Chapter 5
What happens when you test out of the first two years of your college classes? You get put into upperclassmen studies, and everyone thinks you’re a freak.
I’m in my senior year at UT Arlington and headed to Baylor Medical College in the fall.
How many friends do I have here?
Zero.
How many dates have I gone on?
Zero.
Still the weird, socially awkward virgin, even at twenty years old. My only saving grace is that I have dreams and aspirations to be something, so I don’t let any of this bother me. It sucks badly, but I have Zoom calls with Kaylee once a week.
A job keeps me busy online, doing tutoring and notary work. How can I possibly have so much time on my hands to be financially stable already? There’s not a single bit of debt to my name except emotional baggage.
My heart yearns for Aaron, but I refuse to call him. Do I watch his games on the television? Yes, yes, I do. I stalk his social media daily and find that he isn’t dating. Which makes me gleefully happy but also sad.
Is he as miserable as I am?
Does he think about me?
I chastise myself when I think about him like this. He has moved on, and I need to do the same.
Washing my hands, I clean up the lab assignment that I’m working on and put items away.
“Hello, Ms. Julie.” I look up from the phone to see Professor Lawerence.
“Hi, Mr. Lawerence. How are you today?” I stuff my phone into my bag and put it over my shoulder. Got to love a crossbody bag. It makes me feel safe. Heck, it reminds me of Aaron slinging an arm over my shoulders.
“I’m good. Did you finish the assignment?” He puts some papers on his desk and looks at me through his glasses. He’s at least sixty years old, but he’s a gorgeous man. It makes me nervous to be alone with him. Well, that’s not the only thing that makes me nervous to be around him. It’s also the fact that he looks at me weirdly. It’s like I’m a piece of meat or something.
“Yes, sir. I was going to type up my findings and turn it in tonight.”
Edging toward the door, I look at him as he raises an eyebrow. “On Halloween night? No, go to the masquerade ball and enjoy your night. Turn it in on Monday.”
The what? “Oh, alright. Will do. Thanks, Mr. Lawerence.” I get out of the lab before I make a fool of myself.
Logging into the school’s social calendar, I see the ball there, glaring at me. How did I miss this? Oh, right, I don’t go to social events. Laughing at myself, I take a small detour to my dorm room, and my phone rings.
“Hey Kaylee, what’s happening?”
Kaylee screams in my ear, and I yank the phone away. “You won’t believe what is going to happen tonight.”
“What? What’s wrong?” I’m feeling anxiety rise inside of me, and I tremble.
“Jackson is going to propose tonight, silly girl. And you are going to that ball on campus.”
My frown deepens on my face. “I am?” I hate Jackson, but I don’t say a word. Kaylee is happy with him, and that’s all that matters.
“Yes, you are. Oh my God, girl. You are off work, probably have the entire semester’s homework assignments done, and you need to live a little.”
She has a point, but I don’t want to go. “I would rather not.”
“Go. I had Leigha send over the perfect dress and mask for you. You have to go so that the dress isn’t wasted.”
“Oh my God! Seriously, I’m fine not having a social life.” My eyes roll, but I rush to get into my room. The dress is probably going to be gorgeous.
I hear Kaylee chuckling at me. “Sure, you are. I can hear your thoughts, Julie. You want to wear that dress.”
As I enter my room, I gasp. “Oh… Oh…”
“Exactly what I thought, Julie. Send me a picture once you have it on.” She hangs up and I lock the dorm door.
Putting my phone down, I pick up the dress and I almost cry. It’s beautiful. I’ve lost about twenty pounds since coming to college, even though Kaylee has told me that I didn’t need to. I know that, but knowing I get to fit into better-looking clothes makes me feel wonderful.
And it doesn’t hurt that I can walk around the campus now and the stairs without huffing and puffing. Taking my clothes off, I look at the burgundy dress that’s the definition of me. It has an A-line sequined body that has cape sleeves and flows to my ankles. There’s no way I can waste this dress. Dang it, Kaylee is right.
Picking up the reddish gold mask, my heart starts to beat in a quick session. I…can I go to the ball?
Yes, I can. There’s no way I’m going to let my shyness mess with me having a good time tonight. Taking a picture, I send it to Kaylee and ask her how I am supposed to do my makeup and hair.
A text message is sent back instantly, and there’s an address and a time with it.
Me
What does this mean?
K
Trust me, go and get beautified. Take your mask.
Me
Why are you doing this?
K
Because you deserve it and you are my best friend in the whole world. You need a night out.
Me
Thank you. I love you, girl.
K
Ditto.
Looking at the time, I have exactly thirty minutes before I need to be at the address. Taking the gown off, I put it back into its protective bagging and hurry to get dressed. I don’t want to wear this thing outside and ruin it before I get to the ball.
* * *
The hair appointment,along with makeup and a back massage, was amazing. I have never felt so pampered before. This is something I’m going to have to invest in more. Laughing at myself, I pull into the country club’s parking lot, wondering how tonight is going to go.
Me
I’m nervous.
I send Kaylee a quick text, and she doesn’t hesitate to call me.
“Girl, you got this. Just take a deep breath, open the car door, and walk into the room. You are strong, fierce, and going to have a good night. No one is going to know who you are because of the mask, and that’s a good thing. It will help you relax.”
I wish she was right, but I nod my head like she can see me. “Alright. I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow. I better get pictures of the engagement ring.”
We hang up and my stomach is in knots, but I walk in nonetheless and square my shoulders. I can do this.