Rich Boy and Poor Girl

11

I'm trying so hard to focus on my food instead of eavesdropping people chatting around me. Almost 90% of their conversation are about Daniel birthday party. I guess he invited the entire school.

Moreover, Maddie and Melissa both are talking about it too. I never realize I change this much, from careless Beverly to caring Beverly.

I never mind what other people says before but now, I do care. No, but I CARE. I FREAKING CARE. I read an article about anxiety a few days ago and proudly to say, I'm struggling with it now.

I never experienced this kind of jealousy before. I'm still asking my dumb self how I could get jealous after heard the sentences without even thinking they really meant it or they just bragging for Daniel's attention.

Even forgot to ask myself if Daniel himself wants it?

"BEV!" Morgan suddenly yells and smacks the table, literally drags me out from my daydream and delivers a heart attack. I jump a little to back in respond, sigh and shake my head. "You're going right? Tonight?"

I shrug. "Why?"

"Come on Bev. We all see love chemistry between both of you," Maddie says with grins on her face. "You must come Bev."

"Guys, it's impossible," I speak, emphasize the impossible word. All of them look stunned, maybe because i was raising my voices. It's under my control. "I'm sorry."

"No, not truly your fault Bev," Emma mumbles and smiles. "All of us know that Daniel was a womanizer before he dates Nicola. I mean, don't put your hopes too high at him. We don't know he really loves Bev or he just use her as revenge to Nic since she cheated on Daniel. We all know he is a sweet talker."

All of us nod in unison. Emma is right, she is right.

"But what if the phrase 'Eyes can't lie'?" Maddie asks. She must've watched lots of high school sweetheart movies and fascinated by it.

"Maybe they can't but Daniel's can," Emma replies, and all of us laugh.

~*~

I spend my day normally. I get home from school and going to work. Work is funner than school sometimes. I stand behind my cashier table, busy scanning the products barcode and counting the money.

I go home normally at 5 p.m. and sprint to my condominium. I have filled the resignation paper due to the endless assignments. My mom forced me to because i sleep less than five hours on school days and our condition are better now with Charles joining us and help us economically and mentally.

I reach my floor and push the door. Charles has ready to go. "Hurry up," He says and both of his hands grab my shoulder and softly push me to my room. "I don't care about your condition, you must go to the party."

I sigh and go straight to shower. I wash my hair because it is oily and smelly. When i get out, Charles has standing in front of my vanity table with hairdryer on his right hands. I plop to my vanity chair, he starts drying my hair and i applying make up to my face.

Both of us start together and finish together. I change to off-shoulder white lacy mini dress, which i bought online and just arrived a few days ago. I still swimming in amazement how it fit me so well, and it will look better if i have a longer hair and braid it.

I grab my clutch bag, which i bought online too because of the cheap prices. Shamelessly mention i also bought Daniel present, online. I bought a black bomber jacket with a big "D" embroidered on the left, beside the zippers. I don't know it's coincidence or what.

My mom is going there too. Flashback a little bit, i wasn't really wanna go but why i prepare all of this?"

Because at the end i know, i will go there.

Charles use valet services for the car as he know it will be crowing here because Daniel rented the whole restaurant for a day. When we reach the restaurant, at 56th floor, we can hear loud DJ music humming from inside the lift.

When the lift door spring open, people are standing in line waiting for their turn to write their name, give Daniel present to the receptionist and write their wish for him in a big white canvas.

I simply write my name, address and sign there. I hand my present to a girl and she hands me some coupons. I take the marker and write :

Happy 15th birthday, have a blast ! - B

Just a simple message and i put the marker back on it places. I surf in the crowd to find my friends and find like lots of chair in front of the stages. This birthday party is look like sweet17th party, the different is, Daniel is boy, not girl. The theme is Gatsby and gold color is dominating.

"You come," Emma yells in excitement and hugs me tightly. She drags me to the front seat and place me in the middle of my friends.

As it's outdoor, we can see the Jakarta city views clearly with afternoon breeze accompanying until the party's over. The sun has set and the moon has flashing his light.

At 7, the party starts. The MC appears and start talking, tbh, i never interested to this part. I'm waiting for them to call Daniel outs and walks on the red carpet between of two groups of chair.

"The moment has arrived, let us call, DANIEL LEE," Both of the MC say in unison. They seem as excited as the guests.

Daniel walks in, handsomely, with a simple black tuxedo but what steal my attention is his gold tie. All of us clapping as his feet step on the red carpet, take out our phone, records it and sent it as story on snapchat.

He stands between the MC. No matter how often he smiles, he can't hides his nervousness. Actually he can't stop smiling, moreover when his parents stand beside him, accompany him. But his smile changes and how he looks at his parents is priceless. All of it flashing a real happiness, that i never see inside him.

"Daniel, i believe your parents have raised you from the day you born until you're here. Do you want to say something to them ? And maybe some words to your friend too ?" The MC asks.

He nods his head and snatch the microphone from the second MC hand and all the guests laugh at him.

"Thank you mom and dad for coming to my birthday party and sacrifice your work times for me," He says and his parents nod, with smile draw on their face. "Thank you for everything i get since i was a baby. Thank you for the expensive car, watches and thank you for buying everything i want. Both of you spoil me much."

We all laugh when he stops, and he continue his speech.

"I'm sorry for being a troublemaker, i'm sorry i can't give you guys something memorable except trouble," He says and laughs. He takes another deep breathe and start speaking again. "I promise you i'll change, to a better person, be the child that you can proudly say his name to your business partner and everyone on the company."

He starts shedding tears but a gentle smiles still on his face, telling us he is okay. "But i can't do that without a girl," He says and stun the entire restaurant. All the guests shut their mouth and concern to his speech. "A girl that changes my life, a girl that dare to chastised me, a girl that teach me to be grateful for what i have. She is pretty, as pretty as her hearts."

The girls here begin to blush, mumbling silently as they think he referring to them. I sit calmly and four of my friends say, "It's you Bev!"

"But you guys say-"

"Forget it Bev, he loves you," Morgan says and blinks her eyes.

"The girl that stand by herself, giving her a different new color to my sight." He says and smiles, his eyes look through my eyes. "Can i mention her name ?"

Both of the Mc nod.

My heart racing faster but I try to look cool. I'm hoping he mentions my name.

But he's not.

He changes his mind, "I gonna drag that girl to the stage."

The guests start to mumbled again, some are disappointed because they have waiting so long for the announcement but it isn't like what they've expected.

He hands his microphone to the second MC and start walking on the red carpet. He walks and walks, he passes me like two times that's enough to tell me that i'm not that girl.

All eyes follow everywhere he goes, until he stop in front of Cassandra. I admit she is so beautiful in her gold mini dress match with her gold Christian Louboutin high heels. A small Louis Vuitton clutch rest on her laps. She is so beautiful.

Daniel long finger touch Cassandra hands and slowly intertwine their fingers.

"I have to go to the restroom," I say and run with my high heels to there.

I get in and lock myself there. I know i mustn't have hope too much. Tears slowly coming down from my eyes, slowly damaging my make up. I take my tissue out and rub my face slowly.

I hear the door bang loudly to the wall. The first things that cross my mind is catastrophe. I will feel guilty for my whole life if i break the party.

"Beverly, i'm sorry," Daniel says. "Please come out."

I stay silence and a smiles draw on my face.

"Bev, it's not Cassie. I won't choose her you know right?"

I nod. He actually can't see it.

"Bev please come out," He begs.

I take another deep breather and try to turn the door handle. I start to panic as it loose. I mean no matter how many times you turn it, it won't release the lock.

Shit, i'm lock myself and now i can't go out.

"I want to go out," I say. "But."

"But what ?"

"The door handle is broken and i can't get out !"