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To say I was a mixture of numerous emotions would be a complete understatement. Happiness, guilt, sadness, anxiety, curiosity, worry, hatred, love, confusion, excitement, fear and what not.

I'm having a hard time to describe how I felt.

After a total time period of seventeen years and ten months, my parents finally accepted me as their daughter. Mom was being so kind to me, it felt like a freaking dream. A good dream where you get all you want. Dad was, well, Dad but I could sense less harshness in his tone.

To top this, they were taking me along to a party. A party of the riches where they never took me because I was such a shame to them. When I got to know about it my eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Never had I expected to hear my Mom, who I thought hated me asking me to accompany her to a party. I was happy because my parents were starting to acknowledge my presence. They were starting to care.

But knowing that I was hiding a huge secret from them was drowning me in a sea of guilt. The secret of dating Carter. Dad had demanded something from me that I was totally unable to give him. I could, in no circumstance leave Carter. Because I loved him. I loved him more than I loved myself. More than anyone I've ever met. And being aware of the fact that I was disobeying them when they were being extremely welcoming was making me ashamed. Ashamed of myself and how selfish I was.

I was excited to go to the party. This was one of the chance to discover my parent's world. To meet sophisticated people and to let them know that a daughter of Andersons do exit after all. It was a chance to meet new people and to see how things usually work in these kind of parties.

But at the same time the word 'party' made me cringe with fear. Actually the fear overpowered excitement. Parties and I had never been great friends. Going to the party with Carter was not actually a very sensible idea. And I was scared something similar or something worst will happen to me. I didn't have it in me to refuse to them. How could I? They were finally taking a step ahead towards me and refusing to go would mean me taking a step back. Which gets equal to zero accomplishments.

I was scared of how people would judge me. Because according to my dear mother, I was unsophisticated, unladylike, mannerless, uncivilized, unlearned and the list never ends. I clearly had an idea of how similar others of the same background would think of me. It's not like you could learn all of the things above in a single day.

I gulped the contents of my mouth down my throat as I kept my eyes trained on the dress resting innocently on the bed. Innocent my ass. It was resting devilishly on my bed enjoying how just by looking at it it could torture me. Because it was a freaking knee-length dress.

I had never liked dresses that showed my legs– Or any unnecessary body part for that matter. I know most of the girls here do not like to show their legs either. It's not like wearing short dresses makes us look slutty, it just makes us uncomfortable. Like first of all you have to shave your legs timely. And let's not go the waxing part. It hurts like a bitch. And they make you totally uncomfortable as guys like to stare. Very much. You cannot jump. You cannot sit on a bike. You cannot bend.

They make you look hot, but who wants to look hot? Giving up comfort for looking hot is not what I prefer. Pants and shirts are so much better than dresses.

Shaving my legs after the bath I changed into the dress. My still wet hair hung down my back, their colour looking darker because of the dampness. I stared at myself in the mirror while searching for the hair dryer. The dress was pretty, there was no doubt in it. It was navy blue in colour and was made up of net fabric. It wasn't flairey but it wasn't fit either. And thankfully the sleeves were full which made me feel safe. There was a slim leather belt just above my waist.

I admit, it did make me look hot but extremely self-conscious and edgy. It made me feel really restless. But as it was Mom's order, I had to wear it no matter what.

I dried my hair, thinking of the jewelry I own to match the outfit I was wearing. But before I could even think of something, Rebecca entered into my room after a knock. She held a small pouch in her hands as she approached me. When I turned around a smile made its way on her lips.

"You look lovely Sophia," Rebecca complimented. She handed me the pouch. "This is from your mother Sophia. She says this is what you have to wear." I nodded taking the pouch from her as I emptied it's contents on my dresser. In it was a golden locket with a small pearl in the middle. Above the pearl was a little golden bow that intensified its beauty. It was pretty, and I wouldn't choose anything besides that. It really went along with the dress.

With the locket, were two small earrings. Similar to the locket. I smiled at the jewelry thinking of how elegant my Mom's choice was. When I was reaching out for my glasses Rebecca snatched them away from me. "Not today, Sophie!"

Rebecca helped me do the hair. I had them open and blow dried to give a natural look. She then applied a little make up on my face and on the neck area. To say the truth it felt stupid. I had never been to such parties and now when I'm going I had been getting ready since two hours. When Rebecca was done I opened my eyes and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

It wasn't me. The girl who stood before me looked more outgoing and confident. She looked strong and determined. She didn't look like Someone who was weak and had tried to kill them. She didn't even look like a girl who had been bullied all her life. She looked a better stronger version of me. And I was happy to see her.

When my eyes met Rebecca's, I saw tears in her's. She was crying. "Hey, what happened?" Walking towards her, I squeezed her wrists. She smiled at me wiping away the tears.

"You were this little girl when I came here. Look at you now. All grown up, looking like a pretty woman. I'm so proud of you Sophie!" She engulfed me in a warm hug and I hugged her back with the same intensity. She was the only one who had stuck by my side no matter what. If I'd have to choose between my real parents and Rebecca, my choice would definitely be Rebecca.

I patted her back lightly before we pulled away. She tucked my hair behind my ears and smiled again, a big cheerful, lovely smile. She brought a shoe box to me. Inside was a pair of golden stripped sandals which thankfully had little heals. Not those really high ones. They made my height look perfect and I couldn't be more happier with the design choice.

After getting completely ready I stared at myself in the mirror, checking for any errors. Deciding to notify my great boyfriend about it, I snapped a mirror picture with my reflection in it and sent it to Carter.

Rebecca would never really dislike anything. Asking from Carter seemed a better option. Because I didn't want Mom and Dad to ruin everything before it even started. I wanted to leave zero chances for them to point out the wrongs. But hey, it's the monsters I'm talking about.

As soon as I reached the living room where Mom was still applying some lipstick and Dad was scrolling down his phone their monster side appeared. "I thought you drowned in Bermuda Triangle." I heard Dad say, rolling his eyes at me.

Not knowing of how to argue back I stayed silent and looked down at the carpet. "We can go now, Richard." Mom stood up from the sofa and made her way outside the house her purse hanging elegantly on her arms.

I truly admired her. She was just like her name; perfect and admirable. She had the best fashion sense ever. Even better than Lia. Admiring her, I walked after my parents my heals making creepy sound on the way.

Dad sat inside the car first. Mom was the second to follow and I remained standing outside, trying to figure out if I were supposed to sit beside Rony Pony. I wasn't complaining, but it seemed... weird.

Thankfully, just as I was about to open the door Dad walked out and gestured me to go inside the car. I nodded my head as I made my way inside it. It was the first time I was going somewhere with my parents. Hell, it was the first time I was sitting so close to them.

To say the truth, I was scared to even touch any of them so I squeezed myself. Dad was still using his mobile phone, texting.

"I like your perfume." Mom commented, her eyes trained on the view outside the window. I gulped, staring at her. Was it really Mom?!

Then her words hit me. It was the strawberry perfume that I applied on my date with Carter. "Thank you." I so wanted Carter to see me wearing the dress. If I really did look pretty, I wanted to see how he reacts. And I hadn't gotten any response from Carter yet.

Just as the thought crossed my mind my phone started to ring. I was never a person to carry the phone everywhere. But I needed to know what Carter thought about this 'new me'. Dad snapped his head at me and so did Mom but Mom's face had additional raised eyebrows too.

Smiling sheepishly, I turned the phone around to see who had called me. My heart started to race faster when my eyes caught the caller ID.

I cut the call off still looking down. Suddenly Dad started to laugh beside me. I smiled at him, witnessing him laugh like this for the first time. "Vic, f-f-farter!" Mom looked bored while she stared at Dad with knotted eyebrows. I stared at him with wide eyes too. Not because he looked like crazy but because he had seen the caller ID. I gulped praying that his mind blocks any thoughts of Farter actually being Carter.

"Farter?" Mom looked confused as she glanced between me and Dad. Before dad could answer, my phone started to ring again– with the same caller ID. Dad began laughing again.

"Umm, it's my friend. We call him Farter. Because... he likes to fart a lot. Like every time. All day, all night. And it annoys us so we tease him by calling him Farter. It's always so smelly in the lunch when all kind of smells get mixed up. So that's how we named him Farter." I had no idea where all of this was coming from but I was relieved that Dad had believed in my lie. Mom looked like she wanted to puke while Dad bursted into laughter again. Even Rony Pony joined him. He even started to bang on the car's door as he laughed.

"Why? Why-do you always make.. such- hahahah- weird friends?"

"No, that one friend of hers... umm, her name, Amelia? Yeah, she was pretty impressive though," Mom sounded and my mind went back to the day I woke up in the hospital. When Mom visited me and met Lia. Lia was impressive. She just had it in her. Why she was my friend was completely out of the reach of my mind.

"Yeah, Lia...." finally, dad stopped with his laughter and complete silence took over the car. The ringing of my phone broke the silence.

"Just pick it up." Dad said, glancing briefly at my phone and controlling his laughter.

"He just wants me to explain some equations. I'll do it later." With that I switched off my phone. Again, there was dead silent in the car. "So, who's party is it?"

"The Woods, our business partners. Behave well and do not embarrass us, get it?" Dad answered, eying me. I nodded as a reply and stared ahead. Rony stopped the car outside a huge mansion, somewhat similar to our house. After Mom got out of the car, I followed her. Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I pulled my dress down and settled the sleeves and shoulders.

Taking out a big sigh, I continued towards the house. To say I was nervous wouldn't actually define my state at that time. "We expect you to behave. Stay with us all the time until we tell you not to. Look, do not mention your friends to anyone." I gulped, making notes inside my mind.

"I'll be cautious. Don't worry," I assured. I used my hand to brush my hair and make them look presentable. I walked behind Mom and Dad, admiring the beautiful garden inside the house. Our garden was nothing compared to the one I was seeing right now. There was a slow music playing. People were very sophisticated here. Of course they were, they all had their reputations to maintain.

When I entered inside I was completely surprised by how calm the surroundings were. It was nothing like the party I went to Carter with. That reminded me I had to switch in my phone. I did as I walked further inside.

God! The fact that Carter had called me fifty five times made me want to call him back but I couldn't when I had to go along with my parents. They stopped before another couple, greeting them. Dad introduced me to them and they smiled at me. It didn't look like a fake smile, it was warm and friendly. One by one they introduced me to new people and awkwardly I shook hands with them, greeted them or smiled.

I just wanted this thing to end and go talk to Carter. My phone started to vibrate again, indicating that Carter was calling and I had no choice but to cut his call again and again.

"Meet Amber, Sophia. Mr. Wood's daughter," Mom said, bringing my attention to a girl standing before her. She was the definition of beautiful. She was smiling at me which made a dimple appear on her lower cheek. She wore a peach strapless dress with sequins body which complimented her hazel eyes. Her hair were a lighter shade of brown and I knew just by looking at her, that she was a nice person.

"It's so good to finally meet you Sophia!" She engulfed me in a hug and I hugged her back awkwardly.

"It's nice to meet you too Amber. You're really pretty." I uttered whatever came to my mind. She blushed lightly and laughed, thanking me.

Mom and Dad left me there standing with Amber. Thanks to her she broke the silence by asking me about myself. "So you're 'the nerd'?"

"Yeah, kinda...." she chuckled at my response and handed me a drink. I refused, politely receiving a shrug from her.

"So it's your party?"

"Hahah, nope. You could say it's my parent's, " she replied casually, pulling out a chair for herself as she sat on it. I placed myself there when my phone started to ring again.

"Listen, Amber, where is the restroom?"

"You see that room over there? You can use the one in it." I nodded as I made my way inside the room trying to keep the creepy smile from forming in my face. I leaned against the washroom door, dialling Carter's number. But before I could call him, Carter called me again and finally I picked up the phone.

What I had not expected was him shouting at me. "Are you fucking dumping me now?!"

I flinched lightly, my mind not able to understand why he said such a thing to me. "C-Carter, calm down. Why did you think that?"

"What do you expect me to think when you send me a picture of yourself looking so fucking hot and when I call you, you don't answer it? And if I'm not even allowed inside your house now doesn't give me the idea of what this means then I'm an idiot!"

He was so fast, my mind had stopped working when he had called me hot. Snapping out of it I shook my head. "Thanks," I answered, completely flushed.

"Yes, you are dumping me..." Carter's voice was slow.

"Wait, what do you mean? I'm not dumping you!"

"Then why did you send me that picture? Then why were you not picking up my calls? Then why am I not allowed inside your house anymore?" Carter started to shout again and my ears were crying.

"Hey, listen to me okay? Mom and Dad took me to a party with him. It was the first time I wore a dress and I wanted to see how you like it that is why I sent that picture to you. Couldn't you just message me? Why you had to call me? You know about Dad, don't you? I couldn't talk to you while Mom and Dad were both on either sides of me, you thickhead!"

"Sparkle, I'm sorry for shouting at you. I was calling you because I was feeling over protective. You looked so hot, so beautiful, I wanted you to not look like that. You know every guy out there would be staring at you, and I don't like it. I really don't."

"Staring is what all guys do. If it wasn't for Mom, I wouldn't have ever worn it either. You should know that it makes me extremely uncomfortable but I had no other choice. I was nervous and wanted your opinion."

"You look lovely, Sparkle. I wish I was there with you to pull the eyes out of all of those who stare at you." Carter said, as I heard him opening a packet of chips. "And why the fuck would your guards push me away from your house?"

"That might've got to do something with my Dad... I'll talk to them, don't worry."

"I think I should've given you a hickey or something so prevent guys from hitting on you," Carter said, probably with a handful of chips in his mouth. It didn't take me long to start blushing. "I know you're blushing right now!" I could practically imagine him smirking and wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"Shut up, Carter!" I whisper yelled at him.

"Okay, baby."

"I've to go. I'll call you later, promise." I had to go outside to not make my parents suspicious.

"Do call me if anyone troubles you, I've my gun ready." He stated in what felt like a threatening manner to me. I smiled at his protectiveness.

"Okay, daddy. Bye!" And with that I hung up the phone. When I walked outside, I began searching for Amber but she was no where in sight. The table I left her sitting on was filled by some old women and I knew better than to ask anyone. Mom and Dad were no where to be seen either. I knew that Dad and Mom would kill me for doing what I just did. Realising how big of s mistake it was to leave Amber's side, I walked around the mansion to search for anyone I knew.

And to add to the awkwardness, everyone around me started to dance on a slow song that I never heard. "Miss Anderson." I twisted my neck to look at the guy who called me out and smiled remembering my Dad introducing us. What was his name? Ethan? Evan? Eric? "May I have this dance, please?" He continued.

I wanted to refuse but there was a possibility that he would mind me so I postponed it. "Umm, sure, but after a while. I'm just searching for someone..," I told him, my eyes roaming around to locate my parents or Amber.

"No problem at all. Oh, and you look very beautiful," he stated. Murmuring a small thanks to him, I walked towards the living room. There too, people were dancing. My eyes caught a guy sitting on the sofa who was staring at me hungrily. He looked totally drunk and I had no one to run to. By shaking my head at him I tried to warn him but he stood up and started to come towards me. I was so scared watching him that I didn't realize a presence behind me.