Ready, Set, Thanks!

The next day, he spent half the day with Jason, playing video games with him. I tried using the VR with them but it sort of made me dizzy. When I talked to him about buying stuff for him, he told me it makes him happy because he doesn't have any siblings and his cousins, well, they don't get along like I do with mine. He rarely sees them because they're always jetting off to some island or to another country.

Geez, I wonder what tomorrow's party is going to be like. Makes me want to get sick and skip it all together. "Are most of your family attending tomorrow's party?" I asked.

"Maybe, depends on if they have something new to show off." He said dryly.

"I...uh...are you sure I should be there?" I'm hesitant.

"Of course, I have to show you off!" he winked.

I don't know if that's supposed to make me feel better but it just added to the knots in my stomach. I guess I'll just have to brave this one since he did yesterday.

When I got up Saturday morning, I was frantic. I called Michelle but she was out hiking with Patrick. She said she'll be over as soon as she gets back but I doubt. I have to do this by myself, or not. I video called Therese and I know I haven't been a good friend to her lately. I rarely have time to talk to her since Raiden and I got together.

"Hey stranger!" She greeted me. She was still lying in bed, under the covers. It must be raining again. We love to stay in bed until noon and just watch movies and gossip when it's raining on the weekends.

"I need your help! I'm meeting Raiden's parents tonight, and maybe his other relatives too."

"Ooohh, big night, huh!"

"Kind of and I'm just a bundle of nerves." I told her how Raiden spent Thanksgiving with my family and of course, the incident with Bella.

"Ugh! That girl! Someone has to put her in place one of these days." Therese was with me when we went on vacation with Bella.

"I wish someone would! Anyways, here are my choices for tonight.��� I said as I showed her the dresses I got at the mall.

"Is it a formal event?" she asked

"I don't know. I just assumed it is because it's at the winery. Hold on, let me text Raiden and I'll call you back."

I dropped the call with Therese and texted Raiden. "What's the attire for tonight? Is it casual or formal?"

I waited a few minutes and decided to call him but he did not pick up. What am I gonna do? Okay, Cassie, calm down and get some breakfast first, then you can try calling Raiden back or wait for his call. He usually calls back when he misses mine. I texted Therese that I will grab some breakfast first before I call her back.

As I was buttering my toast, someone rang the bell. When I opened the door, a delivery guy with a box was standing there. "Delivery for Cassie Jensen?"

I was confused, I didn't order anything.

"Who is it from?" I asked truly intrigued.

"It doesn't say, I'm sorry. Are you Cassie?" He said almost impatiently.

"Yes, yes, I'm Cassie. Where do I sign?" He handed me his signature machine and I signed it and got the humongous box from him.

I laid it down on the dining table and opened it. It was a beautiful purple chiffon dress. A card fell out when I took the dress out of the box.

"So you don't have to stress over what to wear tonight. I'll pick you up at 6. Can't wait to spend the evening with you.

XOXO, Raiden"

I should have known something was up. Just then my phone rang, It was Raiden. "Do you like it?"

"I haven't even tried it on." I told him. "But it's pretty."

"I can't wait to see you later."

"Let me get ready so you'll like what you see."

"I always like what I see when I look at you, babe."

"Aww, how sweet, but I want your parents to like what they will see as well."

"Don't worry about it. They will love you, I promise. They're very nice people, so relax Cas, you got this. I love you."

"I love you too. See you later." With that, we hung up.

I hurriedly finished my breakfast and ran upstairs to try on the dress. As soon as I had it on, I called Therese. "How does this look?" I twirled as I set the phone in my dresser so I can show her the full dress. It was a one shoulder, empire waisted dress that stops short just above my knee and the chiffon had been layered like little leaves. It looks and feels like a fairy dress.

"Whoa! Was that one of the choices you showed me earlier coz I don't remember seeing that divine dress!"

"Raiden had it delivered."

"Really? I have to meet this prince of yours. Does he have a brother?"

"I told you, he's an only child, but I'll keep an eye out for cute cousins tonight, don't you worry that pretty little head of yours." We laughed.

"I think you have a winner right there, Cas!"

"I think so too. I love it and is it weird that when I tried it on, it made me feel less stressed?"

"Nope! I think it's because you don't have to worry about what to wear anymore."

"I guess. I'm just gonna change out of it I don't want to ruin it. Hold on." I put the phone face down and changed back into my t-shirt and pajama bottoms.

I picked up the phone and plopped onto my bed. "What do you think I should do to my hair? A bun?"

"Just put it in a half pony and a cute barrette. You don't want to look like Raiden's grandma. Oh, and waves, take out your curlers and make some waves!"

"You know I can't do that by myself, I'd probably burn my hair. Mom's working until late tonight and Jason's staying at my Grandma's house."

"I'm sure there's someone who can help you with that." She thought for a while. "Oh, wait! Do you have pipe cleaners? I saw this online video where they twist the hair on pipe cleaners and when you take it out hours later, it's curled."

"Why would I have pipe cleaners here? We don't have a preschooler here."

"Well, it's an idea...you do have hairpins and hair clips do you?" She asked again.

"Yeah..."

"Well, I sent you a video, put them up in little mini buns and I think you should start now. Put some mouse before you twirl them so they stay in shape."

"Thanks Therese! You're a lifesaver! I'm gonna go shower now."

After taking a shower, I watched the video she sent me and got cracking. It took me a little over 30 minutes to finish all my hair (which was quite a lot). Now all I can do is wait. I popped in the living room to watch some TV as my mom was leaving for work. "Enjoy your party, honey. Sorry, I'm late for work. I overslept."

"I will mom. Take Care, you've been working too hard. Stop taking double shifts."

"I know, I know, but we can use the money." The pies are in the fridge, please give them to Raiden's mom. The boxes are on the kitchen counter." She replied rushing out the door before I can say anything else. I had told her they would probably have the event catered since it's being held at the winery but she still made her pecan pie and insisted I bring it.