I Choose You by Kemi Adejumo (classic novels for teens txt) 📗

Chapter Twenty two

Jessica's Pov

"He really hates me now Jess.  He asked me to leave his room.  I have lost my best friend all because I was very selfish.  I didn't know he would be hurt... I didn't know " I cried as Molly kept trying to pacify me. 

"He doesn't hate you Jess,  he might be mad at you,  but he doesn't hate. " she said trying to convince me but I know better. 

"No you don't understand,  he sent me out of his room.   Christian has never done that before " I said still crying. 

"OK fine maybe he did that but you can't give up just like that.  You have to still go back and beg him.  If you have to crawl on the floor and beg him,  do it.  I know Christian will forgive you once his anger cools down. " she encouraged me.  

"OK I will do that,  i just have to wait for a while " I told myself while wiping my tears away.  

After my my confidence has been boosted to a level,  i became conscious of my environment.  There are two beautiful dresses on Molly's bed.  It looked like she was still working on them when I barged in.  One is  maroon and the other sky blue.  Wow , who ever will wear these will look so beautiful. 

"Wow Molly,  these dresses are so beautiful.  Wow, my best friend is so talented " 

"Well I am glad you like it because this is what we are wearing to the masquerade ball tonight " she said with so much excitement .

"We?? I am not going.  Maids aren't allowed remember?"  i replied with no enthusiasm. 

"Well I don't care because I am not going to let you stay in bed crying your eyes out when we can actually go have fun.  Plus I can just tell Christian to let you join.  It is not like this is the first preferential treatment given to you" she explained trying to convince me. 

"Well that won't be possible because the Christian we are both talking about hates me now.  You think I am just going to walk up to him in a dress and he is just going to smile at me?  What if he throws me out?  No thank you Molly but your advice is not accepted? " I replied while imagining how I will feel if all that really happens.

"Ugh stop exaggerating and come here" she said while dragging me to the front of her huge mirror "Nobody is going to recognize you because you will be wearing these" she said and placed a very beautiful mask on my face.  

"Wow" I said thinking that her plan might actually work but then I got sad again. "There is no way I would be standing with you, Luke and Jake and Nobody will recognize me.  Christian will also want to hang with his friend group,  he will know it's me" I said dejected. 

"Then don't stay with us Jess" 

"What? " I asked not clear on what she is getting at. 

"You don't have to stay with us.  Walk around the hall, meet new people, talk to cute boys.  Baby girl,  i know I have been giving you so much confidence but it is high time I tell you the truth.  The  guy you refuse to confess your feelings to will be out there tonight and be occupied by other girls that are potentially going to be his wife someday.  If you are so afraid to confess,  or whatever reason you call it,  then meet new boys and try to be with new boys.  Christian is your best friend and as long as you don't confess,  he will remain just your best friend.  And I have to tell you,  i think it is too late" She explained telling me the whole truth that I need to hear. 

Maybe I am too dumb to listen,  maybe I have fallen so deep in love that I don't imagine myself with anyone else even when the one I want is in love with someone else.  I just want to feel his love,  i want him to see me as a woman and not just a friend.  Even if it is one night. 

"Molly,  i think I have an idea"  I said and she looked at me like she can't believe I didn't listen to anything she just said. 

"I want you to make me look unrecognizable but really beautiful tonight.  Tonight, I want to be someone else in front of Christian and you have to help me with this plan.  I want a wig and contact lenses so that Christian doesn't recognize me" I explained but she looked like she was not having it. 

"What do you mean you don't want Christian to see you as you but as someone else ?" she asked. 

"I don't know Molly but tonight,  i don't want to be me.  I want to be  a very beautiful masked girl and I want to dance , talk and laugh with the prince of Orlander " I said imagining this beautiful dream that I am going make come true. Molly just stared at me like I was crazy. 

"Jessica what is love doing to you? You want to be someone else just so you can be noticed? " she asked still not believing what she's hearing 

"No Molly,  i want to be someone else so I can know how it feels to be seen differently.  I want to experience what it feels like to be seen as a woman by Christian. I want to be attractive to him for the first time in life. " I held her hands and gave her the best puppy dog eyes ever " Molly I can't do this without you. I need you.  Please  do this for your best friend.  All I ask is one night.  Please..." I pleaded and she sighed while nodding her head. 

"Fine.  What is the plan? " she agreed and I hugged her tight. 

"Thank you Molly,  you are the best " I said and she smiled. 

" So the plan is,  you are going to make me unrecognizable but very beautiful.  At the ball,  you will try to get me close to Christian but you can't act like you know me.  I am going to write a note that says "meet me at the garden " you are going to stylishly throw the paper on the floor and act like it fell out of his pocket.  By then,  i would have gone to the Garden and seeing the note,  he will come to me.  Leave the rest to me. " I explained the plan to her and she stared at me speechless. 

"Wait,  you just came up with all that now? " she asked. 

"Yeah" I shrugged. 

"OK but what if he doesn't come to the garden? "

"Molly,  you don't have to worry.  I know Christian and he is a very curious person.  He definitely would want to know what the note is about." 

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