The Boy Next Door

I turn around in front of the mirror. My pale skin looks as white as snow against the also pale pinkish colour of the dress. I slump to my bed with a heavy sigh. I look okay, I guess. It'a better than nothing. I'd gone dress shopping the other day, but I just didn't seem to have the luck in finding the perfect dress.

It's not like I'm trying to impress someone, let alone a date. I'm just gonna ask Jaz with the make up, since we've all agreed to get ready at hers like they always do every year.

"Gail?"

My mom is standing by the door. My mom usually knocks before entering my room, but not this time which makes me jump a little bit.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She laughs

"It's okay," I gesture at the clothes hanger she's carrying, "What's that?"

"You look gorgeous, honey. Did you get it with Jaz?" She doesn't answer my question

I nod, "Definitely not the best, but it's better than nothing. What do you think?"

Instead of answering, she unveils the dress from under the hood. That has got to be the most beautiful dress I've ever seen. It's dark red, the material is so soft and falls perfectly.

This dress is not the kind of dress that you can just easily find at stores. From the sophisticated details of it, it must have been made by hand, tailored. But how did my mom have this?

"Mom.. It's beautiful.." I run my fingers along the soft material

"Your grandmother had it tailored for me when I was in highschool, senior year. She was the one who designed it herself, I guess it's the art that runs in this family. I want you to have it, dear." She gently helps me with the buttons at the back

"Mom.."

I'm too stunned by the reflection of myself in the mirror. It's a thousand times better than any dress I've seen. This is that one perfect dress.

"You really are my daughter, I had that same reaction when I first put on this dress. You look just like me back in high school." She smiles

"Thank you so much, I'm literally lost for words." I manage to say

My mom hugs me,"Anything for my princess."

After she leaves my room, I am still left to admire the details of dress infront of the mirror. This dress is a work of art. I just can't stop admiring it, and I'm also surprised how the deep dark red makes a good contrast with my pale skin. I just can't wait for homecoming.

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I watch as 7 inches of red hair falls to the floor, leaving me with hair that's only barely touching my shoulders. It's a big and bolt decision I just came up with, especially because it's just a few hours before homecoming.

The girl in the mirror is not me.

This girl's face somehow looks fierce. But I know I'm not. I look more mature in a way, without my wavy ends that used to reach my waist.

Now I know why they say that a woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life. I walk out the salon feeling like a completely different person. No one knows about the cut, I honestly don't know why I did it in the first place.

I quickly take a taxi to Jaz's house where the girls have agreed to get ready. I brace myself for whatever their reaction's gonna be to my hair.

By the time I reach her room, everyone's already too busy putting on their makeup and stuff to notice my change.

"Oh my God."

"Oh my God!!" Jaz repeats once again. Now this time, it gets the others attention

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late. I got caught up in traffic on the way here." I smile shyly

"What have you done to your hair? You look different! Different in a good way, but girl look at you!" Holly says

"I made the cut. I just.. I don't know, I just felt like it. What do you guys think?" I ask

"You look amazing, no lies. Damn, you make me wanna cut my hair short too!" Lillia adds

"Enough talking, we need to get your make up done real quick, the guys are gonna be here with the limo anytime soon." Jaz commands me to sit

The boys arrive just in time we finish getting ready. Jaz gives Steve a quick kiss and he won't stop complimenting about how hot she looks in her blue dress. Her mom takes a picture of both of them by the stairs, then we all take a group picture. Formal pose first, but the next second we just can't help but strike into a silly pose. I can't wait to see them until they're printed.

"You look good."

I turn around to see Travis in his white suit, he has his hair swept neatly into one side. I gotta admit that he looks really fine tonight

"Well, look at you too, Handsome!" I nudge him

"Oh, I sure am, honey." He bats his lashes

"But really, white suit?" I giggle

"Who's the fashionista here?" He slays

I laugh and link my arms to his, and together we walk outside where the others are already piling inside the limo.

We are so homecoming ready.

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I had a great time, that's for sure. We were dancing and laughing all night long and there wasn't a second I didn't love. I didn't see Alex at the dance, but that's none of my business. He would've just come up with anything just to ruin my night if he'd been there.

We keep the party spirit going, for we are now having our second round at Steve's house for the after party. I watch as Travis is kicking Jake's ass winning beer pong for the third time in a row.

I'm really exhausted, but I don't want to kill the good vibe here. But of course, Travis notices my yawn.

"Hey there, sleepyhead. Are you good there?" He tosses his racket

"Just a bit tired. And sleepy. And sore. Just try walking in Jaz's 5-inch heels all night long." I cover a yawn once again

"Do you want me to drive you home? I'm feeling a bit tired too. Besides, I feel sorry for Jake if I win another game of beer pong." He smirks at Jake, which Jake anwers with middle finger

"But seriously. Come on, let me drive you home." He helps me get up

"You haven't been drinking, have you?" I raise an eyebrow

"Oh please, I only drink wines from 1850." He winks

I playfully smack him and he pretends as if he was hit by a truck. We bid farewell to the others before head out to Travis' car. I check the time on my phone screen, which shows 02.15. I don't really have a curfew but it's the latest I've been out.

Travis drops me in front of my house, and I give him a hug and wait until his car disappears into the night before getting the keys to unlock the front door. I carefully make my way to my room, careful not to make much noise to wake up Mom.

I decide to have a quick hot shower to rinse the hairspray smell off my hair, and trust me, you don't wanna be sleeping with it. I start collecting the pins that are nesting on my hair, and slide off my dress. The moment the hot water touches my sore body, the muscles seem to be instantly relaxed by it.

I feel a lot better after stepping out of the shower, and I let my now-short wet hair down to dry it off. I put on a pair of pajama shorts and a black camisole, and wipe off the remaining make up that didn't wash off during shower. It feels good, to have no make up on my face. I go ahead and get ready for bed, an end to this long night.

"For fuck's sake I am 17! I'm not a little kid anymore!"

Alex.

I look at his house, Alex walks out of the front door frantically, his mom trailing behind him. His voice was loud enough for me to hear, I wonder if the other neighbors could hear it too.
"Alexander! You're drunk! We are your parents, we have every right to tell you what to do! We just want to keep you safe!" Isobel stands in between the doorway

"By what? Locking me inside my room? Not letting me socialize? That is what you call keeping me safe? It's freaking America, what happens in England stays in England, Mom!"

"We.. We failed to keep him safe.." She says slowly

"Screw it, I'm out of here." He slams the door shut and leaves the house.

To my surprise, Isobel doesn't follow him. Alex lets out a frustrated scream and kicks a trash can near him. He is dressed in a suit, which is pretty odd considering that he didn't make an appearance at homecoming.

He sits on the pavement infront of his house and fishes something from his pocket, a metal flask. I assume he's emptied it within seconds because he throws it away to the road, the metal sound clanking when in hits the harsh asphalt surface.

He looks messed up and fragile. He doesn't have that usual smirk he has all the time, as if he's always ready to crack a joke or laugh. I've never seen him in this state before.

Out of my conscious mind, I grab my robe and put it over my pajamas. My feet make their way downstairs, and towards the front door. I've finally come to a realization of what I'm doing when the cold air hits my bare skin that isn't covered by my robe.

"What are you doing here?" He snaps sharply

"Do you.. Do you want to come inside?"

Notes