I walked back into my house, tossing my bag on the floor only for my dad to show up, glaring at me. "Okay," I put my hands up in surrender before picking it up. It was Friday afternoon. Tonight is the party. "Dad, why aren't you hosting this at some hotel so that I can escape halfway through the party?" I asked while looking around at the place being set up.

"I'm doing it here so that you can't escape halfway through, go on and get ready," he said while glancing at the time.

"Already? Party starts at eight. It's four-thirty," I huffed.

"Then make sure you're ready by eight," he said before going to give orders regarding the chandelier.

I rolled my eyes before going up to my room, tossing my bag in the corner and then going back down. "I'm going to the cafe, I'll be back soon," I said before slipping out. I walked to the cafe as usual because I only like driving when I feel like it and when it comes to the cafe, I never feel like it.

I walked in there and took a seat, deciding not to order. I was just sitting there, watching the traffic, watching the people, the baristas, the waiters and waitresses when the door opened.

She seemed like she was in a rush. "Iced tea, please." She also seemed out of breath. She hadn't noticed me yet, she was more focused on her hand that was tapping restlessly against the counter.

Katy wasn't working the counter today. It was some other guy. "You all right?" he chuckled.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just in a rush," she said while looking outside.

"What's up?" he asked.

Yes, I'm eavesdropping.

"I have a dress to pick up and the place is closing in twenty minutes tonight because the owner's daughter has gone into labor," she rambled.

"A dress?" he asked.

"I sent it to get dry cleaned this morning," she answered while he handed her the iced tea. It was probably for tonight. She could have just worn a different dress. "Thanks, Asher." She tossed some money in the tip jar and ran out, only to come back moments later because she forgot a straw.

He held it out for her and she took it while laughing.

"Thanks," she chuckled.

"You're welcome, Alex," he grinned.

She ripped the straw open with her teeth and threw the wrapper in the trash before running out while sipping on her iced tea. She looked left, then right, and then dashed across the street when the lights turned red and ran along.

She should have hailed a taxi.

I watched as the guy continued grinning as he flirted with the next girl, and the next, and the one after that too.

I left around forty-five minutes later and headed back home. On my way out, I saw her again. She was running back to this side of the street with a dress in her hands in a plastic cover.

A dress that seemed taller and longer than her.

To be fair, she herself is tiny.

She ran across when the walking sign turned green and stopped at this side, panting.

"You are very unfit," I commented.

She seemed to get startled while she leaned against a street light. "Thanks," she said sarcastically.

"Can I know why your dress is six feet long when you're only around five foot three?" I chuckled while taking it from her as we began walking back.

"Because fashion is a pain in the ass. I also didn't have a black dress for tonight other than this one and this one needed to be dry cleaned before I could wear it. So technically speaking, this is for you," she huffed.

"You don't have any other black dress. A little black dress. You're telling me you don't have it?" I questioned suspiciously.

"Of course, I have black dresses. None that would look good tonight. I'm assuming I'll be surrounded by women much older than me, and I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb looking like a little high school girl. I'm not that mature, but I can at least look the part," she shrugged.

"I hate to disappoint, but you're going to stick out like a sore thumb anyway. Nobody knows you and everyone will see a new face."

"Who do you normally take to this thing?" she asked.

"Nobody, I normally skip it. But this year there's no cut for me. I'm trapped," I shrugged.

"Why?"

"Father's orders. I'm older now, it's rude, it's disrespectful, blah blah blah."

"He's right though. It may be boring. But it's family," she shrugged as we reached her house. "Thanks for helping." She took the dress and ran inside while I continued walking.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

The doors opened and guests began filing in. About five minutes went by and she still wasn't here. I was at the door greeting the guests and letting them in while my dad checked the place one last time.

I looked down the sidewalk and there she was, walking in a dress too long, her heels clicking against the pavement while she mumbled things under her breath. She climbed up the front stairs before reaching me. "Hi," she exhaled.

"Hey, come on in."

She walked in and stood beside me, linking her arm with mine. My dad came over and took over greeting guests so we made a run for it. I took her out to the backyard where most of the guests were.

"So, what now?" she asked.

"Nothing," I shrugged while we stood in one place and she looked around at the decorations and lights that were hung up.

"It looks pretty out here, who hung these up?" she asked, smiling at the lights that twinkled above us, hanging from one tree to another.

"We had help," I shrugged while staring at her, taking her outfit in.

She turned to me and stepped back, suddenly looking nervous. "What? Do I not look okay? Should I put my hair up? Are the heels too short?" she asked while dusting her dress, "Is the dress not right?"

I laughed while shaking my head. "You don't look good," I said, "You look great. You look perfect."

She didn't seem convinced.

"There are a lot of words, I can go on. Alluring, enticing, exquisite, stunning, elegant, divine, radiant, delicate, mesmerizing-"

"Okay, I think we get it," she laughed, "You look handsome, fanciable," she shrugged while dusting my jacket off.

"Oh, thanks," I said sarcastically, "Thanks for the two words as compliments," I chuckled.

"You look charming, Carter. Very sumptuous and admirable," she smiled.

"Why thank you," I smirked.

She really did look perfect. Her black heels matched her dress with the reflective thin belt strapped around her waist. She did her makeup, wore hoops for earrings that danced with her every move, had straightened her hair, and kept it down the middle which made her look a little older, more mature as she planned, and just like the other party, she was glowing.

"No bright red lip. I hope that's fine because every woman that I've seen here has red lipstick on. Is that like part of the dress code?" she mumbled as we walked around and past guests.

"No, it's not part of the dress code, you look great, with or without red lips," I responded.

Her little black dress wasn't so little as it flowed behind her by a few steps, but she pulled it off as expected.

We were walking around and talking when my name was called. I turned around and stiffened almost immediately. She must have sensed it because her smile faltered and she looked at me slightly confused.

"Just play along and don't say much," I mumbled.

"Carter, it's been a while," he greeted, his eyes plastered to her.

"Uncle Clark," I nodded.

"Who is the pretty lady?" he questioned.

"Alex," she answered with a small smile.

"Short for?" he questioned.

"Nothing. Her name is Alex," I answered. Her grip tightened around my arm and I got myself a little under control.

"Lovely to meet you, enjoy the night," he sneered before walking away.

"Wish I could say the same," she mumbled, "Who the hell is that?" she asked.

"He's my step-uncle. He's a dick," I grunted.

"And a perv from the looks of it," she said, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. A drink?" I sighed.

She nodded and we walked back into the house. We were standing there and she handed me her champagne later. "You look like you could use it more than me," she smiled.

I chuckled before taking it from her and downing it.

"Whoa, maybe not that much," she cleared her throat.

I laughed before we continued our conversation. I wanted this party over already.

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