Chapter 5 Secrets

Elise's POV

As mom drove us home, we were all silent and the silence must have bothered her as she asked, "Girls, is everything okay?"

"Yes, Mom," I answered calmly.

"Are you sure?" She repeats.

"Everything is fine, ma'am," Keira assured her.

"I guess it must be excitement for the party. Have you guys picked out dresses yet?" She asks.

"Yes, Mom. We did that earlier, just before you decided to surprise us." I answered.

"Well, it was a good surprise though, wasn't it?" She inquired.

"The best, in fact," I affirmed.

"Yes!" Keira agreed.

"So, no boys tonight, eh? Remember I'm only letting you go because it's going to be your last day of high school so I do not want any misbehavior. Is that understood?" She asks sternly.

"Yes, ma'am." We said in unison.

"We promise," Keira added and I shot her a fierce glance.

There was no need for promises as my plans today did include boys. Jonas.

I feel that I have been locked up for too long and this was my time to be free, now or never.

The plan was to get a few or lots of drinks, get to have sex and confess my feelings to Jonas.

Yes, I had been holding out for 10 years now, and I just felt like this was the right time especially as College was just around the corner and I sure as hell knew Jonas would be leaving anytime soon.

I wanted to feel wanted, needed, and like a lady for once just this once.

I turned to look at Kiera's face to see if I could let her in on my plan but I decided against it. She might kick against it and get me to change my mind which I didn't want to.

It was best she found out about it at the party. That way, it would be easier.

"We're home," Keira tapped me jolting me back to reality.

I had been so lost in thought that I had lost track of where we were.

"So soon," I noted.

"So soon?" Keira raised a brow.

"We have been driving for over fifteen minutes and you make it sound like we have only been driving for two minutes," Keira added.

"Well, by the look of things, fifteen minutes went by too quickly." I retorted.

"Is everything alright?" Keira asks.

"Yes, why?" I inquired.

"You look pissed," Keira said.

"No, I don't." I objected.

"Alright, if you say so." Keira agreed.

"Let's forget about my being pissed or not and go prepare for the party." I tried to change the mood.

"What plans did you have?" Keira asks.

"Just dress up and go party," I answered curtly.

"It didn't sound like that when you mentioned it earlier." She noted.

"How did it sound then?" I ask.

"Like you had other plans." She insisted.

"I decided to change the dress," I said quickly trying to brush off those conversations as I might be tempted to tell her the truth.

"Oh, is that it? Let's get you another another dress, please. Which would you prefer?" Keira asks.

"The black slivery dress," I replied.

"Black? Are you mourning someone? And do you think your mother will let you walk out in that dress? It is too...eh..." Keira was saying before I asked her to shut it.

"Keep your voice down, shush. Do you want mother to hear you? That's the plan, to wear black and attract attention as I might probably be the only person wearing black, all the other girls will be wearing the other colors. Besides, the dress will bring out my curves." I explained.

"And what about your mother?" She asks.

"Oh, she doesn't have to know about what I wear. I just have to wear a dress she approves of here at home and then, the black when we are out of the house." I smiled.

"Looks like you already got it all mapped out. Well, good luck to your mother not finding out." She said.

(An hour later).

"Mom, we are ready to go," I said out loud so she could hear me.

"Oh, you look gorgeous in that dress. Keira, be sure to watch out for your cousin and El and make sure to do the same for her. Be good, alright?" She advises.

"Yes, Mom. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Why do you need such a big bag for a party as small as this?" Mom notes.

"Oh, we just stocked up some snacks just in case we might need them." Keira chipped in.

"Oh, that's good planning. You girls enjoy the party." She says.

"Thank you, Mom. Bye." I waved.

"Bye, Aunt Kathy." Keira waved.

We stepped out the door to an already waiting Uber.

"Where can you change your dress?" Keira asks.

"Relax, Keira. All we have to do is stop a few meters from school, use the back door to gain entrance, and go change in the ladies. Nobody would notice." I said.

"This doesn't feel good, Elise. It doesn't. You sound different from the Elise I used to know." Keira said, shaking her head, whether, in agreement or disappointment, I could not tell.

And honestly, at this moment, I did not care. I only wanted to live for me today, live for this moment.

"It's still the same Elise. Just that this one is a little bit too excited about the party." I answered.

At least she had a boyfriend. I had no one.

We alighted from the Uber and sneaked into the school premises using the back door. We managed to get into the ladies and I quickly changed.

The dress stuck tightly to every inch of my body, showing all the right places and I loved it!

Thank goodness for Keira who had some experience with make up as I was terrible with it.

Keira would always tease me saying, "Surprising how one can be so good at painting on paper and terrible on the face."

"Well, what do you think?" I asked Keira turning around and asking her opinion of my dress.

"You could pass for a model." She noted.

"Let's get the party started then," I said smiling.