Chapter 3

“You have to show me your dress before you leave for the dance,” Katy gushed at the dress Alice showed her on the laptop with her legs swinging in the air.

“Of course,” Alice nodded with excitement, “How about on the night of the dance you help me get ready,” she said while giving her a smile.

Katy's face lit up. She got up to her knees, bouncing on the soft bed. “Really, I can help?” she screamed, and Alice closed my ears before the door slid wide open.

"What happened?" Vincent walked in searching for the threat, his stance ready for a fight. "Are you alright?"

His knightly acts were not getting into Alice's head. He was no hero today. Maybe later when she is asleep because she can't control dreaming about him, but not now when she is wide awake. Alice stopped her beating heart from getting mushy quickly and squashed the thought of Vincent's presence, making her excited.

“How did you get here so fast?” She asked and looked at him, raising a brow. “I thought you were on a date?” Alice’s tone was snarky, with a little drop of venom.

“Why are you screaming?” Vincent gave Alice a momentary glance and shifted his body to look at his little sister. "How many times have I told you not to scream bloody murder when there is nothing to scream about?"

“Ally is going to the dance and I’m going to help her look pretty,” she giggled, ignoring Vincent's dismay. “She is going dancing with Simon. She is going to be a princess. Like Belle.”

Vincent tensed and stared at Alice. He watched her longer than usual, without a word. It looked like he was debating whether to ask, but he shook his head instead. Alice bit her lip to stop her from trying to defend her choice to go with Simon, even though there was no need for any explanation. 

“Have fun in advance.” His response was bitter. “Can you make sure she goes to bed soon?” he spun around and stormed out.

“I wish Vincent was nicer to you,” Katy sighed and Alice waved a dismissive hand. “Are you going to kiss Simon?” Katy was curious for a nine-year-old. She looked at Alice and waited for her to respond. "Are you? Are you going to kiss with your tongue?" She innocently asked, making Alice blush a little.

“Ahh... maybe. I don’t know.” She shrugged.

The door was banged shut. Alice jumped a little. "I didn't know he was still there?" 

“Vincent can be nosy. He is a jerk,” Katy added, giggling.

“Hey, where did you learn that word?” Alice stared at her with furrowed brows, her eyes turning into slits. 

“Riley says so,” she smiled, sitting back on the bed with her legs crossed, “Will you paint your nails with glitters for the dance?” 

Alice's mind was reeling madly at Riley for bad-mouthing Vincent. She wondered if Vincent was upset with her after hearing she was going to kiss someone. Could he really care? If he did care, he wouldn't be going on a date. He would be around and maybe they would play some video games after Katy slept. Alice moved closer to Katy and buried all thoughts and feelings about Vincent.

“We will paint my nails with glitters, but only if you promise not to listen to Riley and his bad words. They are not nice.” 

"Okay," Katy nodded, “I have a lot of ideas. Want to hear them?” She made a long yawn, her eyes refusing to acknowledge the tiredness. "We can search for something sparkly now."

“How about you sleep on it and tell me all about your ideas tomorrow?” Alice said, closing the laptop on the bed and walking to place it on her desk.

“But--“ she protested before yawning again, “Ok but you will let me paint you, right?” she looked at Alice.

“Yes, we can look at YouTube tutorials and pick colors.” Katy smiled, nodding with another yawn, “Go brush your teeth.” Alice urged with a smile.

"Can I get a glass of milk, please?" Katy gave Alice a sleepy grin. "I promise I will go to bed after."

"Sure, only half a glass, though," Alice added.

“Ok,” she moved to her bathroom as Alice headed down the stairs to get milk as her phone rang.

“Hey Meg, can I call you in a bit? Just need to get Katy her milk and we will talk with no interruptions.” 

“You are with Vincent!” she screamed.

“No, I’m babysitting Katy. Call you back soon.” Alice pressed the red button before Megan started talking further.

She rushed down and got Katy her milk, which she drank to the last drop before she went to bed. Alice switched off the light after saying goodnight. She always lingers at the door longer in case she battles to sleep. Alice saw her mother doing it once and followed the same thing. Katy sometimes wakes up screaming for her mom, who died. 

"Good night, Ally. I will be fine." Katy said with a yawn.

"Okay. I'm leaving." Alice whispered and finally shut the door.

She stood by the hall for some minutes before she went down to call Megan. By the time they finish their chat, which could take more than an hour or two, maybe Peter would be back from his event and she could leave.

“Tell me everything,” Megan answered on the first ring. 

Megan and Alice became friends on the first day of lunch break since kindergarten. She was the only girl with three older brothers. Megan also has all the inside secrets about boys and sex. She likes to call all her information inside trading secrets, only to be shared between the two of them.

“Well, he came to Katy’s room, and he didn’t even speak to me for more than two minutes before he left,” Alice sulked, flopping on the sofa.

“He might be dreamy, but he is dumb,” her voice boomed on the phone. "And why are you wanting him to speak to you? I told you to ignore him."

“I don't know. Maybe because I’m the dumb one for hoping we could be friends again.” Alice sighed.

“Just friends?" Megan scoffed, "Girl, we both know that’s not true.” 

“I know. I know." Alice said as she took off her shoes. "All I’m saying is that this is stupid and my mother is right. I should just stay away forever.” She placed her legs on the sofa.

"You know, I have been thinking." Megan paused for a while. "It’s dumb, never mind. Don't mind me." 

“Meg?” Alice paused and heard her friend mumble a responsive hum before she continued, “Just say it.”

“Keep an open mind okay,” Megan paused again. Alice waited for her to speak and she did, “This part I need you to say, ok. To actually agree with me. Okay?”

“Okay?” Alice knew this was going to be insane because the last time she wanted her verbal confirmation was the day she wanted them to go shop for bras that would make their boobs bigger than their original cup size.

“Simon likes you and I know you have been blowing him off because of Vincent, but I think maybe you should say yes to the poor guy and who knows you could end up doing it with him,” Megan added quickly.

“What do you mean, doing it with him?” Alice got up from the sofa, looking around, making sure no one was around. “You mean doing as in have sex with him?” She asked, her heart thundering as she sat back on the sofa.

“I know it will hurt the first time, but I promise you will like it. Ask him to be gentle.” 

“I.. I don’t know Meg.” Alice chewed her lower lip, looking down. 

“No pressure, but maybe you need to look at other boys. Vincent might be Mr dreamy pants but he is an idiot for not seeing how much of a babe you are. Honey, he did it and broke your promise, so do you really have to wait for him to open his eyes and see how hot you are?” Megan sighed but pursed on, "How long must you wait for that idiot to see how great you are?"

“I always wanted him to be my first and have something special with him." Alice sadly admitted.

"I know, girl. That's why I think you should allow me to give him a piece of my mind once. Maybe beat the senses back into his head. Make him see you. You are beautiful."

"I know right." Alice laughed and scoffed. "I'm beautiful. I don't need him. He can go to hell."

"I'm all for this type of empowerment. You don't need Vincent in your life. You can do so much better."

"But he is so gorgeous. Sweet. Hot. And -"

"No. No. NO!" Megan interrupted, "We are empowered. We don't go back on our words two seconds later."

"But Vincent is -"

"No!" Megan interrupted again, "Vincent nothing. He is not worth you thinking about him. You should sage him out of your mind. I'm getting you more incense tomorrow. Lavender. It will chase all those stubborn Vincent thoughts out."

"You are right," Alice pouted and chewed her bottom lip. "He even went on a date, and who knows what they are doing now?” Alice took a deep breath. “It’s time I stopped wishing for something that will never happen. I don’t want to end up being a 40-year-old virgin.”

"I'm sorry. Come again." Megan cleared her throat over the phone. "Are you really serious?"

"I will give it more thought, but maybe it's time I give Simon a chance."

"He is a nice guy. He might not be as hot as Vincent, but if he tried a little harder, he might not be bad on the eyes."

"Hey!" Alice gasped.

"What?" Megan scoffed, "I'm not blind. I have looked, but that's beside the point. Simon could be someone you could date if you put your heart and mind into it."

"You really think so?" 

"Yes. I know so, but don't go off and jump his bones so quickly."

"I thought you wanted me to just do it?" Alice asked with a frown.

"Yes, I said it, but you can take your time. It was a suggestion. You shouldn't do it because of me either. You should do it because you want to. Whenever you are ready. Don't make me say the mommy words to you."

"I know. I know. If I decide to have sex, I will be careful. Use protection. Take the pill as extra precaution if I have to."

"That's my girl." Megan added. Alice sighed and paused for a moment, thinking. "Are you there?" Megan asked.

"Yeah, I'm here."

"Okay, why are you suddenly silent? You wanna go to bed?" Megan asked.

"No, that's not it. Just thinking deeply."

"You are not in Vincent's room snooping, are you?" Megan gasped accusingly.

"No!" Alice shut the accusation quickly. "I'm nowhere near his room."

"So you are staring at his photo somewhere in the house?" Megan's tone was monotonous.

"Why the bored tone?"

"Nothing beats being in his room and snooping," she giggled.

"I thought you were team, Simon. Why the sudden change of heart?"

"You know I'm team anyone you chose. Could be someone new. I don't mind."

"And that's why you are my best friend."

"Please do fall in love with me. I'll give you all my attention and love." Megan said in a baritone voice.

"You can be so dramatic sometimes," Alice laughed.

"And you love it," Megan laughed and sighed, "So what were you brooding about?" 

"I'm not brooding," Alice scoffed.

"My apologies. Deeply thinking," Megan added sarcastically.

"You call that an apology, huh?"

"That's all you are getting from me," Megan laughed.

Alice clicked her tongue but smiled, choosing to answer her question. "I think it's time for me to get over the stupid crush on Vincent. Move on and date. Who knows? I could even have sex with Simon at the dance if things go accordingly."

Megan screamed on the phone, making Alice pull away the phone. Alice heard someone clear their voice behind her and she jumped, almost dropping her cell. She caught it in the meek of time and stood up straight, clutching her device in her heart.

“How long have you been standing there?” Alice asked as she froze. Vincent was looking at her. He had a snarly glare, looking angry as hell with his fist clenched.