LOVE BEYOND LESSONS (A Teacher and Student Romance)

XXII - BI. SURPRISES OF ALL SORT

My friends are keeping me company most of the time since what happened to Benjamin. Today we decided to go downtown to do shopping for the Christmas Ball. I asked Rob whether he was going to the ball, and he said he will, which excites me even more. He also said he would check his wardrobe because he thinks his clothes are dull. Benjamin did not bother me for these past few days now and I am so glad, I hope he really stop. I am at our doorway waiting for Missy when the mailman arrived, he saw me and approached me
"For Elizabeth Reed" he said, I nodded and he gave me a red envelope. I said my thanks and he went to the next door, I opened it and it is a Christmas Card that when you open it, it started to play the music, I frowned who knows Christmas Cards like this are still in existence I read the letter

My Elizabeth,
I know you hate me so much and I know what I did is something I will regret for the rest of my life. I will not get tired of asking forgiveness to you, and you will always be my baby girl. You should know that wherever I am my love for you doesn't change, I can't wait the day you will be so successful and I hope I can see that one day. Merry Christmas Eli, and you always take care
With much love,
Your Mother

I stared at the letter my mom gave to me, I don't know if I will believe in every words she said in the letter, how can I forgive her if all my life I had been raise with a lie? I took the letter and place it to the drawer, I saw the letter my mom gave the day she left the house, I stared at it thinking if today is the right time to open it, but then I heard Missy's car so I closed the drawer and went out to meet my friends. 
"So what look are we going to do for the ball?" Ash said as we drive through the mall
"I wanted to look gothic or something along that theme" Missy said
"Are you for real Missy? You always go to the princess vibe theme" Ash turned to me 
"Hmm I don't know I think I wanted to do differently as well, it's been always ball gown" I brushed my fingers in my chin
"Yeah me too, but I am deciding if I go to the usual or be preppy" Ash waved her hands

We went to the first store but I really don't like anything from it, to be honest I can always borrow from Missy, but they both insist that we need a change of looks, since this may be our last Christmas ball together. On the second store I tried a few but there's nothing I really wanted.
"This is so hard" Ash complained, I rolled my eyes to her but agreed as well
"I swear if I can't choose any, I will still borrow from Missy" I  said
"Ok girls this is the last store, so let's wish everybody good luck!" Missy said
Ash stopped us from entering
"What?!" Missy and I both said
"Let's make a deal, we are going to look for our dresses separately, I mean we will not let each other see our dresses until the ball?" She looked at us like she have the greatest idea
"Absurd" Missy groaned
"Think about this maybe the reason we can't choose is because we have lots of ideas and critics to each others choice, so why not we choose what we want without asking any comments from each other?" She grinned at us
"Ok fine, deal" I finally said, because I really wanted to get this done
"Yeah whatever Ash" Missy waved her hands
We entered the store and looked at the dresses that we wanted, the sales associate that was assigned to me was very friendly
"Well, you have an hour glass shape to die for, so why not try this? It's a little bit daring, but you mentioned earlier you wanted to try something so can you give it a try?" She told me at the third dress she was holding
"Isn't it too much?" I asked her taking the dress
"No, just try it ok?" Then she pushed me through the dressing room
I looked at the dress, it's a little bit daring for my style but then I tried it on, I looked at myself in the mirror and I was surprised how perfect the dress look in to me, the sales associate knock on my door and I opened it
"Wow you look divine!" She squeals then she went inside and held my hair
"You should style your hair updo so that this part will be highlighted" she runs her hands at my shoulder area
"You can use a drop down earrings as an accessories that's all because your face is your best asset and of course this body" she chuckled as I blush
"So what do you think?" She ask
"You know this is not my usual style but I think I find my dress" I smile at her, she nods and went out for me to change
I also bought a pair of shoes and the earrings that the sales associate recommended, good thing John keep sending me allowance which I really don't touch until today
I waited for another hour for Missy and Ash to be finished
"I told you it worked!" Ash winked at us
"Okay now that's done, can we grab a bite, I'm hungry" Missy said
We went to the nearby restaurant as our feet are really tired from all those walking. Our waitress got an order and we started telling how excited we were for the ball, to be honest I've never been this excited because for the past two years I was locked on my own bubble that I missed having fun.