72| Sweet child o' mine

"I am confused. What should I do now?" Zoey asked Althea and Olive who were sitting on both sides of her. All three of them were sitting in the salon, getting their pedicure done. It was the night of prom and they had reached the salon hours before the prom actually starts. First, they decided to get their manicure, pedicure and hair-wash done while waiting for Maya and Cindy to arrive.

Zoey used this opportunity to tell them about her mother's Milan invitation because she herself was unable to decide what to do. On one hand, there was opportunity of a lifetime and on the other hand, there was this guy whose presence in her life made everything better. She wanted to go but she didn't want to leave him.

"I'll say don't let a guy dictate your life decisions. Boys aren't worth leaving your dreams behind." Althea said.

"No, he doesn't want me to pass up on the opportunity. Travis wants me to go." Zoey told her.

"Of course he does. I am sure he wants freedom to date a college girl. He doesn't want to be chained in a relationship." Althea said.

"He isn't like that. He is an amazing guy and I don't want to leave him behind." Zoey defended Travis.

"Sweetie, all boys are same. I'd say, go for it. What if you stay behind and then Travis breaks up once he finds someone else in college? How will you deal with the regret then?" Althea said and her words made Zoey ponder. She does have a point. What if Zoey becomes a burden for him once he starts college? What if they both fall out of love? What if this Milan thing was universe's plan to save her from the heartache?

"I think Travis is a nice guy but Althea is right." Olive added, picking up the cucumber from her eyes. "Remember what Cristina Yang said to Meredith Grey? He is very dreamy but he is not the sun, you are. So you do you, girl. And if he is still single once you return, give this another try."

"So now, everybody including Travis thinks I should go to Milan." Zoey sighed, clenching her eyes. This issue was stressing her out for a whole week now and she wanted to reach a conclusion as soon as possible.

She weighed both options in her mind. She also weighed the possibility of staying here. Travis will find hundreds of intelligent women in Harvard. What if he then decides that Zoey wasn't smart enough for him? What will she do then? It won't be easy competing against other women in his life, when she was just a stupid highschool dropout who passed up the opportunity of getting in a dream institute.

She was busy in these thoughts when she got a call from Travis. Bracing herself, she answered it and heard his voice from the opposite side. "I'm here to drop Maya. Are you sure she will be fine with Althea there?" He asked.

"Um..." Zoey gulped on hearing his voice. "Yeah. Send her in. She will be fine."

"Okay." He said.

"Wait," she called his name before he could cut the call. "Stay outside, I am coming. I need to talk to you."

"Sure." He said and cut the call.

Zoey nervously made her way outside the salon . She located Travis' car from a distance. Once she reached it, he opened the door and she slid on the passenger seat.

"I have to tell you something." She said.

"What?" He asked, turning to his side to face her. He held her hands in his own, gently rubbing them together, making it harder for Zoey to speak.

"I... Um... I have decided to go to Milan." She said.

A smile broke on his lips and he moved forwards to hug her. "That's amazing." He said, wrapping his arms around her waist in a way that they ended up in an uncomfortable hug.

He felt so warm that for a small moment, Zoey almost forgot what other thing she was going to say to him. She felt like staying in his arms forever, relishing in his delicious scent, playing with his silky locks. Call her clingy but she didn't want to leave this comfort behind.

But it had to be done. She had to choose what's best for him without letting a guy affect this decision. With that thought, she finally took a deep breath and then spoke up.

"I love you."

"I think we should break up."

They both said simultaneously. Both of them stilled in their position, with their eyes widened at what the other person just said.

"What?"

"What?"

They both once again uttered simultaneously.

Pulling apart, Zoey stared into his eyes filled with disbelief. "What did you just say?" Zoey asked.

"What did you just say?" Travis questioned back.

"I... I... Um... I said we should break up." Zoey said. "Did you just say you love me?"

A mask of pure frustration appeared on Travis' face. "That was before I knew you were going to break up with me. Why would you do that?" He asked.

"Because I don't want you to wait for me. Life in Milan would be really uncertain, Travis. And you'll be going to college too. I want us to explore our potential without being locked in a relationship. If I return one year later, we can start dating again." Zoey said, holding his hand.

"Bullshit." He said and withdrew his hand. "You are breaking up with me because you are sure you'll find someone better than me in Milan, someone who is more your type. And you don't want me to be a hurdle then." Travis accused and Zoey felt her voice crack at this.

"That's not true. I..."

"Just leave, Zoey. Don't worry about me, I won't stop you from moving on." He said and sat up straight.

"Come on, Travis. I didn't even want to go. You forced me and now, you are acting like a jerk." Zoey snapped back.

"I am acting like a jerk? I said I love you and your response was let's break up. Do you want me to smile right now?" He snarled.

"I didn't know you were going to say it when everything in our life is so uncertain. That was unfair of you." Zoey claimed.

"Well, news flash, I didn't plan to say it." He scowled. "If you want, I can take my words back."

"Yeah, you sure are doing that a lot today." Zoey glared back.

Travis' pupils dilated at this and he clenched his jaw hard. "Please, just go. Don't ruin this day anymore than you have already done." He said, not even bothering to look at her directly.

"I ruined the day? I am just following my dreams." Zoey said.

"Yeah, I just wish your dreams didn't include dumping me on prom night." He spat.

"Travis!" Zoey huffed angrily.

"Just leave, for God's sake." He said again.

Clenching her teeth, Zoey walked out of the car and closed the door with a thud. "Go fuck yourself." She screamed at him in anger.

••••••••••••

An uncomfortable silence was sprawled in the salon. Maya and the other three girls were silently exchanging looks, trying to figure out what to do. There eyes were converged on Zoey, who was silently getting her nails done with huge tears in her eyes.

"What did your Walmart friend do to her?" Althea whispered to Maya as the hairdresser cut her hair.

"I don't know. Travis was in really good mood. I don't know what happened." Maya said.

Shaking her head, Althea turned her head towards Zoey. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yes." Zoey said as a trail of wetness travelled down her cheeks. Her lower lip trembled a little as she spoke.

"Did Travis say something?" Olive asked, moving closer to her to pat her arm. Olive was the only one already ready for prom because she wasn't very fond of makeup and hairstyles.

"Just..." Zoey sniffed her nose. "Don't ask anything for now."

"Don't mind him if he said anything harsh. His anger is always temporary." Maya said.

"Do you want me to kick him in his family jewels? Because I can do that." Althea added.

Instead of replying, Zoey excused herself and went to the bathroom to freshen up and wash her face. They all sighed in worry and leaned back in their seats to get their makeup done.

About an hour later, Maya, Althea and Zoey were done with their makeup and hairstyles and were now putting on their dresses. Cindy and Olive had already left in Olive's car and Althea's driver was going to drop the rest of them.

Zoey hadn't spoken anything the whole time and both girls were worried about her. Zoey had strong nerves and she rarely cried so her condition was freaking out Althea the most.

"You both can stop looking at me like I'm made of glass and going to break any minute." Zoey scowled at both of them, zipping up her dress. The dress hugged her body like a second skin and the neckline accentuated her cleavage.

"Um... We were just noticing how good you look." Althea lied. "Travis is a fool to hurt you."

A faint smile appeared on Zoey's lips and she set her curled hair on her shoulder.

Althea then stared at herself in the mirror. Her long dark hair was parted in the middle and the ends were curled. Her dress made her feel like a princess. The material felt extremely soft against her satin skin and her makeup was done to perfection.

Ethan's though crossed her mind. They were going to seal the deal tonight and she had made sure to prepare for it. She has waxed her legs, wore a blue lace lingerie under her dress and kept mint and condoms in her bag; because knowing Ethan, he would definitely forget to bring protection.

She smiled at her reflection and then angled her neck to look at Maya. The hairdresser had styled Maya's curls in a messy braided bun on top of her head, with few hair sticking out. The dress looked amazing on her, which was obvious because it was Althea's choice.

"Are you going to talk to my brother tonight or not? Because I'm tired of his shitty behaviour. You turned him into a raging hot mess, now it's your duty to change him back." Althea said to her.

"He doesn't want to talk to me." Maya replied, wearing earrings in her ears.

"Then make him." Althea said. "I don't get why you girls keep on rejecting him. My brother is a gem."

"I am sure your is quite happy with Blaire." Maya grumbled under her breath.

"Happy? He despises her. He is just trying to hurt you. Don't you get it?" Althea said while she slipped into her heels.

"I get it. But it's not working obviously because I don't like him like that." Maya replied.

"Wow, you really are deluded." Althea said, earning a glare from Maya. "Talk to him or I will tell Dad that I caught him smoking last night. Dad will deal with him on his own."

"Smoking?" Maya asked in surprise.

"Yeah. Smoking. My brother Zachary Harper who had never touched a cigarette before was smoking. That's not something I am going to hide from my parents." Althea said, in order to coax Maya into talking to him. She wasn't going to tell her Dad about the cigarettes but she also didn't want to see her brother spiralling down. There was only one person that could help him and that was Maya.

"Wait, don't tell your Dad. I'll talk to Zachary." Maya said in worried voice.

"You sure?" Althea asked.

"Yes." Maya nodded.

"Good." She replied.

Maya felt anxious all of sudden. Zachary was on rebellious mode these days and she didn't want to be a reason for his such behaviour. He was a nice guy with a bright future and his recent behaviour could land him in great trouble with his family or the paparazzi. She had to talk to him, make him listen, make him realise what was wrong with his behaviour.

Busy in her thoughts, Maya didn't realize that Althea's car had arrived. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she followed both of them out of the salon to the expensive looking car parked near the gate. Gathering her dress with both arms, she slid with Althea on the back seat while Zoey settled herself in the passenger seat.

"Well, here goes nothing." Althea said as the driver started the car. She connected her mobile to the car's speakers through Bluetooth and played a rock song on it.

🎶She's got a smile that it seems to me

Reminds me of childhood memories🎶

Althea muttered the lyrics in sync with the music. The song elevated the energy inside the car and Maya felt herself tapping her feet.

🎶Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky

Now and then when I see her face🎶

Maya added, singing the lyrics and grinning in excitement. She always had male friends so it was refreshing to be sitting with girls. Besides, it was prom night and she was going to enjoy it to her fullest.

🎶She takes me away to that special place

And if I stare too long, I'd probably break down and cry🎶

They both said in unison and then Althea tapped Zoey's arm. "Sing." She shouted at her because of the loud music bursting inside the car.

"I'm fine." Zoey shouted back.

"No. You have to sing." Althea said, swaying herself along the rhythm of the song.

Sighing, Zoey began moving and singing, although she looked like she would rather be in her home and crying right now.

🎶Whoa, oh, oh

Sweet child o' mine🎶

Her eyes filled up with moisture once again as Travis' face appeared in front of her eyes. They had been dating for two months now and this was the best time of her life. She loved being around him, kissing him, cuddling with him; she loved every little thing about him. She didn't know if she was in love with him but she did know that never in her life had she been this affected by someone leaving her.

To relieve herself of the heart-rending pain, she repeated the lyrics loudly, with tears in her eyes.

🎶Whoa, oh, oh, oh

Sweet child o' mine🎶

This time, all three of them closed their eyes and shouted at the top of the lungs, ignoring what was coming their way.

It was Althea who first heard the terrified shriek of the  driver and opened her eyes, only to find the uncontrolled car coming their way in blinding speed. She screamed in apperehension but the other two were too busy shouting the lyrics.

The driver tried to hit the brakes but nothing worked in haste. In just thirty seconds, everything changed as the fronts of both vehicles collided in a shattering manner, creating a havoc and sending everything flying off in the air.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••