I was glad we passed the first course meal, like usual they had Mel State Gala father and daughter dance. I unwillingly was going to go up but Rachel took the honor to save me from the awkwardness. My father was probably more appreciative that it was Rachel.
She knew the right things to say to make them happy. She wouldn't argue, she wouldn't say no when they wanted her to say yes. I was the only time she refused them was for her and Adam's marriage.
After a brief exchange with Demi, Joe pulled her out to dance, so I went over to the bar and treated myself to a cocktail.
"Didn't think you'd even show up," I turned around to see Conner come over to me with a champagne in his hand.
"Hmm, and why's that?" I grimaced turning around from the bar to him, "Because you ditched me last time perhaps?"
He chuckles, "Well I saw that you left with Mr. Jonas there... so I assumed."
"He has a girlfriend!" I slapped him in the arm, that reminded me to glance at the dance floor where I visibly saw Olivia's arm entangled around Nick's neck as they danced. Occasionally I'd see him glance over at my table during dinner, but after a while I realized he stopped. I sighed and turned back to Conner.
"Hey it was a good thing I left that night though," Conner had a cheeky smile as he reached behind himself.
"Not regretting ditching me eh?" I gave a sardonic offended scoff.
He laughs, "No... I do regret that but I want you to see this. Tell me it's perfect?" His arm comes forward with a small ruby red box, that opened to a heart shaped ring.
"Oh my gosh!" I gasped, bringing my hands to my lips, "This is beautiful dude!"
He jokes, pretending to kneel on a knee to me. And in an occasion like this where the entire town is practically present, like hell no you do not want the attention. A few people passing by were gasping and began to whisper, I quickly got him on the elbows before his knee met with the floor. And a grin escaped his lips with a laugh.
"Oh my god, you scared me," I shoved him hardly on the arm, "Who is that lucky lady?"
"Remember the girl I told you about from the party last time?" he smiles genuinely.
"Yea--oh my god, things progressed like that fast?" I jumped, popping my eyes, "Like you know it? Your parent's will freak!" I laughed already imagining his parent's reaction.
"Yea, I was thinking of eloping," he jokes.
"I hope she says yes," I said, I was truly happy that another person found their other half while I was in doubts of mine. I jumped him a hug, "Oh I'm so happy for you, I hope it works out."
He chuckles, hugging me back by the waist, "Thanks Sel, I hope you'll find your guy one day."
"Oh the line is just too long for me to choose from," I pulled away with a sigh jokingly. And he just chuckles, "But before I send you off to your wife, you owe me a dance for leaving me that night and it's probably our last dance after you get married."
He laughs, "It won't be last, but I wouldn't mind a dance with Ms. Gomez before her hunk boyfriend comes and forbids me to dance with you."
"Oh shut up," I laughed. We waited for a loud song to come on while we chatted a bit more about how he was going to propose and all that.
I'm barely in a real relationship, then there goes Conner. Meets somebody--like actually meet them and know them, for barely a month, believes that he is ready to commit into a lifetime relationship with her. What is this world?
I don't believe in happily ever after. This is reality, not a fairytale. Bad things happen, arguments and disagreements comes up after the happily ever after business. People divorce. People break up.
Nothing lasts forever. People would be stupid to believe in forever. And unfortunately a time in my lifespan of life I was selected to be one of the stupid believers in forever.
I glance to the dance floor and every so often I'd spot Nick take a peek over at us but quickly his attention would be brought back to Olivia to hide any suspiciousness. I wish I didn't come to this stupid gala. I hate these events anyways.
Conner frowned when they changed the song to another ball room dance song.
"C'mon, throw in a Lady Gaga at least," he complains taking another glass of Jack Daniels.
I giggle, bringing the glass of temptation to my lips, "Where is Lady Gaga anyways?"
"Probably hiding in Toronto or Vegas for some new inspiration," he glances over to the dance floor, "I give up, let's just dance to this one."
"But it's such a slow song," I frowned.
"Yea... but c'mon!" he dragged me over to the dance floor. And it would be way too pernicious for me to escape from there in front of many eyes that watched the dance floor.
I had no other options but to rest one hand on Conner's shoulder and the other in his hand. His shoulder was levelled with my nose, it was like reaching up the ladder for his shoulder. I could practically sleep on his chest if we didn't have a 4 inch gap between our bodies.
I took this chance to glance around the dance floor for Nick. I didn't see him and Olivia on the dance floor anymore, or perhaps they were on the further end of the dance floor. I was distracted when Conner called my name loudly.
"Ouii!" I answered.
"Ouii? Well, oui," he raised his eye brows and chuckle, "You seem preoccupied all evening Ms. Gomez."
"I-I was looking to see if there was a new target since you're off the market," I teased him.
He laughs jerking his head back, "I'm sure this ocean has other fishes."
Yea some that have had their bait is still hanging on the hook for some reason.
"One of a kind," I said, at mid-sentence I felt my body fall back by pressure. Conner took me by surprise with a dip, I was definitely not expecting that. Although when my head was merely touching the floor, I was able to take a glance around the ballroom.
First seeing the round tables that were accessorized by summer theme accents. But when my eyes shifted left I caught a glimpse of Olivia on Nick's lap at the Jonas's table, excessively lip macking on one another.
By the looks of his hands all over her, I was very sure at this point, his promise is a piece of garbage that can go into the delete box. Along with whatever jack shit he's ever said in the past three days.
When Conner brought me back up to eye level, I let go of him.
"C-Conner, I'm not feeling too great. I think I-I'm going to have to go soon," I was already stuttering as I used all the muscles I had to hold in the tears threatening to fall.
"Sel are you alright?" he asked, already feeling my forehead.
"Uhm, I feel stuffed, I-I think I'm going to head out," I turned away and began to walk off the dance floor, out the ballroom, into the lobby and finally found my way out the double doors to the exit where my tears spilled uncontrollably.
I heard Conner follow behind me out.
"Hey..." Conner's voice was caring, he was soft reaching out to my elbow and spun me around. He was a bit shock when he saw my face, "Selena what's wrong?"
"I-I Con-ner..." I continued to sob into the palm of my hands just before he pulled me into his chest, nurturing me like how he would to a baby.
He brushed my hair and softly hushed me to stop crying. I don't know why or how this effect actually helps. But quickly I was at ease again.
"Can you get Rachel for me? Don't m-make it obvious though," I warned him. The least I need was for the entire town to know the reason I'm crying.
I could easily fake a lie, but living in a town that gossip, the truth could easily be found. Second later I saw Rachel running out and hovering over me with a comforting hug. It was very familiar, almost motherly, it was better than my mother's touch. And I know that is almost impossible because it would be breaking every psychological phenomena.
Conner just stood there as I was sobbing into my sister's bare skin. He watched as I sobbed, she comforted.
"R-rach I did something r-really really terrible," I cried and cried, my breathing was going uneven again.
"Hey, Selly I'm sure whatever you did it could be turned around," she pouts wiping the tears off my cheek, which obviously just went into absorption through my pores.
This couldn't be turned around, this needed to end.
"It's really bad Rach..." my voice was squeaky when I cried and I hated it so bad, and I hated it even more that Conner is standing to watch this embarrassing phenomena of life happen.
"Hey, shh... we will you back you up girl," she brings me back into her arms as she soothed me probably like how she treats her sons.
As I took a big breath and open my eyes again, I see his footsteps get closer and closer from the doors. They were fast to race out here.
---
Sorry but seriously, where is lady gaga?! And like @goodforxyou said, ouii things are about to get real. Hope you are all ready for tomorrow's chapter, things are at high peak of this roller coaster soon.
Thanks for the comments! Love them, love ya'll!