Chapter Seventeen

Saturday rolls around and much to my surprise when I told my mum that Carson was coming to do my hair and makeup, she didn’t flip out. She was almost relieved and had told me that she didn’t think I was going, so she had cancelled my appointments.

At the sound of the doorbell I head down stairs and see Carson standing in the foyer with my father talking animatedly. They must have heard me coming because they both stop their conversation and smile when they see me. I was ordered to shower but not wet my hair, shave and moisturise before Carson got here.

“Here is the girl of the hour!” Carson exclaims with a flourish. “Where is the magic going to happen?” Carson asks.

“I'll leave you guys to it and I will see you in a few hours when it’s time for pictures.” My dad says and excuses himself back to his office.

Carson follows me up the stairs and into my room where he starts to set up his stuff and rearrange my room.

“Alright girly, let's get started. Now show me your dress and let’s go over hairstyle ideas.”

I walk over to the dress bags hanging in my walk-in closet and pull out my dress. He gasps and a hand goes to his chest as he whispers, “It's perfect.”

“I was thinking of having a loose braid at the side pulled into a loose bun.”

“That sounds perfect, let's get started.”

I hop in the chair and Carson gets to work. He talks about how honoured he is that I asked him to do this and how much he’s always wanted a daughter. Not that he doesn’t love Mercer with all of his heart, but he wanted a girl to fawn over and do all this fun stuff with. I ask why he didn’t have any more kids and he said that Mercer deserved all their love and attention after his childhood. And now he’s just going to wait for grandchildren. I laugh when he wiggles his eyebrows at me and tell him that I’m way too young to even be thinking about children. I also have no idea how that would even work. I don’t want to have five kids so they could all have one each, or would it be like Russian roulette and whoever has the fastest swimmers wins? I’m not sure if I’m being honest with myself.

I quickly shake off those thoughts, kids are in the distant future and not something I have to stress over right now. I have to focus on the here and now.

“You know, Phillip and I were worried about how an unconventional relationship would work. We know from experience people can be cruel and how the boys would all react to that kind of bias but the longer they know you the more we have seen them come out of their shells and blossom. I can’t begin to tell you how difficult it’s going to be out in the big world, but what you kids have is something special and I’m so grateful I’m part of your lives.”

Carson starts to cry, “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to cry but my boy is growing into a man and I’m realising he won’t need me as much anymore.”

“He will always need you. He might be tough on the exterior but inside he’s still that broken little boy. You and Phillip have done an amazing job at raising him. Even if he doesn’t say it much, he loves you guys more than words can express.”

“Let’s stop with the mushy talk, you can’t ruin your makeup once it’s on. Let’s talk about your plans for the future,” he says, pulling his make-up trolley closer.

“Honestly, without my memories I don’t know what I’m going to do. The old me wanted to be a lawyer but I think I would like to help kids. Maybe create a space where they can come and be children and not have to worry about their home life.”

“Then do that, I have a feeling even if you got your memories back that the old you is long gone. You only get one life, so enjoy it. I wanted the boys to travel the world before jumping straight into life. We spend too many years at school to just turn around and jump back into more school.”

“I would like to travel, to see the world before settling down. Enjoy life before deciding what to do once I’m grown.”

“Convince Mercer, those boys are so dead set on being together all the time and keeping up with Rory’s trust fund. I’ve tried to tell them to accept his offers. I’m not one to take handouts but Rory genuinely doesn’t want to live the life his parents did, he wants to be free. So why not use the money to be free.”

“I’ll see what I can do, I will never stop them from whatever their plans are.”

“I know you wouldn’t”

We talk some more and Carson works on my makeup and lashes. As soon as he’s finished he tells me to go and get my dress on.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror I feel like a princess. I hope the guys like my dress, it makes me feel beautiful and like me, the real me, not Bristol.

I open the bathroom door and step back out into my bedroom and Carson smiles, barely holding back the tears.

“Phillip just messaged and the boys are here. Wait here for a few minutes, I want to get photos as you come down the stairs.”

I nod and he rushes out of the door. I find my phone sitting on my bed and check my messages.

Chloe: I’m so excited, Mac is picking me up.

The group chat for the guys has exploded and I read through what they have been sending. It's all funny banter, the last few are saying that they are here. I also have one from Echo.

Echo: B, how pissed would my girl be if I crashed your formal?

Me: Do you have a ticket?

Echo: I don’t need one

Me: Do I need to warn her of your arrival, you can be alot.

Echo: Plz don’t ruin the surprise.

Me: Okay.

I tuck my phone into a little purse and head out of my room to go downstairs. I pause at the top, taking a deep breath. Carson sees me first, a huge smile on his face and gets everyone's attention.

My guys all smile and my dad has a tear running down his face. Carter is also smiling but my mum looks like she just had another round of botox this morning, possibly because I didn’t wear the dress she had picked out.

Carson has a camera, taking pictures as I walk down the stairs and when I reach the bottom Maximus is waiting. I take him in, the black suit, his black rimmed glasses and his dark brown curls. He is the epitome of the boy next door cliche and he is mine. My heart swells and I hold back the tears in fear of ruining Carson's hard work. He holds out a light pink corsage and I hold up my wrist whilst he slides it on. I look up at him and see he has a pink rose pinned to his suit. Looking around at the others, they all have one pinned to their jackets.

I feel like the luckiest girl alive.

Nausea hits my stomach unexpectedly and my vision blurs, sending me into a memory.

I bounce down the stairs in my new dress to find Milo, we are headed out to a party. I hit the bottom step and I can hear fear in his voice. I tiptoe to the family room and I see Milo with his hands in the air.

“Bristol go back upstairs, this doesn’t concern you.”

I go to turn my head…

Large arms pull me into a bear hug and I’m pulled from my flashback. These keep happening more often, usually random things that are irrelevant. This is as close I have gotten to my brother's death, but I wasn’t holding the gun.

“You look beautiful, princess. Go have fun and be safe,” My dad says with a wink. Did he just make a sex joke?

“I will.”

I guess my family isn’t going to come and watch me walk down the red carpet. The formal theme this year is Hollywood glamour and they pulled out all the stops for it.

We all head outside and I see a limo waiting for us, I look at Rory and he smiles. “You didn’t think we wouldn’t be going in style, did you?”

Rocky runs out the door to the limo as the driver holds the door open. Carter walks out with us but he walks straight to his fancy ass sports car and jumps in, taking off down the driveway.

“We will meet you there for photos,” Carson says as Phillip pulls him away from us and to their car.

Once we’re all in the limo I relax, my guys surround me and they all look edible in their suits.

Rory pops the cork off a bottle of champagne and Levi hands out glasses as they are poured.

“To us,” Mercer says. “And a world of possibilities.”

We all cheers and I decide to ask them about travel.

“How would you guys feel about traveling after graduation? I know we’ve talked about schools and where we might live but after everything that’s happened to me it’s made me realise life is short and I want to see the world, at least once while I’m still young.”

“I would follow you to the ends of the earth,” Rory says, but the others don’t look as convinced.

“I know you all have plans but think about it, even if it’s just a short trip for some of you before Uni starts. I need to feel free.”

“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…”

A scream pulls my attention from Sebastian and I turn and it takes me a second to realise what’s happening. Chloe stands on the stage covered in feathers and something thick. Chev runs and jumps onto the stage, clearing it in one go. He kneels in front of her, slides her glasses off and takes her face in his hands. I scan the room and see Echo being held back by Mossy and Mercer.

“I can’t believe you!” I seethe at Sebastian and take off towards my guys. Levi is consoling Maximus as he puts on his headphones.

I run to him first and bend in front of him. “It’s okay, Levi is going to take you to the limo to wait for us, okay?” Maximus nods and Levi helps him up. Next I move to Echo, who is still being held back.

“Echo,” he ignores me. I follow his line of sight and it’s on Chloe, watching as Clarissa runs to her pushing Chev out of the way. Mac joins her as he glares at Chev.

“Echo,” I yell but still nothing. I slap his face hard and his attention finally moves to me.

“B, you need to move,” he warns.

“No, you need to calm down. You need to focus on Chloe, making sure she is okay. Screw those mean girls, they’re nothing. Go get her and take her to get cleaned up and we will meet you at the after party. You can get your revenge on whoever is responsible later.”

“You’re right...always bloody right,” he laughs and Mercer and Mossy let him go.

Mossy claps Echo’s back and they head towards the back of the room, teachers are trying to get everyone under control.

“I have to go and see Chloe quickly.” I say and the guys nod. We follow behind Echo and find her in the staff toilets where Clarissa is on the phone with someone. Chloe is crying and Chev is leaning against a wall while Mac is trying to console her. Echo and Mossy push past everyone in the room. Echo sits next to her and pulls Chloe into his lap. She protests that he’ll get covered in glue and feathers, but he doesn’t care.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Was it you?” She hoarsely whispers. I’m instantly thrown back by her comment but I can’t blame her, seeing as how it was something the old me would do.

“No.”

“Sure it wasn’t,” Chev snaps at me and Mercer steps forward.

“Be careful of what you’re accusing her of,” Mercer snaps.

“I wouldn’t do that. I understand why you would think it was me, but Sebastian cornered me after I left the toilets and I couldn’t get back to my seat.”

Clarissa hangs up the phone walking back closer to us. “It wasn’t Bristol, it was Lydia. I busted her nose, she was watching from the side of the stage.” Chloe starts to cry and apologize.

“Hey, don’t apologise. I have a lot to make up for.”

“Everything is going to be fine.” Clarissa says with a wave of her hand. “I have a stylist coming to help remove whatever that is from your hair. They are also bringing a change of clothes and he will meet us at the after party.”

“I can’t go to the party now,” Chloe cries. “Look at me.”

“Everyone is here for at least another hour, the party is at my house. There’s no way you are missing it. I dare Lydia to show her ugly face now, with how much blood was pouring from her nose. If I know her, she will be calling her daddy to get her to a plastic surgeon.”

“He’ll need to call the morgue to identify her dental records by the time I'm finished with her.” Echo snaps, rage burning heavily in his eyes.

“Damn that got dark quickly,” Rocky mutters.

Chloe places her hand on Echo’s arm. “She isn’t worth it, let’s just go.”

We all head out, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone and get into our cars. Oliver takes Clarissa, Chev’s V8 roars off in the background, Mac jumps in Echo’s car with Chloe and Mossy and I go and get into the limo. Maximus is sitting on the floor with Levi curled around him. The others take the seats but I sit down in front of Maximus, he looks up at me and mouths I’m sorry.

“Don’t ever be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

He reaches for my hands and interlocks our fingers. “I have to go and make sure Chloe is okay. Did you want to come? No one else will be there for at least an hour and we can leave before they arrive if you need to.”

He let’s go of one of my hands and pulls out his phone, typing a message.

I want to go with you, I’ll be fine in an hour.

I nod, climbing to my feet and pull him up. He sits beside me and I rest my head on his shoulder as the limo heads towards Clarissa’s house. I’m so glad to be surrounded by my guys, they are so much better than my old so-called friends.