Imogen

Sexy, but classy. That was the style of dress Imogen chose to wear for the gala. It wasn't too short, and still appropriate for the event, but had a neckline that had enough plunge to make her boyfriend demand for her to cover up. And since they had a big blow up before the gala and he wasn't attending due to his work, she proudly put the white dress on paired with black heels. Something in her made Imogen want to show up with as much confidence as possible. Maybe it was because she lacked a "real" job and wanted to seem professional or maybe it was the idea that she'd be in a room full of old classmates and she needed to "dress to impress."

Either way, Imogen wanted to make a grand entrance, even if it was just a dinner in the gymnasium and presentations in the halls and classrooms. It was much like a high school reunion, where you catchup. brag and boast about your family, job and discuss who ended up the hottest. Imogen was hoping to get her mind off of her dad and the fight with Lucas. The last few months, as her father's condition had hit a downward spiral, her afternoons were spent at the nursing home where her father was taken care of by wonderful caretakers. But it became emotionally draining for Imogen to see her father and have to reintroduce herself each visit. With every passing day, it seemed like he was loosing a piece himself, and soon the inevitable would happen.

Imogen arrived at the Degrassi Gala, trying not to think about her father for just that night and enjoying the evening at her old school with old friends. She brought her painting presentation, setting it up in an empty class room and she could already hear the bustling and mingling of the people in the gym. She needed to get in there and join the fun.

Imogen strutted down the hall in her heels to the familiar gym doors. She opened them to see an already crowded room, filled with students and faculty new and old. Right away an ex girlfriend caught her eye, but not that ex girlfriend. It was Jack Jones, her rebound, messy and complicated ex whom she ended up staying somewhat friends with.

"Oh my god! Imogen!" Jack squealed running up to the brunette. "You're here!"

Imogen was suddenly collided into a big hug from Jack, arms open and flung around her back.

"Here I am." Imogen strained her mouth and cheeks up into a tight, forced grin as she wrapped arms around Jack, squeezing their bodies.

Jack pulled away, her red lipped smile wide and toothy, before placing a kiss on Imogen's cheek.

"So excited for this Gala!" she clapped her hands together and did a tiny hop. "Ooh, we should get a drink!"

"Okay sure…"

Imogen's eyes drifted to the drink table near the back wall, but when she locked eyes with those certain blue ones, her entire world, the whole room—it became like a black whole, sucking everyone except the two women. she quickly turned her head back to Jack.

"Actually, you go ahead. I see Becky over there and I want to catch up with her," Imogen said, gesturing towards the blonde haired women dressed in a modest black dress chatting with Jenna Middleton.

"Can't wait to see your work later!" Jack beamed, dashing off to get a drink.

Imogen did a courtesy nod towards her friend, but instead of going over to talk to Becky, she ran to the bathroom.

Standing in front of the mirrors, Imogen held onto the edges of the sink as her heart beat raced and she tried catching her breath. Seeing so many old faces flooded so many memories she wished to forget and especially Fiona. Seeing her, made her think of a time before her father's mind went to another world. It was with Fiona when she came to accept her father's condition in twelve grade and it was Fiona who got her through it all. Having her dad in the worst he's ever been, but seeing her ex, all happy and successful—it made her feel envious.

Like why couldn't her life turn out so wonderful? Why did she have to be the one who got the shitty life? Sure, she had a great boyfriend, and a place to live, even if it was falling apart, but Imogen didn't feel fulfilled or satisfied. She didn't have a big money making career. She wasn't producing films like Eli, or publishing novels like Clare. All she did was take photos and paint while she waited for Lucas to get home from work. And yes, while she could go and get a 9-5, the thought of slaving away for a corporation who didn't give two shits about their employees may as well be worse than her current situation.

Imogen sighed as she glared at her reflection, the knuckles on her hands turning white from gripping the sink. She shut her eyes, picturing her father and what advice he would give. His deep, but comforting voice filled her ears. She could hear him tell her that everything would all work out and her confidence and unique personality could get her anywhere.

Imogen's eyes pooled with tears at the thought that even if she did get somewhere and do accomplish things, her father wouldn't be around to be proud of her, or at least his mind wouldn't even be able to recognize any of it. She wanted to get married and have her father walk her down the aisle, have him meet her kids and be able to recall and remember their names. But that image, that expectation, it wasn't happening.

Imogen was mid splashing water on her face when she heard someone announcing in the gym.

"Who's ready to get this gala and auction started?" The young voice boomed through a microphone, followed by clapping.

"Shit?! How long was I in here for?"

Imogen frantically pulled a piece of paper towel from the dispenser, wiping her dripping face before she ran out of the bathroom. Peeking through the gym doors, she saw that dinner was just getting served so she carefully opened the door as to not have heads turned her head way. But as she opened the door, her heel got caught on the way in and her body came tumbling forward. Miraculously, only one person noticed and of course that one person had to be none other than Miss Coyne herself.

"Woah, are you alright?" Fiona said in low voice as to not garner anymore attention.

Thank God cause that was embarrassing.

Imogen stood up from her knees, brushing down her dress and adjusting the high heel that had slipped off her foot. The nerves in her stomach and the stress in her veins miraculously vanished.

"Do you wanna skip this?" Imogen asked Fiona out of blue.

Fiona opened her mouth, but only made a throat sound at first. Her face was washed with a mix of shock and confusion.

"Imogen, I—you haven't talked to me in years and…what about our presentations?"

Imogen could see a panic in those blue eyes and, but she was oddly calm and sure of her question.

"I didn't mean the whole thing, just the dinner," she clarified, scanning the gym to see if anyone was looking.

Everyone was deep into their lobster and salad and the auctioning had started. Imogen wasn't hungry anyway, and she needed to escape for a bit.

"Where are we going?" Fiona asked when Imogen started to pull on her wrist, leading her out of Degrassi.

"To see my dad."

Imogen walked swiftly and with long strides to her car as a puzzled Fiona followed behind.

"I want to see if he remembers you," Imogen said, opening the passenger door for her ex.

She stood in the parking lot with the one hand on the door, eyes locked on Fiona.

"You in or not?"