I woke up the next morning and felt as miserable as ever. I was pretty sure that last night it hit me that I would never see my father again. I would never have a life again. But this was my decision. I made a promise.
I got up and opened the curtains. It was dawn. The sun was coming up from behind the mountains.
My stomach growled and I turned to the water and crackers that were still on my nightstand. I walked over to them and took a sip of water. I scrunched my face. It was warm. I wanted something better than crackers so I opened the door and stopped short. I looked down and saw a simple red rose on top of a suitcase and a note.
I dragged the suitcase into my room and read the note.
It read: Belle, here are some clothes and here's a rose. Meet me downstairs when you're ready. From Chris.
I put the rose and the note aside. I unzipped the suitcase and found a green dress and black leggings. I also found some bras and underwear.
I walked into the bathroom in my room and showered. The hot water felt so good on my body. Once I was done thoroughly washing my hair and body, I got out and quickly dried off.
I slipped into my new underwear and strapped on my new bra. I put on the green dress and leggings. I braided my hair and put my blue ribbon in it. Then I picked up the rose and put it in the cup of water.
I smiled and opened the door. I rushed downstairs and Chandler was waiting for me at the end of the stairs.
He smiled and offered his hand.
I took it and gave him a confused look.
He handed me a rose.
"What is this?" I asked and laughed a little.
Chandler didn't respond. He led me to the living room where Clogs was there with another rose.
Clogs handed me his rose. Then he took my other arm.
Clogs, Chandler, and I all walked arm in arm. "Seriously guys, what is going on?" I asked.
Clogs led me from the living room and when I walked through the doors the place was full of roses. Some were in vases, others carpeted the floor. Rose petals were laid out in front of us and Chris was at the end of the room. He was wearing a tux. He had a single rose in his hand and he smiled at me.
Clogs and Chandler let go of my arms once I was in front of Chris.
"Belle, will you allow me to escort you to the Prom?" asked Chris.
I felt tears spring to my eyes. This was the nicest thing someone had ever done for me. He really did listen to me when I talked last night. I smiled and nodded. "Yes, yes," I said and I hugged Chris. "Thank you," I whispered to him.
He hugged me back and I could feel him smiling into my shoulder.
"The dance is tonight at seven. We'll have a big dinner first," said Chris.
"I don't have a dress," I said.
"Check your room," he said and winked.
I smiled and rushed out of the rose covered room and rushed up the stairs into my room. Hanging up on the closet door was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.
It was light yellow with a heart shaped neckline. There was a silver brooch just below the bodice. The bottom half of the dress had ruffles. This dress was perfect.
Mrs. Kettle walked in and smiled. "Do you like it?" she asked.
"It's perfect," I said.
"We have a lot to do. First get back into bed and eat this breakfast. You need some rest before tonight," said Mrs. Kettle.
"I can't rest now. I'm too excited," I said.
"Get in bed," commanded Mrs. Kettle.
I nodded and climbed into bed. Mrs. Kettle put a tray on my lap. There were pancakes and fruit and orange juice. My stomach growled and I dug in.
"After you sleep for a few more hours, we will begin all of the fun stuff. Hair, nails, jewelry," said Mrs. Kettle and she clapped her hands together.
I smiled and continued to eat everything off of my plate. I drank all of my orange juice and Mrs. Kettle took the tray then closed my curtains.
I didn't think I would be able to sleep. But I surprisingly did. When I woke up a few hours later I was all excited again. I looked at the clock. It was ten.
Mrs. Kettle knocked on the door and walked in.
"Oh good you're up," she said.
"What's first?" I asked.
"Nails," said Mrs. Kettle she brought in a makeup bag full of nail polish. She sat me in a chair and put my fingernails and toenails in water. Then she gave me a full on mani-pedi. She painted my fingers with French tips. My toenails were soft pink.
She moved on to my hair. She took it out of the braid and blew it dry. Then she curled and pinned and hair sprayed it. Then she moved on to my makeup. She started with my foundation and then put on my eyeliner and put yellow eye shadow on my eyes. She put pink lipstick on my lips and curled my eyelashes and put mascara on them. She finished my face with some blush then she spun me around so that I faced the mirror.
I gasped a little. I looked beautiful. My hair was curled and some of it was pinned up on a small bun.
"Let's get you into your dress," smiled Mrs. Kettle.
I looked over at the time. It was almost six. Time flew by in an instant.
I stood up and undressed then I stepped into the beautiful dress. Mrs. Kettle zipped it up in the back and it fit me perfectly.
"Here," said Mrs. Kettle and she put a gold necklace around my neck. She also placed a small gold ring around my bun in my hair. "Perfect." I smiled and slipped my feet into gold heels.
I stood and spun around. It was perfect and magical. Mrs. Kettle smiled and I hugged her. "Thank you," I said.
"You look beautiful. My Belle," Mrs. Kettle complimented.
I smiled and let go of her.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
I nodded.
"I just hope the boys managed to follow my recipe exactly," said Mrs. Kettle with a laugh.
I giggled.
"Let's go dear," she said and opened the door. I picked up my dress at one side so that I wouldn't trip.
I descended the stairs. Chris was there at the bottom wearing the same tux he wore earlier today.
He smiled when he saw me and his blue eyes grew wide. I smiled and felt myself blush a little.
I stopped in front of him and he cleared his throat. "Y-you look beautiful," he said.
I laughed a little and looked down. "Thanks," I said. "You don't look so bad yourself."
He laughed and took a red rose corsage out from behind him. He opened it and I held up my wrist. He took my hand and slipped the corsage on.
Mrs. Kettle came up behind me and handed me a red rose boutonniere. I pinned it to Chris's tux and we smiled. He offered his arm and I took it. We walked into the dining room and the table was set for two people. Chris pulled out my chair and I sat down.
He sat across from me and we were served ham and potatoes and all sorts of vegetables. Chandler and Clogs looked at me and waited for me to take a bite. I did and gave them a thumbs up. They seemed to sigh with relief and I laughed.
Chris and I ate and shared stories. We laughed with each other and I couldn't stop smiling.
Once we were done eating I heard music. It wasn't your typical pop music that you hear at the prom dances. It was classic music like what they played at royal balls and such.
I got up and walked over to Chris. I pulled him out of his seat and he looked confused.
"Belle, I-I can't dance," he said.
"I'll show you," I said and we walked into the small ballroom.
Chandler, Clogs, and Mrs. Kettle hovered in the doorway.
I took Chris's hand and put it on my waist. Then I took his other hand in mine and I put my other hand on his shoulder.
"I'll lead first, then you take over once you get it," I said.
We started to dance and it was rough at first. He was careful not to step on my dress or feet. I could feel him starting to lead me now. I let him and we glided across the dance floor. He would spin me around and I would laugh.
I put my head on his chest as we danced and I felt safe. He made me feel safe and beautiful and perfect.
The lights in the room slowly became dimmer and I noticed that Chandler and the others were no longer lingering.
Chris and I stopped dancing and he led me to the balcony for some air. We walked outside and the cold air felt good. It was getting hot from all the dancing. It was a cloudless night. The stars were shining brightly and the moon glowed softly.
We sat on a bench and I looked out at the night sky but I could feel Chris looking at me.
"Belle," he said.
I turned to him.
"Do you…do you like it here? With me?" he asked.
"Yes. I do. I really truly do. I just wish that I could see my dad again. Even if it's just to tell him that I'm going to be okay," I said and looked down.
Chris looked down. "Let's do it."
"What?" I asked.
"Let's go tell him that you are okay," said Chris.
"Now?" I asked.
He nodded and gave me a small smile.
I beamed and threw my arms around Chris. "Thank you so much. No one has ever done anything like this for me."
"Go on and change," he said.
I nodded and rushed back inside and up to my room.
I unzipped my dress and hung it back up on the hanger. Then I got out a blue dress and leggings. I put on my boots and took off the gold necklace and the gold ring around my bun. I took the pins out of my hair and the bun fell in curly waves of hair. I pulled my curls back into a low pony and tied my blue ribbon in my hair.
I rushed downstairs and Chris was waiting for me with a helmet under his arm. I grabbed my helmet and we walked outside towards a snowmobile.
I put on my helmet and climbed onto the back of the snowmobile behind Chris. He started the engine and we were off. I pointed him towards our house. It looked like no one was home. I got off of the snowmobile and took off my helmet.
"I think it would be best if you stayed here," I said to Chris.
He nodded.
I walked up to the house and got the key out from under the mat. I unlocked the door and walked in.
"Dad?" I called.
There was no answer.
"Daddy?" I called again. I ran upstairs into his room. He wasn't there. I searched the entire house. He wasn't there.
I heard something coming from the other room.
"Hello?" I called. "Dad is that you?"
I walked into the other room and looked for whoever made a noise.
Suddenly a flashlight was shone in my face. I squinted and put my hand up.
"Belle?" asked the person behind the flashlight. His voice sounded familiar.
"Who are you? Where is my father?" I demanded.
"Izabelle Oliver is back I repeat Izabelle Oliver is alive and with me right now," said the person. He walked forward and I saw a familiar face I had almost all but forgotten about. It was Kevin.
"Kevin?" I asked.
"Good to see you again sweet cheeks," he said and took me by the arm.
"Where is my dad?" I asked.
Kevin started pulling me towards the door. "The hospital. He was admitted for being a total lunatic," said Kevin nonchalantly.
"What?" I asked and ripped my arm out of his grip.
"Belle, I have to take you to the station. We have a lot of questions for you," said Kevin.
"No, I'm not going anywhere with you. Chris and I are going to the hospital to see my father. He's not crazy," I said.
"Chris? Chris who?" he asked.
I walked out the front door and ran down the steps but I stopped short. The snowmobile was gone and so was Chris.
