Everything became a blur after that.
Thorn had come running over and punched Ash in the jaw for touching me, and then James pulled Ash back while Cole grabbed Thorn. Alec, Harry and Lila were supporting from the sidelines, trying to help both of them calm down, and I just ran out of the door as fast as I could.
I felt oddly offended that they started fighting because of me, and I wished they would just deal with the fact that no one owned me. No one. I was my own person, and quite frankly, I was happy with that.
Just because I was crushing on both of them, yet I still couldn't understand why I felt anything but hatred and disgust of Ash after all he did, it didn't mean I wanted to date them.
Another week passed, and I hardly spoke to anyone. Thorn and Ash both tried to talk to me multiple times, but I blocked them out, not mentally prepared to listen to their apologies or how they never meant to upset me.
However, every time I saw Thorn, I could taste him on my lips, every small flavour of strawberry or honey. I could feel the gentleness of his kisses as they pressed against me and how his soft hands wrapped so delicately around mine.
Every time I saw Ash, I could feel his breath on my neck as it sent my mind onto overdrive. I could feel the pain shooting up my arms as his fingers dug into my wrists, and I could still see the faint bruises left by the pads of his fingers.
But today was about forgetting, and they had specifically said that they wouldn't bring either of them up in conversation.
"So! What kind of suit are you two thinking? As in, what colour and what fit?" Lila asked while eagerly shoving chips into her mouth until her cheeks looked like those of a squirrel, and then proceeded to almost choke.
I leant over the table and patted her back a few times before she gave me a thumbs up, and I returned to eating my own bowl after taking a bite of salad.
"I was thinking something dark blue with a black shirt, and maybe a tie if there are any that match." Harry spoke absentmindedly as he stared off at the wall, clearly lost in another daydream.
"Oo yes, that would suit you! What about you Riv?" I sighed and placed another chip in my mouth before taking a long sip of lemonade, letting out a noise of satisfaction once I had swallowed.
"Black with a white shirt. Maybe a bow tie, I'm not sure." If I was honest, I didn't care what it looked like. If it fitted and was comfortable, that was good enough.
It seemed as if the other two had a different idea though.
"What! No! You absolutely have to get something red. It's your colour. I mean, you looked like a snack in that red crop top, and no one would be able to take their eyes off you if you picked something bold!"
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I let out a sigh. "That's the point. I don't want the attention."
Ever since things had become difficult between Ash, Thorn and I, my mood had taken a turn for the worse, as well as my idea of fashion.
I suddenly didn't want to stand out, I wanted to blend in.
"I don't care if you don't want the attention, you're getting a red suit whether you like it or not, and you're going to look so fucking hot you'll make everyone in the entire room get turned on just by glancing in your direction." Lila slammed her fist down on the table causing her strawberry milkshake to topple over, but thanks to my reflexes, I managed to stop it before it spilt everywhere.
My cheeks heated up at the comment, and suddenly I didn't have the confidence to throw a witty response back. "O-okay, fine. I'll get a red one then."
She jumped out of her seat and threw her arms in the air, screaming something about how happy she was that I finally dropped my act. I was so used to this that I didn't even get embarrassed by the twenty heads that turned our way, and instead just gave a chuckle.
Maybe if I tried to boost my spirit, I'd get back to normal quicker.
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Why did I decide to come clothes shopping with a girl.
Harry and I were momentarily stood outside the girls changing room while listening to Lila rant on and on about how 'literally non of the dresses fit my thick ass figure', while also trying to catch any heaps of fabric or heels that came flying over the door.
"It's not my fault that ninety-nine percent of the population have non-existent hips, and I managed to fall into that one percent that actually does!" She huffed, throwing the curtain open and strutting out of the door without giving a second glance to Harry and I who were hurriedly placing things back on the racks.
Rushing after her, we shared a sorrowful glance, and just as we were about to mention how she had spent three hours just looking for herself, a loud gasp filled out ears.
Seconds later, she sprinted off down the path, weaving in and out of anyone in her way, leaving the two of us in her dust.
"IT'S BEAUTIFUL!"
We stumbled after her, trying to not knock out any kids on the way, and by the time we made it into the shop, she was walking out the changing room door.
The first thing I noticed was the long, pastel blue silk covered by a thin layer of navy tulle cascading down from her hips to her feet, and then I allowed to trail my eyes up. The skirt part of the dress stuck out due to her hips, yet not far enough to make it look fake, and tucked right back in again at her waist. The bodice part was white, as well as skin tight, and travelled from her waist to the base of her neck where it parted into two flowing sleeves that rested off her shoulders.
Let's just say, she looked utterly stunning.
"That's it. That's the one." That was all I had to say before the dress was wrapped nicely in brown paper, a white lace bow tied tightly around it, and placed gently in her backpack.
"I can't believe I found one! It was so pretty!" She beamed, twirling vigorously down the street and looking like a manic hurricane.
"It really was, Lila. It looked beautiful on you." Harry smiled softly, eyes creasing slightly, and Lila laughed wholeheartedly while throwing an arm around his shoulder.
"Why thank you Harry. How gentlemanly of you." She sniggered, punched his chest playfully, and turned back to me.
"Okay grumpy cat, it's time to remind you how much of a sass queen you are."
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"What the hell! I can't wear that!"
When Lila said red, I didn't know she meant a vibrant pillar-box red suit, made from unbelievably soft silk, that matched with a pair of tight dress trousers in the same material and a four-buttoned waistcoat to wear underneath, which also happened to be cut down to my abdomen.
"Oh sure you can! You're going to blind everyone with your sexiness!" Lila hopped around me in circles, a deep, throaty laugh leaving her lips with her head thrown back violently.
"The school wouldn't let me, Lila! They'd kick me out and tell me to pick my decency up off the floor and cling on to it for dear life."
Harry let out a small chuckle just as the long, snow coloured curtain slid across the shiny silver pole, revealing him standing in the third suit he had tried.
Unlike the other two, this one had a very regal aura floating around it, and it framed his lanky form perfectly. It didn't hang awkwardly in any places, and the midnight blue colour complemented his skin tone wonderfully. And if you looked closely, you could see small silver embroidered flowers intricately stitched onto the lapel of the suit, adding to the delicate feeling surrounding it.
Lila and I shared one knowing look before turning back to him, and I think he could tell by the Cheshire-cat like smirks on our lips that we approved.
Without a word he vanished behind the curtain again, leaving Lila and I to continue our conversation from earlier.
"I mean they technically could kick you out, but then again, you could say you spilt something on your shirt and sadly had to go to the bathroom and remove it as to not ruin your look."
I tried to think of a comeback, but she was right. If they asked questions I could blame it on so many things. I spilled wine- wait, that might not be the best thing to say.
Things like... I dropped pizza on my shirt, or my non-existent dog walked over it with muddy paws, or my equally non-existent cat coughed up a fur ball before rolling all over it.
The possibilities are endless.
Before I could verbally reply, Harry stepped out and went to hang up the other two suits while keeping a light hold on the third, a relaxed smile lazily holding his lips. "Go on Riv, try it on. You know you want to."
The sad truth was, I did. I wanted to try it on. I wanted to see if it made me feel empowered and like I could do anything my mind could come up with. I wanted to remind myself how strong I used to be.
"Okay, I will."
Absentmindedly walking over to the room, I didn't even consider what my parents would think if I went home with this thing, known in the suit world as the equivalent to a thong.
However, as I slipped the yellow sweatshirt over my head and carefully butted up the waistcoat in its place, a surge of adrenaline shot through my veins. I pulled my jeans off roughly and almost threw them across the small room before remembering that they were my clothes that I paid for and didn't want to mistreat, so instead decided on placing them down on the chair in the corner of the room along with my mustard piece of material.
I slid the silk trousers on and couldn't help but spend a quick moment admiring how nicely they accentuated the curve of my ass before giggling like a girl who had got drunk for the first time. Finally, I guided my arms through the sleeves and revelled in the feeling of the expensive fabric on my skin, yet couldn't help but wonder if this is what billionaires classed as informal.
Sucking in a deep breath, I flicked my gaze up to the mirror and almost choked when I saw myself.
Despite my strawberry patterned socks, I looked like I just stepped out of a model magazine. But the most shocking part was I looked like I actually belonged in one.
The trousers were tight enough to show how my legs had a little a definition along with fairly nice thighs, and then the waist actually fit compared to the usual that either cut off my blood circulation or hung off by about ten centimetres.
Then, if you let your eyes wander upwards, you found where the waistcoat came into contact with the trousers and overlapped by an inch or so, meaning if I was to reach up for any reason, my stomach would undoubtedly be on full display.
Three of the four buttons were fastened, since I decided that if I was going to live life on the edge, I might as well be hanging off the side of a cliff, and the jacket cut off just slightly above my ass.
After deciding to leave the jacket open, I smiled wickedly to myself, posing a few times in the mirror before finally pulling the curtain open.
The second I did, the pair, who were awkwardly squished on one small chair, looked at he with wide eyes and loosely-hanging jaws.
"Is it too much?" I asked hesitantly, wondering if it really was a bit above socially acceptable.
"HELL NO ITS ABSOLUTELY FUCKING PERFECT!" Harry shoved his hand over Lilas mouth, worried a member of staff would come and tell us to leave due to noise and bad language, but after a few moments concluded that they weren't.
She scrabbled with his hand, trying to pry it off, but ended up failing numerous times.
"She's right Rivvy. It looks really good on you. See, only the other day you were complaining about how it was pointless doing those workouts at home and now look where you are!"
I chucked softly, twirling a few times just for more effect, and just as I was about to slide the curtain shut again, Lila shouted a few words.
"Seriously though, if I was a bit straighter, I would totally be throwing myself all over you."
A laugh escaped my throat, and the other two joined in just after.
It had been a while since we spent time just the three of us, meaning every second that passed felt precious.
"Alright, let me go and take this off and then I think we're done here. Want to go and get some cookies after? My treat."
Lila cheered, throwing her hands up in the air and almost slapping Harry in the face. I sniggered as I slid back into the changing room and sighed once I saw my reflection in the mirror.
Maybe the dance won't be too bad. I mean, as long as Ash and Thorn don't rip each other's throats out, it couldn't go terrible... right?
Wrong.
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This chapter is a bit of a filler for what's about to happen, so I hope it's okay!
I hope you're doing well and never be afraid to message me if you need to talk.
Thank you~
- Storm ð¹