Page 108 of Unbidden

“Hey.” He nudges my shoulder with his gently.

“An asshole, but a good guy too,” I amend. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. I know I don’t deserve it, but I'd like to be friends.”

I smile. “I’d like that too.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Irun my hands over the garment bag hanging in my closet. The dress inside honors the old me by not being too showy but still screams money and class.

This definitely isn’t a dress from Debs, that's for sure.

I sigh.

To go or not to go….

A knock on my closet door startles me. I turn and find Aunt Alice.

“Hey.”

“Hi. You looked pretty deep in thought.”

“I’m trying to decide if I want to go tonight,” I tell her honestly.

Alice steps farther into my closet and stands beside me.

“Well, I believe if you can’t keep your hands off a dress, you should wear it, and you, my dear, haven’t stopped touching it since I came in. What’s on your mind?”

“I’m not like the other kids. This really isn’t my scene.”

Alice puts her hand on my shoulder and turns me. “And why aren’t you like them? You have every right to be there tonight. Don’t let them get to you, Sage. Your bank account is as large if not larger than theirs. Your last name means something to these people. Just because you weren’t raised in this life doesn’t mean you don’t belong. Make it what you want. I think everyone at BA could use someone like you in their lives.”

“I’m pretty sure Mrs. Bonavich would disagree,” I tease.

“Well, fuck her,” Alice says venomously before sighing. “You better get ready. If you need any help, just holler.” She squeezes my shoulder before turning toward the door.

“Hey, Aunt Alice, is there a reason why you came in?”

“Oh, I forgot. A box was delivered for you. I set it on your bed.”

“A box?”

Alice shrugs. “It was sent by courier. Might want to open it before you leave,” she recommends.

“Thank you,” I call out as she leaves.

I make my way out of the closet and instantly spot a box on my bed. It’s white with no markings.

Might as well open it.

I lift the lid and am instantly greeted by tissue paper. I gently move it off to the side and gasp as I see a beautiful silver masquerade mask. I pick it up and take a closer look. It’s feminine, dainty and classic. Something I would have picked out for myself.

I spot a note in the box and set the mask off to the side.

Sage,

Tonight is the night. The night we’ve been working towards all year. All those ridiculous finishing classes will pay off. I wanted to ask you to go with me but decided against it. I figured if I didn’t ask, you couldn’t shut me down. I wanted to get you something beautiful to wear, not because I don’t think you’re capable of doing so yourself (we both know you are) but because I wanted to see you and think, “Damn, I knew that would look good on her.” So instead of a dress or even jewelry, I went with a mask. Something you hopefully forgot about.

---