Here is another chapter…

I am nervous, my hands shaking as Peggy was helping me with my hair.

My dress was a white Tulle and lace, with a sewn-in petticoat netting it was an off the shoulder, with a corset-like top with Peggy doing the ties in the back. I was new and hand made just for me, it was so boss. My hair was curled and left down with white ribbon while Peggy had her's pinned up away from her face, she was stoked Wayne was here, his family wasn't on par with ours, but she loved him.

Our fathers would introduce us and our date or friend would walk us from the stage. The ballroom was stunning and the food was supposed to be the best, the colors are black and white toned.

Lady Mable walked in her face stern and as if she sucked a lemon. "It is time, please line up as we rehearsed," it was starting as girls are called, there are only twenty of us but it felt like three hundred names are called be I heard my father's deep baritone voice speak my name.

"Elizabeth Nicolette Monroe," his happiness and proudness came through in his words. I felt like vomiting but I walked to the door.

The Grand Staircase, elegant and fit for a princess with its deep mahogany and sturdy rails, smooth against my ringed fingers. It was curved in such a way that it felt as if I was about to turn a corner and find a fascinating surprise. What I did find was not a surprise, but something much sweeter; he stood there at the small set of stairs nestled against the stage.

I walked to the end of the staircase where my father placed his hand into mine leading me to the middle where every guy was watching all dressed in white, with little hints of black. "Her escort tonight is her friend Vinnie Vincent, his father is Arnold Vincent, his mother Phyllis Vincent," his own rank was out, his family was powerful even if he took a wrong turn down a dark hall.

He wore more black than white but he looked dashing, his hair done and combed from his face as he took my hand leading me to the floor as the customary dance was about to begin. It was practiced and practiced since I was a horrid dancer, but the music and his arms made everything better somehow.

I wanted this as badly as I wanted to breathe. The entirety of my being began advancing in movement with purposeful clarity and absolute control. With each poised stride she took, it became crippling obvious just how demanding and rigorously punishing the practice of this sequence had been on my body.

I gazed at Vinnie as he cornered Wayne who was not a beefy guy, he was tall but leaner. I only heard a few mumbled words, "Don't open your trap, kid,"

I fumed, "Vinnie, you leave him alone. Wayne, I am very sorry for this,"

"Dollface, I was just telling the kid to hush up. I can't risk Lawson or North finding out about us, you could get hurt," his emotions on his sleeve.

Snapping out, "You ever think to just talk to him, like a man, not a loon. You promised me you leave the gang that was months ago," every word heated now.

"I will don't think it would be easy. If it was, I have been gone a year ago,"

I stormed off with Wayne in tow, just leaving him with his girl.

The celebration went on into the night, everyone dancing like they'd forgotten how to stand still. Wayne was moving like his limbs were made of spaghetti and Peggy's face was an epic picture of pure excitement.

I gazed out the window seeing Lawson's car parked right in front, I panicked. My heels clicking on the marble floor heading towards Vinnie who was off to the side hiding. "Lawson is outside," his face pulled into an unknown mask.

He walked form me, no more words as I ended up watching from the door, Vinnie let out a manic laugh that sent chills down my spine. Vinnie's father just watched shaking his head until he finally looked at me, "I have faith he will change, you my dear are worth it to him. If Lawson wasn't around everything would have been better," he left me there watching his soon jump and goof off with North, Muller, and Lawson making all kinds of chaos.

Then he was getting into Lawson's car, half his body hanging out howling into the night. "If we hadn't taken us to the next level, I leave him but we have invested so much," I whispered to Peggy who put her arm around me.

"Scare him,"

So, while I was nearly in bed the phone rang and my heart jumped knowing it was him, he never failed to call. My hand clasped the receiver, "I got it," was called so my parents wouldn't answer.

I answered, "Monroe residence, Elizabeth speaking,"

"Dollface-" I cut him off.

"We need a break Vinnie,"

"No," his tone dangerous.

"Yes, you have no say. Have a good night," I hung up, I prayed right before bed every night and tonight was no different.

On my knees, my head bent, "Dear Lord, please give Vinnie the strength and desire to leave the gang. Give him your love and guidance to do what is right, you brought us together and we created a child now help him,"

My parents knew we decided I was keeping the baby, and after this term going to a girls school then coming home after I had our child. My parents disappointed but a strong support system, Peggy and I would go together so it wouldn't bring to much attention. My father said when I had the baby and went back to my normal school a nanny would watch the baby, so I could make a future for us. I never told him the name of the person, just what he needed to know.

"Lord please, amen,"