After It Happened

Chapter 13: 12

"You're finally here! Your mom has been looking for you. She's still in her room and she's kinda

nervous."

I look at my stepsister and I'm slightly amazed. 'Slightly' is the key word. She's wearing a black halter

crop top dusted with shimmers and a high waisted spring green asymmetrical skirt ending it with black

three-inch stilettos. She tops her look with a thin flower crown and light make-up. I'll admit she looks a

little bit like a princess.

When I walk into my mom's room and my eyes fall on her, I gasp inaudibly. I stare at her taking in every

detail of her beautiful self. She's wearing an off-shoulder floor length gown. The gown is black but

blends into a deep purple from her waist down. The sparkles on her dress make her look like she

doesn't belong to this world. Her make-up is light, but it brings out her beautiful brown eyes. She's

fiddling with her purple flower crown which is bigger than Camille's in her hands. She's too nervous that

she doesn't notice me.

"Why are you acting like it's your wedding day? It's just a birthday party."

She lifts her head finally noticing me. She grins looking relieved to find me here. I squeeze her hand

silently assuring her that everything will be fine.

"I don't know why I'm so nervous. It's just a little get-together. I think it's because I'll have to meet some

of Clinton's friends and relatives I haven't met before. I don't know what they'll think of me."

"Mom, chill. You are perfect. If they don't like you, their loss. Now, round up. I'm walking you down the

stairs."

"But, I thought-"

"He's not here, right? He must be busy with his friends. Plus, I really want to do this. Forget about

formalities. You got me."

I place the crown on her head and help her put on her jewelry as she giggles like a school girl. When I

stare at her once again, I finally realize why my grandma had named her Cassiopeia. She was really a

beautiful star, too heavenly to be with us.

I quickly text Camille asking her if it's time for my mom to come downstairs. She quickly replies with a

yes. Now, it's time to get the party started.

We walk down the regal stairs in rhythm to African Queen by 2Face. At the base of the stairs, my

stepdad stands with his hand stretched out and I hand my mom over to him. He leads her to the centre

of the hall to dance and I walk away trying to find a way to keep myself busy. I quickly go to the table

that had the food and I bump into Camille and of course, Denise. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

My stomach does its wonderful acrobatics and my throat closes up leaving me to gape like a fish as I

stare at Denise. Her off-shoulder black long-sleeve crop top gracefully exposes her shoulders and a

little bit of cleavage. She's wearing black and white striped pants that are tightly fit then flow freely from

her knees. Her outfit displays her nice curves and my hands itch to feel her thin waist. Her pretty brown

eyes and full lips are not helping her case at all.

"Mom told me that I could invite my friends, so I invited Denise."

"Oh y-yeah. Um hi. You're welcome."

I mentally face-palm.

Real smooth.

The girls in front of me lowly chuckle. I quickly leave before I find a way of embarrassing myself more.

I'd even forgotten to take snacks. Another time then.

What was it with the girls in my life looking so pretty this evening?

Girls in your life? Pretty? You didn't just think that. Urghh.