*The story is named Imperfections. It may be changed soon. Thanks.
Chapter One: "Nice to meet you, Layla"
I stood quietly in the corner as I watched my "family" talk and greet each other. I sipped on my cocktail and played with my curly red hair. I looked around to make sure no one was staring at me considering I'm only seventeen and I'm drinking a cocktail.
I made eye contact with my old boyfriend, Joshua and looked quickly away. He was dating my cousin Melinda. I escaped the room into a quiet long hallway. I reached into my small handbag and pulled out my cell phone. I called my boyfriend, Wesley.
"Wes! Are you going to come anytime soon? I'm standing here with nothing to do!" I whispered angrily into the cell phone. Wesley was a half an hour late.
"I'm sorry. My mother was keeping me home. I'm on my way right now. Calm down." he said back into the cell phone. I rolled my eyes.
"Okay but, please hurry. This is like torture." I said into the cell phone.
"How is it torture? It's your family, Layla." he said back.
"You don't know my family Wes. They have secrets. They try to hide their imperfections and do better than everyone else." I revealed into the phone.
"Look, I'll be there soon." he said slowly.
"Bye.", I said, then I hit end and took a deep breath. I walked into the kitchen and gave my empty cocktail glass to a waiter that walked by. I found my younger sister leaning against the bar counter with her boyfriend Ethan. She was definitely underdressed for a Christmas Eve party, she has on a huge band tee that was cut so it revealed her shoulder, a short skirt, and high heel converse shoes that stopped at her knees, and to top it off she had on lace leggings underneath. I sighed and approached her.
"Sadie Serene, you are the most unpredictable person I've ever known. What's up with the outfit?" I asked looking at Ethan who was dressed in a white undershirt with a black jacket over it and dark jeans on.
"I don't like the whole green and red Christmas colors so I did my own thing. Grandma Louisa wanted to know where I got my shirt. She liked it.", Sadie joked downing a whiskey shot. I took the glass from her and told the bartender not to serve her anymore drinks since she was underage. I looked at her.
"Sadie you are too young to be drinking and you know that, you are only sixteen." I told her in my motherly voice.
"Don't talk too soon, you drink too." she debated. I sighed.
"Hardly, and only when I'm stressed." I sighed.
"That's not a good excuse… I'll stop when you stop." she smiled.
"I'm stopping right now and so are you." I smirked.
"Fine with me.", she said. I looked around for my mother.
"Where's mom?" I asked. Sadie shrugged.
"I think she was waiting on her date when I left." Sadie said playing with her curly dyed black hair. She had the whole punk rock chic fashion down.
"Okay. Well, I'll talk to you later okay? I'm going to go see if Wesley is here." I said walking towards the door.
"Bye.", Sadie said after me.
I walked out the huge front door and stood on the porch. I did not see Wesley but, I did find my mother, Flora standing next to her date.
"Hi mom." I said looking at her date then back at her. My mom looked gorgeous; she had straightened her red hair and had on a short black dress, and had on a smokey eye makeup.
"Layla, you look beautiful honey." she said hugging me tight, then she stepped back, "This is my date Ash."
"Hi, Ash. Nice to meet you." I said giving me a firm handshake.
"Nice to meet you as well Layla." he said pulling his sweaty hand away.
"Are you waiting on someone?" Flora asked.
"Wesley. He's super late." I sighed.
"Well, I'm sure he'll be here soon." she paused, "Why don't we go inside its cold out here."
"Okay", I sighed following her in. I was greeted by my older cousin Kelsey. Her straight platinum blonde hair was pulled into an up do and she was wearing a pretty red dress. She had a drink in hand, my guess a long island iced tea knowing Kelsey. She smiled and gave me a warm hug.
"Layla, how are you? I haven't talked to you in a long time." she said smiling.
"I know! I'm great how about you? How are you and Ricky?" I asked her. She frowned and looked around. She picked at a piece of invisible string on her dress.
"We're kind of… married." she said not making eye contact.
"What? Married? When did this happen?" I asked shocked.
"We eloped over the summer. Everyone here is ashamed of me though. No one will talk to me. My parent's didn't even say congrats or anything." she said frowning.
"Why? They should be happy if you are happy!" I said still shocked. She just shook her head.
"It doesn't work that way for them. He didn't go to Harvard and he doesn't have a mansion so he isn't worthy to be in this family. He didn't even come with me because he knew no one likes him. Now my sister Nellie is the family favorite. She has the perfect boyfriend, Brenden Evers. He's a junior at Harvard Law School and his family was born rich. The family loves him." she growled.
I looked over to see Nellie with her arm tight around Brenden's arm. Brenden was tall, and had a muscular, athletic body type. He had short brown hair, a flawless perfect face, warm brown eyes, light pink lips, and glowing white teeth. He was dressed in a comfy brown sweater and jeans; he had a mischievous look on his face and a curious smile. He was a dreamy guy in my own words. I drew my attention back to Kelsey before she became suspicious of what or who I was looking at.
"Nellie was always trying to steal the spotlight. You're eighteen, she's twenty three and she was probably upset about how everyone gave you more attention." I began, "I'm not trying to hurt your feelings Kelsey. Just keep your head high. I'm going to go see some more people, I will see you later okay?"
"Okay.", she sighed. I gave her another hug and then approached Nellie, Kelsey's sister. She had straight blonde hair that was flat and hung close to her face, her face barely had any makeup, and she wore a plain red dress with a black scarf hanging off her skinny arms. She did not look friendly.
"Hi, Nellie. I haven't seen you in a long time." I greeted her friendly. She had a small smile which looked more like a pucker you would give if you had tasted something sour.
"Nellie, who is this pretty young woman?" Brenden interjected smiling. Nellie looked at Brenden confused and then turned her gaze back to me not saying a word.
"I'm Layla. Nellie's cousin. And you are?"
"Hi. I'm Brenden. Nellie's date." he said flirtingly.
"Actually, he's my boyfriend." Nellie snapped angrily.
"Oh.", I began acting confused, "Well, it's nice to meet you Brenden."
"You as well." he said, as he grabbed my hand and kissed it lightly. I pulled away and blushed. Nellie's jaw dropped and she just stared at him.
"Brenden! Don't do that to my cousin!" she said lightly hitting him with her small black handbag.
"I'm just being a gentleman." he explained.
"Well, I better go find my date." I said, "It's nice to see you Nellie and nice to meet you Brenden."
"Bye.", Nellie said flatly.
"I'll see you later." Brenden said, his eyes meeting mine. I looked away and began towards the front door but a few feet away it opened.
There was Wesley standing in a white undershirt, and a tuxedo looking jacket over it complimented with black pants. His hair was perfect and his smile melted my heart. He walked over to me and took my hand. He kissed my cheek, I looked over his shoulder to see Brenden staring angrily at Wesley and I. Almost as if he was…jealous.