Chapter 5

I never planned on attending the school's Valentine's party, but when Ms. Sinclair, the visual art teacher, asked me for help to oversee the picture booth they'd rented just for the special event. It felt good that someone needed me for something, so I accepted it instantly.

Now that I've had a terrible day at school, I regret having done so.

I put on a V-neckline, crimson red dress that reached below my knees, black heels, and a red shawl around my shoulders.

I fixed my hair in a half-up and half-down Loose Locks hairstyle and topped it off with a large bow, also matching the color I'm wearing.

To complete my look, I added some makeup to my pale skin and some lip gloss.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror for a while, loathing my image, and I wished for a more beautiful one staring back at me. An image I was comfortable seeing.

Mom was downstairs waiting for me. I asked her for a ride since she hasn't left for her night shift yet, because the school bus doesn't travel at night.

When she saw me coming, she took one look at me and spun away, opening the front door and walking out of the house.

Mom and I had the same hair color and eyes; we also had the same features, but I was a bad-looking copy of her.

Even when I got into the car, she didn't look at me; her head was kept straight ahead of her, and both hands were on the wheel.

As she drove along the road. I imagined her as a loving mom, like I've always done since I was seven, to bury the pain that she loathes me for ruining her life.

You look beautiful, even though I'm not. I imagine her telling me in the car, and when we arrive, she tells me to have a great time and that she'll return to pick me up.

But likewise, she says nothing, avoiding my existence and caring less that I didn't have a ride to return home.

I watched her car disappear in the night's darkness as tears slowly built in my eyes, praying for a miracle that one day she would love me and accept me as her daughter.

Wiping away my tears, I looked at the area where Connor would have parked his bike, knowing very well he'd never be here.

When I got into the school, the hearts hanging from the ceiling were glowing, as were the ones across the lockers. They were so beautiful.

The school's gymnasium was where the party was held. It was radiantly decorated with heart-shaped balloons, and red lights illuminated the dancing area.

No one was there yet except for the teachers.

"Hi Amara, you look lovely," Ms. Sinclair, the visual teacher, approached me.

I felt shy at her comment and wondered if she was telling the truth or just being kind to me. I settled for the last thought.

She led me towards the picture booth.

"I'll do good, Ms. Sinclair," I said after she walked off, right after showing me the picture booth box.

She nodded, and I slapped my head, wishing I'd said nothing.

I haven't been here for five minutes, and I'm already showing my weirdness. I cursed myself.

Shortly, couples were popping up, and the party began. Some came to take pictures. Since the school couldn't afford a better picture booth machine. I had to be the one to collect the cash they had to pay before taking a picture.

As I'm handing out a couple of their changes, Bryson and Elena approached me.

Bryson was handsomely dressed in his black tuxedo, black tie, with a white inner shirt, an expensive silver watch, and shiny leather shoes, while Elene was attired in a mini dress and heels. Her dark pixie hair is styled in curls, and her makeup is beautifully done.

"2 dollars for a pic," I said quickly, keeping my eyes on the floor flashing with red lights as Elena glared at me.

My head rose to his, and he handed me the money, and then I allowed them inside.

In the middle of the party, as all the couples danced slowly, I went from the picture booth since no one wanted to take any more pictures and handed Ms. Sinclair the cash before going onto the school's rooftop.

At Dims-Wood at night, we were strangely able to see the moon.

The full moon illuminated the roof. The sight was spectacular, but I couldn't stop thinking of the incident that took place here with Connor and me.

I walked over to the place where he had stood, and I understood why he chose to stand here. The woods. It was a heavenly sight now glowing with the moon's silver light, and I wished he could see it too.

At the end of the party, as I was leaving, Bryson walked towards me after helping Elena in the car. Her gaze remained fixed on me as he approached.

"You look beautiful," Bryson complimented.

"Elena is," I said, awkwardly pushing a strand of hair from my face, not believing his words that I was actually beautiful.

"Yes, and you too," he added, and I turned my face away from him, starting to get angry, loathing the words he described me with, for I wasn't.

"I was looking for you to ask for a dance, but you were nowhere to be found. Where were you?" he asked.

"I was on the rooftop," I said abruptly.

As he was about to say something else to me, I cut him off, seeing Elena's stare harden.

"Elena is waiting for you."

He nodded.

He gently touched my shoulder and walked away.

I watched the only ride that could take him home just because of the fear of his girlfriend Elena.

Elena can be a big bully. In seventh grade, I watched her and a few of her friends verbally bully a girl in our class about secondhand clothes she'd worn, and so I tried to keep a safe distance from her.

As soon as Bryson's car was gone. I began walking along the road towards the bus stop. It was dark, but the moonlight was enough to lighten my path.

It was difficult trying to walk quickly in heels, and I wished I'd worn my white sneakers.

My feet started to hurt, and I regretted that I'd allowed Bryson to leave without asking him to take me home.

Just when I considered it to be the most dangerous idea I'd ever had of walking alone on a dark street at 12:15 in the night.

I heard a vehicle from behind. Its white headlight brightened the road, making the path clearer.

I turned to see the car slowing down as it closed up on me. There were 3 men in the car.

"Little Lady in Red, want a ride with us?" The driver poked his head out the car's window.

I spun my head back around, putting speed into my walk. My heart raced in terror.

"Hey! We just want to give you a ride," another said.

I began to run. The car sped across the side of the road, blocking my path.

My heart beats loudly like a drum as the two men in the back seat quickly get out of the car.

I looked around, as they did, for anywhere to get away. But the only means of escaping is the wood, which is dark and dangerous.