"Can you believe this year went by so quickly?" Chelsea was squealing, hopping up and down in the seat. Ruth grabbed her arm, forcing Chelsea to straighten the wheel of her car, "no, really I can't, but I would rather not be killed on the way to our graduation party caused by your reckless driving." Chelsea snorted and turned up the music on her stereo. The girls were dolled up, Victorian style. Both wearing large flowing gowns and had their hair nicely done. The party was being hosted by one of the oldest known families of the town, the Germaine's. They had a large estate on the outskirts of town passed down from generation to generation, and they held a large themed ball for each of their children's graduating class before the child was sent away to whatever school their heart desired. This year was said to be the most outrageous of them all. Leander was the Germaine's last son, so why not go all out?
The two friends planned every detail of the preparations of their look. Chelsea was going for a Victorian seductive look – which will be unsurprising to most. She wasn't the class whore, but ask anyone, she got around. Her dress was a sweetheart cut deep red dress with small tulle straps that slouched down on her shoulders. The bodice was fitted till her bellybutton where the skirt then flowed out and down. Her hair was piled up and to the side with a few wispy blonde curls fell, framing her golden eyed and red lipped angular shaped face. She modeled for a large retail company until her father refused to let her start wearing the skimpy lingerie when she turned 18. However, if it had been up to her, she would have chosen to do so if they had allowed it – it was a well-paying job, and she needed the money – especially with the baby on the way. Can you say scandal shock? The extremely wealthy preacher's daughter knocked up with her most recent fling and now boyfriend Shawn's baby. He's one of the schools biggest pierced up drug addict… Or could it have been the quarterback's kid? Or it may have been the library book-worm and class valedictorian's... I'm not sure if even she knew, but at the moment she was all about the baby and Shawn.
When Chelsea had told Ruth that she had missed her monthly visitor, both were shocked. Chelsea had been on the same birth control and she always made sure her flings wore their 'protective armor' as well. There was a lot of crying, and several pregnancy tests before they went to Chelsea's parents. Of course Ruth went with, they've been best friends since 3rd grade when 5th grader Bailey Shields took Chelsea's new Glam Barbie and threw it over the fence into the river. Ruth stomped on the girl's mini Mary Jane's, and as Bailey cried and shoved Ruth to the ground, but not after she said, "I thought big girls don't cry – you're a pathetic big girl." It was worth it to both Ruth and Chelsea, they've been friends ever since. However, their personalities had changed drastically. And Chelsea's parents were mortified – they even threatened to send her away for the last 3 months to a boarding school out of state. The two convinced them otherwise of course, and now here they are – at one of the greatest parties on the planet. Well, not yet. Chelsea parked her car along with the others in a dirt parking lot about a half mile before the Germaine's Estate. The girls followed a few other people from their class to large garden opening where several horse and carriages sat. Everyone's eyes glazed over with fascination and amazement of how much effort was actually put into the event.
It was a smooth ride and the path to the estate was surrounded by trees that grew together to make an overgrowth tunnel. Twinkling lights were wrapped around them, and everything felt romantic. As they arrived at the front steps of the gigantic house, a large deep maroon wide carpet covered the steps up to the front doors. The girls looked at each other, smiling ear to ear, and linked arms as they were helped out of the carriage. Ruth's dress didn't reflect her family's financial situation whatsoever; her father's business wasn't doing well. Its intricate deep gold and black sweetheart neckline bodice with a fit-and-flare style of gown (which meant the bodice was form fitting till the peak of her hips) was a family heirloom, and hadn't been worn since it was first purchased – in 1807. It was strapless, had a black silk tiered skirt, and was very full. It looked vintage and very much the style for a Victorian themed party. Her hair was curly and fell around one shoulder, just about touching the neckline of the bodice. She was full of excitement, both of them were.
"When is Shawn going to be here?" Ruth questioned. She liked him enough; he treated Chelsea better than any of her past boyfriends. He didn't even think about leaving her for a second when she told him about the baby.
"God, I don't even know Rue, they had a lot of orders today. He said he would try to make it by nine," Chelsea seemed skeptical and worried; which never turned out well in the end.
"Good evening Ladies, would you happen to have your invitations on hand?" The doorman spoke very formally and the girls handed the man their invitations. He then opened the door to another set of stairs going downward, and very loudly announced to the full room in the ballroom below, "The arrival of Miss Chelsea Mae Baker and Lorraine Elizabeth Ruth Williams, accompanying each other," The man then bowed and shut the door. A light clap fluttered around the room and people resumed talking as did the live classical music as we descended the stairs to the floor. There was little space to move about the room when you finally got on the ballroom floor, but with nearly 600 people, it was to be expected. Guests were asked to arrive before 8 o'clock, and Chelsea and Ruth both did so.
"Well hello there ma 'dame," Chelsea's hand was pulled up and kissed by a handsome boy dressed in a full tux. It took Ruth a moment to realize it was Shawn. Chelsea squealed and unlinked from Ruth and threw herself around her boyfriend. They were talking heads leaned in with hushed voices, and Ruth slowly and subtly excused herself. There were so many people around, where can a girl get a drink around here, she thought silently. She wandered around the large room and noticed there were butlers standing around the skirts of the crowd, holding silver trays with stemmed glasses. Champaign, she thought smiling, it's about time.
I noticed the clock read 5 minutes until 8 o'clock. The clock was hard to miss – it was about ten feet in diameter and was hanging on the wall in the middle of two glass wall windows. I sipped the Champaign gratefully, leaning against one of the many structure holding marble pillars. I was watching Shawn and Chelsea attempt to dance to the classical music, which turned from attempting to Tango horrendously to finally swaying slightly back and forth with her head on his chest. I found myself smiling as I looked around the room at the other couples and groups chatting and dancing. There was a light tap on my shoulder and the person cleared their throat as I turned around. "Oh my god," he whispered so silently I could barely make out what he was saying, "Elizabeth?" he questioned, slightly louder, but not by much. I looked around us, but he was definitely talking to me. "I'm sorry… No, I'm Lorraine but I'd rather you call me Ruth," I put my hand out for him to shake, but he instead leant down and brought my black silk glove covered hand to his lips.
"But Lorraine is such a beautiful name," I felt myself blush as he stood back up, looking me in the eye.
"Elizabeth was my great-great grandmother's name though." He nodded slowly, causing some of his dark hair to fall in his face. I don't know what made me say that – nerves most likely.
"Well, Lorraine, my name is Luka," he gestured around him with a warm smile, "Welcome to my family's home."
"Oh, you're a Germaine," it apparently sounded negative, because his face scrunched up, "Oh crap, no I didn't mean in like that," I pinched the bridge of my nose, "I'm sorry, it has been a long day…" he bowed his head and smiled, "Don't even worry about it. Would you like to dance?" He was tall, about a good six inches above my average 5'7" height. His eyes were caramel brown, and something about him was very inviting. I nodded. He took my now empty glass and set it aside, and took my hand. I flipped my gaze up to his face, my entire body started to pulse in time with my heart and butterflies filled my entire stomach. I wasn't normally like this around boys whatsoever. I was always the calm one that came up with the clever things to say. And now, it's like my mind went blank, I couldn't think of anything.
So, it was just an idea that popped into my head! PLEASE let me know what you think. If I should keep going with this or give up now! Ha! (Don't worry for those who read Floating, I would still be working on that one too! I appreciate your PM's, Reviews, whatever! Thanks so much for reading!
/Elaine