Page 53 of Girl Like Me

“How about we agree to think about it and talk later?” Levi compromises.

Maximus looks at me from under his glasses, I can tell he wants to say something but he needs to feel safe. I move across and kneel in front of him, taking his hands.

“I want to come,” he whispers.

“You do?” I ask in surprise. I thought he would be the hardest to convince, he doesn't like change or new people. He nods. I release his hands and straighten my body, sliding my hands up to his face and pulling his face down in line with mine.

“You’re my rock Maximus. You ground me and make me feel like I’m your whole world.”

He presses his lips to mine quickly but pulls away conscious of our audience.

“You’re all so special to me,” I say, glancing around the limo. “I don’t know how I would’ve faced all of this without you. We’ll figure it out.”

The limo comes to a slow stop and I retake my seat. The driver comes around and opens the door and one by one the guys get out. Rocky leans down, extending his hand back into the limo to me and helps me from the car. Flashes of lights hit us at all angles. Parents, teachers and even people from the news are here taking photos. I spot Carson and the other guys’ parents, even Rory’s dad. And much to my surprise, my uncle Jarva gives me a wave.

“Dude, your dad came,” Levi says, bringing back my attention to the guys.

“He’s been trying to make an effort now that his toy is pregnant.”

We all look at him in shock, our eyes comically wide. “You’re going to be an amazing big brother,” I say, taking his arm and linking it with mine. Maximus grabs my other arm and we all walk the red carpet, with bright smiles on our faces. We are stopped for a picture that ends up with us all holding Rocky across our bodies. The photographer shows us and each and everyone of us is laughing and I approve the image. We are led around to the left side of the red carpet to watch others arrive. A few couples that I don’t recognise go past until Chloe arrives. Mac steps out of what I’m presuming is a hired sports car and he helps Chloe from the back seat before the driver leaves.

Loud music pulls the entire crowd's attention from behind the arrivals. I snort when I see Echo in a convertible that looks like it has LED lights underneath and it’s the same colour as Chloe's dress, coincidence I think not and the stereo blasts Rockstar by DaBaby. People move as his car gets closer. He parks and him and Mossy jump out. Mossy wears a nice black suit but not Echo, his is white with some type of design but I can’t make it out from this far away. He also has the suit jacket open and his bare chest on display, with all of his tattoos and he’s wearing his damn pink boots. There’s no way he is getting in, dressed like that. Chloe's face lights up as they walk closer to her, even Mac smiles and gives Mossy some bro hand shake whilst Echo picks Chloe up and throws her over his shoulder as she laughs. I spot Chev watching and his gaze is murderous, honestly though it’s his loss.

One of the teachers tries to stop Echo from entering the building but he leans in and whispers something to him and the teacher nods and lets them pass, much to my surprise. But I shouldn’t have been surprised, this is Echo we are talking about.

Chloe is one of the last arrivals so we head inside. We find her seated at a table and we all join her and her guys. We spend our time talking and laughing as others join us. Clarissa looks stunning and she came with Oliver which surprises me. I know she is seeing one of Chev’s friends but by the look of Chev sitting at another table with his friends none came with dates.

Food is brought out fast, teachers probably wanting to get food in everyone's stomachs before the alcohol they’ve snuck in gets everyone drunk.

Chloe excuses herself at the end of the meal, she has to give a speech being the top of our class.

Mercer and Oliver seem to be getting along, Maximus has a tight grip on my hand and he sits between Levi and I. Levi squeezes his leg every so often and I love that he knows when Maximus needs that connection to help him focus.

Lydia and her posse whisper and giggle constantly from the table next to ours and I’m glad Sebastian sits with them. He looks over at me every now and again with a confused look on his face.

“I need to use the bathroom,” I say and get up from my seat. I don’t want to hold it in and need to go while Chloe is giving her speech. She has worked hard to be where she is and I want to show my support, it’s the least I can do after the way I treated her in the past.

Luckily there is no line up for the girls bathroom, I do my business and fix my lipstick. A couple of girls enter just as I’m leaving. They give me a tight smile and I leave them to it. Most people I’ve come across from school don’t know how to take me anymore, just waiting for the old me to rear her ugly head and snap. I see Sebastian leaning up against a wall that leads back out to the seating area. I straighten my spine and go to walk straight past him.

“Bristol, can we talk?” he asks, grabbing my arm. I pull my arm from his grip.

“We have nothing to talk about Sebastian.”

“Look I’m sorry…”

“You’re sorry?” I scoff. “Don’t be, I’m happy.”

“I need you to listen.”

I see Chloe walking up to the podium, nerves taking over as she scans the crowd and looks at my empty seat.

“I have to go.”

“You can’t,” He growls. I turn back to face him.

“You can’t stop me, it’s over between us.”

“I have to warn you…”

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