| 18 |

~ Banks Woods ~

It's the day of the formal event.

Kaylee came over to help me out with my hair and makeup and also to prep me mentally to attend it. The whole time, my fingers twitch with nervous energy as Kaylee smooths my hair down my back and pins half of the strands up.

When she tells me to calm down while doing my makeup, I do anything but that. The whole process happens in one big mess of a blur. Caleb is on his phone in the background, texting away and I'm too occupied to ask who.

He still hasn't told me who he's texting but I'm one hundred percent betting it's a girl. He always hides his phone from me nowadays.

Whatever. There's plenty of time to find out and then tease the fuck out of him for it.

After finishing up with my face, Kaylee helps me get into the elegant black dress that Lance got me, and propers the giant bow at my back.

I rub my hands over the fabric in amazement while Kaylee gushes and complains about how a rich man hasn't found her yet.

When I look into the mirror, I nearly stop breathing. I've never looked so...put together in my entire life. With the neckline of the dress and the hairstyle, my collarbones are on display along with the smooth column of my neck. Somehow the black looks amazing with my tan-ish skin. Kaylee did an amazing job of keeping my makeup simple, covering up my dark circles and the light acne scars on my cheeks.

My asshole of a brother actually looks up from his phone for two minutes only to say, "For the first time in my life I don't feel like throwing up looking at your face."

"Shut up, jackass."

Kaylee is just getting on with the finishing touches when a knock sounds on our door.

"I'm getting it!" Caleb hops off his bed.

"Wait!" I hiss after him but the dumbass is already at the door, so Kaylee quickly rushes to fix a few strands of my hair while I make sure my bra is properly in place.

The door opens and we quickly rush to school our features and act normal. Lance's face pops into the doorway and I hold my breath, anticipation dreading in my stomach.

Kaylee did a pretty good job but self-consciousness still rolls over me even though I try ignoring it.

Walking out of the room, I rub my palms over my thighs, licking my lips before meeting Lance at the door. His mouth drops when he looks at me. It's not the normal parting of his lips. His jaw actually drops open as if it's going to tumble off its hinges.

"Banks." He breathes out, his eyes taking me in from head to toe. "You look so fucking goo...better than usual." He changes his words at the last second, wariness flicking in his eyes as he meets my gaze. His behaviour eases some tension from my shoulders, making me chuckle.

"What the hell? Is that how you compliment your girl?" Kaylee gapes, outraged.

Even Caleb is frowning at Lance as if he didn't just call me ugly a few minutes ago.

"You have permission to compliment me today," I state.

Lance perks up. "Are you sure?"

I nod.

Then as if he's going to die if he doesn't speak fast enough, he starts. "You look so fucking gorgeous, Banks. Damnit. How am I gonna keep my hands to myself tonight?"

"Hey, TMI." Caleb holds up an 'X' with his arms.

"Sorry, buddy. But your sister looks so damn beautiful. Just look at her." He gestures with both hands in my direction.

Despite the thin layer of makeup on my face, I bet the redness that crawls over my skin can be seen by every single person from a mile away. My face is burning so bad, that I need to fan myself.

Happiness like no other explodes in my stomach, making me feel a good type of queasy. A shy grin appears on my face.

"Thanks."

"Ready to go?" He asks.

I nod and he holds out his hand towards me. I place mine in his, letting him lead me out.

●・○・●・○・●

The event is nothing short of extravagant. Men in suits and women with elegant gowns and dresses fill up the huge hall. I try to keep my face neutral and not as if this whole fancy thing is new to me.

A waiter passes a drink in my hand and doesn't let me object to it before moving to another person.

There's jazz music playing in the background and a billion heart-shaped balloons scatter around or are pinned to the walls. Even the chairs have backrests with heart-shaped cushions and the tables have candles of the same.

"Someone's eager for Valentine's Day," I mutter.

"It's an event to promote a new marriage app," Lance tells me.

My arm has been slung around his since the moment we stepped out of his car. I would've stopped touching him long ago, but in front of so many new people, I do not want to let go.

Not going to lie, this is the most boring shit I've ever been to. I'm amazed to see the grand decor and glad to experience something like this but fuck it, it got boring too quickly.

Lance has certain responsibilities and certain people to talk to. We go from person to person and Lance starts talking to the men in business suits. Some of their wives or girlfriends strike up conversations with me but I'm obviously very horrible at talking to people because they either smile politely and move away, or straight up stare at me with a blank face.

Lance doesn't force me to smile or talk to anyone. I half-expected him to switch personalities like in those movies and demand that I stop embarrassing him with my horrible socializing skills. He doesn't let go of my arm and constantly passes me smiles and calls me beautiful.

When it's finally time for dinner, I sigh in relief at finally being able to sit down and ease my aching my feet. I'm not wearing heels because– A. I don't have any. B. Even if I had, I can't walk in them for the life of me.

I'm re-adjusting my dress and the skirt of it when two shadows fall on the table. I look up and am surprised to see Castle standing in front of me, dressed and looking clean in a dark green suit. His brown hair is styled and swept to the side, defining his already slender and high cheekbones. He offers me a nod. My eyes fall to the girl standing beside him and I pause when recognition flares in my mind.

She has long luscious blonde hair that reaches her wide defined hips. Her eyes are gray but not the dark type. Instead, they're glowing and bright, full of life. Her lips are painted hot pink, that goes well with the baby pink dress she has on. Somehow, she looks elegantly gorgeous while giving off a bad bitch demeanour.

"You're the one from the bike race." I voice in recognition.

Her smile drops and her face falls.

Castle furrows his eyebrows, glancing at the girl. "What...?"

She widens her eyes at me as if giving me a warning, and I clamp my mouth shut. Shit. I wasn't supposed to say that?

"Did you just say bike race?" Castle asks me.

"No, I didn't."

A glare comes on his face as he turns his head towards the girl. "Holly?"

"Yes?" She smiles sweetly at him that looks wholly fake.

"Do you have something to tell me?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Oh right, I do. Dad said we're having dinner at his house tomorrow."

Castle narrows his eyes. "Very funny."

"Okay, fine." She blows out an annoyed breath, sliding into the chair adjacent to me. "It was just one race. I was having a pretty shit day and wanted to steam off."

Castle sits beside her, still glaring.

She turns her attention on me. "You must be Banks then. Lance talks so much about you."

"You can't blame me for that." He shrugs. "Look at her. How can I not talk about her?"

I shake my head, fighting another blush.

"We already met. In that bathroom. Damn. I never knew I already met Lance's girlfriend."

And I didn't know I already met Castle's fiancee.

Looking at them from afar, they seem like the oddest couple. Castle has a quiet and gentle type of aura while Holly's smile screams trouble and mischievousness. Or maybe the theory of 'opposites attract' is indeed true.

"I'm bored out of my fucking mind." Holly places her chin on her palm. "I was having fun only until I was dressing up."

"Hey, you're the one who forced me here," Castle says.

"Dad asked me to come." She defends. "I can't say no to him. I already see him so less because of my hundred jobs. Not to mention the RHM is coming up so I'm packed with cheerleading practice. I have a billion photoshoots for the new season too."

Castle's eyes soften and he leans closer towards her, grabbing a drink from the table and handing it to her.

"Anyways." She gulps down a sip, turning her attention back to me. "Great job for keeping this guy on his toes." She points her thumb towards Lance. "It was hilarious watching him count a million rose petals one by one, only to get a yes from you."

"You mixed up all the rose petals and I had to recount them again." Lance glares at her.

She shrugs, a grin playing on her lips. "How did you know it was me and not Theo?"

"I could hear your Satan laugh from miles away."

"Shut the fuck up. I have an amazing laugh." She holds up her chin.

"It's very evil." Castle pushes his glasses up his nose. "Your devil horns and tail also become visible when you laugh."

"Don't forget the long pointy fangs," Lance adds.

Castle points at him with his finger, raising his eyebrows in agreement.

"Hey, don't gang up on me! I only shuffled the rose petals to get back at you because Castle told me that you bullied him."

Castle grabs her arm, shaking his head, looking embarrassed. "Shut up."

But Lance's face is already melting. "Awwww. Poor Castle baby got offended by some teeny-tiny mean words? Did I hurt your feelings? I'm so sorry, my poor baby."

"Shut up, you dumbfuck." Castle glares.

Holly rolls her eyes.

While Lance and Castle bicker further, she turns towards me. A smile spreads across her face that looks anything but friendly. It doesn't reach her eyes and looks half-threatening.

"Next time you see me doing something illegal, not a word to him. Alright?" She asks—no. She commands.

I furrow my eyebrows. "I didn't know I was supposed to keep it a secret."

"Well, now you do. He already worries about me a lot. Let's not add anything else to his plate."

"Do you always speak in that threatening tone to get your point across?" I lean back against my chair, raising an eyebrow.

"Only when my fiance and family are involved." She checks her nails before looking back up at me. This time her smile seems genuine. "How's your little brother?"

"He's still up for sale."

She chuckles. "At least you have siblings. I grew up as an only child and got so bored out of my fucking mind."

I touch my arm. "Having a younger sibling is not as easy as you think. Sometimes he feels like my own child instead of my brother."

She shrugs. "I'd still love to have a younger sibling. But that means acting a hell lot more responsible, so I guess I'm glad I don't."

I don't wish for Caleb to disappear. We have our ups and downs but he's the only one who always sticks with me when everyone else leaves. Sure sometimes I get frustrated that I have to raise him when it isn't my responsibility, but I'm glad I did. I'm glad he's becoming a decent person instead of those mobster-type bullies at his school.

Dinner is served and I take full advantage of Caleb not being here and stuff my mouth with all the good expensive meat. Maybe dating Lance isn't that bad if I get free food.

I meet his parents too and even Holly's who are super nice and energetic.

While sipping on one of those fancy fizzy drinks, someone loudly squeals Lance's name from a distance. We all look up at the source of the voice, and my eyebrows furrow as a blonde girl comes rushing to our table.

She has huge hips with an even larger bust that's barely contained under her thin halter yellow dress.

Lance, Holly and Castle let out collective groans while I stare in confusion.

She stops by our table, looking directly at Lance and grinning at him.

Why is she looking at him that way?

"Lance. Hey." She sounds overly chirpy.

Lance nods, barely looking in her direction—which surprises me since he never outwardly ignores people.

"Oh, hey, Castle. You're here too."

"Don't look at him." Holly snaps before Castle says anything.

"Jeez." The girl grumbles. "How long are you going to hold that grudge for?"

"As long as you're still breathing and on the same planet as me and him. Actually, no. Fuck you. Even after you die, you're still on my shit list." Holly glares, fiercely up at her.

Castle doesn't bother gracing her with a look from his side too.

"Oh come on, Holly. I seriously didn't know Castle was yours." The girl pouts.

"Yes, you did. I told you multiple times that I'm engaged." Castle grumbles.

"It must've slipped my mind. Whatever. At least I'm not after you right now." She says that then directs her smile at Lance as if to say' I'm after you right now'.

"Mia, please," Lance mutters, rubbing his forehead with his middle and index fingers. "I already told you I'm not interested."

She pouts again. "But you said maybe if I leave and come back after a while, you'd consider it."

With each passing second Mia stands in front of me, the more I wanna pick up my weird fizzy purple drink and chuck it at her face.

"It's too late now. I already have someone." Then he reaches under the table and grabs my hand, pulling it out and interlacing our fingers to show her.

Her mouth parts open as her eyes snap towards me. Her eyes look me up and down and I'm not surprised when a distasteful glint enters her eyes. I hold my stare, meeting her gaze firmly.

After doing her assessment, the bitch then has the nerve to pout again and ask, "And when are you breaking up with her?"

Before I can open my mouth to explain exactly how I'll be breaking her, Lance tightens his hold on my hand, giving her a steel, hard look.

"I don't see how it's any of your business." His voice comes out firm and low. It's void of any of his usual joyfulness and instead sounds so rich and dark. I never knew Lance could ever sound that way. Something about it makes my lips part and a dull throb starts between my legs. It doesn't help that he's still holding my hand between his big and strong ones.

"Oh please. No need to be secretive about it. I know what's going to happen within a few weeks." A satisfied smile spreads across her face and she leans forward, bending towards Lance. "And when that happens, you know where to find me."

Before anyone else can react, a jet of purple drink splashes over her clothes, making me gasp.

Mia shrieks, stumbling back as she quickly wipes a few drops from her face. She assesses her ruined yellow dress. "What the hell!"

"Oops. My hand slipped." Holly smiles, sweetly.

"You bitch!" Mia glares.

"Call me that one more time." A menacing look enters Holly's eyes despite her calm face.

Mia must've noticed the change in Holly because she swallows her words.

She glances at Castle and Lance as if asking for their help, but realizes that they don't even care. Huffing, She holds her wet dress away from her skin before marching off.

The moment she's gone, Holly lets out a huge dump of expletives that makes my language look like the alphabet's song.

"Urgh, she annoys me so fucking much." She finishes with an irritated look, squeezing the air with her long nails and hands as if imagining Mia's neck.

Castle places a hand on her thigh. "It's alright. She's gonna leave eventually."

"I'll make sure of that," Holly mutters, staring in the direction that Mia scurried off to.

My eyebrows raise slightly in alarm but Castle only sighs so I guess it's normal for Holly to say stuff like that. Honestly, I don't know why I'm alarmed when I'm having the same thoughts.

I have a possessive nature when it comes to certain things. I am a little possessive of Caleb when it comes to him wanting to spend time with others instead of me. I'm possessive of some of my childhood stuff—my frayed oversized t-shirts, toys that I hugged to sleep at night, small stained pillows that I cried into. I never let go of those things, wanting them as a source of comfort.

And now when my blood fires red with anger and irritation at Mia, I realize, I might be getting a little possessive of Lance too.

I try keeping a neutral face and not letting my irritation show, but I must be doing a poor job because I can feel Holly's eyes on the side of my face, boring into me. Or maybe she's just that good at prying out other's emotions no matter how hard they hide them.

She's scary, this woman. I don't even know her that well but I definitely know I do not wanna get on her bad side.

"Banks."

My shoulders raise when she calls my name.

I look at her. "Yeah?"

"Come with me to the bathroom, please." She says, dabbing the corner of her mouth with a napkin before standing up.

I know she purposefully posed that as a command to not give me any chances to object to her. It's the subtle ways in which she phrases her sentences and the tone she uses.

I nod at Lance and he squeezes my hand before letting go.

Holly and I start moving towards the washroom, but not before she leans down and presses a kiss to Castle's forehead. I'm surprised to see the care and affection she has for him. It's gentle and calm, and her eyes turn the warmest as if Castle is her world.

We head towards the washrooms. The moment we're in, I put a hand on my hip, staring at Holly as she walks over to the mirror to check her makeup.

"Do you always have to add that subtle command to every single thing you say?"

She pauses, her eyes flicking over to me. "What do you mean?" She asks, in a levelled tone.

"The way you choose your words and add that subtle threat or command."

A tiny furrow appears between her eyebrows. "You noticed that?"

I raise a brow. "Was I not supposed to?"

She shrugs. "No one does. Except Castle. Now, tell me. How badly do you want to bash Mia's head?"

My eyebrows shoot up. I contemplate her question.

"Very badly," I reply, finally.

She grins. "That's what I like to hear."

"But." I hold up a hand. "Just because I want to bash her skull doesn't mean I'm actually going to do it. I have an underage child to take care of and cannot afford to go to jail for assaulting someone."

She smirks. "Jail is only an option for people who get caught."

"You know the more you say that, the more I'm tempted to ask...what kind of fucked up shit do you do?"

"I'm never gonna tell. For now, I only want that bitch gone from mine and Castle's vicinity. Looking at your face back there, you seemed to have the same thoughts too."

"She was annoying," I say, casually crossing my arms against my chest.

"Annoying people need to be dealt with." She nods.

"So what are you gonna do?"

"Just me?" She tilts her head. "Are you not gonna join me?"

"Like I said. Can't afford to get caught."

"And here I thought you were fun." She teases.

My past self would've done it. I would've done it happily if it meant to keep girls like Mia away from Lance as long as we're together. But now...I just really can't be irresponsible when it comes to Caleb. If I'm gone, then he will have to be forced back into my aunt's house and I will never let him go to that place again.

"Sorry. Can't risk anything."

She sighs. "Whatever. Guess I'll have to do all the work myself."

I shrug.

Her eyes fall on me then, raking them up and down my body, settling on my face. Her stare is intense and heavy as if it's an actual person sitting on my shoulders.

"What are you looking at?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"You don't have to let Mia get to you. Lance finds her extremely annoying. She's the last person you need to worry about."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I saw the way your guard closed up the moment she asked when was Lance breaking up with you."

My arms fall loose. Am I that obvious?

Holly lifts a shoulder. "It wasn't that obvious but I tend to notice things no one does."

I rub my arm, trying not to show my discomfort.

Holly still notices though, I don't know how, but she does.

She walks towards me, standing so close that I can smell her flowery perfume. I'm a tall person myself but Holly still beats me by a couple of inches. I raise my eyes to look at hers.

"Don't let other people's words get to you. In this world, people will say anything just to make themselves feel better by bringing others down. You know your worth so why let others decide that for you?" Her gaze bores into me, firm and harsh.

Everyone says the same thing. They all go on and on about finding your worth and loving yourself and giving the middle finger to the world. But they don't tell you about the way your mind switches up constantly; one moment you're feeling yourself, the next you feel guilty and horrible because what the hell are you thinking telling yourself that you're pretty?

If you were pretty and enough like you tell yourself every day, then why the hell do you get bullied? If you are so amazing like you tell yourself then why do people give you judgemental looks? Why would your parents starve and degrade you your whole life? Your own parents.

I really don't want to be bitter towards Holly but I can't help the negative emotions that come over me.

"Easy coming from you," I mutter.

She raises an eyebrow. Before I can react, her hands slam on my shoulders, gripping me harshly.

"What the—"

"Easy coming from me?" She snaps at my face. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Let go of me." I try shrugging off her hands, but they're strong and refuse to budge.

"No, tell me. Why does everyone say I have it easy? Because I've got the looks? Is that what got me to where I am today? Is that what got me the family I have today? Is that what's going to save me when I'm old and dying? Tell me. Why does everyone say I've got it easy because of my looks? Do you really think those are worth it at the end?"

My lips part. I know deep down that it's not worth it. In the end, it's always what you worked and busted your ass for.

"But they help, don't they?" I glare up at her.

She nods, not bothering to lie or deflect. "Oh yeah, they help. They help in convincing people to do it my way. They help in winning a lot of people over. But guess what? It doesn't last forever. People see what they wanna see but once they dig deeper, they leave. All because my looks didn't match the personality they expected. So tell me Banks. Do you want people to leave you after they get to know your personality? Will people still stick around because you're pretty but have a personality they can't handle? Do you hide who you are from Lance? Does he only like you because you're pretty or because there's something much more? Do you want him to like you just because you're fucking pretty, or see you for you are—broken and flawed—and still stick with you?"

As to drive her point home, she shakes my shoulder, jostling me.

Honestly...I don't know. I really don't know. All my fucking life people have used me, degraded me. So something different from one single person doesn't erase all the words that have already been drilled into my head.

'And when are you breaking up with her?'

Those words play on repeat in my head like an evil maniac banging his drums. How easy was it for Mia to take one look at me and say those words with so much confidence?

I release a silent breath through my mouth, squeezing my eyes shut against the sudden tide that washes over me, drowning me in despair.

"You couldn't have said that any more sweetly?" I ask.

She releases my shoulders and I'm not surprised to see the shape of her fingers as handprints on my bare skin.

"I know the type of person you are. You're tough. Very tough. So sweet words won't do you any change. You need to be slammed in the head with reality."

The corner of my lips lifts despite my best attempt not to smile. "I've never wanted to punch someone as much as I want to punch you right now."

She smirks. "I've gotten that a lot."

After Holly fixes up her makeup and I try to calm the red handprints on my skin, we walk back towards our table.

My eyes meet Lance's and my chest swells when I see the concern on his face.

He takes my hand. "You've been gone for a long time. Everything alright?"

I nod. "Just a long line."

In front of me, Castle and Holly are snuggled by each other's side, whispering things to each other—it's mostly Holly doing the whispering while Castle either sighs or rolls his eyes with redness creeping onto his skin.

"I like her," I murmur to Lance.

His eyebrows shoot up. "Okay...you might be the first to actually say that."

"I wonder why."

"What about me?"

"What?"

"Do you like me?" He waggles his eyebrows.

"Hmm, maybe shower me with another million rose petals and I might consider it."

"Fine."

"You're...serious?"

He nods, earnestly. "If you want to change that to five million, just say the word."

"And you'll count them all by yourself?"

"If that's what you want."

My chest warms. "I'm just kidding. You don't have to do that. Maybe a greasy chicken burger will do."

"Deal." He tightens his hold on my fingers. His eyes, warm and blue, capture mine. I can never get over the intensity of how he looks at me. He leans forward, his lips near my ear, sending shivers down my body. "Wanna find a dark corner?"

I don't even have to ask for what. I nod.

He grins, then stands up, lending me a hand.

"Where are you guys going?" Castle asks.

"Where do you think?"

"Have fun." Holly drawls, while Castle shakes his head. "Castle and I might join you soon."

"Hrg. No, we won't." He snaps. "Behave."

"By now, you should know that I never behave." Holly leans over, draping herself across his side. "Don't be shy when you know you like it."

Castle clears his throat, coughing into his hand as his face turns crimson.

Lance tugs me away, walking in a direction that leads us away from the fancy people and the jazz music. Finding a place deep into a hallway behind a pillar, he pushes me to the wall. His hands snake around my waist, then his tongue slips into my mouth.

A deep moan escapes my lips as his tongue swirls around mine. My hands rake through his hair, tugging him closer. He kisses me deeply as if he's been waiting to do this forever. He doesn't go gentle and I fucking love it. Biting and sucking on my lips, he draws out another moan that makes his eyes go hazy with desire.

"You look so fucking gorgeous tonight. You have no idea about the thoughts that crossed my head."

"Oh yeah?" I breathe against his mouth. "Tell me."

He shakes his head, his lips moving down to latch onto my throat. "You'll punch me again."

My fingers grip his hair, my breaths turning shallow as he does wonders to my neck with his tongue and teeth. "I'll punch you...even harder...if you don't."

"Fine. One thought." He says, then dips even lower, his mouth grazing my collarbone. His hands move down to my hips, tugging me closer to him until I can feel the hardness tucked in his pants. Fire spreads through my veins as his mouth leaves open kisses on my chest while his fingers move my hips to grind against his. "I want to see how warm you would feel if I slid my hand beneath this dress and felt between your legs."

Holy. Shit.

A moan escapes my mouth. Fuck me. Fucking fuck. Me. I never thought something crude was ever possible from Lance's mouth. Wetness pools between my legs showing just how much my body loved his words.

"I knew you were a freak beneath all that gentlemanly behaviour."

He smiles against my skin, looking up at me with hooded, mischievous eyes. "I didn't know you would enjoy it this much. I can practically taste your arousal."

A blush covers my face but that gets forgotten when Lance bites the top of my breast. My dress must've slipped down a little while Lance rubbed his hands down the sides of my body.

My moans turn into gasps when he places those same passionate kisses on other parts of my exposed chest.

"Stop," I say, half-heartedly. "You're going to give me hickeys."

"And?"

I look down to see the complete disregard on his face as he continues kissing me. My fingers move against my mind, pushing his head further into me, refusing him to stop doing whatever he's doing.

Right when my mind is close to spiralling with desire, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

I ignore it at first but frown in displeasure when the constant vibrations ruin the mood.

"Let me see," I murmur, before pulling out my phone and checking the caller ID. My heart stutters when I see Caleb's name.

He finally snapped at me for not trusting him so I let him stay alone at home today without Kaylee's supervision.

I quickly swipe my finger across the screen, answering the phone. "What happened?"

"Banks." His frantic voice turns my blood cold. "You need to come home. I thought it was you and I opened the door—"

"What are you talking about?"

"Come home."

I'm already moving towards the exit, not realizing that Lance is right behind me, hot on my tail. He grabs our coats and his car keys from the valet.

"I don't where they came from." Caleb continues, sounding panicked as fuck. "But both Aunt and Ben are here. And they don't want to leave before meeting you."

✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Oh god, I miss my babies, Holly and Castle! I'm happy to see all my readers from NSID hyping Castle and Holly in this book <3 It means a lot!

This book is definitely a lot more fast-paced than NSID, which I'm glad about because I want to keep this book short and simple.

Updates are going to be very random, I'm just going to publish chapters the moment I finish editing them.

See you in the next chapter which might be in a few hours!

Words: 5,400

Date of publishing: 26th June 2024