Arabella's POV

I paced up and down the hall, my hands fumbling with one another nervously as I trekked past dressing rooms then back down for maybe the thousandth time. I was currently at the fashion show standing backstage as my nerves ate away at me.

Ryan insisted that I stayed in the back until the show began because it was crucial for some reason. He also had me invite my friends for moral support, I didn't know why moral support was needed but I didn't pass down the opportunity to invite the people I love.

And speaking of them. "Should I be worried?"

I spun on my heels, my widened eyes coming in contact with a pair of brown orbs. "Tyler." I sighed a breath of relief.

"Come here." He sighed, I smiled and rushed towards him. His slender arms engulfed my entire body and I melted against his bloodshot red tuxedos, his familiar scent reverberating off of him and enveloping my nostrils. He smelt sweet and manly, just the way I liked it.

"Is everyone else here?" I asked as I pulled away from his embrace. He winced and shoved his hands into his pocket before bouncing on his heels. "Well Ace and Erika are here but Max had to visit his sick grandma and Aaron stayed at his dorm because he has to study all night for his this huge exam tomorrow."

I smiled softly which seemed to catch him off guard as if he were expecting me to frown and cry. "Why do you look like you're constipated?" I asked amusedly. He shrugged with a sheepish smile on his face. "I thought you'd want everyone to be here because this is important to you. I know tonight isn't about you but it is your first time attending a fashion show and I wanted you to feel special." He mumbled as he scratched the nape of his neck adorably.

I placed a hand on his shoulder and moved closer towards him before planting a soft kiss against his cheek. "You making an effort to be here is special enough, thank you."

"Tyler!" I gasped frantically as I flickered my eyes to his silkily gelled down hair. His eyes widened as he took in my frantic expression. "What!?" He squealed.

"Where are your curls?" I pouted. He glared at me for a second before letting out a breath of relief. "Damn woman. Don't scare me like that, and appreciate this, I did it for you." He said as he motioned towards his hair. I chuckled and motioned towards the curtains which led to the large room that was the banquet hall.

"You look handsome. I love it, now let's go greet the others."

He nodded his head and intertwined our hands before pulling me beside him. As we stepped through the curtains I let out another round of gasps the same way I did when I first stepped through those doors by Ryan's side.

The banquet hall was wide, round tables upon tables sat rooted against the tiled floor, chairs accompanied by guest speakers, the VIPS and MVPS that Ryan wouldn't stop obsessing about. There were a few minor designers that I've heard a word about here and there also sitting at the tables conversing.

And there were designers that I had only dreamt of meeting sitting close to the stage, their elegance a bit intimidating enough to scare me away. This all was like a dream come true.

"Oh my god. Look, the pretty princess is here!" Ace squealed as we approached our table. I rolled my eyes and chuckled as I enveloped him in a hug, "thank you for coming Ace." I smiled as I pulled away.

"Erika. God damn, I couldn't stay long enough to see your outfit but you look–uhm like a peach." I laughed as the colour drained from her face. I giggled lightly and winced when she slapped my hand.

Tyler lowered himself down onto the chair and turned his attention to the stage. The show was beginning in a few minutes so I excused myself quickly, "I need to go see Mariam and Ryan before the show starts, I'll be back."

"Good Luck!" They all chanted simultaneously. I glanced back at Tyler and blushed deeply as he winked.

Tyler and I have significantly gotten closer after the night he opened up to me about his parents. That night we stayed on the dock and did something we've never really done before–we got to know one another. Ranging from our favourite colours to our weird fetishes and anything we could pry out of each other.

I learnt that Tyler's favourite colour is orange but no ordinary orange, sunset orange. I learnt that he surprisingly isn't playing football anymore and the only reason why he played was because he liked it as an extracurricular activity. His true desire was to become an architect and that was his major currently at college.

As I finally navigated my way to the back I spotted Ryan right away conversing with the Mariam White. She may not be a designer but the woman knew a lot about a lot. "There she is!" Ryan exclaimed as he clasped his hands on the small of my back and pull me towards him. "Arabella Smith. There is something that Ryan and I would like to show you."

My eyes widened in confusion at their giddy faces and I stuttered over my words. Trying to fathom what the hell these two would owe me. "W–What is it?"

"You'll see," Ryan exclaimed. "Now come along, the show is about to begin."

Before I could utter another word and confirm the cause of my confusion. He ushered me towards my friends and spun around quickly before dashing away quickly. Tyler didn't question who he was but instead, he wove his fingers through mine, smiled and turned his attention to the stage.

I watched as Mariam climbed the stage and in all her elegance I wondered why she never considered actually becoming a designer. She was famous for collecting prized possessions from top fashion agencies and is known to have ties and links to powerful people in many industries. I guessed that her relationship with Ryan was personal.

"Ladies and gentlemen. The night you've all been waiting for. Welcome to the Manía de Belleza fashion show! Costumes and outfits designed by a multitude of talented artists here tonight and hosted by yours truly, Ryan Marks. So tonight I want you all to relax and enjoy the show."

The crowd cheered loudly as Mariam climbed off the stage just in time for the music to cue. One kiss by dua lipa blared through the speakers and models began to sashay down the runway. The sight of the flashing cameras and lights made my anxiety rise and if wasn't for the comforting squeezing of Tyler's hands on my thighs, I probably would have collapsed and suffered from cardiac arrest.

The show went on for another ten minutes of flashing lights, applauds at the best costumes designed by anonymous designers. Models trekked the stage and stole the show effortlessly and I could help the giddy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

As my eyes slipped away from the stage, a harsh nudge in the arm sent my glares barrelling towards Erika who stared at me in pure shock. I frowned deeply and flickered my eyes back to the stage and I was sure I appeared just as flabbergasted as she did.

On the stage, strutting down the runway was my father, dressed in my design. A design straight out of my sketchbook. I gasped as he rocked the outfit, his hands slipping through the low pockets on his side as he stopped at the end of the stage, spun on his heels and trekked away.

Erika slapped my arm hardly and cried out, "was that your father!?"

"With my outfit. I designed those guys." I mumbled in awe. Tyler squeezed my hand tightly and I flickered my eyes towards him. I smiled back at his goofy smile, and I could read the expression clear on his face.

This was what Ryan and Mariam were referring too. They did all of this? For me?

~~~

"Dad!" I squealed loudly as I barrelled towards him, leaping into his arms as he caught me effortlessly but still staggered on his feet from my weight. "Pumpkin, you finally attended your first show and everyone got to see one of your creations." He chuckled deeply as I hugged him tighter.

"Thank you, dad. Thank you so much." I sniffed as he loosened his grip on me and placed both his hands on my shoulder before slightly pushing me back to stare at him. "You deserved it. And don't only thank me, thank Ryan, this wouldn't be possible without him."

"How am I going to repay you for this–dad if it weren't for you, I'd never even been here" I mumbled.

He sighed and pulled my hands away from my face before planting a kiss on my palms. "You got yourself here. I wasn't the one who designed the outfits and got you the internship, you were because you have the talent and you deserve everything you got today. I guarantee you, you'll get that job."

I nodded my head frantically and crashed back into his chest. "Thank you." I pulled away from the hug and took one last look at his face, despite the ghostly look that made him appear greatly ill he still held himself up high. After this, I needed to ask him why he looked so sick but for now, I didn't want to bombard him with questions.

My father disappeared and I spun on my heels to head back out but my feet gave away from under me and I toppled forward, only for my face to come in contact with a hard chest and I winced in pain. 

I peered up at Tyler who chuckled deeply and helped me steady myself on my feet. He smiled and mumbled a soft hey. "Have you been eating a cupcake?" I asked at the velvet vanilla scent that brushed against my nose as he spoke. "Wanna find out?" He smirked and before I could react to his question he slipped his hands around my waist and enclosed his lips around mine.

I returned his light kiss, smiling against his lips as I indeed tasted the velvet and vanilla on his lips.

"How long have you guys been in love?"

I jumped away from Tyler in shock, my head swivelled towards the sound of the voice and confusedly I gazed upon a blonde-haired girl standing before us.

She wore a white body con dress that hugged her slim figure almost like a second skin. Her blonde hair was twisted in a fishtail braid and her bluish-green eyes peered deeply into mine, lingering with the question she just asked. 

"W–what?"

"Michelle can you not." A guy standing tall beside her whispered into her ear. He was tall and frankly just by his looks he reminded me of Tyler. Brown hair toppled over his forehead, concealing his hooded eyes. Despite the tux, I could see the tattoos that peaked from beneath his rolled-up dress shirt. He held that kind of attitude where you would fall to your knees and kiss the ground he walked on.

Yep, he was Tyler's long lost brother.

"Mason?" Tyler mumbled in confusion from beside me. I snapped my head towards him and frowned, "ha! Would you look at that, freaking Tyler Hart." Mason gawked as he pulled in Tyler for a bro–shake as I like to call it.

I stared at Michelle in confusion and she shrugged with a small giggle. "Who are you guys?" I asked softly as I shifted on my feet uncomfortably.

"Oh sorry. I'm Michelle White and this is my boyfriend Mason Hunter, you know the quarterback for our football team in Washington."

Then it all clicked. my mouth hung low in shock as I watched Mason and Tyler converse with one another like they were long time friends. Maybe they played football against one another night high school since Tyler is two years older than me.

"Wow, it's an honour to meet both of you really." I smiled as Mason and Tyler stopped their conversation and averted their attention to us. "Who's this Tyler?" Mason smirked as he wrapped his arms around Michelle.

"Arabella Smith." He smirked with a smug look on that stupid smug face of his as he wrapped his arms around me proudly. "Wait, you were the one who designed that suit. Yes! I saw that copy at the designers' office when they were getting it tailored for the show, you have talent."

"She's got talent." Mason echoed. "Thank you, guys."

"So is she your girlfriend or–" Mason trailed off but hissed in pain when Michelle smacked him upside the head in frustration that was written over her face. I stifled in my laughter and didn't miss the burning of my cheeks at the question I didn't even know the answer to myself, "no."

"Yes."

I snapped my head towards Tyler and mirrored his frown. His mouth hung low and soon he let out a humourless chuckle. "Are you friend-zoning me!?" He asked in a falsetto pitched voice.

I rolled my eyes and turned back towards Mason and Michelle who were glancing at us in awe and adoration. I blinked a few times to register why they were being so creepy before Michelle nudged Mason.

"Babe why don't you and Tyler be gentlemen and go get us ladies some drinks." She smiled as her icy blue eyes flickered to Mason. He smiled and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Alright doll face. C'mon Hart, let's leave the ladies alone."

He arched his brows at Mason before they flickered to me and a mischievous grin made its way onto his face. I squinted my eyes at him suspiciously before he pulled away from my arms and began to saunter away.

"Have fun sweet cheeks."

I turned back towards Michelle who walked towards me and linked her arms in mine. She smelt somewhat like vanilla seeing as she was shorter than me and I could get a good view of her head.

"How long have you guys been dating?" She asked as we made our way towards one of the empty dressing booths. "We're not dating," I mumbled.

"Okay let me rephrase that. How long have you guys been in love?"

"What!? We aren't in love!" I coughed nervously, suddenly feeling the need to vomit. Oh, I do hope those guys were serious about getting those drinks and didn't think smartly enough to think Michelle just wanted alone time with me.

She chuckled softly and stared at me as if I were an alien. Soon she shook her head and slumped down onto one of the dressing room chairs. "And pigs can fly." She muttered sarcastically.

"I'm serious." I hissed softly as I clamped my hands over my burning cheeks and bit the insides of them to stop myself from grinning. "Yes you are and he loves you too. I mean the way he looks at you is obvious, it's the same way people tell me Mason looks at me. I fell in love with him in four weeks of knowing him or maybe less."

"What!?" I choked out as my eyes widened to the point where I thought it was remotely impossible. She chuckled and spun around in the chair as she played with her blonde locks.

"Yeah, I know. People thought we were crazy but it was love at first sight and I love him even more than before. So yeah."

"That is bonkers. Four weeks' love at first sight!? Yeah sounds straight from a novel." I snorted unladylike.

"Okay, how long did it take you to fall in love with Tyler?" She asked as she began to saunter towards me and slumped down on the chair opposite mine. I frowned and thought back to the day I went over to his house, I was always sure of my feelings for him. I mean I liked him a lot but I didn't know if I loved him then.

Letting the question swirl through my mind, I pondered on that day and all the other days we spent together, especially that night in New York or the arcade when we broke in and then there was the night at the dock.

I always had mixed feelings. One time I'd say I loved him but then I'd deny it, I know I like him but do I really love him?

And then I thought of the day I first attended high school I'm DC. The first day I met him.

I stumbled down the hallway, my hands nervously clutching the black straps of my backpack clung tightly to my shoulder. Erika was nowhere in sight when she promised me that she'd be at the school's entrance waiting for me.

This is my first time coming to high school in DC after I left New York. I knew how York kids worked but these people were unpredictable. What if I got bullied again? What if no one likes me? What if I make no friends what so ever?

With a deep breath, I pulled the straps of my bag tighter onto my back and made my way around the empty hallways. Classes were in session and now I figured Erika no longer waited for me and left for class.

Some friend.

As I rounded the corridor trying to navigate my way to the main office I stumbled upon a few guys hurling a football back and forth towards one another. Each of them rocking a letterman jacket that led me to believe they were part of the school's football team.

And then even for the slight moment of distraction, it hit me. The pain that surged through my body as something came in contact with my nose, the sudden force and shock sent me careering into the lockers and I slammed my back against it before I slid to the ground, the wet and sticky substance sprayed from my nose and onto my hands and I gasped at the crimson red blood that littered my shirt.

"Oh my god, I am so fucking sorry!" A deep voice snapped me out of my state of shock. I gulped and peered up, my eyes interlocking with a pair of brown orbs. And then anger shot through me and I glared at him.

"God, who are you? Thor!? You nearly broke my goddamn nose, pray to Jesus it ain't broken for real!" I snapped. But then when the tears finally cleared out from my eyes I immediately regretted my words. He crouched over me, his face hovering above mine and etched in concern.

His hair was incredibly curly, brown to the crisp and toppled over his forehead but it didn't conceal his eyes. I was able to stare dreamily into his brown irises that held the utmost concern and regret at my dishevelled state. He touched me gently and I felt it, that unfamiliar jolt in my upper arm, something I've never felt before when coming in contact with anyone.

Who the hell is this!?

"I'll take her to the nurse just get the janitor down here before anyone sees this mess." He shouted over my head to his friends. His eyes met mine once again and he frowned deeply as his warm hands trailed on my forearm, he hoisted me up effortlessly and I tumbled but he caught my fall by sweeping his hands under my thighs and lifting me up bridal style.

I had no energy to protest as my vision turned black, the only thing visible to me in my closing in darkness was his face. His eyes, his lips, his nose. "I'm so sorry." He kept on muttering as the ground moved beneath me and all I could say was "it's okay" before I was enveloped by darkness.

"Arabella?"

Snapping out of my thoughts. I whipped my head towards Michelle who was gazing at me with a sort of determined look etched on her face as she searched my eyes for any possible answers.

"It took me a day."