I awoke the next morning with my mother hovering and buzzing around me like a pestering bee, when I mumbled that to her though she wasn’t too happy “A bee? Well a bee stings don’t they?” she asked and before I could conjure a response she was pouncing on me and my poor squeaky bed pinching me to death.

“Mum, mum stop!” I gasped torn between chuckles and grimaces of the painful “bee sting” “Stop it!” I shrieked in laughter.

Mum prevailed as she continued pinching at my flesh leaving me thrashing and squirming getting caught up in my sheets and blankets “I’m a bee remember!” was her only response as she paused to throw her head back and cackle.

“More like the wicked witch.” I muttered which was responded with an extra tangy pinch “Ow!” I cried clutching my elbow “I’m going to go to the Festival tonight with red marks because of you!”

That had her relenting “Well you learnt your lesson than didn’t you.” She huffed pulling herself up off my bed and straightening herself up with her nose in the air like a spoilt brat the entire sight comical “Don’t call me a bee.”

“Well I definitely know now you aren’t,” I mumbled rubbing out some of the parts of my throbbing flesh “bees usually lose their sting once they die and you” I raised my gaze to look at her from my bed “aren’t dead.”

“Yeah, well don’t celebrate now.” She muttered “Alright, up! Breakfast and appointments are waiting!” she cried walking out my bedroom door.

“I love you!” I called back my voice laced with some essences of sucking up for her last comment about celebrations and yet last with uncertainty in regards to her pushiness and bee stings.

I was definitely awake now as I sat up in my crash-site of a bed so sighing I rolled out and onto my feet rolling my shoulders and shaking the rest of my body out as a feeling of nerves and nausea crept up upon me. It sat low in my stomach as I made my way down the stairs and I wasn’t naïve or convincing enough to believe I was actually physically sick.

Sliding into my seat at the table I looked down at my plate full of toast, eggs, bacon coupled with a glass of juice and my stomach rolled “I don’t think I can eat that.” I mumbled looking down at it in wary as if it was my next opponent.

“Nonsense, you have a big day today and you can’t be going between places starving or showing up tonight on an empty stomach.” Mum waved me off as she placed salt and pepper shakers in the middle of the stomach “Isn’t that right love?” mum asked my dad drawing him in.

My dad glanced up over his paper at the table “Right,” he agreed sitting up a little bit more as he joined the conversation “I know how those nights go, you barely get a chance to eat what with socializing. Not to mention,” he began clearing his throat and I instantly sighed knowing here came a doctor lecture “the amount of students showing up at the hospital on these night needing their stomach pumped or highly intoxicated because they didn’t eat and decided to drink alcohol; it isn’t a smart decision.”

I rolled my eyes “Because you have such a party-crazy daughter.” I muttered as I forced myself to take a sip.

My dad gave me a wiry smile “Our scary hospital stories have taught you well bub.”

I snorted, too right. Their countless stories and lessons from hard days of work not to mention those “excursions” had scared me from multiple things such a drugs, texting whilst driving, diving in the shallow end of the pool and even playing with super glue.

“Quick, eat up sweetie!” mum urged as she returned back to the table to pile the table with more servings to my father’s plate.

“Love, stop fussing and fretting and come and eat before your food gets cold.” Dad ordered gently frowning at her as she started fussing over at the kitchen bench.

“What’s she nervous about?” I whispered softly to dad watching as mum moved around quickly, it was like any morning except the dial had gone up another notch.

“The big day has arrived,” dad murmured with lit eyes making me frown “well, your big day.” He mused with a wink in my direction “I think she’s waited for this day for years.” He teased.

My stomach churned at such thoughts, I’d always been afraid that my mother would be disappointed in me for not doing such things that mothers get excited about; first date, first dance/formal, bringing the boyfriend home. All those girlie social things I hadn’t done and didn’t think I’d ever get a chance to do, the worry and doubt that it wouldn’t happen made me feel like a letdown, a failure of a daughter. My father’s words were like that final nail on the coffin confirming my worst fears.

“Oh shush you,” mum waved my dad off breezily as she joined us “Anyway, today I have you booked in first just at the beauticians for some nails and toes done-“

“Mum I’m not that desperate and crazy about this I want my toes and nails done.” I said to her squirming in my seat feeling bad for telling her I wasn’t interested yet I didn’t want to show up tonight looking like a glittery pom-pom.

“She didn’t book it in, I did!” a cheery voice answered behind me as she entered the house and her pitter patter of footfalls echoed down to reach us.

I glanced over my shoulder feeling a little more hopeful and relaxed “You’re in cahoots with my mum?” asked raising a perfect brow.

Kate laughed shrugging as she slid into to her usual place at our table when she was here “I thought it’d be nice to feel cleansed and shiny all over; hair, makeup, our toes and nails plus any other polishing like waxing, tinting and some facials.” She said eagerly her face lit up “We can spoil ourselves, plus how many times have we talked about having an actual day of that rather than our at home DIY jobs?”

I smiled softly at the truth taking a gentle and soothing breath “Okay,” I said getting as legit eager as I was forcing myself to come “so we’ve got mani and pedi first, then what?”

“Waxing and tinting at our beauticians, so anything you can think you want done, we’ve got time for it.” Mum said leaning back with a prideful smile on her lips which had me smiling despite my insecurities about my prior thoughts; it was nice for mother-daughter bonding not to mention seeing that smile.

“Then we’re going out for lunch and later on more so towards the night we get our make-up and hair done up.” Kate declared with a huge smile as she nicked a piece of bacon off my plate.

“Hey!” I protested loudly yet struggling to keep up such a façade when my grin was growing greater and greater by the second with utter excitement at what we were doing, I didn’t even care right now about the Festival, I was excited about the now.

“Let’s go!” I cried ecstatically jumping up and out of my seat.

“Not so fast, off you go for a shower.” Mum ordered with a bemused lit up expression.

“Well I’m off to work.” Dad declared before I could flee to shower “So, my girls all three of you have a great day today.” He declared getting up “Don’t worry bub, I’ll be home tonight to see my little girl looking like a princess.” He murmured kissing the crown of my head “So wait for me.”

I smiled looking up at him “Thanks daddy.” I whispered my insides melting at those rare cute moments of a child with their parents.

My dad and I both went separate ways; myself upstairs to shower whilst dad left off for work. I ran up the stairs with a skip in my step and this huge smile upon my face.

Ƹ̵Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

The morning started off busy and exciting, we dropped in to get my nails and toes done were I got my toes and nails painted and shaped to a lovely perfection of a nude colour. We later stopped in at the beauticians to get my lashes and eyebrows tinted and my eyebrows waxed. Now we were at this cute little café that always reminded me of Europe when I was inside with all the art, cute little old wooden chairs and the cute tiny glass table tops with all these other quirky vintage décor.

“So did you end up getting a wax?” Kate asked as she sipped at her iced tea that was to die for here and thus had me instantly reaching for my lemon one.

I nodded as I sucked on the straw making a partial moan and also a “Mhmm.” Sound.

Kate spluttered on her tea “You what? Seriously!” she cried in surprise yet curiosity and humor “I mean I know things with you and Gav are going places but I didn’t think it was there yet.”

My eyes bugged as realisation hit me “What? No!” I denied “I don’t mean that waxing!” I hissed in a hushed tone as I looked around to check “I just got my eyebrows waxed.”

“Oh, I thought you meant the whole bikini wax.” Kate chortled wiping away an imaginary tear.

I blushed a bloody crimson – it didn’t help with my mum present – as I glanced down at my food as I spoke in a soft embarrassed murmur “I didn’t and besides, Gav and I aren’t dating we’re-“

“-just friends.” Kate finished for me rolling her eyes as she sighed in exasperation “I know, I’ve heard it so much.”

“Well it’s true.” I insisted.

“Look honey,” mum began giving my hand a gentle squeeze across the table “who were you texting all this morning constantly?” she asked me.

I blushed as a glimmer of a smile touched my lips as I thought of all those texts “Gavin.” I murmured softly trying to keep such hopes stamped down.

Mum smiled softly seeing my own besotted dopey grin “Not to mention he’s taking you to this dance, you two are constantly in each other’s pockets, you both skipped school together to spend the day together” yeah, I’m that tight with my mum that I tell my mum everything “and not to mention that that boy obviously cares about you. You may not be an “item”” she said using her bunny ears “but there’s certainly something there on both ends.”

“Amen mother bear!” Kate praised throwing her hands up in the air making me giggle.

“We’re not like that.” I brushed off with an impish shrug.

However, I didn’t speak out loud that I was also beginning to question that “just friends” things myself; for a while now things had gone from calm and steadily smooth in “friend zone” but suddenly I feel more obvious yet gradual things were changing, escalating. The air around us seemed to be changing or maybe it only seemed possibly now since I was slowly bringing myself to admit these thoughts and possibilities. I was afraid after all, it scared me that if I admitted there was a chance out loud that it could do damage whether if he found out and things became awkward if I was wrong or worse, I’d get my hopes up only to be let down and left shattered and broken.

But I couldn’t deny that times were changing; I was growing courageous and confident. There was hope there between Gav and me and even if it was a glimmer of hope I was holding on tight with a giant dizzy intoxicating grin upon my face on the journey of the free fall when you start the fall for someone hard and fast. The vibration of my phone in my pocket was hope enough.

Ƹ̵Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

I was in my room once again with a feeling of dread sitting low and heavy in my stomach leaving me breathless and nauseated, I was standing at the end of my bed looking down at my dress with my lower lip latched on in a painful hold. A million thoughts, doubts and questions were rolling through my mind to the point the room was spinning and my heart lurching.

Was this dress too drastic and dramatic, over the top? Would other girls rock up with today’s fashion that was all flesh and short whereas I’d rock up in something from the eighteen hundreds. Worst, my thoughts than raced to my hair and makeup; would the makeup be too heavy? Would my hair match my outfit or would it be over the top? Would this entire set and outfit tie in and make a perfect outfit or was I living in a fantasy world?

Sighing I shook my body out and tried to rid the stress and doubts at the hundredth call of my mother’s downstairs. Taking a deep calming breath I reached for my gown and slid the intrinsic thing on over my shoulders and making sure that I didn’t destroy my makeup or my hair.

Once it was over my shoulders and straightened out I took a step up to my floor length mirror and glanced up. I was in an intrinsic gown which was layered and created with multiple materials and detail. My gown had one strap which hung off my shoulder showing off the panes of my shoulder blades and collarbones and my sleek long neck. The dress was detailed around the edges and the bodice with lace, gold thread which made an intrinsic design and a sheer material that created an almost glitter effect. The dress clung to my body; it had a bodice around my chest and abdomen that at the back tied up with string at the back. Once the gown reached my hips it flared out into a puffed dress, it was an A-styled dress. The dress had a sweetheart neckline meaning it clung to my breasts and certainly emphasised them, the detail around the bodice is what I loved the most; it made a ‘V’ shape down to my bellybutton and the skirt of dress flared out. In that ‘V’ the detail was in gold thread of a floral pattern that shone when the light hit which really helped with the trimmings. The dress was made up with a mix of golds, creams and whites.

The dress, like I had described to Kate when searching, was like Taylor Swift’s dress in her ‘Love Story’ music video. However it certainly wasn’t that stunning, detailed and expensive. This dress however from a costume store was certainly not a cheap copy but rather taken seriously and treated with care and passion. The price not to mention wasn’t of a costume but rather a gown.

I sighed nervously in the mirror checking my hair, my hair was half-up-half-down look so that the hair was shaping and around my eyes to keep the femininity of my face when also showing off the femininity and allure of my exposed skin around my neck. I had loose locks of curls hanging around my face and the rest was pulled up into a bun with some little braids. Finally, I checked my makeup which consisted of a lot of naturals, my eyes smoky so that my eyes popped out behind my mask and my lips were coated a deep blossom red.

I smacked my lips together before sliding my feet onto my feet which were just a pair of gold lace flats. I quickly grabbed my clutch for the night with my ticket, phone and cash and made my way quickly down the stairs.

Stopping near the bottom I twirled my rings on my fingers nervously and double checked that my vintage and soft earrings were intact and not caught up. I didn’t want too much of jewelry but soft and subtle since I didn’t want a too busy outfit not to mention over the top. Taking one more courage seeking breath I made my way down the stairs.

“Mum where are yo-“

“My baby!” my mother gushed behind me making my insides squirm and yet at the same time a hopeful smile and blush coating my face “Oh you look absolutely breath taking!” she crooned her head tilting to the side as her eyes shined.

My dad followed behind her to smile his own head tilting to the side with that loving gentle smile “You look beautiful bub.” He murmured.

I smiled “Thank you.” I whispered.

Mum walked up to me sniffling “Oh you are all grown up.” She practically sobbed.

“Mum, I’m not moving out of home.” I rolled my eyes waving her off as all this attention had me ready to shrivel up into myself.

“Oh I’m so glad I bought extra camera batteries.” She gushed as she held my hands appraising me with bright eyes.

“Mum,” I warned “remember you promised not to go overboard.”

“Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll be there to keep her in check.” Dad mused as he walked up hugging me into his side making all doubts and fears fade away with that deep spicy fatherly scent.

“My hero.” I murmured looking up at him softly, I was teasing and yet at the same time it was the honest truth filled with sincerity.

“Alright family we are running late and the Bickim’s will be waiting for us, so quickly off we go.” My mum ushered us out the door towards the car.

“Oh!” I paused making dad bump into me “My mask!” I cursed racing back inside where mum was still inside.

“There you are, forgetting something?” she asked holding up my mask with a knowing grin.

“Yes, thank you!” I gasped a relieved grin spreading across my lips.

Mum sighed taking a step back to admire me “You really do look pretty sweetie.” She murmured with that proud grin that left me torn; what happens if I didn’t go, would I be a failure?

“Thanks mum,” I whispered softly an awkward feeling settling in my stomach “I know how much today means to you.”

“To me?” mum chortled softly “Honey this day is for you and I hope you enjoy it and aren’t choosing it because you feel like you need to; for the boy, for the friend, for the mother.” She gave me a knowing look that squirmed within me; all three of them were at first reasoning behind my decision to go tonight but not now “I just want you to do things that make you happy and that you live with no regrets.”

I smiled softly “I want to go, for me.” I whispered softly, the truth. I wanted to go to go dance the night the way with the ones I loved, to socialize, to feel like a princess and not to mention to have such a glorious memory and not left with doubt.

Mum gave a big smile “That’s all that matters.” She whispered giving my hands a squeeze “Now let’s go, your date is waiting for you.”

I smiled giddily as I followed mum out the door so excited yet nervous to see Gav all suited up and seeing me as I am, daring and new with confidence; vulnerable. That was my one lie to my mum; I wasn’t technically doing it all for myself I was going tonight for Gav too. Because I wanted to be there with Gav, I wanted to be showed off as his date, to laugh and flirt with him, to dance with him and having a collection of a million photos so when I’d look at them I’d know even if I didn’t get him for a boyfriend or even the rest of my life at least for one night I was his and he was my date.

Pulling up outside his house I feel nauseated and I take one deep preparing and steadying breath before stepping out of the car for a night I knew I’d certainly never forget!  

________________________

Hi hi guys, I know it's short and a total cliffy but I'll be updating ASAP - next chapter though will certainly be a BIG one! Thank you for all being patient in absence which consisted of; a five week pratical experience, assignments, being sick and lastly a struggle with inspiration. But here I am battling my way through! So please tell me what this upload is like, is it crap? Hate it? Love it? I must  know!

Click the external link for my Facebook page

So you guys know my drill; vote, comment and maybe give me a fan, yeah? Do it, I dare you ;) Xx

-------------------------------------

All Rights Reserved

Copyrighted Material ©

-------------------------------------