Chapter 26 Back to Silas' Castle

"Aurora, you really should go to the ball." Olivia was still trying to persuade me over the phone. In a glum voice, she added, "I've been looking forward to this day. If you don't go, I'll be really sad." Lying on my stomach on my bed, I felt conflicted. "But I…" I couldn't find myself a date at all. Nicole was right about no one wanting to be my date. I'd be all alone at the ball, and no one would invite me to dance. Just imagining it was already embarrassing enough. "Aurora…" Olivia dragged out my name. "Don't you want to attend the ball with your friend?" I didn't know what to say to that. The refusal had been hovering on my tongue, but Olivia's use of the word "friend" stopped it from being uttered. "Fine. I'll go," I said with a sigh. "Really?" Olivia shrieked. I could practically feel her jumping for joy over there. "Then it's settled! I'll see you at the ball, Aurora!" she said excitedly. I confirmed again to ease her mind completely. We chatted a little longer before