45She woke with gritty eyes, and wearing one of Dominick's shirts. The clock read four in the morning.
It was the same room that she had slept in when she first woke up in Dom's house. Even though it hadn't even been a year since that day, it felt like it had been forever. Lucy buried her face in the pillow, debating on whether or not she just wanted to lay there, but she had to go to school. It was the last day before winter break.
There was a quiet knock on the door, and she glanced back to see Dominick enter. He carried a tray with him, still wearing flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt.
"Good, you're awake."
Lucy watched as he set the tray on the side table.
"Dominick."
"Yeah?"
"Are you bringing me breakfast in bed?"
"Sure, why not?"
She shrugged and sat up. She probably looked like a mess.
"I hope it's alright, I had Susan put your things away," Dominick pulled up a chair next to the bed. He took a piece of toast off the tray and munched on the corner. Susan was the member of the house staff that help her when she first arrived. Lucy remembered thinking that she was a nice woman, even if it still felt awkward to have a maid.
"Darn it," she sighed, "I don't have anything here."
"No problem," he replied, "There's clothes in the closet. Help yourself, they're yours now."
"What?"
"I called to a shopper last night and they picked up some things for you. If there are any sizes that aren't right, we can get them switched."
"Dominick, you can't just buy me all those things."
"It's not big deal," he shrugged, "We can afford it."
Of course his family could, because they were rich, and that was that. Lucy was too tired and didn't have the ambition to argue. She grabbed the other toast and bit the end, "So."
"So," he blinked at her, "You want to stay here for a while?"
"I would like that."
Dominick grinned, "I would like that too."
"I would also like to go to your Christmas party."
If it was possible to have a bigger smile, Dominick managed it, "I would also like that too, Lucy. A lot."
"Well, it looks like you're going to have a freeloader living with you for a while. Of course, I'll still go to school and work, but-"
"That's fine, freeload away," he said, "This rooms is yours for as long as you want it. Susan is here to help you, so push that button if you need to talk to her," he pointed to the phone, "That button goes to the study, and that one to my room."
"Your house is big."
He chuckled, "Eat up, Lucy. The ride leaves for school in an hour."
"An hour?" she cried out, stuffing the toast in her mouth, dashing off to the bathroom. Dominick smiled to himself, and headed back towards the door. She had enough to deal with right now without him hovering all over her. He'd go and get ready for school and leave her to her thoughts.
And his own thoughts, about the fact that her legs were hot, and that she looked wonderful in his t-shirt.
Dominick checked his watch as he stood in the foyer. They were right on time. He heard the sound of boots on the stairs. She had picked things from the closet.
He grinned.
The boots were black and knee-high, and she wore a simple black shirt and a sweater, her bag pulled over her shoulder. There was a little scarf tied around her neck, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Lucy always looked beautiful in whatever she wore, but he knew she would look fabulous in the designer clothes he had arranged for her. She didn't need them, but they definitely worked for her.
"Are we okay for time?" she asked, rummaging in her bag.
"We're good. Ready to go?"
"Ready."
He nodded and locked the door behind them. "You look beautiful."
She blushed, "Thanks. Everything looked so...expensive. I tried to pick something not too over the top."
Over the top? He chuckled. He wouldn't tell her that the outfit she wore probably cost twice of some people's monthly salary.
"Hey, Dominick?"
"Yeah?" he unlocked the car.
"Thanks again," she said to him, "I don't know if I even thanked you. Thank you for being there for me."
"Anytime, angel," Dom grinned, "Anytime."
Shannon was already there in the classroom when Lucy walked in. The girl glared at her, and suddenly, everything made sense. She was jealous, which was silly because Dominick didn't like her even if Lucy hadn't been dating him.
"You look great!" Randy hopped up from her seat, "Where did you get those clothes?" she gaped.
There was still time before the bell. Sitting next to her friend, Lucy relayed the events of the night. Miranda protested at first about the fact that she hadn't come over, but then seemed satisfied when Lucy said she was staying with Dominick.
"I have my own room, my own wardrobe of clothes, and a maid."
"Geez. He sure knows how to spoil you."
"No kidding," Lucy sighed, "It'll take a little getting used to."
"Well, enjoy it. Dominick seems to like to spoil you. Let him do it."
She nodded, and then glanced in Ed's direction. He gave her a friendly wave.
"Things are working out with you and Eddie?"
Miranda grinned, her cheeks pink, "Yeah. It's working out."
"I'm glad."
Class was uneventful, and even if it was, Lucy didn't notice.
She felt like she was in some sort of transition point in her life. She was going to St. Therese. She was dating Dominick Noon, and she had finally blurted out the truth to her parents. For the first time in her life, Lucy felt like she was making her own choices without a bunch of factors trying to influence her. She was one hundred percent on her own.
It felt good.
Traveling to Italy would be wonderful. She would go to school and live in the countryside, eating bread at the street side venders, immersing herself into the world of art like she never had before. It sounded amazing.
At lunch, she purposely sat by herself. It wasn't because she didn't want to see anyone, Lucy wanted to think. Miranda was off talking to Ed, and she seemed so happy. Lucy had been worried about leaving her friend behind if she went to Italy, but now she felt better since Ed was there. They looked so good together, and she wasn't surprised if they would get married sometime.
Lucy smiled to herself.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Hey, Shannon," Lucy was still smiling. She didn't feel the need to be down on herself today. Everything was looking better, "Thanks for the fashion advice, by the way."
Leaning forward, Shannon put her hands on the table, "You're naive if you think a slut like you can keep Dominick's interest for long."
"How can I be naive and a slut? Isn't that a little bit of an oxymoron?"
"I hear you'll be at the gala in New York," Shannon the grinned, "Looks like I can finally see you humiliated in front of everyone."
Her smile slipped slightly, "You're going to the gala?"
"Of course. I always do. My family is one of the most powerful families in the country," Shannon leaned back, "It's usually boring with a lot of yacking about business, but I think I'll finally enjoy this year. See ya later, Lucy McBride."
Lucy watched the girl leave, and sighed. She was a little worried, but it wasn't enough to spoil the day. After all, there wasn't much that Shannon could get away with in front of all those people.
Right?
a/n: Still doing a bit of editing. Final chapter will be up tomorrow :D