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.
"Eli!" Someone called my name, we all looked at the direction of that voice. I turned around and saw Daisy looking at me and waving, she have shopping bags on her hands
"Who is that?" Ash asked me as Daisy approached us
"Hello Eli, it's nice to see you again" I stand up to shake her hands but she pulled me into a hug
"Hello Mrs. Bailey" I answered
"I told you it's Daisy" she laughed and titled her head, then she got it
"These are my friends, we are all students of Mr. Bailey" I told her, she nods and looked at them again
"Hello girls I'm Mrs. Daisy Bailey the mother of Robert Bailey" she said
"I'm Missy" Missy held her hands and Daisy take it
"I'm Ash" she held her hands as well
"Are you alone Mrs. Bailey?" I looked behind her hoping she's really alone the last thing I wanted right now is my friends observing us, most especially Missy
"Unfortunately yes darling" she sighed
"You can join us!" Ash suddenly blurted out, Missy nudged her
"Uhm sorry Mrs. Bailey" Ash hushed
"Oh it's nothing, I would love to join you girls! So that I can feel young again!" We both sat down she called the waiter and told her order, Missy and Ash are looking at her.
"So what you've been doing?" She turned to look at us
"We went shopping for dresses for the Christmas Ball" Ash replied, I looked at her why can she talk to Daisy so fine and normal but she can't when it comes to Rob
"Oh, so Rob is telling the truth then, what kind of ball is this one" she shrugged her shoulders
"It is the annual Christmas Ball that our friend's parents held for the community, it's their way to give back for all the blessings they received, it's been their family tradition I think" Missy calmly answered
"Alright then I need to accept that Rob will not be celebrating Christmas with us, well ball or without ball I know he wouldn't with his girlfriend.." I froze as Daisy stopped
"Forget I told that, he is a very private person" she chuckled
"So he really have a girlfriend?" Ash said, her mouth opened, Missy nudged her again
"Sorry Mrs. Bailey if our friend is nosy" Missy looked at her apologetically
"No worries, I got that all the time, I remember when he is in high school, girls come to our house to check on him, it irritated him" Daisy laughed at the memory
"Girls at school will be heartbroken" Ash muttered
"Why are you planning to tell the whole school?" Daisy asked her
"No Mrs. Bailey of course not!"Ash answered quickly, I can see the reaction of Missy if she can disown a friend she will definitely disown Ash right now
"So what brings you here Mrs. Bailey?" Missy asked
"Well you know I wanted Rob, your teacher to spend Christmas with us so I tried to persuade him but he told me about this ball and all, at first I thought that was all just an alibi" she looked at Missy and smile
"You know he can be stubborn sometimes" Daisy turned and nudged at me, I just smile
Our order arrived and Daisy started to asked us what are plans after high school, she was impressed at Missy going to Harvard, she mentioned that was her dream school but she was not accepted, so she went to study at NYU, which where Missy's brother is studying. Ash was a chatter, she would joke at Daisy and share some stories as well
"And you know what Mrs. Bailey there this one time Mr. Bailey was recorded and all of the girls fell in love with him" she chuckled
"Really?! I hope I was able to saw that video" she waved her hands
"Hold on I think I still have it" Ash pulled her cellphone and show it to Daisy, she gave her phone to Daisy as she watched the video, I don't need to look at the video because I know it is the video during Benjamin's presentation, I can hear Rob's voice in it
"That was something" she turned to looked at me but I avoided her gaze, she then returned Ash's phone, they continued talking and I was just smiling at them, clearly it's so hard to act normal if you are with your boyfriend's mother with your friends who are completely unaware
"It was so nice meeting you girls!" Daisy said to all of us
"It was nice meeting you too Mrs. Bailey" Missy kissed her cheeks
"The pleasure is mine Mrs. Bailey" Ash do the same as well
"Take care Mrs. Bailey" I said, she then pulled me and give me a hug
"You take care too Eli, Merry Christmas" she said then she released me
"Eli, how did you and Mrs. Bailey meet?" Ash said once Daisy was out of earshot, we are walking towards Missy's car
"There is one time during my detention, His mother came at school, that's how" I lied, I know that they are going to ask about it and I already rehearsed this alibi
"She's a lovely lady" Missy commented
"She sure does" Ash said as we climbed inside Missy's car
"And that's lead to you" Missy looked at Ash as she starts her car
"What about me?" She asked
"You were so talkative with her" Missy laughed
"I can't help it Missy, because I feel like if I talked to his mother, then I can get to know Mr. Bailey even more" she pouted
"But you can't talk straight english with him" Missy teased
"Thanks for reminding" Ash rolled her eyes
"Well you heard her he has a girlfriend" Missy stared at me at the rear view mirror, I gave her a weak smile
"I know, I know but still you can't help it. Mr. Bailey is drop dead gorgeous" then Ash turned to me
"You've been silent the whole time" she asked
"I'm just not feeling well, all these shopping exhaust me" I joked leaning my back on the seat
"I know right and they say that shopping is a therapy" Missy laughed
We dropped our things at Alice house, since we are going to prepare there. Alice's style changed drastically since she dated Tyler, and it suits her well. The joy her family felt when Alice introduced Tyler as her boyfriend was amazing. We stayed a little while just admiring how big their house it, their house have a huge lawn, perfect for hosting a big party. The entrance of their home is elegant, Alice's family is well known to be rich in the community but they are one of the most humble family I had ever known.
"So we decided we are not going to show each other dresses until the ball" Ash winked at Alice
"Okay, promise these bags are safe" she laughed.
"Sorry Eli, I can't come tonight" she said
"It's alright Alice, I know you guys need to do what you need to do" I hugged her
"Okay we have to go, the two boys are already at Eli's house" Missy said
"Bye Alice!" Ash waved
When we reached our home as expected Jayson and Tyler are already there, I gave the combination of my lock earlier so that they can just go inside. We all agreed that they will be staying at our house for a night. We went down and entered my house and I smell something is burning
"What's that?" I asked alarmed, and went to the kitchen immediately, which is full of smoke
"Uhm that Eli, we are trying to make a meal as a surprise" Jayson mumbled
"And it did not work" Missy said, she was trying her best not to laugh
"Good thing Alice is not here, she will taunt me forever" Tyler scratch his head
"Okay that's it I guess pizza again for tonight?" I announced
"Sorry girls" Jayson said, then someone knocks on the door
"Delivery for Eli Reed?" A pizza delivery man in his uniform knocked, everybody froze
"Did you order pizza Eli?" Tyler asked me
"No I was about to" I shake my head
"Here let me check it out" Jayson went to our front door, my phone buzzes and I checked on it
Rob: I delivered pizza on your place, you guys enjoy and take care, I love you
"Uhm Jayson, it's safe" I told them
"You sure?" He turned his head on me
"Yeah, it was from Mrs. Geoff as an early gift for Christmas" I lied
"Ok good! Because I am starving!" Tyler said getting the boxes from the delivery man
I smiled and text back Rob, thanking him for saving our dinner, I looked ahead and I noticed Missy was looking at me, I gave her the thumbs up, and she smiled back, but I know she wanted to say something to me.
Rob's POV
After I texted Eli's about the pizza I send them my phone buzzed immediately , I smiled thinking about Eli's reply but as I read her message I was surprised that Benjamin sent me an email. Eli mentioned she never received any thing from him, which is a relief and I just hope he will never bother her again. I clicked on his email, the email don't have any pictures or what it is just a stupid email from him, the email goes...
Robert Bailey
So how's my favorite teacher? Don't go on gloating that you have Eli, let me see if the smug face of yours is still there if I have her, I never thought she smells so good, I must admit your are one lucky son of a bitch but not too long, remember I can still go and report you – anonymously.
Benjamin
I looked at the email, and the more I read it the more pathetic it is, I don't know why did he send me like this, he knows that I don't care anymore, I tapped the delete button deciding I will not tell this to Eli, she have too many in her plate right now. My door bell rings I check the time it's already seven in the evening, did Eli ditched her friends and come to see me? I smiled at the thought, I hurriedly opened the door and I froze it was not Eli, it is Marie.
"How did you find me?" I asked her. She looked at me, her face was dirty, her sweater is ripped, she have dark circles around her eyes, she have bruises all around her face and have a black eye
"Aren't you glad to see me?" She laughed, I pulled her inside then locked the door
"How did you find me?" I asked again, she looked around my house before turning her face to me
"I checked your profile online, well you don't usually update it then I called Travis" she answered. Travis is my best friend, and I swear I am going to beat his ass, he knows I am with Eli now, why does he need to give my address to Marie.
"Don't be mad at Travis, I told him that I just wanted to talk to you, he almost did not give it" she added
"What are you doing here?" I asked her again, then all of the sudden she hugged me, I yanked my self away from her
"What's wrong? Didn't you miss me?" she looked at me
"Marie we ended up years ago, so please stop bothering me" I snapped
"And that was my biggest mistake Rob" she slumped and cried. If these was three years ago then I would go and hug her and tell her that everything is alright, but everything changed, it is not the same anymore.
"I tried to find you Rob, I looked online the last time I heard you left New Jersey to become a teacher in South Carolina, I should have listened to you, I should have left Dave for you, can we start all over again? Just you and me like what we have planned, like what we wanted" she looked at me, she have the same chocolate brown eyes with Eli's.
"That's not possible anymore Marie" I looked at her
"Why not?" She demanded
"I am already with someone" I stared at her, she gasped and look around the house
"That's okay you always come back to me anyways, so this fling of yours is she pretty?" Marie chuckled.
"She's more than that Marie, and we are pretty serious" I sternly said
"But you're alone" she commented
"She's currently at her house spending the night with her friends" I sat at the couch she followed behind
"Do you love this person?" She knelt in front of me
"So much" I whispered, I heard her sob
"I am too late now then, I should leave" she stand I grabbed her wrist, she seemed surprised by it
"Clean yourself up, and have dinner, I'll prepare the couch for you, you can leave tomorrow" I said, I don't have feelings for her anymore, but I think I can't just let her leave with her state right now. I went to my room to check for my old clothes that she can use as I lead Marie into the bathroom then I went down to make the couch, I checked what can I offer for her and I made her chicken soup. The food was ready when Marie went down after her bath. She looked clean now, I gaze upon her and I can see how thin she is, her eyes and cheeks were sunken, and I can see the bruises all around her
"Do Dave still beats you?" I asked, she nodded
"That mother fucker never changed" I scowl, then I pulled the chair for her so that she can eat
"I'm going to bed, after you eat just place the dishes in the sink, I already made the couch for you. Tomorrow we leave, will find a shelter for you" I told her, then I left her going up to my room.