Chapter 14

 Caly and her mom walked into the study, she loved it here, it always smelt of cedar and leather. The walls were covered in leather-bound books on shelves, many of the books were original first-edition copies. Her father collected books, so she developed a love for them, just like him. Many days, she could be found here curled up in the large bay window that looked out over the gardens, reading.  She always enjoyed sitting and reading while her dad worked at the large desk in the middle of the room. Her mom walked over to the desk and pulled a pink box out of one of the drawers. She handed it to Caly, “Happy Birthday, sweetheart.” Caly took the box and opened it, she pulled out a long white-gold chain with a locket at the end of it. Engraved on the locket was a very detailed, and very beautiful rose. She gently opened the clasp and inside were two pictures, one was of her father and brothers and the other was a picture of just her and her mother when she was a baby. “Oh, Mama, it’s beautiful! I love it so much. Will you help me put it on?” She looked up at her mother and saw the tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

As her mother helped her put on the necklace, she said, “Nothing baby, you’re just so grown up. What happened to my baby girl?” 

“Mama, I’m still me, just getting older.”

“Did you give it to her yet Cecily?” her father asked as he came back into the study. He noticed the tears in his wife’s eyes. “Is everything alright in here?”

“Yes, honey, our baby girl is just growing up into a beautiful young lady.”

“Nah, she will always be our baby girl. Here, let me take a quick picture of two of the most important ladies in my life and we can add it to the locket later. Are you two ready? Ok? One, two, three, cheese!” he pulled out his phone and snapped the photo that would capture this moment forever. They stood next to each other and smiled happily, not realizing this would be the last picture they would ever take together. “Come on pumpkin, you owe me a dance,” her father said, and took her hand leading her into the ballroom.

After Calypso’s dance with her father, she went over to Naomi who was still surrounded by boys and pulled her outside to the gardens. She had to tell her all about the afternoon and Travis’s gift and note. Naomi was so excited for her friend, “I can’t believe he likes you like you like him! I am so happy for you Cal! Have you seen him yet tonight?”

“No, I haven’t,” --she said sadly, -- “what if he doesn’t show, Naomi?”

“I don’t think you will have to worry about that,” she said with a big smile on her face and pointed over Calypso’s shoulder. “Look.” Caly turned around and as soon as she did, she saw Travis at the entrance to the ballroom with Eli. She smiled ecstatically. He looked like he was looking for someone, then she saw Eli point her out to him, smiling. She noticed that Travis took a deep breath and began to walk towards her across the ballroom. “Go on, what are you waiting for?” Naomi said, giving her a little push back into the ballroom from the gardens. She walked slowly towards him, and they met in the middle of the ballroom. 

“Can I um, uh, have this dance?” Travis asked her nervously.

“Of course!” she said enthusiastically. They began to slow dance. Caly felt like she was on cloud nine. He was dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt, with the top buttons unbuttoned and a pair of black slacks, as well as black dress shoes. His hair was slicked back, but a few strands fell over his forehead brushing his eyebrow. She looked up into his blue eyes and got lost in them. She couldn’t believe she was here dancing with him. He looked deep into her eyes, and everything seemed right in the world, this was where she was supposed to be, in his arms for the rest of her life. The song ended and an upbeat one came on, the two of them just kept dancing together, it was like they were the only two people in the world. After about the third or fourth song, Caly had to take a break. “I’m going to go get something to drink and a quick snack from the tables, do you want anything?” she asked him.

“Nope, I have to go talk to Eli for a second.”

“Why?”

“To thank him for convincing me to come tonight, I was thinking about not coming.”

“How come?”

“Because I was embarrassed earlier in the hallway, and I didn’t think you liked me like that. So, Eli came and hunted me down and told me he was cool with us seeing each other and that he just wanted us to be happy. He also happened to tell me you liked your gift and liked me too.”

“I did, and I do,” she said shyly, but confidently.

“Good! I’ll see you in a few minutes, we have more dancing to do,” he smiled broadly, kissed her on her cheek and walked over to Eli. Caly was shocked that he showed such a bold public display of affection towards her, but she was excited at the same time, she placed her hand on her cheek in awe, as he walked away. She raced towards Naomi who was near the tables of food, full of glee and giddiness. “Oh my gosh Naomi, did you see that?”

 “See what?” Ryker asked as he walked up to them.

 “Nothing,” responded Caly trying to play it cool,  but her and Naomi giggled, unable to control themselves. She noticed Ryker’s fake smile that didn’t reach his eyes, they were still shadowed by whatever happened to him earlier.