Chapter 14

Class was finally over and we were finished with today's lessons, so Fabian and I grabbed our stuff from our lockers. Mara was nowhere to be seen, which was a bit odd, but I brushed it off.

Fabian: So, Nina, are you still up for tonight?

Nina: Tonight? What's going on tonight?

Fabian: The party, remember? We were going to go together, but-

Nina: Oh, right! I'm sorry; it's just been a long day. Ya, we're still on… I mean, if you still want to go-

Fabian: Ya, I'm in. So, I'll see you tonight.

Nina: Alright, see ya.

We parted ways and I suddenly felt excited. Fabian asked me to go to a party with him. I was so in to my thoughts, I didn't notice Joy and Patricia coming up behind me until I felt them shove me against the wall. Patricia held me still while Joy spoke.

Joy: Aw, little Nina thinks that she's going to the party with Fabian. How adorable. Do you really think I don't see what you're doing? Leave Fabian alone.

Nina: Is that a threat?

Joy: Do you really want to start this again? Look here, you tramp, Fabian deserves better than the likes of you. He deserves the best: me. So, keep off of him or else.

Nina: And what makes you think I give a damn about your approval?

She leaned closer to me and hissed harshly at me.

Joy: Mother will hear about this. All of it. Your life is over.

She stormed off, strutting out the door. Patricia slightly loosened her grip on me.

Patricia: Look, we're not friends or anything close like that but… I need your help.

Nina: You what?

Patricia: Don't make me repeat it, ok?

Nina: Ya, sorry. Why do you need my help?

Patricia dropped her grip and let me move a bit.

Patricia: Do you know if Eddie is going to the party tonight?

Nina: Eddie Miller?

Patricia: Ya, the slime ball.

Nina: Um… I'm not sure, but I have a hunch that he'll be going, since Fabian, Mick and Alfie promised to come.

She nodded and thought for a moment.

Patricia: Nina, look, I… I like Eddie. I don't know how or why, but I do. What should I do about it?

Nina: You're asking the wrong girl for dating advice. Why don't you ask Joy or-

Patricia: I can't tell Joy about it. You know how she is. She'd never let me hear the end of it.

I nodded, knowing how she would feel.

Patricia: Besides, you've got Fabian wrapped around your finger. He likes you. No, correction, he loves you. How can I get Eddie like that?

Nina: Ok, first of all, Fabian and I are just friends. Secondly, each guy is different. You don't need to change yourself for Eddie to like you. He's already there. He's just too prideful to admit it, so you'll have to make the first move.

Patricia: The first move?

Nina: Ya, ask him to dance-

Patricia: Slow your role there, Nina. I don't dance.

Nina: Oh, ok. Just do something simultaneous. Make it meaningful, but surprising. 'Follow your heart and never think anything through. Trust me; love isn't something you can plan out. It's spontaneous. Go to that party tonight and tell him then. Just figure out the right time to blurt it out.'

Patricia nodded her head and smiled at me.

Patricia: Ok. I'll do something. Thanks Nina. I really appreciate it.

Nina: Any time.

She started to walk away when she turned on her heels and looked me over.

Patricia: I- I don't understand one thing though.

Nina: What's up?

Patricia: How do you stand Joy and me every day, all our insults and bullying? How do you live with it and, yet, you still help me out?

I shrugged and gave her a sad smile.

Nina: I don't know. I don't trust people, but I'm forgiving. Sad, isn't it?

Patricia didn't answer my question, giving me a sympathetic look.

Patricia: I'm sorry about everything we do to you and what we put you through. You're a great person. I'll see you tonight, ya?

Nina: Ya. Later.

With that, she left the building. A smile formed upon my lips as I followed her out. I walked home with a better mood than I had started the day off with. I went to my room and sprawled out on the bed with happiness. Today went well. 'Follow your heart and never think anything through. Trust me; love isn't something you can plan out. It's spontaneous. Go to that party tonight and tell him then. Just figure out the right time to blurt it out.' The party! I hurried to my closet and looked through. There's nothing I can wear that would look decent. I sat on my bed and started to think. What's there to wear? All I have are tattered jeans, old riding shirts, and dusty sneakers. They'll never do. I sighed and sat on the floor with my head in my hands. What do I do now? There was a knock on the door, but I didn't even bother to answer. The door opened, footsteps flooded into the room, and door closed behind the eager faces of Mara, Amber, and KT. Each person held their hands behind their back had smiles were plastered across their faces.

Nina: Why are you guys so happy?

Amber pulled out a makeup kit, KT pulled out a can of bobby pins and a bottle of hair spray, and Mara pulled out a gorgeous dress. It was a peachy color with a lacy pattern on the strapless bodice. It flowed swiftly, short in the front and long in the back. I gasped and slowly rose from the ground. The girls smiled at me and neared me.

Mara: You shall go to the ball, Cinderella. And instead of one fairy god mother, you have three.

Nina: No way.

Amber: Yes way! Now, get dressed so we can work on your image. You're gonna blow Fabian away.

KT: That's a promise.

With that, they got to work.