to new surroundings and always delving into new adventures. 

But I felt this was something she wasn't quite ready for, yet.

''Yes, yes. Everything is perfect, you're going to prom today, aren't you?'' She asked, her voice sounding weirdly strange which was starting to make me nervous.

She sounded as though she was just about to announce that she was moving across the world and I would never see or hear anything from her again, not a whisper. I was gone passed the stage of being in denial and saying I would want that, but truthfully speaking, I wouldn't.

Not for Gabriela's sake.

''Yeah, today at half two we should be leaving'' I answered, walking into the kitchen and telling her to follow along and take a seat if she wishes. ''Gabriela will be with Grayson's parents''.

She seemed dis-pleased with my words, giving me a simple nod but didn't say anything else. ''I see she has taking a liking to his parents''.

I let a frustrated sigh, placing my hands on the table in front of her, ''Her best friend is Grayson's little sister, she loves going there. I can't tear her from her best friend, and I won't allow you to either''.

Her eyes snapped to mine, regret lacing on the wrinkles of her face. ''No, Libby. I don't want to do that to her, I just wish-'' She stopped talking knowing that I probably wouldn't like what she was going to say and if she was going to say what I think she was, she was right.

''I just wish, you would allow me to at least spend an hour or two with her a day''.

I placed my hand on hers and gave her a sad look, ''That day will come, I can see you're making an effort for her. But it's only been a few short months, she needs more time to process this''.

She pulled in her lips, looking deeply into my eyes. Her eyes could tell a whole book, she had so many un-told stories that I had yet to be told. When I was younger instead of reading me a bedtime story, she would tell me stories about her life. What her dreams were and how she met my Dad. Those were the good times, but those memories were slowly slipping out of my mind.

''I'm not doing this just for her, I'm doing this for you too, and Jackson'' She informed me, her eyes showing guilt written behind them, ''And your Father, he would have wanted us to be a family''.

Her voice cracked at the end forcing me to divert my eyes away from her watering browns, ''I know'' I whispered, ''I'd liked to think one day we all could be, that's what he would have wanted''.

She let out a shaky breath, taking my hands in her cold ones that always were as soft as a teddy. I froze at her touch, it had been so long I had forgotten the own touch of my Mother. It was sad to say that but I wanted to work on us being whole again like we once were.

''He would be so proud of you Libby, he wouldn't be so easy on you bringing a boy home for the first time'' She chuckled, trying to ease the saddened air in the room, ''But he always had your best interest at heart and I know he would have accepted Grayson into this family, he always liked Blake and I see a bit of Blake in Grayson''.

I smiled at her words knowing I too had always seen a bit of Blake in Grayson, like Blake, Gray always had the same boyish charm and one who did know them would probably suspect they were twins. Although Blake was dirty blonde and Gray was brown haired, they still had multiple of the same characteristics and similar features.

But still, they were so different from each other in their own ways.

''Mommy?''.

I nearly fell off my seat at the unexpected tired voice coming from the kitchen door, just a small glance at Gabriela and I could see it in her eyes how much she truly missed her Mother. I raised Gabriela with the belief that her Mother worked from the moment she woke up to the moment she went to sleep.

When she started to get older I would know she was forcing herself to try stay awake at the chance of seeing her Mother again, it went on for about two years before she eventually gave up on her, just like I did.

She held her teddy bear limb in her hands, disbelief radiating off of her. But she didn't waste another second to run into Elizabeth's arms nearly pushing her off the chair she was sitting on in shock.

She hugged her tightly and when Elizabeth knew I wasn't going to interfere she pulled her close and rested her head on top of Gabriela's. ''Are you home for good, Mommy?''.

She held Gab close to her, staring into her small eyes full of innocence and wonder. ''I don't know, baby''.

She pouted, tears starting to escape through her eyes. Knowing I was the cause of that broke my heart into a million pieces. I knew if I kept them apart for much longer she would eventually find out I was the cause of it and I knew she would have a strong hatred for against me for keeping her away from her.

I always did what I felt right, and I might be taking a big risk now by what i'm about to say. But it's for Gabriela's sake, it's a risk worth taking.

''I don't see why not'' I answered hesitantly my voice low and unsure. I was sure this was the start of a new chapter for all of us and it really seemed like it after graduating last night.

Elizabeth snapped her eyes towards mine,searching for any sign of a joke or laughing matter. But I was being serious and she seemed to know I was by the way she enveloped me into her arms, squeezing the soul out of me. 

''Thank you'' She whispered into my hair.

She still smelled like how she used to when I was growing up, like apples and cinnamon. I wasn't ever really sure if that was her or the air freshener, but now I know it was her all along.

''I'm doing this for Gabriela''.

She nodded on my shoulder before we pulled apart and she turned to Gabriela to give her another hug as if she didn't for another second she would be ripped from her arms and she would never see her again. 

I wasn't that cruel.

''Your sister has a very important day today'' Elizabeth cheered, her eyes remaining on Gabriela who scrunched her thin eyebrows together and looked at me with a curious glance.

''You do?''.

''I do?''.

Elizabeth sighed, and placed her hands on my shoulders, gazing into my eyes with amusement. ''Prom, Libby'' She chuckled, bemused.''That is today, right?''

How in the world have I forgotten all about Prom? I was only thinking about it not too long ago but then with the unexpected events occurring as I think like right now, i'm not surprised at myself for forgetting all about it in the first place.

This was going to be one hell of day.

''Oh'' I remarked in realisation, mentally poking myself. The girls really wouldn't be proud of me if I told them about forgetting about the 'most important night of their lives'. 

Elizabeth clapped her hands together, ''Okay, you missy are going to go upstairs, put on your dress and do whatever you have to do'' She instructed, with a glint in her eyes, ''I don't want to see you until you have your dress on, clear?''.

I nodded with an amused smirk, rolling my eyes for the added effect. She hit my behind as I turned around and a laugh erupted from Gabriela in a joyful manner as I walked out of the kitchen without turning back.

I went up the creaking stairs, the snores from Jackson getting louder as I did. I shook my head at it before walking into my bedroom and walking over to the closet where I had my prom dress stored in since I bought it. Thankfully it came with a bag for it so it wouldn't winkle nor get dusty since considering how old my wardrobe was, it would have gotten dusty in two seconds.

The blondes had arranged for a girl to come over at one to do my hair and makeup 'on the house' since they claimed she owed them big time. I tried to refuse but they black mailed me by saying 'if you say no one more time, we will get a scissors and run it across your dress'.

And I liked my dress, so I wasn't going to risk it. Those girls were crazy when they wanted to be.

A while later, the knock I had been expecting came from downstairs. I had my dress on but had decided against putting my heels on just yet since I wanted to save the bruised, aching feet for much later tonight.

''I'll get it'' I shouted down from the top of the staircase, looking into the creaked open living room door. I smiled at the sight of Elizabeth and Gabriela playing 'guess who'. Gabriela's laughs filling the whole house with brightness and love.

I opened the door to be greeted by a very, and when I say very I mean very tall girl who was smiling down to me with a bright ''Hello''.

I stepped aside, allowing her to come in, ''Hey,I'm Libby'' I greeted.

She winked at me, looking me up and down with an impressed gaze, ''I know, I've heard such good things about you'' She gleamed, her voice sweet and soothing almost like the voice you would hear on those aesthetically pleasing YouTube videos. ''Oh, I'm Carly''. 

''Good things, I hope'' I joked, not knowing what the hell the blondes were feeding into Carly's mouth.

She gave me a reassuring smile, ''Of course and can I just say I adore your dress!'' She practically squealed making me recoil back from my ear drums nearly bursting from the dolphin like noise.

I can see now how she and blondes know each other. 

''Thank you'' I answered shyly, never really knowing how to accept a compliment when given to me. Sometimes I just want to turn into a potato when they do, sometimes I feel like a potato. But i'm not mad at that, potatoes are the bomb.com.

''No problem, where do you want to get ready?''.

''The kitchen has the best lighting if you're okay with that?''.

''Perfect'' She beamed as I guided her into the kitchen.

I sat down on the kitchen stool as she wrapped a hairdressing robe around me to prevent any hair or excess makeup getting onto my dress. 

You may be wondering why I put my dress on before my hair and makeup and the answer is that I don't want to risk smudging my masterpiece of a face or my curly locks by slipping my dress on over my head. Quite simple really.

''Are you not going to your own Prom tonight?'' I asked curiously as she plugged in her curling iron where the kettle once was. She looked my age, so it seemed questionable why she was doing other peoples hair and makeup.

She shook her head and chuckled, ''I'm twenty-five, so my boat for going to prom has long set and sailed''.

My eyes widened at her words, she looks like she could pass as a student for our class or even the year below. I need to know what type of sorcery of a face cream she is using! Does she get all her skin care products made in Hogwarts?

''You look so young though''.

''Thanks, I guess it's better than to look younger than older''.

I rolled my eyes in a joking matter, ''You can say that again, I think if I went to a bar they wouldn't even ask for my ID. I look at least your age. I think we both should swap identities'' I bemused, waving my hands around like a crazy lady. ''It only seems fitting'' I shrugged.

''What age are you? Seventeen?''.

''Yup, but I've only a few months left until i'm eighteen''.

She made an 'ah' sound in understanding, ''You're still really young, believe me one day it's going to be gone and you're going to wake up with aching bones'' She chuckled, sectioning my hair with the end of her pink comb.

I frowned at her words, knowing I take being young and free way too much for granted. ''Well hopefully tonight is a reminder of how good being young was when I look back at these memories in thirty years to come''.

''Yeah, that's how I like to live life. I like to travel all around America, make memories, take a piece of each state home with me

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