Chapter 9: Party time

“Champagne breakfast!!!!” Jane screamed as she woke us up. I woke up groggy, wanting more sleep. “The boys are coming over today, to get ready together” Kenna said, smiling at her phone. “I have a sort of date tonight” I said. They all turned to me. “With who?” Kenna asked me. “Who do you think? Like I have a line of guys waiting. With Javier! We are getting a drink before the party” I responded. Rose squealed, “you need a good outfit then! Let's go shopping!” she said with her hands in the air.

“I have to get the house ready after school. Let's get some breakfast with a mimosa and then go to school. Let's meet up at mine at 7 to get ready together.” Jane said while gathering her things. We all got ready and I dressed in my favourite long skirt with a split all the way up, summer sandals and a crop top, showing just a cm of skin. “I'm going to see mom before school, you guys get breakfast. I'll see you in class!” I shouted before leaving my house, taking the bus to the hospital.

My mom still hadn't woken up. P was by her side every day, also busy arranging his things for the pub and they said it would be up and running in a week or so. The doctors were hopeful about mom and that gave me the positive spirit to go to school today. Apparently she's been healing quicker than normal, the burns rapidly healing, showing pink skin instead. She was even responding to some touches. I gave my mom kisses and hugs and P a big hug and walked to the bus stop to go to school. As I was waiting for the bus, I saw a black Maserati coming my way. Nope, I was not ready for this. I really wished I had taken those mimosas now to give me some courage. No Tris, don't say that, you have to stay away from the guy before you really crush.

I had an internal dialogue with myself, not even realising the black Maserati almost reached me and was slowing down. The window rolled down and there he was. Damon Hayes. He looked good with sunglasses on. Really good. “Good morning Beatrice,” he said, “want a ride?” I stared at him, pretty sure my mouth hung open a bit. “Hi Mr. Hayes. It's just Tris. And no, thanks. Don't worry about me.” “Please call me Damon. Hop in.” He said with authority that left no room for discussion. I hesitated. I took a step forward but was saved by the bell, when Kenna pulled up on the other side of the bus stop. “Tris!! Get in here right now, we saved you a mimosa!” Jane shouted. “Hi Mr. Hayes!!!” Rose called from behind Jane.

I looked at the girls and saw Kenna looking at Mr. Hayes, or Damon, with narrowed eyes. “I gotta go. Thanks for the offer. See you.” I hurriedly said and walked away. Of course the wind had to blow precisely inside the split of my long skirt, blowing it half up. My legs were on full show and Jane whistled. I heard a groan behind me and when I looked behind me at the black Maserati, I found him staring at me with a lustful look, but also shooting daggers at the people that were walking around me. He looked into my eyes. ‘‘Tris.” He said with a nod. “Damon.” I responded and I saw his pupils dilating. I felt his eyes on me the entire walk to Kenna's car.

I hopped into the car and heard Damon driving off. “What was that about?” Kenna said suspiciously. “I don't know. You guys came the same moment as he did.” I couldn't tell them that our teacher wanted to give me a ride. Nothing was happening between us and I didn't want anybody to start thinking that there was. Kenna looked at me, not believing me but I silently begged her to drop it. Jane handed me the mimosa in the meantime and I was grateful to drop the subject. “So, guys. Shopping after school. I know the perfect place.” Rose happily said. When we drove to school, I felt a weird sense of frustration. I had no idea where it came from but I couldn't shake it off.

When we got to school, the only spot that was available was next to the black Maserati and I quickly jumped out and walked to the first class. Logan came running down and gave me a big hug, lifting me off the ground. “Chica, I'm so sorry for your mom. How are you doing?” Logan asked me. “I'm okay Logan, the doctors say they're hopeful for mom. She's been moving a bit and responding well.” I said gratefully. “I'm happy to hear that Chica. Party time tonight. James and I will visit your mom before and we will meet up after.” I was lifted up from behind into the arms of James who grinned excitedly and gave me a kiss on my cheek. “Hey Tris, I'm so happy to see you. I heard you ran into a burning building to save your mom. That takes some balls man.” James said while seeming proud.

I suddenly felt a burst of anger. ''Time for class! Everybody out!!'' A voice boomed from behind us. I recognized the voice but didn't turn around, instead walking to class with Logan. We only had two classes today, being economics and business and management. During the class, I still felt agitated but brushed it off due to stress.

The lessons were pretty boring, as they always were on the Friday. We took Kenna's car to the mall to shop for a new outfit. I may have noticed the black Maserati was already gone but I forced myself not to think about it. We got to the mall and Rose basically screamed of happiness. ‘‘I'm so excited guys, we are going to look bomb tonight.’’ Rose said while taking my arm. After trying on what felt like 100 outfits, including some crop tops and jeans which were basically my go-to, I ended up with a white dress. It had long sleeves, fell just over my butt and had a slight open back. The middle part of the dress was tight fitted but it swayed out over my ass. I did feel like it missed something. Maybe some jewellery would be a good idea. I looked in the mirror and Rose clapped her hands, approving of my outfit. Rose chose a cherry red spaghetti strap top with high waisted shorts with biker boots. Kenna bought a new pair of jeans and a bralette. We all looked amazing and I was honestly looking forward to my date with Javier.

I quickly went to see mom, telling her all about my day and my date tonight. P was still with her every day and the pub was being fixed. Luckily only the windows broke and nothing else so hopefully it was up and running in no time. I went home to walk and feed Moose and on my doorstep, a gift lay. I took it inside, first pouring myself a glass of wine. I opened it and gasped. It was a beautiful necklace. It had a silver chain with a stone of emerald hanging on it, my birthstone. There were two small diamond vine branches on the chain, going into the direction of the emerald stone. I never owned anything this pretty. I put it on together with my white dress and white strappy high heels and it matched perfectly. It accentuated my green eyes and dark brown hair. It finished the dress. Did Javier give me this? I took care of Moose and then checked the time, realising I didn't have time to get ready at Jane's and had to get ready by myself. I put some good music on, poured myself another glass of wine and did my make up and hair. I sang along to Good For You by Selena Gomez when the doorbell rang, signalling that Javier was here.

‘‘Hi Javier.’’ I said by way of greeting. He was leaning against his car and took me in from top to bottom. ‘‘Hi Beauty. You look extraordinary tonight.’’ He said and leaned down to give me a kiss on my cheek and a hug. I blushed at that and got into his car. ‘‘I was thinking we can go to club Royale?’’ I asked him. He smiled and nodded and drove there, already knowing the way. Club Royale was a really nice restaurant and after 10 pm they removed all the tables and opened the dancefloor. It was one of the most loved spots of the town.

We got at Club Royale around 8:30, around the time it got busy. Javier found a nice spot for us, a table in the back and he ordered us two vodka coke. We sat down and he smiled at me. ‘‘So, how's your mom?’’ Were his first words to me. ‘‘Yeah, she's doing okay. She's responding more and more and they're really positive. She must've fallen really hard on her head but they checked and there's no brain damage or anything like that.’’ I said, smiling to him. ‘‘I'm so happy to hear that. Maybe I can come to the hospital with you tomorrow. We can drive there together and maybe grab some lunch after?’’ He said with a hopeful smile. ‘‘Yeah... Okay. Sounds good. Don't know how I'm feeling tomorrow though.’’ I said and his smile fell a little so I quickly said ‘‘and otherwise we can do Sunday?’’ His eyes brightened again at that and he tried to grab my hand, was it not for an interruption.