Chapter 58

Ella

\-A day before the Gala Event-

Fuck, I'm so royally screwed, groans a voice from deep within my head. Currently standing within my bedroom closet and staring at the many dresses that hung within it, I suddenly began to realize that I had not taken into account the magnitude of needing a dress for Dylan's big Gala Event, the same event I was now attending as his plus one.

Nerves now running through me as panic begins to set in. The Gala Event was practically tomorrow and I still hadn't figured out what I was going to wear tomorrow. From being stressed out over my stalkers to being in a car accident just over a month ago, to the events of last week with the pictures, everything was beginning to take its toll over me, and not in a good way either.

"Not good, Not good" I whined, my hands shifting through my dresses. My brothers currently not home to help me, so I couldn't exactly ask them to help me and Kris wasn't over yet either. Her parents having finally relented enough to allow their daughter to come back over to visit me. A warmth blooming deep within my chest when she finally told me. Excitement rising at all the possibilities of her helping me find a dress was endless for Kris knew me all so very well and just like her, I knew her well too.

"Okay Ella, calm down. All we need to do is sit here and wait patiently for Kris to arrive, and then once she's here, we can go find the perfect formal dress ever, one that would completely fit the Gala's event and still look posh. Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy."

Sighing, I decide to head back towards my bed instead, deciding to grab my laptop and attempt to dress shop online, hoping to find something that would catch my eye. Because, after all, this was my first official outing with Dylan and I didn't want to screw it all up by not dressing the part that I was supposed to.

Especially if I wanted to be treated like their woman and not their baby sister. A blush rising at the thought. My hands coming to rest against my stomach, a part of me wondering what would happen if I did become pregnant by them. Would they be happy or would they be displeased by the idea of me carrying their unborn child within me? Because technically, we weren't related by blood, nor were we related in any other shape or form. And those who knew my father knew that he only had 3 sons, while others kinda knew that he had remarried. As for my mother, she always used her maiden name for just about everything, including her dancing career, even after she remarried as well, so those who knew her only knew about me. Another thought suddenly coming to light as it did.

Dance.... Now there's a thought I haven't even tried thinking about. Ever since my acceptance letter to Juilliard, the famous school of dance in New York, I hadn't given it much thought about going nor did I think I ever would. And while a small part of me wanted to go in order to honor mom, the other part of me didn't want to leave them behind just to follow that dream. And by them, I meant my brothers.

Sighing again, I move to push it all away. Deciding I would just talk to Kris about it later and see what she thought I should do. Should I pursue the dream or maybe, if I wanted to, maybe I could find a small dance studio closer to home and just dance there. Maybe even open my own dance studio someday.

Smiling at the thought of owning my own dance studio, I decided that I'd just talk to Reece and the others first. To get their personal insight first before making any kind of drastic decisions all on my own.

Yeah, I think that's what I'll do first, talk to them before anything else.

With that in mind, I slowly begin to feel a little bit better about myself and the decisions I'll eventually make as I go back to looking for a dress. The need to figure it out soon rather than later hitting me like a ton of bricks. Setting a fire just beneath my ass, as I attempt to fulfill my end of the deal. The gowns.

\-2 Hours Later-

With my nose still pressed to the laptop screen, I completely failed to notice that a whole two hours had completely passed by me until a voice startles me from my thoughts, causing me to jump at the intruder.

"Whoa, easy there, don't hurt yourself."

Lifting my gaze to the new visitor within the room, I couldn't help but smile. Kris now standing within the doorway while wearing a pair of white jean shorts, blue tank top and white sneakers. Completely causal as opposed to our otherwise hectic lifestyle.

"You came, you really came" I practically squealed, sitting my laptop over to the side before quickly moving to slide off the bed before rushing over to hug Kris. Eloping her in the biggest hug that I could muster for someone of my height and weight.

"Of course I came. Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh I don't know, your parents maybe?" I say, voicing my concern once I managed to pull away from our little hug.

"Yeah, well, my parents can be a real pain in the ass too" admits Kris, more aware of how her family worried a bit too much and not how it affected other people.

Nodding my head in agreement, I couldn't help but silently wonder about her words, for after all, they only wanted what was best for her. Seeing as she was their only daughter, it was only normal that they worried, but sometimes they worried a bit too much. And from what I could always understand, it drove Kris nuts when her parents would constantly do that.

"Now then, forget about me and tell me what seems to have you so worried that you're practically buried deep within your laptop like a crazy person?" questions Kris with a soft laugh.

"It's Dylan's Met Gala Event" I admit softly.

"What about it?"

"I don't have anything worthy of the Gala or even for Reece's Masquerade ball. I totally didn't plan for it at all"

"Okay. Okay. Relax. Let's just go to the formal dress store over at the mall and see what we can manage to find. I'll drive us."

Smiling, I moved to hug her yet again, happy that Kris was always the level-headed one opposed to me at times. Because deep down I knew she wouldn't steer me wrong with a dress. Most times, anyways. Other times we were never right in our assumptions and that's what got us into trouble the other 99.9 percent of the time.

"Alright, let's get this going then. The sooner we get there and back, the sooner we can go swimming."

Laughing once again by my actions, do we finally move to head out. The need to just leave the house rising as we move to head back downstairs and out the front door and to where her car sat waiting for us. Spotting the car, I instantly began dashing for the passenger side of the vehicle. "I call dibs on sidekick."

Shaking her head at my silly antics, does she move to climb into the driver's seat once near the car before moving to start it up. The car purring to life as she moves to shift it into high gear before taking off down the long narrow driveway. The sudden need to text my brothers to let them know that I was with Kris suddenly rising to make itself known.

Ella: Hey, Kris came over so we're going to hang out over at the mall. Be home later. Love you, bye :)

Smiling at my text, I quickly hit the send key, my phone now resting along my lap as I tried to think of what I wanted for both Reece and Dylan's big formal event.

Maybe something sophisticated? Or maybe even a little bit sexy? Or how about a combination of the two in general? Either way, I only had today to find thee perfect dress, came my thoughts just as my phone buzzed, causing me to glance down to see who it was.

Reece: Okay, Be safe Agapi Mou.

Dylan: Have fun Stellina.

Caleb: Call us if you need anything, we'll be sure to help you in any way possible ;)

Blushing at Caleb's words, I instantly knew they would too, but unfortunately, I was with Kris and hopefully, unlike last time, there wouldn't be a round 2 like we did in the fitting room of Victoria Secret. Hopefully.

Moving to grab my phone, I move to text back.

Ella: CALEB! (blushes) Down boy, Behave! (smiles) But I'll be sure to stay safe. I'll even send you pictures if you're lucky ;)

Reece: Pictures?

Ella: Ya, I'm looking for dresses.

Dylan: For what sweetheart?

Ella: For the Met Gala and the Masquerade ball.

Caleb: Ooo, nice. Well, whatever it is you decide on, I'm sure Reece and Dylan will both love it. I will too.

Ella: Thanks, be home once I'm done shopping. Love you.

Tucking my phone away, I move to watch the scenery that was before me, my thoughts drifting back to other scenarios such as dance, pregnancy, and college in general. All the things I would have to decide on and soon before my window of opportunity closed.