They were going out in public together for the first time. She rummaged through her mother's closet but found nothing that she could wear to Claire's Hastings party. All those girls were high maintenance and filthy rich. She wanted to look like someone Axel would feel good with. She didn't want to show up at a party in old worn-out clothes.

She slumped down on her bedroom floor as distress engulfed her. She was an optimistic girl, she was happy with whatever she had but it was one of those times when she felt like shit compared to everyone at her school. Normally, she wouldn't bother but it was special. Axel was taking her out for the first time.

She slowly got up and pulled out her nest egg. She stared at it for a long time. It was okay to think about herself and her appearance once in a while, it's not like she'll spend all the money. She will take out a little amount. It's okay. It'll not be the end of the world.

She pulled out two hundred dollars and stared at it. It will take her one to two months to save up these two hundred dollars again. She shook her head, it's okay. It's not every day she takes care of herself.

"Louie?"

Her father's voice startled her. She immediately pushed all the money under her mattress and turned to look at him.

He looked between the mattress and her and cleared his throat. "I made lasagna for you. You have been working so hard lately" he said. "So, I thought I should do something nice for you"

"Really?" She asked and walked towards him. "When was the last time you cooked?" She asked and held his arm as they walked out of her room.

After having a meal with her father like a normal family after so many years, she felt better than ever. She pulled out the two hundred dollars and stashed the remaining under the floorboard. So, no one would find it.

She went shopping for herself for the first time to somewhere other than a thrift store. She bought a red bodycon dress from a local store and found matching heels all within her budget.

She excitedly went back home and laid the dress on her bed. Watching it with full of excitement, she jumped up and down and clapped. Her heart lifted, no one could understand what she was feeling at this moment.

For some people buying a dress like this one would not be a big deal but it was everything for Chloe. She tried her new heels and She danced around in her room without a care in the world.

She stared at herself in the mirror. "It looks so nice. I look so nice!" She squealed excitedly.

She showered up and wrapped a towel around herself. She sat before her mirror and took out the curling iron, she loaned from her neighbor. She carefully curled her hair, she was afraid that she might burn her hair. After she was satisfied with her hair, she opened her makeup box. She sighed deeply, she didn't have much. A few lipsticks and blush and that was it.

She put on light pink lipstick and put on blush on her cheeks. She wore the dress and felt a little constricted because it was the first time she wore something so tight.

She stood in front of a mirror and stared back at a completely different person. Her smile stretched across her face. It was a beautiful moment for her. She finally looked like someone Axel would be with. She couldn't help but imagine Axel's reaction.

Her phone vibrated and she saw a call from Axel. She happily picked it up.

"Hey!" She chirped

"Hi, baby! I'm coming to pick you up, send me your address" he said and all the excitement left her body.

"W-what? Why?" She mindlessly asked

"Aren't we going to the party?" He asked hesitantly thinking she might have changed her mind.

"Oh, dad's home." She reasoned

"It's okay. I can handle our dads for one night. Send me the address"

She thought for a while. They love each other. They should be honest with each other about who they are. She can't hide it forever. He knew she is a scholarship student and if he cared about money he wouldn't be dating her.

She gave him the address and exactly after ten minutes, she heard the doorbell. She carefully walked towards the front door in high heels but halted in her steps when she saw her father standing there with Axel. Her breathing quickened and her face whitened.

She glanced at Axel and he looked so graceful and clean compared to her father. Her insecurities kicked in within few seconds. They shook hands and she cringed as she saw her father's dirt-filled nails. Hugh scratched his head and his beard as he talked to Axel. She felt embarrassed about her life. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Chloe..." Axel breathed out captivated

His eyes widened and his pupils dilated. He stared at her luxurious red curls cascading over her bare petite shoulders, the lipstick on her plump lips, her rosy cheeks. He noticed her curves for the first time, she always wore baggy clothes and never showed off her skin. The dress hugged her little curves as it was made for only her. It ended over her mid-thigh and he gulped as he took in her smooth legs.

To him, she was perfect.

Everything he ever wanted.

Then his eyes fell on her hands, formed in fists on her sides. Stepping aside from Hugh, he hastily strode towards her and held her hands.

"Hey..." The second he held her hands, she let go of the breath she was holding and her fists loosened. Hugh noticed how delicately and sweetly he held her.

"Let's go," she said and smiled.

"Go on! Have fun!" Hugh opened the door for them.

Axel smiled as they both walked out. The second Hugh closed the door, Axel pulled Chloe in his embrace and pecked her sweetly on the lips.

"I don't want to ruin your lipstick..." He leaned in. "I'm not saying that it won't be ruined after the party."

She giggled and pecked him back. "I love you"

"I love you more..." He wrapped his arm around her waist and they walked towards his car.

He opened the door for her and bowed. "My lady" he gestured her to sit.

She laughed and sat in the passenger seat. He strode to his side and slid into the driver's seat. He held her hand in his. "You have no idea how beautiful you look. I could stare at you all night long and I won't even get tired. You're... You're like a dream, Chloe. Sometimes you don't even look real to me. You're that captivating" he told her with such sincerity in his eyes. "How did I get so lucky?" He asked and kissed her hands.

Chloe shook her head and pulled out her hands from his grip. She clutched his hands into her delicate ones. "I'm the lucky one... I could never imagine a guy like you falling in love with a girl like me"

Axel frowned, something about her tone bothered him. She said it like she was nothing compared to him. "What do you mean someone like me and you? What's the difference, we're just two normal teenagers?"

"Who belongs from different worlds" she whispered. She knew it was her own insecurities that were messing with her mind.

He scoffed. "What do you mean?"

"Axel..." She gestured towards her house. "This is my life. Your car is bigger than my bedroom" she said and looked down at her lap, embarrassed.

"What the-" he scoffed. "Are you serious right now? Is that the reason you were clutching your hands? You thought I'd judge you?" He asked

"No! No, that's not what I meant. It was just a fleeting thought." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Every girl I have ever dated only saw me as a walking ATM. They were after my family's name. I was always the guy who could shower them with expensive gifts and jewels." He said and stared at her face. "You don't give a shit about that! You don't give a shit about who the fuck are the Kings. You didn't even notice when I came to school every day in a different car and trust me I tested you. You don't give a shit about where I come from and you really think that I'd give a shit about your house? Or your bedroom?"

"It was just a stupid thought, forget about it," she said trying to change the topic.

"I don't want to date Chloe because her bedroom is small." He said goofily. "Wow, that's sounds so stupid. Come on, you gotta agree" he laughed.

A smile crept on her lips. It did sound stupid when he said it out loud. "Fine! I'm sorry, drop it okay!" She laughed

He placed his finger on her chest. "I fell in love with this person... I'm in love with your soul, Chloe." He said and Chloe's eyes teared up, her heart melted. "I also want to see you without clothes but that's a story for another time" he added mischievously and poked her breast.

Her mouth hung open and she slapped his hand away laughing. "Gosh! You were being so sweet. Why would you ruin that?"

He laughed. "I'm sweet but I'm also nasty and you love me"

"I do" she smiled and looked around. "Now, are we going to the party or not?" She questioned.

"Yes, we are!" He announced and revved the engine.