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

Chapter Twenty three

Jessica's Pov

It was 5:00pm when Molly and I finished preparing for the ball.We had to get ready in an hotel that we booked five hours ago.  I won't want anyone thinking I live in the palace when I am supposed to be in disguise.  Molly already left to join the boys while i will be leaving in two hours. Molly said it is best we let him dance with all the selected girls before we execute the plan. 

 I stood up and walked to the mirror to check myself. I have lost count of how many times I have admired myself in this mirror.  Molly is really good at what she does.  For someone with low self-esteem,  i can tell that I look really good and different.  Exactly what I want.   Molly braided my black  curls and wrapped them in a brown wavy wig that she put up in a loose bun.  She then made me wear a blue  contact lens to hide my brown eyes. She wore on me a bold nude lipstick that I have never worn before so nobody can guess that it's me.  To complete the facial look,  she placed the blue and silver mask on my face which was matching the beautiful blue dress she made me and my silver shoes.  She also gave me a beautiful blue diamond jewellery set to complete the whole look. I am so excited for tonight and I can't wait. I just hope everything will go as planned. 

 

 

Christian's Pov

I was all prepared for the ball in my Prince suit.  Standing at the  front of my mirror,  i heard a knock and then the door opening.  

"Hey Christian"  It was Molly,  Jake and Luke.  

"You ready man? " Jake asked and I nodded. 

"You look great man" Luke complimented but I didn't respond.  Has he forgotten how mad he has made me this past few days?

"Are you still mad at me? " he asked when he realized I didn't respond to him

"I am not talking to you and Molly " I said 

"Hey,  what did I do? " Molly asked

"You and Luke were not on my side when Jess and I had a rift between us .  I begged you guys to let me see her but you refused" I said in anger. 

"Dude,  you have to understand that there was nothing we could have done.  She said she wanted to be left alone and didn't want to see you.  We had to respect that. " he explained 

"Yes,  it is true" molly added "Moreover,  she regrets are action.  Why didn't you forgive her if you still feel miserable without her? "

"I will forgive her when I feel like it " I said trying to act like I don't care. 

"Is she coming for the ball? " I asked nonchalantly. 

"Why do you care?  Didn't you send her out of your room saying that you won't forgive her?  Then why do you care what she is doing? " Molly asked getting all defensive.

"Hmm" I sighed "I am going to forgive her okay.  who am I kidding,  I already forgave her. I just need her to learn her lesson and experience how hurt and alone she made me feel." I explained 
"You know what,  I am going to see  her right now.  Meet you guys at the ball" I said heading to the door.

"Stop!!! " Molly suddenly screamed halting me on my step.

"What? " I asked

"She is not in the palace " she said

"No?  Where is she then ? and why is not in the palace? " I asked suspiciously.

"She is at... uh...huh... her parents house.   She was crying because you didn't forgive her and she said she doesn't want to be alone tonight so she went to her parents " Molly explained.

"Oh" I replied.  I don't want Jess to feel alone.  Now I feel guilty.  When she comes back,  I will forgive her immediately.  I don't want to stay away from her anymore.  I can't believe I won't see her tonight. She is probably crying in bed right now feeling alone and guilty.  Gosh,  the thought of that haunts me.  Dang ...  Christian,  why didn't you forgive her sooner.  You just had to  make her think you are not affected when in fact you are.  Arrgghh.

"Dude,  I think we should get going or you will be late . You don't want to keep everyone waiting. " Jake said snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah,  let me just get my Crown " I said walking to my Closet with a slumped shoulder.  Is it weird that I don't want to go to this ball anymore?  Why doesn't anything make sense or feel fun when she is not around?   I took my crown,  placed it on my head and stared at myself in the mirror. 
"Let's just get this over with " I mumbled and walked out of the closet.

"Let's go guys" I said but noticed that Luke has been hiding a paper bag behind him. "Luke,  what is in the bag? " I asked.

"It's nothing, let's go " he said and hurried to the door but I was fast enough to get to him and snatch the bag.  
"Christian stop " Luke said and tried to collect it the bag but I quickly threw it to Jake.  He caught it and immediately revealed the content of the bag.

"Ugh" we all gasped. It is a beautiful boutique of flower, white roses to be precise.

"Dude, do you like a girl? " Jake  asked shocked.

"No I don't like any girl,  now give me back the bag" Luke said trying to  collect the boutique but Jake tossed it to me.

" Nah bro , don't lie you definitely really like  someone.  Dude you have never even bought a girl flowers before ? " I said to him while he was just scratching the back of his head knowing fully well that he has been caught.

"Fine, if I tell you guys who it is,  will you stop tossing the
flowers? " he asked.

"Yes"  we replied "And Christian has to promise not to get mad" he said. 

"Why do I have I to promise,  is it someone I know? " I asked. It better not be who I think it is.  It better not be Jess.

"You have to promise first " he said  

"Fine I promise not to get mad" I said sternly.

"Okay.  It's Sophia something" he said and I heard Jake and Molly gasped in shock.  

"Are you crazy,  she is a selected girl " Molly said 
"You are fond of falling for the wrong girls aren't you? " Jake added but I just stared in silence. 
What can I say? This is one of the best news I have heard in a while.  Immediately i heard it is not Jess,  I felt a feeling of relief wash over me. I can't believe I will be this happy to hear such news.  I watched as they all stared at me waiting for a reaction.

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