Chapter Three
1314 Words
Dahlia Vance POV
The German Shepherds barks are distant but I don't stop running. After the alarm went off, i knew it would be silly to get to the garage and attempt driving past the guards. I took the path through the woods and now I'm regretting it.
I've been running for about thirty minutes but still no sign of the highway. Dad's search dogs had picked my scent and i know they're searching the woods now.
And then i hear the loud sound of an engine roaring from afar. I chuckle as i follow the sound and it leads to a path covered by foliage.
Finally i'm on the road.
"Oh Thank Go—" I begin to say but the engine i had heard was from a motorbike and it sped past me, splashing dirt water from a rain puddle on the road.
I jerk back and as soon as i look down at my dress, a murderous feeling envelopes me. "Bastard!" I curse out.
To my dismay, the bike brakes squeal about a hundred meters away.
Did he hear me?
What if he's dangerous?
I wonder at first but then i stare at my stained dress and even if he's the devil, he's going to have a piece of my mind tonight.
"Do you need a ride?" A deep male voice bellows in my lonely road.
Sounds like a young man. I'm not shocked though but it's not common to see someone in Brookwood use such bike. It looked expensive, like really really expensive.
"Hell no!" I say even though there's nothing more i need right now but a ride. "And is that how you apologize?"
He stays quiet for a moment, the only sound I hear are crickets and rhe faraway barks of dogs and whistles.
"Apologize for what?"
Was he being serious now? Is he blind? Can't he see the water he splashed on me? What kind of punk is this?
My fists are clenched and i feel like sticking my fost in his face for that.
"For splashing mud water all over my dress." I yell at him, at the edge of losing my mind.
I hear him croak out a laugh and then start his engine again. "Watch your steps next time, Princess."
And with that, he zooms off, leaving nothing but smoke and the echoes of his demeaning laughter in my head.
I yell out more curses at him and i only stop when i see bright headlights approaching. I jump and wave my hand to stop the driver but as car draws closer, the joy in me fades away.
It's a Black Maserati, one of mum's favorite.
There's no point running anymore, so i stand by the side of the road and wait for my capture.
Mum is in the driver's seat and as the car stops by my side, she winds down the window and i notice no one else is with her.
"Mum i'm sorry," I say immediately.
She swings open the door without turning off the engine of the car. "You're not sorry but that doesn't matter now."
Mum steps out of the car. She's in her night gown and her eyes are drowsy from sleep. A part of me feels guilty for disrupting my mum's peace but mostly i'm just pissed.
"Get in the car!" She orders.
I begin to make my way to the passenger's side and the grabs my hand and pulls me closer.
"Get in the car and drive to the party before your father gets you." She says.
I can't believe it. Mum is helping me escape?
"Thank you," I wrap my arms around her quickly before sliding in the sleek vehicle.
She leans on the door and then says. "Tomorrow, you'll face the consequences."
A bitter taste settles on my tongue as the thought of it knocks all the excitement away. I've never done anything so rebellious before, especially on a night i failed my Dad.
I nod at mum before driving off. All the way, my mind is bogged with different thoughts; none of them good.
It doesn't take long for me to get to Mia's house. The entire driveway in the street is packed with student cars and trucks. Every able-bodied student in Brookwood is present because this is not just any random party, it's also a farewell party from highschool.
"Oohh" a group of student gasp as soon as the Maserati turns into the driveway of Mia's lawn.
Mum's Maserati was the best way of making an entrance. Soon, people rushed closer with their phones to record the car pulling in.
"Oh God!" I'm used to causing a scene but with my dress stained, I needed less attention tonight.
Without even thinking it through, i ripped out the first lace layer of the gown which was where the stain was. "That looks better." I say comforting myself even though i had just ruined the dress Dad bought for me for his upcoming ball party.
Mia rushes out of the door with a bottle of alcohol in one hand. I open the door and spread my arms wide to receive her embrace. With Mia close, all my troubles are distant and non-existent.
"I thought you'd miss my nineteenth birthday." She says, half crying.
"Never."
We spend the next hour drinking and playing games. With me in the house, Andrea became more quiet. And i was right about her wearing my favorite scent tonight.
It was all going fine until it was time to play Truth or Dare. Of course, Andrea targeted me.
"Dahlia, Truth or Dare?" She asks, a grin flashing across her face.
The whole room falls quiet and everyone's paying attention.
My fingers wrap around my limed vodka drink. "Truth." I say at last.
Her grin widens. "Do Dad and Mum know you snuck out of the house tonight to come to this party?"
I hear snuffled laughter in the crowd and more people murmuring.
She must be having the time of her life right now. Mia leans closer to me and whispers. "You don't have to answer."
I pat her lap and the clear my throat. "It's hard to sneak out of the house in a Maserati. But you wouldn't know that, would you? You've never had one."
The party erupts with laughter and i take a sip from my drink, my eyes boring into Andrea. The grin on her face had disappeared into something more malicious.
"Your dad still allow you drive a Maserati after failing at the Laureate again?"
The party falls silent and so does my heartbeat. I feel like someone rammed a blow to my throat.
"Cause last year, i think you were grounded for two months." She laughs out. "And don't ask me how I know, it was all over the news."
The crowd erupts with a loud laughter, burying me with their voices and mocking eyes. I should never have come out tonight. In the midst of the hysteria, Andrea leans closer. "I might not have a Maserati but i have a golden award sitting on my bed stand. I bet your Daddy would prefer me as his child than you."
Mia pushes Andrea away and then pulls me up with her. "Enough. Let's get out of here."
Brookwood would never forget this and I wouldn't too. Andrea won twice tonight, first at the Laureate and now In dethroning me.
"Don't let her get to you." Mia says as we walk towards the door.
It's too late for that. Andrea did more than get to me, she trashed me in public.
The doorbell rings and i thanked God for the distraction.
"I'll get the door." Mia said.
"No, i will." I insisted, taking the little walk of shame to the door.
I opened the door and my mouth curled into a frown. "You?"
"Hello Princess."
- Writer
