Page 21 of Ashes to Ashes
After my long, hot shower, I dress in a denim pleated skirt, black tank top, and white tennis shoes. I grab the heels on my way out because I need to make sure the dress fits right with the best footwear.
A pair of heels I plan to use after the gala. It’s a nice day for killing.
The guys are waiting for me and I jump in, kissing Hunter’s cheek, “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime. Let’s find you a dress,” he replies, reaching over and grasping my hand.
He backs out the drive and takes us to a dress shop near the mall. As I’ve never been to prom or homecoming or any dance for that matter, I know I’m out of my comfort zone. We walk inand the lady greets us and after I tell her what I’m shopping for, she starts to pull dresses for me to try on. She’s nice and helpful.
The first dress is what she called - a mermaid dress, but I don’t like the look of it. The next one is a form fitting A line dress, that looks okay, but not the look I’m going for.
She brings in a few more dresses and one is a white, glittery, dress. It hugs my curves, but hangs loosely, with a slit up to my thigh. I know the minute I put it on and just know. Opening the door, from the looks I’m getting off the guys, it’s the one.
I smile at the lady, “I’ll take this one.” She claps her hands, and waits for me to hand it to her. Once I’m dressed, I find shoes to match, the same height as my black heels.
Our black heels.
Yes, our black heels.
The saleslady finds silver glittery ones that are perfect. And before I can pay, Hunter whips out his credit card, “I’m going to destroy it later by ripping it off your body with my teeth,” he whispers in my ear.Well, oh my.
Once we place the dress in the trunk, we need to find masks. Our idea is to go with plain ones that we can add some extra glam to if you know what I mean.
We find masks, like the one from those Halloween horror movies and grab as many as we can. Now the only thing we need to do is print out pictures. We grab some food and head back to my house to put the rest of our plan in motion.
Hours later, we have the finished product and I can’t wait to see the look on mom’s face. This ending is going to be explosive.
Chapter 16
Cala - Someone’s end
I roll over in bed to a large figure sleeping next to me—Peck. The guys stayed over. I didn’t care about getting caught by my mom, she was too wrapped up in this event that she forgot I existed.
“Morning, sunshine. Ready for today?” I ponder his question for a minute.
Am I ready? Yes. But there is still a part of me that feels bad.
Stop that. You know this is how it’s supposed to be.
I get that it must be done but a little part of the old me feels sad. But yes, I know it must be done. Kissing him on the lips, I roll out of bed to get ready for the day. He joins me in the shower while the other guys start hauling the stuff to the car. We’re going to the venue early to get set up and will get ready there.
Once I’m dressed, we head out, knowing this is beginning of the end.. Get ready, mom, I’m coming for you.
Hunter stops for breakfast because, “You’ll need the energy for lots of things.” Oh, I love his way of thinking.
Once we get to the venue, the staff lets us inside and we watch as people set up, clean glasses, wipe down tables, puton tablecloths. It’s mundane things, but for some reason I’m fascinated by it.
Peck finds a little room for us to change in and to leave the extra masks in until we need them. I just brush my hair into a side bun, putting on my dress the lights hit the glitter making them sparkle. Finally, I’m ready for the event.
We grab drinks at the bar, surprised that the guy didn’t even card us. It’s my first actual drink and after the first sip, Hunter takes it from me so I don’t get wasted. People trickle in, music is playing over the sound system. Peck will make an announcement to have fun—eat, drink, be merry. Donations can be made to whatever charity of their choosing.
I clock my mother walking in with one of her friends. She grabs a glass of champagne as a waiter passes.
“I’m impressed with how you guys pulled this off in a few days,” I tell the guys because it really is impressive.
“We know some people,” is all the reply I get. I don’t ask questions and I don’t judge.
Mom passes by me, but she doesn’t recognize me. Time for the first round. Peck and Daze pull out the first masks. One is a picture of Brad and the other is Matt. They pull them on and wait in the corner. Mom rounds the bar and sees them, gasping. She turns away and runs into someone. When she glances back, the guys are gone. I watch as she tries to shake it off.
