This is actually quite a short chapter...Apologies ;) Since FFN uses the whole screen, while Word uses only, what? 3/4 of the screen? It looks like it's longer and the paragraphs thicker. But ah well. I look like a lazy writer. R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
Note: Characters are slightly out of their usually persona.
Lyra dislikes her hair.
She always viewed it as plain and low-key. Something that wouldn't make someone stop in the streets and compliment her.
It was a washed-out chestnut colour that a majority of the world had. Lyra grew it until it hovered around her abs, trying to make it a little more interesting.
But she still detested it.
But, at Cambridge Hall, with her hair perfectly shaped with a silk sheen, and teased into a low hairdo, she felt absolutely glamorous. She constantly fingered her strapless chiffon gown, feeling like a movie star.
This time, she received stares. And she loved it.
Lyra, you see, wasn't a materialistic girl. Of course, like any girl, she didn't mind getting grand gifts and shiny things, but she didn't beg for it. But today, she suddenly felt like she should feel this way everyday.
On the stage, a woman with scruffy dishwater blond hair curled and an overbite talked about the charity the ball was being held for. Lyra forgot what it was. Endangered animals? Schools in third-world countries? Oh well. It didn't matter anymore, did it?
She scanned the floor for her mates. She spotted Nando, who tipped his never-absent hat at her and Ritchie, who flashed a smile at her. Paris was surrounded by-in her words-perfect boys, too busy flirting with them mercilessly to see Lyra. Little Alanna stood not too far, a cherry-topped pastry in hand.
She inhaled, waiting anxiously as the woman on staged droned on and on. She decided to go people-watching.
It seemed like everyone at the benefit ball looked and had the same aura. Rich, not really caring about the charity and dressed impeccably well. Lyra spotted young women in gowns much more extravagant than her, boys being rowdy in their imported leather shoes and old geezers, chin thrust up and voices speaking highly.
Then she spotted him. Unlike most of the young men, who were fishing out for girls in their designer dresses, he leaned against the ceiling high pillars, arms crossed. He had a turtleneck-like blazer and gray pants, looking like your everyday trousers. The boy had curious blaze red hair that was much longer than the normal buzz and crew cuts.
Maybe it was the hair, or the brash yet jaded look on his face, but Lyra was strangely drawn to him. She just couldn't pinpoint why. She involuntarily stared at him, a glint in her eyes
It was like a hidden challenge.
And, God, Lyra loved a good challenge.
The lady on the stage kept going, her voice dropping into a fake concernment. Lyra glanced at her teammates, wondering if it was her call anytime soon. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, so Lyra drifted away from her place and towards the pillar.
She looked back, again assuring herself that no, it was okay to chat up for a while. Something was calling her, and she was ready to take the bait. Her regular crooked smile played on her full lips as she strode towards the boy.
"It's kind of a bore, right?" She piped nonchalantly, looking at him, and then at the stage.
He didn't answer at first. It didn't faze Lyra though.
"Sort of." The guy looked at her blankly.
"So, why'd you come?" She had her half-smile on, lowering her head so she'd look at the guy with her-yet again-plain eyes, thankfully enhanced with long mascara.
"Why do you care?" He snapped.
Lyra rolled her eyes with a smile on her face. "Why do you ask?"
He shifted away from her, not answering. Like as if he was paying attention to the scruffy-haired woman, who now had some bizarre chart on display.
Lyra smiled to herself. Now, he was definitely fascinating her. She could get to him. Easy.
She opened her mouth to another snarky comment when she noticed Ritchie sly walking his way out, only two pillars away. Her mouth formed an O as Ritchie gave her a knowing look before casually slinking away.
"You're not the talker, are you? I sense you're not." Lyra told him.
"You're not the quiet one, it's apparent." He replied, his face still void of expression. Lyra decided this was a perfect walk-away moment. When his eyes flickered around the room, she gave him a knowing smile when his eyes briefly landed on his. Her heels tapped away slowly but surely as her back faced away from him, walking away.
When she was out of sight, she ducked behind a pillar. Paris rushed over, seizing her arm with her unnecessarily gloved hand.
"Ethan got our guy. We're heading upstairs as backup while Nando stays watch."
Lyra pursed her lips together, her gloss pooling around her lips messily. "He knows where they are?"