“I’m sure we will,” I said.
First we pulled into Dior where Diana scoffed at everything. Then we went to Louis Vuitton where she turned her nose up at everything. After three more stores I was getting irritated with her snobby attitude.
“Diana don’t you think you could be a little nicer,” I whispered when a saleslady disappeared yet again trying to find something that would suit Diana.
“Kylie if you don’t speak like a bitch to these people they never get anything done,” she said back. I just raised an eyebrow at her.
Finally she said, “We’ll have to go see if Christian has anything for us.”
“Who’s Christian?” I asked as we got in her car and started to leave the area of ritzy stores.
“He’s an amazing designer and a good friend. I helped him get his stuff out there and recognized. His warehouse isn’t too far away,” she said.
She pulled into what was obviously the warehouse parking lot. The building was concrete and gray, dirty in lots of places. It didn’t look like a place Diana would come to. She seemed to see the confusion etched on my face because she quickly explained.
“This is just his warehouse. His store is much nicer. This is where he keeps most of his designs that haven’t been released yet.”
I nodded.
We walked towards a metal door that wasn’t far away from where we had parked. Diana knocked on it twice.
A huge man opened the door taking up the whole entry. He had a buzz cut and a mean looking face. His muscles were huge. His skin was pure white and his eyes a pale silver. Vampire.
Diana was unfazed, “Hey, Cliff. I’m here to see Christian.”
“Of course,” He said in a deep base moving out of the way to let us enter. We followed him down the hallway which was full of boxes stacked to the ceiling. I was sure they were filled with clothes. He stopped in front of a door painted a fuchsia pink.
“Christian, you have guests,” He said knocking on the door. The door opened and a short man stood there. He had black hair with all the tips died a different color; spiked up in every direction. He wore white skinny jeans with sneakers. He had on designer shirt and blazer jacket. He also wore thick red framed glasses over silver eyes. He was a vampire too.
“Diana, what a pleasure,” He said giving her a hug. “And who is this lovely little minx,” He asked turning to me.
“Kylie,” I said holding out my hand. Instead of shaking it he pulled me into a hug. He let me go and turned back to Diana.
“So Ms. Diana what is it you need?”
“We need dresses for the Holiday dance.”
He put his finger to his mouth in deep thought. “I have the perfect dress for both of you but you first,” He said pointing at Diana. He disappeared down one of the many hallways full of boxes. He returned a minute later with gold fabric in his arms. He held it up in the air so we could see it better.
The dress was strapless and floor length that trailed behind on the floor a little. It was mermaid style with gold fabric shaped like scales. It was beautiful and I knew it would look amazing on Diana. He handed it to Diana along with a pair of strappy gold high heels. “And for you my dear,” he said to me as he disappeared yet again.
He reappeared a moment later and held up my dress. It wasn’t nearly as elegant as Diana’s had been but it was beautiful. It definitely suited me. It was floor length and strapless. The top was blue and silver sequins then there was a silver bow around it with a silver flower in the middle. The bottom of the dress was blue and silver tulle. It had a dressy feel to it without being stuffy. The silver fabric shimmered in the light.
“Wow,” was all I could say.
“Do you like it?” He asked.
“I love it,” I said taking it from him. He also handed me a pair of blue and silver sequined ballet flats.
Diana pulled out her wallet. “How much do I owe you Christian?”
“It’s on the house.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course; if it weren’t for you I’d have never gotten my own company.”
“Alright,” she said shrugging her shoulders and depositing her wallet back in her oversized bag.
“Thank you so much,” I said.
“No problem. But when people coming running at you asking you where you got that gorgeous dress say ‘From the AH-MAZING designer Christian Felicio.’”
“I will,” I said laughing.
Diana turned and started walking away to leave. “Thanks Christian,” she said with a wave of her hand.
“Bye,” I said and followed her out.
Once we got to her car we hung up our dresses and drove home.
Friday came much too soon. I wasn’t really looking forward to going to the dance. I had never really gotten into things like dances. I knew that if Jonathon was here with me I would be looking forward to this and have a good time and put my fears about dancing in public to rest but instead I was dreading it because of Isaac. I knew he was excited to be going with me. He insisted that he was fine just being friends but I could tell he still wanted more. I had told him that I’d be getting ready with Diana at her house and to pick me up there.
Diana and I spent the entire afternoon and part of the evening getting ready. It wouldn’t have taken me long to get ready myself but she insisted on styling me.
Diana sat me down in front of her vanity an array of makeup and hair materials spread out on the table surface.
She applied a stormy gray to my eyelids along with a smidge of dark blue to go with my dress. She applied bronzer to my already olive toned skin and some soft blush. She applied lots of mascara to my semi-long eyelashes and navy eyeliner around my eyes. I had straightened my hair and she pulled it back into a fancy up do.
“Can I look in the mirror yet?” I asked turning my head towards it. She grabbed my head so that I couldn’t.
“No you have to wait until you put your dress on so you get the full affect,” she said holding my dress out for me to take.
“Okay,” I sighed.
I slipped into my dress easily. I hated to admit it but I was actually enjoying getting dressed and fixed up. It was a nice change. I just wished Jonathon could see me.
I tried desperately to push that thought away. I could not let thoughts of Jonathon ruin my night. Tonight I’m letting go. He isn’t coming back and I’m going to move on. I have to live my life whether he’s art of it or not.
She turned me to her floor length mirror and the image in it shocked me. I looked gorgeous. No, I looked like a goddess. There was color in my cheeks and the bags under my eyes had magically disappeared.
“Diana, you are a miracle worker.”
“You like it?”
“I love it. I could never have accomplished this myself.”
“Thanks,” she said turning back to her mirror.
Diana put some last touch ups on her makeup even though it was unnecessary. We left her room and she went down the steps. I took a moment to breathe.
Everything was going to be okay I repeated over and over again in my head. I just needed to have fun tonight.
I put my hand on the railing and began my descent. Isaac stood at the bottom; his jaw hanging. I blushed. It was nice to be looked at like that. But really I only wanted Jonathon’s eyes on me.
Kylie! He is not coming back! He does not love you! I silently scolded myself.
“Wow,” said Isaac taking my hand and kissing it. “You look . . . amazing.” He stuttered.
“Thanks,” I said.
Isaac and I followed behind the others and down the steps to the driveway. In front of us was a white stretch limo. My eyes widened in surprise and I could tell from Isaac’s posture that he was too.
“Surprise,” said Diana turning around to look at me.
“This is . . .” I was at a loss for words.
“I’m glad you like it,” she said. Diana had been doing everything in her power to cheer me up. She was happy if she only got a small smile from me for her eff
orts.
She got into the limo behind Danny and Mason. That left Isaac and me next to each other. We sat down and the driver closed the door.
Diana watched me from the corner of her eye. I knew she strongly disapproved of Isaac for some reason but I could also sense conflicting emotions in her; she wanted me to be happy for a night and have fun. I gave her a weak smile and she beamed back at me. I was trying and that’s what mattered.
Danny and Mason didn’t seem to be too excited about going. No doubt Diana had begged them to go. I knew she struggled with the fact that besides her family she really had no friends. Except for me.
I glanced over at Isaac. From his stiff posture I deduced that he was on edge.
I glanced out the window at the city passing by us. Seeing Rome at night was wonderful. I had never seen a more beautiful city.
The limo pulled up to the Grand Hotel Plaza where the dance was being held.
Some students were outside laughing and smoking. They all stopped and gawked when we got out. We headed inside the hotel.
The hotel was historic and beautiful. It had a majestic quality about it. A timelessness. We headed to the ballroom. I was shocked by the beauty of the room. The room was all gold. Even the ceiling. For the dance everything was decorated in pale blue, silver, and white. It was so elegant it shocked me. I would’ve never guessed that this was a high school dance.
We found a table and sat down.
I finally took in Isaac. He was in a tuxedo with his hair slicked back, just a little blue showing. He still wore his lip ring. I had to admit he looked good in his tux.
“You look good in a tux,” I said.
He laughed, “Yeah right.”
“No really you do.”
“Thanks,” he said sheepishly color flooding his cheeks.
“Let’s dance,” he said standing and offering me his hand.
“I don’t dance.”
“Come on,” he said.
“No,” I said gently pushing his hand away.
“Ky this a dance and at a dance you do this thing called dancing.”
“I’m a really bad dancer,” I said.
“So am I,” he said nudging me with his hand.
“Fine,” I replied giving in seeing as I obviously was going to lose this argument.
When we finally made it to the dance floor the song changed to a slow dance. Isaac dragged me into the crowd. He put his hands on my waist. They were warm and comforting and I realized that I felt safe with him.
He started swaying back and forth awkwardly to the music. And I sadly, made a fool out of myself by just standing there.
Isaac grabbed my arms and put them around his neck. He laughed when I sill stood still as a statue.
“Ky, just dance.”
“But I don’t know how.”
“Just move to the music,” He said staring me straight in the eye.
I gulped dramatically. “I’ll try,” I said.
Before I knew it we were gliding across the dance floor.
After three more songs we came to a rest back at the table. Danny, Mason, and Diana were still on the dance floor.
“I thought you said you couldn’t dance?” I asked him half serious half mocking.
He laughed, “I lied. My sister made me take dancing classes with her. But I must thank her for that because those lessons came in quite handy tonight.”
“Ha ha,” I laughed sarcastically.
“You really aren’t that bad of a dancer, you know.”
“You’re just saying that to be nice,” I said punching him playfully in the arm.
“You’re right. You are an absolute dreadful dancer,” he said laughing at my facial expression.
“Hey,” I said mock hurt on my face. I was actually enjoying myself.
“Honestly though you aren’t as bad of a dancer as you think,” He said with a grin on his face.
“That’s only because you were leading,” I said.
“Are you hungry . . . or thirsty?”
“Both,” I said realizing just how hungry I was.
“I’ll go get us some refreshments,” he said.
“I’ll head to the ladies room,” I said getting up at the same time.
We headed off in opposite directions.
I exited the ball room into the lobby. There were some classmates milling around but otherwise it was empty. I asked a receptionist where the restrooms were and she pointed me in the right direction and I headed off that way.
I expected the restroom to be busy but instead it was deserted. I used the bathroom and then stood for a moment looking at myself in the mirror.
I still looked like a different person. I had gotten so used to the automaton like version of myself that I had forgotten what I could look like. I brushed a stray hair out of my eye tucking it behind my ear. I wiped off some smeared eyeliner.
“Nice to see you again,” came a voice from behind me.
I whipped around to face the person. I felt something hard and fast hit me in the head. I felt myself fall against the porcelain sink. I heard my skull make a loud cracking sound as it hit the sink and then the floor.
The last thing I saw before I blacked out was Selena’s smirking face.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Alone
The pain in my skull was sickening. Black dots flashed across my eyes. I was freezing and it felt like I was lying on a stone floor which wasn’t helping the pain in my head. Slowly I opened my eyes and the dark room swirled around me. I felt nauseous but I persisted. Through the pain I gradually coaxed my aching body into a sitting position. My body hurt all over. Obviously I had taken a serious beating. But at least I wasn’t dead. My body shook with the cold. I was still in my dress and it didn’t provide much protection from the winter elements. Even though I was in some kind of building there was no heat and the stone floor and walls seemed to hold the icy frigid air like a sponge. The building smelled awful. I could make out the smells of blood and of decaying animals. This place was rank with the stench of death. I could feel bugs scuttling around on the floor. I wanted to laugh at the situation. It was straight out of a horror movie. When did my life get so messed up? If someone had told me six months ago that I’d be in this position I would never have believed them. But things never go as you plan. I curled my body in on itself trying to keep my body heat inside me. My teeth kept chattering uncontrollably. Some stray tears leaked out of the corners of my eyes. I wiped them hastily away. I needed to be strong and sensible. I took a deep breath hoping to stop anymore tears that might escape. I needed to be strong and find a way of escape. But how could I escape when I had no idea where I even was? After a few shaky moments I managed to coax my protesting body into a standing position. Man, did my body ache. My eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness and I took in my surroundings. I was in a small stone building a house maybe? All the walls and floors were ancient crumbling stone. There was no furniture just empty space except for a large dark lump on the floor that I’d have to investigate later. There were fortunately windows. But they were small and there was no way I could climb out of them. Looking out of them all I could see was overgrown land. No city lights, no houses, or even any animals that I could see. So even if I could escape there would be nowhere to go or hide.
I gulped; no one to hear me scream.
I headed to the ancient wooden door in hope of escape. But it was no help; it was locked from the outside. I ventured uneasily towards the lump. Its chest moved slowly up and down. I could make out that it was a person probably a male. He didn’t seem to pose a threat; he looked like a captive too. The floor was dusty so I decided to sweep it with my shoe. Maybe I could find a trap door; that’s how it worked in the movies at least. No such luck but it was worth a shot.
I paced around the small area but finally decided to sit down and conserve my energy.
I let out a sigh. How could I possibly get out of here? Selena was vampire, I wasn’t. There was no way I could fight her. But I had to fight back s
ome way. No way was I going down without a fight.
A moan from the corner made me jump. The man moaned again. I stood up quietly. “Are you okay?” I whispered not wanting to startle him for fear of him lashing out at me. He grunted and rolled over. The face I saw startled me so much that I nearly fell down. I put a hand to my heart and stepped timidly forward.
“D- Da- Dad?”
“Ky-Bear?” I rushed to his side and knelt down beside him.
“Dad what are you doing here?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was taken. What about you?”
“Some crazy woman with these weird silver eyes came to the house and took me and brought me here. Where is here, exactly?”
“I’m not sure but I’m guessing somewhere near Rome.”
“Rome? You mean that crazy bitch dragged me halfway around the world? Please excuse my cussing, Ky-Bear.” He said still sounding like my father even in this horrible situation. I laughed. It was like I had my old dad back.
But it was in that moment that I took in somewhat of his state. He was covered in blood and there was gash on his neck that looked distinctly like a bite mark. The skin looked as though it had been torn away. What had my poor dad been through? I looked around for something to clean his wound with and of course found nothing useful.
I looked him in the eyes the eyes so much like my own. “Doesn’t your neck hurt?” I asked.
He put a hand to the wound like he was noticing it for the first time, “It burns a little. But I don’t notice it anymore.”
Tears filled my eyes; this time for my dad’s sake. “What did she do to you?”
“I think the better question is what is she?”
“She’s a vampire,” I said simply, there was no point in lying. I knew that neither one of us were going to make it out of this situation alive. I knew in the deepest pits and craters of my heart and soul that this was where I was going to die.
He laughed so hard that he shook with it. “A vampire?” He laughed. Upon seeing my face he abruptly stopped. “Oh, you were serious?” he said questioningly.
“Yes, I was serious,” I snapped at him. How could he be so ignorant of the truth? “Now give me something to clean your wounds,” I demanded. He obediently tore the bottom of his shirt and handed me the fabric. I used it to wipe away the worst of the wet and dried blood. I wished desperately for some anti-bacterial ointment.
Fallen (Fallen Series Book 1) Page 22
