Lily stood in a dark corner hiding from her parents. She always hated these parties; Having to dress fancy, plaster a fake smile and socialize with her parents' friends and their children. They all treated her like a prized doll, parading and showing her off. It was annoying and completely unnecessary. Her family was well liked, and the most respected of anyone here. But they still had to maintain their perfect image, with her as the perfect daughter.
And tonight was worse than usual, her parents were 'presenting' her to society officially. It was the custom for all seventeen year old girls in their little social club, or as they called it a 'society'. So here she hid upstairs waiting for the party to begin and her big arrival. She looked oout the window longingly, wanting nothing more than to escape outside, to be anywhere than here. She held a drink in one hand, and took a sip from it. She wasn't one to really drink at these functions but the added nature of annoyance of this one seemed to call for it.
As much as she hated to disappoint her parents, she does tend to draw the line a bit more than her mother likes. Her mother seems quite old fashioned and Lily hates it. Lily likes to do more than dress up and take etiquette and dance classes. Lucky for her, she has her father wrapped around her finger for the most part. He let's her participate in sports and learn fighting skills with her two other brothers. She does quite well at competitions, especially in archery. Much to her mother's dismay, Lily chuckled quietly to herself as she thinks of it, her mother's blatant disapproval of a clear talent.
And of course Lily had to draw the line somewhere with this little event as well. She refused to be escorted, to have a boy at her side when they called her name as she descends the stairs. It seems like a small thing to refuse, but nothing is ever small to her mother, who is furious. Currently she is trying to find Lily, probably to yell at her more or try to force her to be escorted. No girl has ever gone without an escort before at her 'presenting' but those girls were dating someone at the time. Something Lily has no interest in right now or probably ever. And at these functions, to be escorted implies a LOT more than just a mere date. It's like a serious commitment you're announcing to everyone in the room. And since she had no interest in any of the boys here, she saw no point in being escorted.
Her mother of course and as always had a different viewpoint. She wanted Lily to be escorted by Alec Moor, whom Lily 'particularly disliked' as her grandmother would say. Her parents have been trying to get Lily to like Alec ever since she met him when she was fourteen. It's not that he's a bad guy but she barely knows him. He's five years older than her, so she never went to school with him. And whenever she would be near him, at the many dinners and galas her parents had him sit with them at, he always looked at her in an odd manner.
Lily didn't like it, the intensity in his eyes when he gazed at her and how he always seem so tense in his form, like he's holding himself back. His scrutiny of her and how in a room full of people it always seems like he can sense where she is. He makes her full uncomfortable and exposed. She intimidates most guys her age and older with how independent she is. They are afraid to hit on her but want to at the same time, especially the children in the club. It's like their parents want all their sons to date Lily, it's so stupid.
Being treated like a celebrity, when her parents lived the most modest lives out of all their rich friends. Their house was large but not near the mansion estate of her grandparents. Perhaps this was why her family was so well liked, because they were so down to earth. Even her grandparents, with all their space, it almost seems like they only have it out of necessity of having a large family. Her father, hated the attention as well, but did his 'duty' as he liked to call it. Him and Lily so much alike, in looks and personality. He was the one who convinced her to not try to run away too soon from the party or skip it all together. Her mother of course doesn't trust her so there is security posted making her a prisoner.
Lily has never seen her mother more angry than tonight, especially after the whole escort thing. To her mother it was an outright betrayal against both families, hers and the Moors. Lily knew there had to be more going on than what anyone was telling her and that Alec knew what it was. Every adult in the club was so sure and insistent that her and Alec should be together and that they would be married. Alec, of course would tease Lily about it all. Since that is the only time she would speak to him, would be to question him about it. He would just tell her that she knows nothing and there's more than what's seen and been told of the world. Treating her like a little child. Lily's thoughts drifted in and out as she continue to stare out the window at the garden.
"You know, if you would just let me escort you tonight, she'll calm down," Alec's voice sounded quiet and smooth next to her ear. He stood behind her, Lily had been too distracted to hear his approach and jumped at his words. She shifted her shoulders to try to put space between her and Alec. Alec, of course, would have none of that. He grabbed the top of her arms, holding her in place securely but also with a gentle touch, careful not to bruise her. Before Lily could begin to protest, he spoke again, "Why do you hate me?"
"I don't hate you, I barely know you," at this his grip loosened and Lily broke his hold, turning to face him, "I will not pretend to I'm in love with you for one second, or that you could love me." Frustration and anger laced her voice.
"You know nothing," Alec's voice rose as he spoke. His tone cold and hard but his eyes looked hurt, "You'll have to learn to love me soon enough, might as well start now. We've been trying to get you to realize it early."
"NEVER," she spoke with such stubbornness and rage, her voice dripping with venom she never knew she possessed. She downed the rest of her drink in frustration.
"Why do you keep thinking you have a choice?" his voice stern.
"The fact that I have free will? A mind of my own?"
"You will soon learn you are not as free as you think, there are things you cannot control. That are decided and imbedded in you while you are still in the womb. Your father has been foolish in raising you to believe otherwise."
Lily's anger faded as she stood looking at him, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I've said too much about it already. You'll soon see for yourself." Alec's voice had lowered back to normal and he almost look ashamed that he had spoken so freely before.
"Nothing will make me change how I feel about you," Lily's voice was quiet and she looked at the ground.
He took and deep breath before whispering, "Why won't you let me try to love you?" His voice holding just the slightest undertones of pain.
"Why can't you find someone else?" Her voice was filled with defeat and she looked up at him with pleading eyes.
Alec brought his hand to her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before resting it on her cheek. He rubbed his thumb back and forth across it for a little while before finally speaking, "Because no other girl is you." His face finally cracked and his pain completely evident as he strained to get those few words out.
Lily was taken aback, never had she seen him look so defeated. He looked almost out of hope and he was usually so confident in his approaches. She never liked hurting anyone, but she didn't know what to do. They stood silent staring into each others eyes' both filled with pain. Lily finally spoke, "Please.." her voice trailed off as it cracked and her eyes filled with tears.
Lily was never one to be emotional, but she just couldn't take anymore. Her strength was spent. Alec on the verge of tears as well, "I can't," his voice cracked and he released his hold on her and looked away. Glancing down the hall and then settling a dead gaze towards the window to the outside, " you don't understand," his voice barely audible as tears streamed down his face, " but you will." His voice was stronger at the end, even hopeful as he turned to walk away. Still not looking at her.
"Wait!" Lily said her voice thick.
Alec turned and looked her in the eyes, "Go. The guests are arriving downstairs, you need to wait at the top of the stairs for your big entrance," then continued to walk away. In a low voice probably to himself but Lily heard, "I'll wait for you, it shouldn't be long now. Just a little while longer and the pain will be gone."
Lily stood watching him walk away completely confused before wiping her eyes with her hands. He had a small smile on his face. She sat down in a chair next to the window and put her head in her hands, rubbing her face, neck and hair in utter despair. What was wrong with her? She doesn't care for him but she never wanted to hurt him, the grief was more than it should be though. She never did anything to lead him on and always politely turned him down. Her thoughts soon turned his cryptic statements but before she could dwell on what they could mean, a voice rang out from the end of the hall leading to the ballroom.
"You mother is looking for you," It was Jamie, her brother Benjamin's fiancé. The younger of her two older brothers, Ben was her favorite. Lily huffed, "So I suppose it's time then?"
"You make it sound like a death sentence dear baby sister," Ben patronizing voice replied as he approached the two girls. He chuckled, "Don't worry Dad is keeping mommy dearest away from you."
"Right, like anyone could stop her," Lily said as they walked together towards the double door entrance. Ben and Jamie left her, and then the night started to go by in blur as they all do. She was announced, as she descended stairs with all eyes on her and lots of applause.
Then it was polite dances and meaningless conversation, and with all the guests, her mother had gone into her party mode. Making sure to be a proper hostess and socialize with everyone. As did Lily, her façade completely in place, boredom in check she made sure she thanked everyone for attending. As well as dancing with everyone she was supposed to. Her eyes were vacant of expression though and her mind kept going back to Alec. She couldn't escape their conversation, until she was soon tired of the party for not distracting her intellectually and needed a release.
Not caring if her parents tried to stop her or not, it all had become too much for Lily. She had to leave, she went out a side door and ran to the nearest waiting taxi, for the parents who drink too much. No one stopped her but Lily had too much else clouding her mind to care. Little did she know that her father had seen and heard some of her conversation with Alec, and told the security detail to let her leave. He always had a soft spot for the strain his daughter carried. He carried the same attention and stress when he was her age.
When Lily reached their home, she took a hot shower, blow dried her hair and went to bed well after midnight. A restless sleep consumed as her birth hour struck around 2:30 that morning.