Chapter 38

Tonight is the fundraiser, and I've never been more scared in my life. On top of the fact that my dad will beat me to a pulp for being out and not making dinner, Dominic has been acting out at me more and more every day. He doesn't let me get my own food at lunch, he doesn't let his friends talk to me, he doesn't leave me alone with anyone outside of class, and he is always holding onto me in some way and it's usually unwelcome.

Last week I told him I didn't want him touching me and he lashed out, grabbing my wrists and pulling me close, "Just shut up and look pretty alright?" I hid in the bathroom not long after class started that day.

Yesterday he held and twisted my wrist hard enough I thought it would snap, all because Zach talked the me. Dominic told me to stop flirting with his friends or else.

He picked out my dress for tonight, my only comfort comes from knowing his mom helped. I haven't seen it yet, I arrive at the event with his family at seven. I pull into their driveway ten minutes to six.

I'm greeted by Mrs. Stom, her hair in curlers and her in a very nice robe, "Oh hello Rhea, I was starting to worry about you. Come in, let's get you started," She gently takes my arm and guides me inside.

It doesn't take long for Emily to come running up to me. She has the largest smile I've ever seen as she twirls in her sparkly black dress with little white flowers on the tulle skirt.

"Mommy made me a princess!" She's got a little bit of shiny lipgloss on to help add to her already precious smile. Her hair is pulled back into braids that wrap around her bun.

"You were already a princess," I tap her nose and she takes my hand giggling.

"It's your turn!" She pulls me along to the stairs.

Her mother pats my shoulder as we climb up the stairs and to the master bathroom, which is huge beyond words. A long two sink vanity spreads across the entire far wall, with a large mirror above. Parallel to the vanity is a large claw foot tub and a large marble walk in shower. Everything in the bathroom is white marble with gold accessories. How Emily doesn't feel like a princess everyday is beyond me.

Mrs. Stom sits me in a chair at the vanity and starts playing with my hair. It's getting pretty long, reaching the lowest part of my shoulder blades. I guess I'll always have that going for me, my hair grows really fast.

"Emily says your name is Greek?" She tilts her head as she examines my hair.

"Yeah, the mother of the gods," I smile at her in the mirror, hoping to lighten her serious face.

"I think I know just what to do for your hair," A sly grin spreads over her nude lips. She starts by brushing my hair back and grabbing tool after tool, lots of Bobby pins and a curling iron.

A half an hour later, she's sliding a golden hair comb into my hair and showing me the finished product. At first the style looks messy, but I can make out the loose braid and gentle waves giving me a certain elegance I never would have thought I could have.

"Befitting a Greek goddess, hmm?" Mrs. Stom leans in and gently grips my shoulders as I admire myself in awe, "Let's finish the look, shall we?"

I nod gently and lean back into the chair. I sit and do as I'm told, closing my eyes when necessary or opening them wide. All the products and brushes feel weird on my skin but it's almost soothing. When she pulls back to let me see, I don't feel like I'm looking at me.

My eyeliner is a perfect cat eye with black and creme eyeshadow to compliment it, my lipstick is a similar nude shade to Mrs. Stom's. I actually look like I could belong at this event.

"Let's get you in that dress," She guides me out of the bathroom where we find Emily sitting on the large bed waiting for us.

"Wow, Rhea you look so pretty!" She stares at me in awe as I cross the room to the closet.

The bedroom, much like the bathroom and closet, is very large. Lots of greys and whites and black with a few plants and trinkets to give the room character. I'm so entranced I don't notice Mrs. Stom pull out a tall black dress bag.

She smiles as she watches me open it and I feel my jaw drop to the floor. It's so beautiful I think I could cry, it's clearly a fitted dress that will hug my little curves, the bottom has tulle that puffs out a little above my ankles. The majority of the strapless dress if a creamy off white, with black lace coming up the sides but not meeting in the middle. I slide in to find it fits perfectly and it has the heart shaped neckline that I like.

"It's... It's incredible! Thank you so much!" I smile at the ladies who give me very happy gazes. Mrs. Stom looks like she might cry.

"You look incredible dear. Oh, Dominic is going to just drop dead when he sees you!"

I stop admiring myself as my stomach drops. I forgot about Dominic for a moment. I don't want to cause a scene so I plaster on a smile and nod.

Mrs. Stom then takes a moment to finish her hair and it's simple curls and slide into her form-fitting black lace dress and heels. I stay in my flats as I find them more comfortable. Together the three of us girls walk down the stairs to find Dominic and his father dressed elegantly in suits. Mr. Stom matches his wife, in an all black suit and a creamy white piece of fabric delicately tucked into his coat pocket. Dominic is dressed to match me, his jacket, pants, and tie are the same shade white as my dress and his shirt is a rich black. He watches me with that sickening smile as I come to join him at his side. His mother tears up a little as his father admired us with great pride.

"You look wonderful Rhea, I can't think of anyone better to accompany Dominic to the event tonight," His voice is booming yet sincere, "I do hope he realizes what a keeper he's found."

"Thank you sir," I smile as best I can as Dominic wraps his arm around my waist and we all migrate outside to the limo that's waiting.

The drive is fairly quiet, I play patty-cake with Emily while her parents quietly joke and drink champagne and Dominic rubs small circles on the bare part of my back.

Arriving in the city at the event, I feel I'm in a dream. The tall building is lit up with fancy lights and photographers, all waiting to get pictures of those coming in... Including us. I stand beside Dominic, with Emily in front of me, I put on a charming smile as the flashes blind me. Entering the building, I start to understand the black and white theme. Everyone is in elegant combinations of black and white, all the extravagant decorations and beautiful tables are black and white, I follow the family closely as I take it all in. Emily hold my hand the whole time, seeing as I'm in charge of not losing her in the mass crowd.

Occasionally Councilman Stom will take her and do an interview while holding her or take a break to talk and play with her, make sure she eats and such. When he takes her off my hands I'm left to make small talk and schmooze to all the younger gentlemen, even though they're still too old for me. Dominic keeps me close and often stops me for a photo op. It's clear I'm his arm candy, and at this point he knows I'll do little to resist.

When I finally have a moment to myself I go to get a drink. I wait patiently while the bartender makes me a virgin Shirley Temple. As I stand there admiring the beautiful people, my eyes catch sight of someone I wasn't expecting, and he sees me too. Jordan stares at me, stunned and entranced. It doesn't take long for him to push through the crowd and come to me.

"Hi," He mumbles, clearly unsure what to say.

"Hi," I smile politely before getting my finished drink, "I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd be here."

"I'm glad you are," I look up surprised, he's wearing that sweet crooked grin that makes me melt, "You look beautiful."

"You look nice too," I say curtly, and he does. He always looks good in a suit, his is all white except for the tie. It suits him.

"I've been thinking about what happened at school and I just... I wanted to say-"

Glancing up I see Dominic searching for me. Fear sets in as I prepare to walk away, "I'm... I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking to you."

I bow my head and march back to Dominic, who wastes no time putting a possessive hand on my lower back. He brings me behind the stage where the band was playing, there his family and the musicians sit looking quite worried.

"Rhea," Mrs. Stom hugs me, "Thank goodness, we need you. The singer is sick, she's home with a fever, it would mean a lot if you could step in. Just for a song or two until her back up arrives."

I feel my stomach twist into nervous knots, "I don't know, I mean..."

"She'd be happy to," Dominic speaks up, shocking everyone, he smiles at me, "You have a beautiful voice, it'll be a gift for the crowd. They'll love you, and dad it'll be good for your image, 'Stom Family Friend Saves Local Cancer Fundraiser', huh?"

His dad nods gently as Dominic leans in close to my ear, "Get up there and sing something, maybe I'll look the other way about who you were just talking to."

I feel the color leave my face as I nod gently, "Two songs? At most?"

Everyone assures me it's no more than two, and they tell me I can pick. I put a few minutes into my choices, my first pick of course being one of mom's favorites, Piano Man. Getting up on that stage, I need a few moments to compose myself but once I start singing, I feel like my mom is there and I get through it with a large smile on my face. I still need a second song, I look out into the crowd and see Jordan watching me.

I turn to the band, "Do you the song Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi?" When they nod I have no doubt in my mind of what I'm doing next. I can't take my eyes off Jordan as the music starts. As if the universe knew about my break up, this song has blasted my radio. Now I can use it.

"I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to save me. This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy. I need somebody to heal, somebody to know, somebody to have, somebody to hold. It's easy to say, but it's never the same, I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain," Pain flashes over his face as he listens to the lyrics, my heart hurts when I see him hurt, "Now the day bleeds, into nightfall, and you're not here, to get me through it all. I let my guard down, and then you pulled the rug. I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved," I feel my eyes start watering as Jordan and I stare at each other, "I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to turn to. This all or nothing way of loving got me sleeping without you. Now, I need somebody to know, somebody to heal, somebody to have, just to know how it feels. It's easy to say but it's never the same, I guess I kinda liked the way you helped me escape! Now the day bleeds, into nightfall, and you're not here, to get me through it all! I let my guard down, and then you pulled the rug. I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved," All the pain and anger from the past weeks rises and tears start to spill, "And I tend to close my eyes when it hurts sometimes, I fall into your arms! I'll be safe in your sound 'til I come back around! For now the day bleeds, into nightfall, and you're not here, to get me through it all. I let my guard down, And then you pulled the rug. I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved. But now the day bleeds, into nightfall, and you're not here, to get me through it all. I let my guard down, and then you pulled the rug, I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved," My vision gets blurry but I can clearly see him tearing up to, he's slowly getting closer to the stage, "I let my guard down, and then you pulled the rug, I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved."

As the crowd claps and I come back to reality, I can't hold in the tears anymore. I see Jordan shake his head and step closer, I hand the mic to one of the band members and quickly disappear offstage and hide in the bathroom. I sit there and cry, I cry until I can't anymore.