Chapter 25 – So Close

"Girl, you look absolutely fabulous!"

Mal blushed. "E, you say that every time you do me up."

Evie chuckled. "Are you saying I should congratulate myself? Well then," Evie then turned to her mirror. "Evie, you did a wonderful job." She complemented her reflection.

Then, Mal laughed. "You look killer too, E." But after that, Mal stayed silent.

Evie finished putting on her makeup and turned to her friend. Mal was looking out the window, a look of sadness on her face. "M," Evie said, getting the girl to look at her. "You gonna be ok?"

Mal gave a small smile. "Yeah, I guess."

Evie sighed as she came to sit next to her. "I know there's not much I can say to let you know that everything is going to be ok, but I really want you to have a good time tonight. So, just push your mom out of your mind, and focus on me, Ben, the guys, Diz, we are all here for you."

Mal nodded, and turned her head back to the window. It was dark out for a September night, but everything was peaceful. Mal smiled, "You're right, E. So, I'll try."

"That's my girl." Evie said as she gave her a quick hug.

"Evie! I think I'm done!" Yelled a voice from the bathroom.

Evie smiled wide. "My greatest creation is almost ready!" She said excitedly to Mal. "Come on out, Dizzy!" she called to the girl.

After a moment, a stunning little Dizzy came from the bathroom, dressed in a one of the kind white splatter-painted ball gown. Her make-up had already been done by Evie and Mal actually did her hair.

Evie put a hand to her mouth in awe. "Dizzy! You look so amazing!"

Dizzy blushed, "Thanks."

"You are totally gonna sweep some boys off their feet tonight!" Evie squealed.

"Evie!" Dizzy tried.

"So, I got a phone call a little while ago, and guess who's gonna pick you up."

Dizzy gave Evie a look. "Chris? Evie, I know. He did invite me."

"No, I meant who's taking you in their limo."

Dizzy raised a brow. "Who takes a limo from here to the gymnasium?"

Evie laughed. "Well, Chad told me that you, him, Chris, and Audrey were going to all go together!"

Dizzy's face turned sour. "What?"

Then, it was Evie's turn to raise a brow. "What? I thought you and Chad were friends now."

"No, we are. I was more reacting to Audrey."

Mal laughed while Evie rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't worry about her. Maybe Chad's new attitude will wear off on her."

"Good luck to that!" Mal said.

"Oh, I just remembered!" Dizzy exclaimed. "I left my purse in my room. I gotta go. The ball starts in only a half an hour!"

Admiia sat at her window again. She was all dressed for the ball, but something called her back to her watch. Something wasn't right; she just couldn't put her finger on it. The thing her mind constantly went back to, was the fact that she had been lying to Aziz about who she was.

She knew that it was not the right thing to do and that he had every right to know who she was, but, what if he decided he only wanted her last wish? The thought killed her to think he would do that but, power makes everyone act in ways they never thought they would.

But did that matter? If he really would only want her for that last wish, wouldn't that be good to know now? Know that he was fickle?

Everything inside Admiia wanted to keep it from him, except that one part of her who wanted to know the truth, wanted to really see if he loved her.

As a knock came to the door, Admiia sighed. This was it.

"Come in." She said.

Aziz slowly opened the door with a smile on his face. "Jasmine, you ready for an awesome night?" he asked. But when he saw he solemnly looking out the window, his tone changed. "Hey, Jas, you all right?"

Admiia sighed. "Aziz, I have something I need to talk to you about."

"Did I do something?" Aziz asked. "Did I wear the wrong color?"

Admiia let out a little laugh but kept her eyes on the window. "No, just- please come here."

Aziz slowly walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. "What's wrong, Jas?"

Admiia felt a tear fall down her face. "That's just it. You calling me Jasmine. It's all wrong."

Aziz raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Aziz," Admiia said as she stood. "My name's not Jasmine."

"What?"

"My name's Admiia, and, and I'm a genie."

Aziz just sat there for a moment. Admiia couldn't bring herself to look at his face.

"You're a genie? Like the 'Three wish' kind? Like my father had?"

Admiia nodded. "W-well, pretty much."

Aziz was now thoroughly confused. "But," he said as he stood, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I-I just didn't know how'd you'd react." Admiia said, wiping away a spare tear.

Aziz was quiet for another moment before saying anything. "You didn't trust me." It was not a question.

More tears streamed her face. "I-I-I guess."

Nothing else was said. Aziz only stood there for a few moments before he went to the door and left.

Admiia, on the other hand, collapsed in sobs onto Dizzy's bed.

As Dizzy entered her room, she heard a cry, multiple in fact. When she looked to her bed, she automatically put the two together.

"Ad? Ad? What is it?" Dizzy said as she rushed to her friend's side."

"I-I-I told Aziz."

"Told him what?"

"That I was a fake. Who I really was."

Dizzy's eyes grew. If Admiia told Aziz, and now she was crying, "He left you, didn't he?" Admiia slowly nodded her head. "Oh, Ad." Dizzy reached over and gave her friend a hug. "I'm so sorry."

After a moment, Admiia sat up and Dizzy released her hold. "I'm not even upset he left." Admiia said, taking the tiara he had given her for this night, "I'm more upset he just left without saying anything."

Dizzy sighed. "I am really sorry, Admiia."

Admiia nodded. "Thanks."

They sat there in silence for a moment before Dizzy shook her head. "You know what, we're still going to that ball!"

"What?"

"I don't care if Aziz dumped you. This is your first ever dance and I would be a horrible friend if I let you miss it." Dizzy said.

"Dizzy, I appreciate the gesture, but, I really don't feel like going anywhere." Admiia told her.

"Oh, no you don't!" Dizzy told her. "This is my first dance, too. You wouldn't want to ruin mine by not having my friend with me!"