The Promise by Mahlatse Mokone (best ebook reader ubuntu txt) đ
- Author: Mahlatse Mokone
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Mom parted my hair then side-swept it after creating retro waves, my hair actually looked like a movie starâs. So did my make up when she was done with it. I grinned looking at myself in the mirror, âMomâŠwow.â I said lost for words.
She only smiled âUp, lets get you into that dress.â She said and I stood up fetching it from my closet and she helped me into it.
Janie fetched the box with my shoes and I pulled them out, Mom raised an eyebrow, she knows I hate high heels.
âInspired.â She said and I gave her a sly smile âYeah, by you.â I said and she chuckled. I stood up from my bed and twirled in front of them.
Janie clapped her hands and Mom just stared at me then she looked like she was going to cry, âAw my little girl is growing into a young woman, next thing youâre out of high school, then college, then youâll start a career, get marriedâŠâ She said and I smiled âWhoa slow down there Mom, Iâm only going to turn 17. Youâre still stuck with me, for now.â I said and she hugged me âI love you, you look beautiful.â She said and my own throat tightened with emotion âI love you too.â I said hugging her again and we both chuckled when Janie joined in our group hug.
We got downstairs and Mom made me pose for a picture, or two.
âI have to send this to your father, heâll be disappointed if he didnât get to see you like this.â She said and I frowned âWhen is he coming back again?â I asked, he left for a business trip to Washington two days ago, I missed him terribly, I couldnât imagine how Mom was feeling.
âTomorrow evening.â She said then she called Tim who appeared in the great room minutes later âYes, Mrs. Gilbert?â
âCan you drive Katelyn to her school?â she said, and he nodded âOf course.â He said and she looked at him âAnd for the last time Tim, its Lucky.â She said and he smiled apologetically. âThatâs completely unnecessary.â I said and Mom shook her head at me âYou shouldnât be driving yourself to the dance sweetie.â She scolded, âTell me why Brandonâs not taking you again?â
I rolled my eyes âBecause I told him not to.â I said and she shot me a âdo I want to knowâ look and I shook my head smiling.
Tim ended up driving me anyway, soon enough we parked in the schoolâs lot, which was graced with rented limousines.
Tim opened my door and helped me out of my Dadâs sleek Maybach âIâll be right here if you need me.â he said, I wanted to suggest that he go back home but knowing him, itâll be in vain. âThank you.â I said and I slightly lifted my dress as I walked away. I spotted Brandon a yard away, talking to a friend; he looked breathtaking in a black tux. I guess he sensed someone was watching him because his head snapped to my direction and I stopped. He barely said goodbye to his friend as he began walking towards me almost as if he cannot believe its me.
He stopped in front of me âSomeone pinch me.â he breathed and I smiled goofily, he took my hand kissed it, reverently bowing his head âPrincess.â He said, my heart skipped a few beats, how on earth can he make me feel this way? Make me feel like royalty, make me feel beautiful and precious?
âI would bow at your feet but then Iâd ruin my tuxedo.â He said, I decided to play at this game too âAnd I will not have any of that, given how handsome you look in it.â I said taking his extended arm âI hear your kingdom is well renowned in this area my prince, I was hoping you would show me a good time.â I said and he grinned, âIt would my pleasure, your highness.â He said and we both chuckled heading into the auditorium.
The huge place was already crowded with students in formal attire, dancing and mingling. We walked through the crowd, saying hello to some friendly faces. I saw Tess standing with Liam close to the DJ stand, they both looked to be enjoying themselves. But when she started scanning the place, I wonder if she was looking for the date she wishes she had.
I looked around for JT as well and I couldnât see him, although I saw his girlfriend from hell. That was unusual; whenever Adrianna is close I know JT is never far away.
Tess saw me and she walked towards us with Liam, I hugged her with a smile while Brandon shook hands with Liam. âYou look fantastic.â I said; her dress was simply amazing. She smiled âWell your aunts made it, of course it looks fantastic.â She said and we both chuckled. We all talked for a while then we separated âYou want a drink?â he asked as we made our way to the refreshment table. I smiled cheekily âYeah, vodka shots.â I teased and he chuckled,
âNice try.â He said and I laughed too.
A popular pop song ended and a slower song started, Brandon put his plastic cup down âMay I have this dance princess?â he asked and I placed mine down too, taking his hand after a coyly curtseying.
He led me through the crowd onto the dance floor and he pulled me into his arms, I put my hand on his shoulder and the other in his own. He moved us both with effortless grace and I meekly smiled. For a second I wished for time to stop, for us to remain in that beautiful moment a while longer. But inevitably it ends, no matter how perfect a moment it is or how badly you never want it to end, it just does. All you can do is hope to have another one tomorrow.
But tonight, I was planning on having multiple and Brandon helped do just that. We dance a bit more before I had to leave and go to the bathroom.
I walked into the bathroom and almost collided to a group of girls, laughing. When I came out of the stall I nearly groaned when I saw Brea fixing her lip-gloss on the mirrors. She shot me a fake smile as I went to the counter basins. I returned the favor, âHaving fun?â she asked, surprisingly with no sarcasm in her voice. âImmensely.â I said and she chuckled.
âAw look at you, youâre completely smitten with him, and who could blame you? Heâs a catch.â She said and I eyed her impatiently âWhat are you getting at Brea?â
âIâll admit you two do look cute together, itâs just a shame itâs notâŠreal.â She said and my brows furrowed. âBrandon is the kind of guy who cant have a steady girlfriend even if he wanted to, itâs just not in his nature.â She said and I took a deep breath trying to calm my aggravated nerves.
âSay whatever you want to say Brea, because Iâd like to get back to him.â I said and she shook her head. âReally? Oh heâs not bored at all, I saw him getting hot and heavy with Adrianna down the corridor.â She said and I stopped breathing for a moment, sheâs lying the rational voice inside me chanted.
She made a sympathetic sound at my expression âYou donât know, do you?â she asked and I kept quiet âTheyâve been secretly seeing each other for a while now.â She added. I snapped out of it, for a while? For a while Brandon has been with me, when does he have the time to see Adrianna if heâs spending all of his time with me?
âYouâre pathetic Brea, this is a new low.â I hissed and her eyebrows rose âYou donât believe me? Go look for yourself.â She said with a confidence that sprung doubt deep inside me and then she grabbed her purse.
âYouâre too naĂŻve for a guy of Brandonâs caliber, what did you think? That itâll be different with you?â she said âGuys like him donât change honey.â She added and I hit panic mode as I recognized her words.
Those ones you canât change. Instead you end up changing yourself just to be with them.
I tried to swallow past the lump that was forming in my throat. Brea mustâve seen that because she shook her head, pity evident in her blue eyes. I wasnât even sure if it was fake or not, âBut you already knew that, didnât you?â she said quietly, and then started walking towards the door. She paused beside me
âAnd thatâs when it all comes full circle little Katelyn, with Brandon, you have a harmless fling with him, not a full fledged relationship. Or else you just end up getting hurt.â She said almost apologetically then she walked out leaving me in the empty bathroom.
CHAPTER 16
I couldnât feel my legs carry me out of the bathroom and down the corridor. I couldâve went the other way, back to the dance knowing very well that Iâll find him there waiting for me. Sadly I didnât have that confidence and because deep down inside I knew some truth rang in Breaâs words.
Iâm crazy about you, no one else.
I gave him a chance because I saw something in him I knew I just had to have. Why was that derailed just because some mean girl said otherwise? Heâs done anything but plant a seed of doubt in my head, so why didnât I turn around? He deserved my trust and I felt guilty that even now I didnât give it to him.
I decided to make a deal with myself, Iâll look for him and if I donât find him, this is the last time I will ever doubt him.
I turned a corner and no one was there, I turned again and froze, Brea wasnât lying for once. There they were lip locking. Adrianna had both her hands on his face firmly holding him to her and suddenly Brandon pulled away.
âNext time Iâll let you kiss more than just my lips.â Adrianna purred and I felt a bile rise in my throat. I closed my eyes for a second hanging my head, this is what he wants, girls like Adrianna, not naĂŻve expectant girls like me.
I just wish heâd had the decency to cut his losses with me first. Brandon was about to say something but he stopped and his eyes locked on me, slightly widening.
Adrianna turned around to face me; she had a satisfied look on her face. I snapped, how dare she have that smirk on her face, did she forget sheâs seeing my brother? I decided to dwell on my rising anger than shuttering hurt and betrayal.
I walked up to her âI never thought it was possible for you to disgust me more than you do right now.â I hissed at her âThe fact that my brother has anything to do with you makes me sick to my stomach.â I added.
She stared at me with a little surprise, I didnât dare look at Brandon, if I did Iâd crack, I knew I would. âWell Iâm going to end this so called relationship if itâs the last thing that I do.â I spat, even though my heart was breaking with each second that ticked by, all I could think was that this bitch was breaking JTâs as well.
I couldnât protect mine, but Iâll make damn sure Adrianna doesnât hurt my brother.
âYouâre going to break it off with him and youâre going to get your claws out of him and leave him alone, or so help me God Adriannaââ I said getting in her face as my voice rose higher.
âKatelynâŠâ Brandon said and my head snapped to
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