I pull the dress over my head, the silky fabric hugging my small frame. Now what to do with my hair? I'd usually just wear it down since it's too complicated to put up, but today I seem to be having a bad hair day.

I comm Elena.

"Hey, hey, hey what's up my friend?"

"How fast could you get here?"

"I could be there in five."

"Okay, great."

And then I hang up.

...

"Sit still," Elena scolds.

I glare at her. "I'm trying to, but it hurts."

"You were the one who called me over girl, so don't complain nor give me that cold look."

She's got a point. Oh, do I regret asking her for help.

She continues to curl my hair and then pins half of it up.

"Should I do your makeup too?"

"It won't kill me, would it?"

She laughs. "I've done it plenty of times before and you're still here."

I smile sheepishly. "True, but that never means it won't happen..."

"Just be quiet and let me do my work."

"Fine," I sigh, closing my eyes, so she can begin.

It brings me back to the very first time she did my makeup. It was the night of my first date with Hunter. I was extremely nervous and wanted to look my best, which I did thanks to Elena. Hunter couldn't peel his eyes away from me the entire date!

I find my fingers curling around my locket.

"What you got there?"

I open my eyes to see Elena staring at the necklace.

"Um, it's a locket."

"I can see that. Where'd you get it?"

Staring at my reflection, I whisper, "I've been to Hunter's place yesterday and found it in his bedroom. I think he meant to give it to me."

"Can I look at it?"

I hand it to her and she examines it. "It's beautiful," she breathes.

"I know. I just wish Hunter was the one who gave it to me, instead of me finding it."

She places her hand on my knee, her eyes sad. "I understand."

I don't want her to pity me. "Are you done with my makeup?" I then take the locket from her and clasp it once again around my neck.

"Yeah, I should go. I'll see you later." She begins to head for the door.

"Elena?" She glances back at me. "Thanks for everything!"

She smiles. "Anytime." Blowing me a kiss, she walks out of the room, leaving me to complete my last touchups.

...

Danny looks dashing in a gray suit and red tie to match Sara's deep red dress. They definitely make a beautiful couple.

"Hey there."

I look over the brim of my glass of wine at the guy who spoke. He's tall with brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes. "Um, hey," I say.

"You must be Alice, Danny's sister?"

"Yeah."

A smile spreads across his face. "You look exactly like him."

"Thanks." Honestly, I didn't take it as a compliment, but whatever. Eying the odd guy, I take a sip of the way-too-strong wine.

"Oh my, I never introduced myself--- I'm Justin. Danny and I go to college together."

"That's nice." I look past him at Elena, who is heading our way. She looks amazing in the dress we chose with matching heels.

"There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you." She flips her hair over her shoulder. "You shouldn't be drinking that." Her eyes are on my glass.

"It's nothing."

"It's alcohol."

"Uh-hum." Justin clears his throat. I forgot he was here. "Um, I just wanted to wish you congratulations on your brother's engagement and well I guess I'll see you around."

"Thanks, it was nice meeting you."

He winks at Elena before walking off.

"What was that for?"

She smiles. "We met a few minutes ago at the bar. And well he gave me his number just so I have it. After we spoke for ten minutes of course."

I cross my arms over my chest. "I don't trust him. He's a college boy and you're a high school girl."

"You don't seem to trust a lot of people. Plus I'm graduating in a few months, so I won't be a high school girl for much longer."

I sigh. "True. So what did you guys talk about?"

"That's none of your business." Her smile brightens. "But what I can tell you is that he seems like a really great guy. He might even be my dream guy!"

"That's amazing." I try to put as much enthusiasm as I can into it, but deep down I don't find it amazing at all. I don't want my best friend to get her heart broken again by another player. So Justin you better not be a player, or I'll have to kill you.

I take another sip of my wine, watching the band Sara insisted on set up under the twinkling lights circling the yard.

I hate dancing, that's why I try to sneak away, but Elena stops me.

"Ah uh girl, this is your brother's engagement party you're not going to escape anywhere."

I pout. "Meanie."

She ignores me, pulling me onto the dance floor, (in other words the backyard), and begins to dance, moving her body in a fluid motion.

People stop to watch and I don't blame them. Elena is a natural dancer. My eyes land on Justin, who's staring at her, his mouth gaping open. Seriously.

Not wanting to leave Elena dancing on her own, I join her. Awkwardly moving my hips and pumping my arms.

That's when Derek appears. "I see you're enjoying yourself."

I glare at him.

He starts to move along to the music. And I can't help myself from watching him dance; he makes it look so simple.

Before I know it we're having a dance-off. With me swinging my hips from side to side and twirling till I'm dizzy, while he moves his whole body with grace, his eyes on me the entire time.

Now my hair is plastered to my forehead from sweat. I push it aside, catching my breath as he takes hold of my hands as the music slows down.

"You look good." His voice is low and husky.

"Thanks." His hands release mine and then take hold of my waist. I could feel the warmth of them through the thin material of my dress.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, we begin to sway to the music.

"Are you all packed for tomorrow?"

I meet his dark eyes. "Yeah."

"Good, our flight is at six am."

"So early?" I accidentally step on his foot and he grimaces. "Sorry."

"It's okay." He then sighs, "And yes, so early."

"It's not fair," I mumble.

"I know."

I unwrap my arms from around his neck and take a step back. "I need to go," I tell him, before rushing off.

I find Elena at the bar (why am I not surprised.)

"We need to talk," I say, taking hold of her arm and pulling her after me.

"Where are we going?"

"To my room."

"But the party..."

"Will have to wait."

I usher her into my room and then plop onto my beanbag, sinking in.

"What's wrong?" she questions.

I get straight out with it. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning for New York."

Shock crosses over her pretty face. "Hold on what?"

"I was offered a job specifically for a twelfth-grade high school student that I couldn't refuse."

"Alice that's insane. What kind of job?"

Okay, I wasn't expecting that question. "Um, that I can't share with you."

"Really?" she frowns.

"Really."

"Okay. When are you going to be back?"

"Honestly, I don't know."

"Oh." Her face falls.

"But I'll keep in touch."

"You promise?"

Hunter taught me that promises don't always come true. At the clinic, I wasn't allowed to have contact with the outside world. In New York, I'm hoping I will.

I give Elena a small smile. "I promise."