Chapter 1: Prom's Night

"Hello," Ruth said as soon as she answered the call beaming with smiles

"Hello beautiful," came Nick's seductive voice

"Ready, for prom?" he asked

"Yes,' she replied blushing, "Maybe," she added dropping herself on the bed.

"Tonight, will be wonderful, I promise you," he said

"You have the red dress," he asked

"Yes, but my parents won't let me walk out of the house dressed like that," she said in resignation and turned to lie on her side but jumped out of fright when she came face to face with Chantel who was standing with her arms crossed at the entrance to her room.

"Let me call you back," she said and disconnected the call without waiting for an answer

"How long have you been standing there?" she asked

"Long enough to know you want to lose your virginity tonight," she said, "At prom," she added

Ruth freaked out hearing her say that because she knew, she will tell their parents next. She tried to correct her.

"Chantel, I like Nick and he likes me but we have both agreed to wait till we are married," Ruth said

"Besides, it is just prom," she added sounding serious and Chantel started laughing

"What? What is funny," Ruth asked with a frown

"O dear sister, it is so fun playing with you. Eighteen years of living together and still can't tell when I am serious and when I am playing?" Chantel asked with a smile

"Chantel, there is no difference. You always play the opposite card looking at the person's reaction," she replied

"I beg you, tonight is very important to me. No tricks and no funny pranks," she begged and Chantel rolled her eyes

"Okay, have fun at prom," she said and was about to leave but Ruth grabbed her hand

"Is that a promise," Ruth asked

"Sure, it is," Chantel replied nonchalantly and left the room.

Ruth closed her door shut and wonder how she opened the door without her realizing it. She opened her wardrobe and grab the beautiful red dress Nick had bought for her a day before. It was a gown with a plunging neckline with mesh insert, a corset bodice with sheer accents adorned with hot stones, an open back, a thigh-high slit, and a train.

She imagined herself in the dress dancing with Nick in the centre of the hall while everyone watch them. In her imagination, she hugged the dress swaying her body in a dance to a rhythm in her mind only to open her eyes and Chantel was standing in her room again.

"Eh!" She shrieked jumping in fright.

"Oh, so does the dress you plan on wearing for prom," Chantel said as Ruth quickly put the dress back into the coat and hugged it in her wardrobe.

"No, what gave you such an impression?" Ruth asked with a frown, wondering how Chantel had entered her room again without her hearing anything.

"Well, don't forget I am your sister and have known you for eighteen years, Ruth," she pointed out and crossed her hand on her chest.

"It is not for prom," Ruth said to her

"Well, with a back train like that, I wonder how you will sneak out of the house wearing it," she pointed out and Ruth started thinking about it too.

She planned on wearing it under a dress and once she was out of the house, she will take the dress off. The back train will show.

"It is already 6 pm and I should be getting ready," she said and walked out of her room with Ruth's eyes fixated on her back as she sway her hips left and right until she varnished at the end of the hall.

Ruth angrily walked towards her door, shut and locked it before going to take her bath. After taking her bath, she dried her hair and styled it, holding it up in a curly ponytail with some strands of hair dangling. She did light makeup and applied lip balm. She looked at the dress Nick had bought her one more time before going for the dress her dad bought for her. A three-quarter ruffle sleeve deep blue cocktail dress.

She stepped out of the room when she heard a car drive into their compound. She rushed down the stairs to see her father receive a young gentleman at the door.

"She is here," said her father and Ruth frowned seeing the person at the door.

She slowly walked to him realizing it was one of Nick's friends

"Damien, what are you doing here? Where is Nick?" she asked and stretched her neck to look outside but no sign of Nick.

"Relax, he asked me to pick you," he said with a smile

"Okay, let me get my sister," she said and Damien nodded but before she could move away from the door her father said over his shoulder

"Your sister left with some friends," he said as he climbed the stairs.

"Oh!," Ruth said and hesitated but left with Damien.

It was a silent drive to the school. In the car, Ruth wanted to call Nick but realized she didn't have her phone with her. She searched her purse but found nothing.

"Did you leave something?" Damien asked

"My phone, I forgot my phone," she said worriedly

"Sorry, but don't worry, I am taking you to Nick," he said and smiled.

Ruth smiled weakly and turned to look out the window. They arrived at the school and were greeted by two ladies who offered them a glass of drink.

"You are supposed to drink before you go inside," they said in unison

Damien emptied his glass but Ruth held her own in hand as she search for Nick. The two girls continue to urge her to drink.

"You can't go inside unless you empty the glass," they said excitedly

Ruth wanted to go inside so she just gulp it down knowing it was alcohol but it was in a small glass. Just one small glass won't be a problem. She thought and squinted her face as the liquid burned her throat down. The girls left to do the same to others who have arrived at the prom.

They entered the hall with loud music and dancing but there was still no sign of Nick.

"Where is he?" she yelled due to the loud music

"What?" Damien leaned towards her to listen

"I said where is Nick?" she repeated,

"Oh, he is over here. Come with me," he replied and led her upstairs to a room with few students.

"Open the door," he said after going up another staircase.

Ruth opened the door and smiled. It was a dinner setting for two. She walked in admiring the setting.

Nicholas Brown, well known by all as Nick, is the son of a billionaire and hence capable of doing anything he wants as long as he wanted. She was not surprised to see one of the rooms in the school had been decorated like that.

Looking at the decoration, she wished she had put on the dress Nick bought for her. She walked around the room for a while waiting to see what surprise Nick had for her. The bright light went out and the deemed red light came on accompanied by cool music. She smiled but felt a little off and it was followed by an airy feel around her but her head landed on a broad chest. She smiled and hugged the person.

"Nick, you are here," she whispered feeling a bit weak

"Hmm," came his reply which made her smile.

She felt she was being moved to the rhythm of the cool song being played. She composed herself and tried to stand and danced.

Meanwhile, downstairs, the students were happily chatting, dancing and having fun. The prom king and queen were announced and the party continued.

The next day, Ruth woke up with a terrible headache. She sat on her bed trying to find the source of her headache but realize she could not remember anything. Her phone buzz snapping her out of her thought. Her gaze shifted to the sound of the phone and she realize it was on her bedside table.

She picked it with one hand, as the other hand held her head. She unlocked the screen and saw multiple calls and messages from Nick.

"Why will Nick call her if they were together? or was it while she was on her way to meet him?" she thought as she opened one of the messages.

Her eyes widened and she sprang to life immediately. She quickly dialled Nick's number but realized the call won't go through

"Has he blocked her?" she thought wondering what she did and what happened the previous night at prom.

She opened the other messages and with each message she read, her heart hurt and her whole body started trembling

She dialled his number several times but it won't go through. She went to her messages again and read them one after the ofter

Message 1

How can you do this to me? I honestly loved you. If you didn't want a relationship with me you could have said so

Message 2

I choose prom to be our engagement night. I waited for you for three years. I did everything you asked of me. Why will you do that?

Message 3

I thought you were different. Ruth why?

Message 4

After graduation tomorrow, I am leaving, It is over Ruth"

Ruth clutched the phone holding it to her chest as her tears flow. She could not remember a single thing from the night before. She recalled leaving home with Damien, nothing more.