"Oh, oh it's beautiful! Just...oh! Look at it, Krystal, don't you love
it?"
I bit my lip to keep from firing the scathing comments that waited on my sharp tongue as my overbearing mother cooed dramatically at me while she held up a fluffy pink concoction I could only assume was a dress.
"Um, Mom maybe we should go a little less Cinderella on crack and more glamour..."
"Oh, just try it on?" she said pleadingly, her high pitched voice rising to a squeak, attracting the stares of several other patrons nearby. I took a deep breathing, closing my eyes and shutting out the scenes of inquisitive faces peering curiously at me.
It was two days until Prom. Yes, I had waited until two days before the Prom to get my dress. No, it wasn't because I didn't care...I mean, I wanted to look good. Who doesn't? More because I was dreading appearing in public with my mother, and the Evening Attire section of the Westchester Mall was about as public as you can get. It was my idea of hell, basically.
It's not that I didn't love my mother, because I did. I loved when she and I went out for dinner and had long talks, or when we sat making a batch of cookies. Although, it seemed that those occasions had become less frequented...I couldn't remember the last time we had been alone, just the two of us. Which was why I actually permitted my mother to come shopping with me for a dress- and I was regretting it. It just seemed that whenever it came to my clothes my mother seemed to favor pink, white, frills and bows. On my part, I liked black, slinky and slits. The two did not mix well. My mother knew this, and knew I hated to have attention drawn to myself while I was with her. I just didn't like it, which was why she purposely raised her voice loud enough for one of those exasperating sales girls you just want to smack some times to hop over and give me her extremely unwanted opinion.
"Oh, that would look just *darling* on you!" she cooed, her perfect blond hair set in a mold by the three tons of hairspray she had piled in it. She shot me a patronizing look, like I was 3 instead of 18. I glared at her, rolling my eyes. "Thanks, but next time I want your opinion- I'll ask for it."
Born and bred a New Yorker, I was not light with my words.
She seemed to shrink and my mother shot me a look. "Now, Krystal she's only trying to help... Just try it on."
Sighing I grabbed the pink mess of swirling bows and sequins. As I walked with my head down towards the dressing room, I spotted something.
The color was so pale, that it almost seemed white, yet it had a hint of blue in it. The bodice was tight, but the flirt flowed to the floor in graceful folds. Not puffy- flowing. There were no sequins, no bows, and most of all- it wasn't pink. It was perfect; It was mine.
I grabbed it nonchalantly as I headed into the dressing rooms quickly, my heart beating, hoping against hope to escape without my mother's noticing. But of course, Hope was busy elsewhere today, and my mother's piercing voice cut through the pleasant classical music playing in the back round.
"What's that you got?" she asked elegantly. Not.
I held it up obediently, a perfect mask of boredom and challenge on my face. "What do you think it is?
"I think it's a dress." She replied rolling her eyes at my sarcasm.
I turned away and opened the door to the dressing room.
"And to think I thought you were slow."
I heard her sigh with frustration and felt a tinge of regret before shaking it off as my eyes landed on the pink eyesore. Pulling off my plain white tee shirt and jeans, I slipped the pink dress over my head first.
My eyes widened with horror as I caught sight of myself in the mirror.
The bodice of the dress was a violent shade of magenta, with a scoop neckline made of silk. The sleeves were two shades lighter than the bodice, and reached all the way to my fingertips. The skirt was white, a stark white with no hint of pink at all and ended in a flourishing poof of bows and yellow roses. Yellow roses?
Who designed this monstrosity, I thought in horror as I turned to see the back. The straps crisscrossed tightly, leaving red lines across my fair skin as I cringed. It too came to an end in a bow, a huge satin one that I suddenly felt the urge to rip off and then burn.
"Oh, let me see Krystal, do you have it on yet?"
I stared fascinated at my reflection in the mirror. I had never seen myself look so atrocious in my life. I mean, sure I wasn't Miss Beauty Queen at my school, but my jet black hair and crystal blue eyes- for which I was named, even- had always caught the boy's attention. My body was small and delicate, and all wrong for the overwrought dress. I looked at the tag and saw it was called, "Ballerina!" I frowned and thought quietly to myself, they obviously forgot to add the words *Colorblind* and *Crack head* to it.
I reluctantly unlocked the door to look into my mother's waiting eyes. She grinned as she saw me; it spreading across her face like a fire spreads in a forest. She clasped a hand to her mouth as she took in the whole effect as I was pulled towards her, stumbling over a few bows in the process. "My baby!" she breathed.
I shook my head desperately as she reached for a hug, already wiping her eyes. "oh no, ohhh noo," I began but she held me at arms length.
"I love it. Oh, I love it. Do you?"
I gawked at her. "Are you serious?"
Her face fell and her dark eyes clouded with barely consumed rage, but I didn't care. It was *my* dress. "You don't like it?"
I continued to gape at her. "Mom...I've never looked more hideous in my life."
She cocked her head to the side and studied me. "Well there was the time when you decided to wear Uncle Anthony's big yellow raincoat with your bright red panties and a lime green shirt..." she said thoughtfully as I shook my head.
"Mom." I said sharply, trying to cover her voice as I cringed with repulsion. "I was four. And you shouldn't have let me dress myself ANYWAY. Plus, I wasn't asking for examples, I was telling you politely that you couldn't pay me enough to wear this anywhere. I'd rather go nude."
I slammed the dressing room door in her startled face and shook my head. What planet was she from? I took deep calming breaths as I threw the dress to the floor, kicking it roughly just for fun.
I carefully then reached for the blue dress, pulling it over my shoulders lightly. It fell around my torso and fit snugly, becoming tight in all the right places, and loosening in all the right ones. The dress didn't puff out at all, and stopped at the perfect length bellow my ankles. Without looking in the mirror, I pulled up my hair and adjusted it. The strapless material clung tightly to my upper body, and with a breath, I turned to face the mirror.
And stared.
The blue of the dress perfectly patched my eyes. I had never seen the color in a fabric before, and I knew this dress was mine. It was everything I wanted, and It was mine.
I swung open the dressing room door with a smile waiting on my lips, and looked for my mother. I wanted to show her, I found it, it was mine and I found it.
And she wasn't there. "Mom?" I called out tentatively, glancing down the empty hallway. I caught sight of myself in the mirror at the end of the corridor and smiled. It was mine.
Just then, the saleswomen stuck her head around the door, another friendly smile plastered on her face though dislike for me shown through her eyes. "Your mom had to leave Hun. She said she had to go to your sister's basketball game or something. She left you her credit card though. Oh, you look so wonderful. Would you like to chare that?"
I deflated as I learned my mother had left. Why was I surprised? She and I had made grand plans to go for dinner after this at our favorite place-- she wasn't so bad while she was eating and I was looking forward to it. But I had disagreed with her. I knew my sister's basketball game was tomorrow. And she knew I knew.
"Yes," I said flatly. "That'll be fine." I glanced at the price tag, and instead my eye fell on the name of the dress and I smiled again. *Crystal* It read in icy blue letters. It was mine.
I found the price tag in a moment. $1,452.75.
Perfect. Serves her right too.
The days leading up the Prom passed in a whirl of hair appointment, nail appointments and shoe shopping. My mother was supposed to help me with this, or that's what my friend's moms were doing. But my mom was busy. Seemed the one time I could have established a relationship with her, and I ruined it by insulting her dress. But it was *my* night. *My* dress, *My* senior prom. It was mine. The night came, and I was ready.
A limo pulled up a black house, dark without the welcoming lights that I knew my friend's houses had. I was waiting in the blackness, waiting in the dark at the window as I watched the strech limo pull up. My date, Michael, approached me with a winning smile and I had to smile back. It was my senior prom, after all. I wouldn't let my family ruin it. Michael stared into my eyes for the longest time, and I was just about to feel self conscious, when he touched my cheek gently, before turning and chugging on some Cores Light. I shrugged. I guess that was his idea of romantic? We made a cute couple, with his dark hair and eyes, and tan skin. He was taller than me with my 5'6 frame, and his muscles rippled underneath his black tux. I forced a smile at my friends.
When we pulled up to the resort where our Prom was, the smile never left my face, though an overwhelming sadness was tugging at my heart. My parents had claimed to have gone to my brother's play. My brother's play was yesterday. I had asked them to stay, so we could take pictures, but my mother had shot me a look. "You're not going nude are you?" she asked coolly. "We could do without those pictures."
"No," I said gritting my teeth. "I'm wearing the blue dress."
"Oh."
"Are you going to be home?" I asked my dad, a hint of longing seeping into my voice. He didn't meet my eyes as he buried himself in the sports section. "We'll see."
I shook it off as we walked into the brightly lit hotel, smiling friends all over the place. Michael, who had been there before, quickly showed us around, pointing out the back of the hotel was surrounded by deep forest. It looked romantic out there, with the stars as the only light in the thick underbrush, but Michael wanted to dance.
When I got the chance, I stole outside, claiming I needed to a drink. I needed a drink alright.
I took a deep breath, and touched my hair lightly to make sure it was still in the same pinned up position it had been when I left. Soundlessly, I walked deep into the woods, my feet crunching the leaves underfoot the only noise besides the music of the crickets chirping. When the lights began to fade, I paused and looked around. I could no longer see the hotel, but I knew it was there from the echoing music.
I have every intention of going back to the dance, but I was just taking a moment for myself. I took a deep breath as my thoughts ran wild. I wanted to be like everyone else. I wanted a gushing mother- a mother who was consistently *caring*, not just when it benefited her. I wanted a father who *cared* who I went out with and what I dressed like, I wanted a boyfriend who *cared* that I wanted to see the stars and not drink the night away.
I wanted to be loved, I wanted to be cared about...I wanted so much. I wanted the stars, and the sun, and the moon, and...I wanted to dream, and believe. I wanted so much.
Leaning against a tree, I shut my eyes for a moment. I fretted for a second about my hair, and then about my dress, then about my ice blue shoes in the forest ground but a sigh escaped my lips and my tension eased.
I don't know how long I stayed like that, probably around an hour as I remember drifting off to sleep as I stood leaning. Slowly the soft sounds of the Prom faded into the distance. I wasn't moving yet the sounds became farther and farther away, but I shrugged it off. It didn't seem to bother me, as the calming night breeze gently caressed my face as the world spun behind my closed eyelids. I was beginning to feel dizzy, and made up my mind to go back inside.
When I opened my eyes, they sought out the stars for solace. I had been out here for a little less than an hour, yet they seemed brighter, somehow, brighter then they had just been. Were they in a different pattern? I scrunched up my brow in thought, then shrugged it off.
I looked in the direction I had come, expecting to see the lights of the hotel glaring softly through the trees. I didn't see anything. I didn't hear anything either, apart from the crickets.
I began to get confused and took a step forward in the direction I *thought* the hotel was in.
I walked for a few moments until I began to tire in my high heeled shoes. Had I got turned around somewhere?
Panic began to rise in my throat and my lovely dress suddenly seemed cumbersome.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps.
"Michael?" I called hesitantly, figuring he had come looking for me. My eyes searched the darkness desperately, and the trees seemed to draw closer around me as I stopped moving to listen.
Something deep inside my soul snapped then, as the footsteps faded into silence. I was lost.
How could you get lost? I cursed myself. There's no where to get lost in.
But you managed it, a little voice told me inside my head. And you did it pretty well by the looks of it.
What was that?
My head snapped up as a whisper echoed through the trees. I had heard it. I wasn't imagining it; someone was there. Those footsteps I had heard hadn't been a squirrel.
"Hello?"
"Whose there?" I called out slowly, terror flashing in my eyes.
Silence answered me and I softly lowered myself to the ground, landing in a soft pile of leaves. What was going on?
Just then, I clearly heard the distinct sound a human voice, cut short by a Shhh. There were *two* someones.
"Why we don't just--"it was saying persuasively. But it wasn't the voice of a half drunken prom goers, it was the voice of a man. Worries of rape and abuse flashed through her mind as headlines from the Daily News accompanied it. Glancing up into the trees, I spotted a tree with several low branches. Ignoring the tearing sound as my gorgeous dress caught and was torn; I hoisted myself up delicately into the hidden recess of the dark leaves.
My eyes searched the darkness, but came up empty, but my sharp ears caught several sounds that had I not been in the middle of the woods, I would have sworn I was imagining it.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the clearing I had been in. I couldn't see much, but I had the distinct impression he knew I was there, and as his companion came up behind him, I stiffened slightly.
In the weak light, I could only make out their shapes. I had been right in my guess that these were men, older than I, and they appeared strong by their shadows. I tried to keep absolutely still, but it was hard. My leg itched and I believe that there was an ant on it. I ached to swat it away, but loathe to give up my position.
Suddenly, blue eyes caught mine and locked apprehensively, then with surprise. I tore my gaze away, but not quick enough, and I knew my game was up.
"You can come down," he said softly, obviously being able to see more than I, his tone much the way he would speak to a three year old. "We're not any danger to you."
I rolled my eyes and said nothing.
"I know your there; I can see you. Why don't you just come down?"
"I'd rather not, thanks," I fired sharply, my desperate situation making my voice low. "You can leave now."
They shot each other amused glances and I noticed with a start, one seemed to have an unearthly glow about him.
"Are you a ghost?" I asked in slight awe, slight apprehensiveness. His eyes, still locked on mine, smiled in amusement. "No; I'm an elf. Come down, where its safe and we'll talk."
"I really care not to. This tree is quite comfortable."
Then, off to my right, a rustling sound floated to my ears and I turned to see myself staring into eight, yellow, lustrous, malicious eyes. Before I could even cry out, the creature launched itself at me, wrapping its hairy eight legs around my arms and drawing me towards its dripping jaws.
A arrow flew past my head, and soared into the beasts heart, as it flopped dead in my arms. I couldn't help it. I screamed, loud and terrified, as several other hundred pairs of eyes made them known to me. I pushed the dead beast off me quickly, gasping at its repulsive touch. It fell to the ground with a thud, and several others arrows fell true, dead beasts dropping around me. I clasped my hand to my mouth to keep in a scream, but I was terrified and my heard was pounding. When the eyes began to retreat, I gasped in breath, and slowly eased myself to the ground, deciding quickly I'd face my chances with the ghost than the spider-like evil.
I held my hand to my heart and took deep calming breaths. The ghost soon eased to my side and bent over, touching my arm lightly. "My lady, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." I answered breathlessly
Since he was closer, my eyes were able to see him fully and my eyes widened in shock. For several reasons.
1) He was hot. Really hot. Really really perfection like hot.
2) He was wearing tights. Tights?
3) He had arrows? Who the hell had arrows nowadays anyway?
4) He was hot. Really hot. Really really...okay you get it.
His gorgeous eyes searched mine as he grasped my hand and tugged me to my feet. My dress made a soft swishing sound and my arm tingled from his touch. I took a step back, away from him, eyes on the ground as I backed into a tree.
"Who are you?" I questioned him slowly, my eyes darting to his other companion. Who, truth be told, wasn't so bad himself. He had dark, long hair, and a face tan from the sun. His eyes peered worriedly at me, but there was no hint of evil or threat in his gaze.
The ghost, or elf, answered me steadily. "I'm Legolas, of these woods. This is Strider, Ranger of the North. And your name?"
I stared confused at him. "Wait, where am i?"
They exchanged worried glances. "You are in the depths of Mirkwood, my lady. How did you get here?" Strider answered curiously.
I shook my head. "No...I was at...I was at the hotel, The Starlight Hotel, during the Prom..."
The elf or Legolas took a step back. "Perhaps your memory will return by morning...Come, camp with us for the night." He suggested carefully. His eyes ran up and down my body and I was painfully aware of my torn dress and flushed face.
He said nothing, however, but turned to his friend. "Do we have enough provisions for..."
He turned back to me. "What's your name, Young one?"
I stared at him, pure terror still in my eyes, mixed with confusion and disbelief.
Mirkwood? Where on God's earth was that?
Ranger of the North? Was I in some wildlife preserve or something?
Legolas? What kind of name was that? And what was an elf, and why did he glow?!
I shook my head determinedly. "Wait, what-- where...Michael?" I stumbled over my words, confusion echoing in the depths of my eyes. Legolas, it seemed, could read my expression and sympathy was etched in his face.
"Are you lost?" He asked gently. His friend hit him on the side. "Obviously she's lost."
"Little one, what is your name?" He asked again softly, his eyes gentle.
Panic began to rise in my throat again and I raised my head finally. "I'm not little," I said in a low, dangerous tone. "I'm probably just as old as you." I lied, but my eyes were locked on theirs. "I don't know what you two are raving about, what with, Murky wood and rangers, but I'm going back to the hotel and the Prom." They were probably just messing with me, I thought angrily. Taking advantage of a vulnerable, lost girl. My fear was making me furious.
I turned to leave, but Legolas caught my arm. With his eyes, he gestured to the dead beasts around our feet.
"Lady, I am as confused as you are. But trust me- You do not want to be caught out here alone again. You can spend the night under our protection," he nodded at their bows and Strider's sword, "Or with them." He kicked the dead, black beast, his lip curled with disgust.
"Your choice." He said firmly, his beautiful eyes locking on to mine. Fear, suspicion, and vulnerability blended in my eyes as I clutched my dress, smoothing out the creases. Behind me, I heard the hiss of spiders.
I bit my lip to keep from firing the scathing comments that waited on my sharp tongue as my overbearing mother cooed dramatically at me while she held up a fluffy pink concoction I could only assume was a dress.
"Um, Mom maybe we should go a little less Cinderella on crack and more glamour..."
"Oh, just try it on?" she said pleadingly, her high pitched voice rising to a squeak, attracting the stares of several other patrons nearby. I took a deep breathing, closing my eyes and shutting out the scenes of inquisitive faces peering curiously at me.
It was two days until Prom. Yes, I had waited until two days before the Prom to get my dress. No, it wasn't because I didn't care...I mean, I wanted to look good. Who doesn't? More because I was dreading appearing in public with my mother, and the Evening Attire section of the Westchester Mall was about as public as you can get. It was my idea of hell, basically.
It's not that I didn't love my mother, because I did. I loved when she and I went out for dinner and had long talks, or when we sat making a batch of cookies. Although, it seemed that those occasions had become less frequented...I couldn't remember the last time we had been alone, just the two of us. Which was why I actually permitted my mother to come shopping with me for a dress- and I was regretting it. It just seemed that whenever it came to my clothes my mother seemed to favor pink, white, frills and bows. On my part, I liked black, slinky and slits. The two did not mix well. My mother knew this, and knew I hated to have attention drawn to myself while I was with her. I just didn't like it, which was why she purposely raised her voice loud enough for one of those exasperating sales girls you just want to smack some times to hop over and give me her extremely unwanted opinion.
"Oh, that would look just *darling* on you!" she cooed, her perfect blond hair set in a mold by the three tons of hairspray she had piled in it. She shot me a patronizing look, like I was 3 instead of 18. I glared at her, rolling my eyes. "Thanks, but next time I want your opinion- I'll ask for it."
Born and bred a New Yorker, I was not light with my words.
She seemed to shrink and my mother shot me a look. "Now, Krystal she's only trying to help... Just try it on."
Sighing I grabbed the pink mess of swirling bows and sequins. As I walked with my head down towards the dressing room, I spotted something.
The color was so pale, that it almost seemed white, yet it had a hint of blue in it. The bodice was tight, but the flirt flowed to the floor in graceful folds. Not puffy- flowing. There were no sequins, no bows, and most of all- it wasn't pink. It was perfect; It was mine.
I grabbed it nonchalantly as I headed into the dressing rooms quickly, my heart beating, hoping against hope to escape without my mother's noticing. But of course, Hope was busy elsewhere today, and my mother's piercing voice cut through the pleasant classical music playing in the back round.
"What's that you got?" she asked elegantly. Not.
I held it up obediently, a perfect mask of boredom and challenge on my face. "What do you think it is?
"I think it's a dress." She replied rolling her eyes at my sarcasm.
I turned away and opened the door to the dressing room.
"And to think I thought you were slow."
I heard her sigh with frustration and felt a tinge of regret before shaking it off as my eyes landed on the pink eyesore. Pulling off my plain white tee shirt and jeans, I slipped the pink dress over my head first.
My eyes widened with horror as I caught sight of myself in the mirror.
The bodice of the dress was a violent shade of magenta, with a scoop neckline made of silk. The sleeves were two shades lighter than the bodice, and reached all the way to my fingertips. The skirt was white, a stark white with no hint of pink at all and ended in a flourishing poof of bows and yellow roses. Yellow roses?
Who designed this monstrosity, I thought in horror as I turned to see the back. The straps crisscrossed tightly, leaving red lines across my fair skin as I cringed. It too came to an end in a bow, a huge satin one that I suddenly felt the urge to rip off and then burn.
"Oh, let me see Krystal, do you have it on yet?"
I stared fascinated at my reflection in the mirror. I had never seen myself look so atrocious in my life. I mean, sure I wasn't Miss Beauty Queen at my school, but my jet black hair and crystal blue eyes- for which I was named, even- had always caught the boy's attention. My body was small and delicate, and all wrong for the overwrought dress. I looked at the tag and saw it was called, "Ballerina!" I frowned and thought quietly to myself, they obviously forgot to add the words *Colorblind* and *Crack head* to it.
I reluctantly unlocked the door to look into my mother's waiting eyes. She grinned as she saw me; it spreading across her face like a fire spreads in a forest. She clasped a hand to her mouth as she took in the whole effect as I was pulled towards her, stumbling over a few bows in the process. "My baby!" she breathed.
I shook my head desperately as she reached for a hug, already wiping her eyes. "oh no, ohhh noo," I began but she held me at arms length.
"I love it. Oh, I love it. Do you?"
I gawked at her. "Are you serious?"
Her face fell and her dark eyes clouded with barely consumed rage, but I didn't care. It was *my* dress. "You don't like it?"
I continued to gape at her. "Mom...I've never looked more hideous in my life."
She cocked her head to the side and studied me. "Well there was the time when you decided to wear Uncle Anthony's big yellow raincoat with your bright red panties and a lime green shirt..." she said thoughtfully as I shook my head.
"Mom." I said sharply, trying to cover her voice as I cringed with repulsion. "I was four. And you shouldn't have let me dress myself ANYWAY. Plus, I wasn't asking for examples, I was telling you politely that you couldn't pay me enough to wear this anywhere. I'd rather go nude."
I slammed the dressing room door in her startled face and shook my head. What planet was she from? I took deep calming breaths as I threw the dress to the floor, kicking it roughly just for fun.
I carefully then reached for the blue dress, pulling it over my shoulders lightly. It fell around my torso and fit snugly, becoming tight in all the right places, and loosening in all the right ones. The dress didn't puff out at all, and stopped at the perfect length bellow my ankles. Without looking in the mirror, I pulled up my hair and adjusted it. The strapless material clung tightly to my upper body, and with a breath, I turned to face the mirror.
And stared.
The blue of the dress perfectly patched my eyes. I had never seen the color in a fabric before, and I knew this dress was mine. It was everything I wanted, and It was mine.
I swung open the dressing room door with a smile waiting on my lips, and looked for my mother. I wanted to show her, I found it, it was mine and I found it.
And she wasn't there. "Mom?" I called out tentatively, glancing down the empty hallway. I caught sight of myself in the mirror at the end of the corridor and smiled. It was mine.
Just then, the saleswomen stuck her head around the door, another friendly smile plastered on her face though dislike for me shown through her eyes. "Your mom had to leave Hun. She said she had to go to your sister's basketball game or something. She left you her credit card though. Oh, you look so wonderful. Would you like to chare that?"
I deflated as I learned my mother had left. Why was I surprised? She and I had made grand plans to go for dinner after this at our favorite place-- she wasn't so bad while she was eating and I was looking forward to it. But I had disagreed with her. I knew my sister's basketball game was tomorrow. And she knew I knew.
"Yes," I said flatly. "That'll be fine." I glanced at the price tag, and instead my eye fell on the name of the dress and I smiled again. *Crystal* It read in icy blue letters. It was mine.
I found the price tag in a moment. $1,452.75.
Perfect. Serves her right too.
The days leading up the Prom passed in a whirl of hair appointment, nail appointments and shoe shopping. My mother was supposed to help me with this, or that's what my friend's moms were doing. But my mom was busy. Seemed the one time I could have established a relationship with her, and I ruined it by insulting her dress. But it was *my* night. *My* dress, *My* senior prom. It was mine. The night came, and I was ready.
A limo pulled up a black house, dark without the welcoming lights that I knew my friend's houses had. I was waiting in the blackness, waiting in the dark at the window as I watched the strech limo pull up. My date, Michael, approached me with a winning smile and I had to smile back. It was my senior prom, after all. I wouldn't let my family ruin it. Michael stared into my eyes for the longest time, and I was just about to feel self conscious, when he touched my cheek gently, before turning and chugging on some Cores Light. I shrugged. I guess that was his idea of romantic? We made a cute couple, with his dark hair and eyes, and tan skin. He was taller than me with my 5'6 frame, and his muscles rippled underneath his black tux. I forced a smile at my friends.
When we pulled up to the resort where our Prom was, the smile never left my face, though an overwhelming sadness was tugging at my heart. My parents had claimed to have gone to my brother's play. My brother's play was yesterday. I had asked them to stay, so we could take pictures, but my mother had shot me a look. "You're not going nude are you?" she asked coolly. "We could do without those pictures."
"No," I said gritting my teeth. "I'm wearing the blue dress."
"Oh."
"Are you going to be home?" I asked my dad, a hint of longing seeping into my voice. He didn't meet my eyes as he buried himself in the sports section. "We'll see."
I shook it off as we walked into the brightly lit hotel, smiling friends all over the place. Michael, who had been there before, quickly showed us around, pointing out the back of the hotel was surrounded by deep forest. It looked romantic out there, with the stars as the only light in the thick underbrush, but Michael wanted to dance.
When I got the chance, I stole outside, claiming I needed to a drink. I needed a drink alright.
I took a deep breath, and touched my hair lightly to make sure it was still in the same pinned up position it had been when I left. Soundlessly, I walked deep into the woods, my feet crunching the leaves underfoot the only noise besides the music of the crickets chirping. When the lights began to fade, I paused and looked around. I could no longer see the hotel, but I knew it was there from the echoing music.
I have every intention of going back to the dance, but I was just taking a moment for myself. I took a deep breath as my thoughts ran wild. I wanted to be like everyone else. I wanted a gushing mother- a mother who was consistently *caring*, not just when it benefited her. I wanted a father who *cared* who I went out with and what I dressed like, I wanted a boyfriend who *cared* that I wanted to see the stars and not drink the night away.
I wanted to be loved, I wanted to be cared about...I wanted so much. I wanted the stars, and the sun, and the moon, and...I wanted to dream, and believe. I wanted so much.
Leaning against a tree, I shut my eyes for a moment. I fretted for a second about my hair, and then about my dress, then about my ice blue shoes in the forest ground but a sigh escaped my lips and my tension eased.
I don't know how long I stayed like that, probably around an hour as I remember drifting off to sleep as I stood leaning. Slowly the soft sounds of the Prom faded into the distance. I wasn't moving yet the sounds became farther and farther away, but I shrugged it off. It didn't seem to bother me, as the calming night breeze gently caressed my face as the world spun behind my closed eyelids. I was beginning to feel dizzy, and made up my mind to go back inside.
When I opened my eyes, they sought out the stars for solace. I had been out here for a little less than an hour, yet they seemed brighter, somehow, brighter then they had just been. Were they in a different pattern? I scrunched up my brow in thought, then shrugged it off.
I looked in the direction I had come, expecting to see the lights of the hotel glaring softly through the trees. I didn't see anything. I didn't hear anything either, apart from the crickets.
I began to get confused and took a step forward in the direction I *thought* the hotel was in.
I walked for a few moments until I began to tire in my high heeled shoes. Had I got turned around somewhere?
Panic began to rise in my throat and my lovely dress suddenly seemed cumbersome.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps.
"Michael?" I called hesitantly, figuring he had come looking for me. My eyes searched the darkness desperately, and the trees seemed to draw closer around me as I stopped moving to listen.
Something deep inside my soul snapped then, as the footsteps faded into silence. I was lost.
How could you get lost? I cursed myself. There's no where to get lost in.
But you managed it, a little voice told me inside my head. And you did it pretty well by the looks of it.
What was that?
My head snapped up as a whisper echoed through the trees. I had heard it. I wasn't imagining it; someone was there. Those footsteps I had heard hadn't been a squirrel.
"Hello?"
"Whose there?" I called out slowly, terror flashing in my eyes.
Silence answered me and I softly lowered myself to the ground, landing in a soft pile of leaves. What was going on?
Just then, I clearly heard the distinct sound a human voice, cut short by a Shhh. There were *two* someones.
"Why we don't just--"it was saying persuasively. But it wasn't the voice of a half drunken prom goers, it was the voice of a man. Worries of rape and abuse flashed through her mind as headlines from the Daily News accompanied it. Glancing up into the trees, I spotted a tree with several low branches. Ignoring the tearing sound as my gorgeous dress caught and was torn; I hoisted myself up delicately into the hidden recess of the dark leaves.
My eyes searched the darkness, but came up empty, but my sharp ears caught several sounds that had I not been in the middle of the woods, I would have sworn I was imagining it.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the clearing I had been in. I couldn't see much, but I had the distinct impression he knew I was there, and as his companion came up behind him, I stiffened slightly.
In the weak light, I could only make out their shapes. I had been right in my guess that these were men, older than I, and they appeared strong by their shadows. I tried to keep absolutely still, but it was hard. My leg itched and I believe that there was an ant on it. I ached to swat it away, but loathe to give up my position.
Suddenly, blue eyes caught mine and locked apprehensively, then with surprise. I tore my gaze away, but not quick enough, and I knew my game was up.
"You can come down," he said softly, obviously being able to see more than I, his tone much the way he would speak to a three year old. "We're not any danger to you."
I rolled my eyes and said nothing.
"I know your there; I can see you. Why don't you just come down?"
"I'd rather not, thanks," I fired sharply, my desperate situation making my voice low. "You can leave now."
They shot each other amused glances and I noticed with a start, one seemed to have an unearthly glow about him.
"Are you a ghost?" I asked in slight awe, slight apprehensiveness. His eyes, still locked on mine, smiled in amusement. "No; I'm an elf. Come down, where its safe and we'll talk."
"I really care not to. This tree is quite comfortable."
Then, off to my right, a rustling sound floated to my ears and I turned to see myself staring into eight, yellow, lustrous, malicious eyes. Before I could even cry out, the creature launched itself at me, wrapping its hairy eight legs around my arms and drawing me towards its dripping jaws.
A arrow flew past my head, and soared into the beasts heart, as it flopped dead in my arms. I couldn't help it. I screamed, loud and terrified, as several other hundred pairs of eyes made them known to me. I pushed the dead beast off me quickly, gasping at its repulsive touch. It fell to the ground with a thud, and several others arrows fell true, dead beasts dropping around me. I clasped my hand to my mouth to keep in a scream, but I was terrified and my heard was pounding. When the eyes began to retreat, I gasped in breath, and slowly eased myself to the ground, deciding quickly I'd face my chances with the ghost than the spider-like evil.
I held my hand to my heart and took deep calming breaths. The ghost soon eased to my side and bent over, touching my arm lightly. "My lady, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." I answered breathlessly
Since he was closer, my eyes were able to see him fully and my eyes widened in shock. For several reasons.
1) He was hot. Really hot. Really really perfection like hot.
2) He was wearing tights. Tights?
3) He had arrows? Who the hell had arrows nowadays anyway?
4) He was hot. Really hot. Really really...okay you get it.
His gorgeous eyes searched mine as he grasped my hand and tugged me to my feet. My dress made a soft swishing sound and my arm tingled from his touch. I took a step back, away from him, eyes on the ground as I backed into a tree.
"Who are you?" I questioned him slowly, my eyes darting to his other companion. Who, truth be told, wasn't so bad himself. He had dark, long hair, and a face tan from the sun. His eyes peered worriedly at me, but there was no hint of evil or threat in his gaze.
The ghost, or elf, answered me steadily. "I'm Legolas, of these woods. This is Strider, Ranger of the North. And your name?"
I stared confused at him. "Wait, where am i?"
They exchanged worried glances. "You are in the depths of Mirkwood, my lady. How did you get here?" Strider answered curiously.
I shook my head. "No...I was at...I was at the hotel, The Starlight Hotel, during the Prom..."
The elf or Legolas took a step back. "Perhaps your memory will return by morning...Come, camp with us for the night." He suggested carefully. His eyes ran up and down my body and I was painfully aware of my torn dress and flushed face.
He said nothing, however, but turned to his friend. "Do we have enough provisions for..."
He turned back to me. "What's your name, Young one?"
I stared at him, pure terror still in my eyes, mixed with confusion and disbelief.
Mirkwood? Where on God's earth was that?
Ranger of the North? Was I in some wildlife preserve or something?
Legolas? What kind of name was that? And what was an elf, and why did he glow?!
I shook my head determinedly. "Wait, what-- where...Michael?" I stumbled over my words, confusion echoing in the depths of my eyes. Legolas, it seemed, could read my expression and sympathy was etched in his face.
"Are you lost?" He asked gently. His friend hit him on the side. "Obviously she's lost."
"Little one, what is your name?" He asked again softly, his eyes gentle.
Panic began to rise in my throat again and I raised my head finally. "I'm not little," I said in a low, dangerous tone. "I'm probably just as old as you." I lied, but my eyes were locked on theirs. "I don't know what you two are raving about, what with, Murky wood and rangers, but I'm going back to the hotel and the Prom." They were probably just messing with me, I thought angrily. Taking advantage of a vulnerable, lost girl. My fear was making me furious.
I turned to leave, but Legolas caught my arm. With his eyes, he gestured to the dead beasts around our feet.
"Lady, I am as confused as you are. But trust me- You do not want to be caught out here alone again. You can spend the night under our protection," he nodded at their bows and Strider's sword, "Or with them." He kicked the dead, black beast, his lip curled with disgust.
"Your choice." He said firmly, his beautiful eyes locking on to mine. Fear, suspicion, and vulnerability blended in my eyes as I clutched my dress, smoothing out the creases. Behind me, I heard the hiss of spiders.