The President's Daughter, David Dower [popular ebook readers TXT] 📗

breath looking me dead in the eye. “Because Alice. I like you, I like you a lot.”

I felt my breath hitch in my throat. “Ben.” I whispered. “Y-you can’t like me, just the other day you were kissing Holly! Remember her?” I spluttered, out.

“Of course I do! But I also know that I like you! Not Holly, you Alice. Why is that so hard to believe?” Ben asked, looking confused.

“Don’t bullshit me Ben.” I said, swearing. “If you liked me you would have never made out with my best friend behind my back! On my bed, and in my room!” I said, my voice rising.

“I was confused!” He said, trying to defend himself.

I shook my head in disbelief. “Don’t give me that. If you really liked me then you would’ve told me when I asked you if you wanted to ask me out, don’t play that with me because I am too smart for that.” I spat. “And I am too smart for your lies.”

I watched as Ben’s face fall. “Alice I swear-"

I raised my head cutting him off. “Please Ben, don’t. You had your chance and you blew it, so if you can please excuse me I have to go.” I said, giving him one last look not before hiking up my dress and walking towards where my family was sitting.

“Alice! Where were you?” My mother asked, as I took a seat next to her.

“I was talking to Ben.” I spoke, hoping that they wouldn’t hear the sadness in my voice.

“Oh Ben’s here? Why don’t we invite him to sit with us? He’s been showing me this-"

“No!” I exclaimed, a little too loudly, cutting Thomas off. “I mean no, because he is sitting with his parents.” I said, trying to play it off cool.

“Um, okay?” Thomas said, dropping the subject, but looking at me with a confused expression.

For the next few minutes it was quiet with only the chatter of the other tables nearby. My gaze went over to Thomas who was quietly eating his mashed potatoes on his plate looking around the room in silence. My gaze then wandered to my mother who was chatting with the ladies next to her. I didn’t bother looking at my dad’s seat because he was too busy at other tables greeting others, instead of with us.

I looked back at my mashed potatoes, feeling complete sadness about Ben and how he liked me. He can’t like me. Can he?

I lifted my eyes from my food, my gaze wandering the area of the ballroom, looking for Ben. When I finally located him, he must have noticed my gaze, because in a matter of seconds he was staring back at me with a sad expression.

I continued to stare back when I heard a glass clicking gaining my attention. “Excuse me!” A voice called, out. Trying to gain everybody's attention. “Can we have your attention ladies and gentlemen?” I heard, the same voice call once more as I saw my father standing in the middle of the room with a smile on his face. 

“I would just like to thank everyone for being here on such a memorable occasion.” My dad said, smiling. “I still can't believe, seven years ago. I would be elected for President, twice. However, this being my last year in office, I would like to thank you all for being here for me. You have all supported me through this journey and I cannot thank you, enough for believing in me and helping me with my campaign. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your dinner!" My dad said, finishing off with a smile as he walked over to us.

The crowd clapped at my dad’s short speech as the chatter resumed. “Great speech, honey.” My mother said. to my dad as he sat down next to me.

“Thank you.” He said, rolling up the sleeves to his tuxedo just a bit, as he dug into his mashed potatoes.

My eyes wandered off to Ben who was sitting at a table not to far from me talking to two adults who looked to be his parents.

I stared at his mom who had her hair in curls and was wearing a long plain black gown. I then looked over to his father,  he was basically just an older version of Ben but with less hair. He was also seemed more built and you could tell because of how his tuxedo fit him prefectly.

Ben must've noticed my gaze because he started looking at me. He then got up from his chair, saying something quick to his parents, probably excusing himself. As he began to walk over here, I began to panic, as I looked around the room frantically looking for somewhere to go. I just didn’t want to face him again.

“What’s wrong Alice?” My mother said, directing her attention at me, in concern.

“Um.” I said, trying to come up with something as I saw that Ben had been stopped by someone and was now talking to the person but it clearly showed he is coming this way. “I am not feeling so well.” I blurted. “I think I am just going to call it a night.”

“Do you want me to come with you maybe get your some Tylenol?” My mother asked, growing concerned at my fake illness.

“No.” I said, loudly. “I just need to lie down.” I told her, getting up from the table and mumbling quick goodbye, before rushing out the room.

Truth be told I just didn’t want to face Ben, not right now anyways. Walking down the hall to the stairs that led to my bedroom. I felt a pang of guilt as I saw flashes of myself rejecting Ben and refusing his apology then running out on him.

I stripped out of my dress, hanging it in the closet, and pulling on some pajamas, before walking into the bathroom and removing all the makeup, I had on my face. Letting my hair out, from it's curls I ran my hands through my short hair.

“One can only hope that tomorrow, will be better than the rest.” I mumbled, to myself before falling into deep sleep. Chapter Thirteen: Making Things Right

"Twenty-seven, six and three." I mumbled, to myself as I spun the dial of my locker opening it, proceeding to exchange my bag for my books.

"Hey Ali.” I turned, my head to see Sarah smiling brightly at me. I looked at her curiously, she seemed happy but her eyes seemed sad, something I couldn't really decipher.

 “Hey, Sarah.” I said, hesitantly.

“How are you?” She asked, still looking at me with an unreadable expression.

“Good.” I replied, grabbing my books for drama class.

“So where were you yesterday?” She asked, firing another question.

“I was out sick.”

“Yeah, just like Holly and Ben.” She explained, raising her eyebrows.

I nodded. “O-okay?" I was starting to get confused, "Sarah what’s this about?” I questioned, shutting my locker door and turning to her.

“If you didn’t want to be my friend, you could’ve just told me instead of playing the pity card.” She said, looking hurt.

“We didn’t ditch you.” I told her, disbelief clear in my voice.

“So where were you yesterday?”

“You’re not my mother you don’t have to know where I am every freakin’ minute of everyday!” I spluttered.

Sarah’s eyes widened her eyes glistened with tears. “No, Sarah. I didn’t mean that.” I said,  guilt overcoming me. “It- it’s just that, I got into a fight with Holly.” I whispered, my eyes casting down to the floor. “And Ben.” I added, under my breath.

“Unbelievable.” She muttered.

My eyes widened at her harsh response. “What is that suppose to mean?” I demanded.

“It all makes sense now, why Ben and Holly are ignoring each other, why you didn’t come to school and why they didn’t even show up to watch me perform even though you all said you were.” She said, looking hurt.

I wanted to tell her that I didn’t miss school to ignore Ben and Holly. But I knew I couldn’t so instead I just kept quiet. “I’m sorry.” I whispered.

She shook her head. “No Ali, until you get your head screwed on right. It’s best if you leave me alone.”

“Sarah.” I tugged on sleeve, but she walked away.

“Forget it.” I heard her mutter, her red curls bouncing as she walked.

“But what about the talent show?” I called, out to her.

“It’s less than three days away, there is no point anymore.” She said, looking at me directly in the eyes, turning around and continuing to walk into the crowd of people swarming the halls.

I let out a sigh, as I watched Sarah fade into the crowd of people. I had to do something, but I just had no ida to what.

*

By the time lunch had rolled around, I had been able to steer clear of Ben, Holly and Sarah. Even with Sarah and Holly in my second period class I managed to get by, with keeping my head in my textbook with the occasional staring up at the board when the teacher called upon me.

I trudged towards the library to have lunch. I didn’t want to face anyone especially Ben knowing that he would be looking for me. After his confession, I didn’t feel the same about him and the fact I declined his apology didn’t make the awkward situation any better.

“Ow.” I said, walking into the person who was seemed to be walking in a fast pace towards me down the hall. “Sorry.” I muttered, looking up at the person I bumped into.

He was wearing a blue sweater with a hood covering his face, leaving only his mouth to show. He nodded trying to walk around me to leave. But I quickly moved blocking his way. “Aren’t you going to apologize?” I questioned, the masked person. “After all you bumped into me, as well.” I added.

The person just stood there not saying a word. I did assume however behind his hood he was glaring at me. “Sorry, nerd.” He spoke, trying once again to walk around me.

My eyes widened in recognition, there was only one person in this school who calls me that. “Hey!’ I turned around grabbing the back of his sweater, causing him stop and his hood to fall off revealing his bruised face.

“Oh my God.” I said, to Gavin whose eyes trailed to the ground as his jaw clenched. “What happened?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He spat. “And stop acting like you care.”

I was taken aback at his harsh response. “I am not acting.” I mumbled, hopefully not loud enough for him to hear.

He sighed, rubbing his jaw and looking at me with regret. “Sorry.”

I nodded. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me what happened to your face, it’s not my problem it yours.” I said, trying to be considerate.

“Thanks.” He told me, managing to give me a small smile. “I wouldn’t even ask why you are heading to the library, even though you are supposed to be heading that way.” He said pointing towards the direction of the cafeteria.

“I should, but I am not in the mood to deal with backstabbing friends.” I said, referring to Ben and Holly.

A small chuckle, as he rolled his eyes. “So, how is Garrett?” I asked, changing the topic.

“You remember him?” He