hockey: I hope you enjoyed the game! :D


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Chapter 15, Part II

Leaning on the wall of the changing cabin, Shadee threw several furtive looks at Sebastien. They were both waiting for Holly to come out, trying on the third dress in one of the many shops. There was an awkward silence between them, but this suited Shadee fine. She was able to look as much as she wanted at Sebastien without risking to be spotted by a jealous Holly.



In fact, it was the first time that Shadee was looking at her buddy in very different way. Her glance was sliding down his protuberant cheekbone, then swiftly down his smooth neck and measuring the firm body hiding behind the useless fabric of his clothes...



Yes, Shadee had realised that day something that had been hiding deep down inside her heart ever since ninth grade: she was madly in love with Sebastien! Unfortunately, the timing of this discovery had been the worst possible. Holly had said it first…it was only right for her to take Seb. And after all, Shadee already had Dirk. The thought of her boyfriend didn’t bring the slightest emotion inside the girl’s heart. She sighed, for the billionth time that day, but finally knowing the reason for the sadness.



In the end, she had to take a decision. Would she fight with all her might for Sebastien’s love, trot on Holly’s feeling and do whatever was in her power to have him for herself? Or would she just retreat and let her friends be happy?

She didn’t have time to answer as Holly stepped out of the cabin exactly that moment.

‘I guess this is the best I can do…’ she sighed and looked from Shadee to Sebastien, waiting for an opinion.

Holly was dressed with a very pretty, soft pink, knee-length dress and looked mighty ashamed, though Shadee had no idea why.



‘Wow, you’re radiating!’ she exclaimed, looking at her friend ‘This really is the best dress! It looks wonderful on you!’

‘I think this is the one you should buy!’ Seb grinned measuring her from head to toe ‘It’s…how do you call that…glamorous!’

‘You think so?’ the girl turned around and looked at herself in the mirror ‘I’ll buy it then, we’ll be able to go find you guys some nice outfits.’



After having paid for the dress, they decided to go look for the two other outfits they needed. But Shadee stopped abruptly just as they had left the shop.

‘You know what guys? You two go find a tux for Seb. I’m…umm…meeting up with Dirk to find a dress for myself. I just remembered I’ve talked with him earlier today about that.’



Holly and Sebastien exchanged puzzled looks. And Shadee thought she could see a hint of panic on their faces. That was probably because they were going to be all alone for the rest of the evening.

‘Oh.’ Holly breathed after a few moments of silence ‘Okay then…we’ll just meet later then.’

‘Try tomorrow.’ Shadee bitterly smiled back ‘I’m really sorry guys, but I’ll probably spend the rest of today with Dirk.’

She turned around quickly before any of them could see the tears that had rapidly filled her eyes. She had reached her decision in a very spontaneous and unselfish way. She was going to let Holly have Seb. God knew, she had been through enough crap up to that point, it was about time she found some peace and happiness.



The girl wandered off to the furthest formal clothing shop. She was going to find a dress by herself, as the whole Dirk thing was yet another spontaneous invented idea.

‘Looky who’s here!’ a voice sneered as soon as Shadee had entered “Val’s Robes” ‘Has Dirk finally gotten some sense into his head and dumped you?’

The girl’s heart skipped a few beats. This most definitely wasn’t the best timing for this, not in the mood that Shadee was in! She turned around with a fake bored expression and faced Marissa and Regina who seemed to be there shopping for ball dresses too.



‘Wouldn’t you love that to happen!’ she grinned, pretending to be cheerful. She knew how big of a crush Marissa had on Dirk and enjoyed her angry expressions every time she saw them together.

Marissa huffed angrily and turned to Regina, probably asking the little b*tch to accompany her out of the store. Seconds later they were both out of sight and Shadee could finally browse through all the gowns for the perfect one, wiping the fake grin off her face.

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Enjoy!