Emma left the room so that Julian could get changed, and when she returned she was taken aback by how regal he looked, hell – how handsome he looked. It was no secret that Julian was good-looking, handsome, beautiful even, but Emma had never really noticed it before. She shook her head as if to clear it and grabbed Julian's arm to drag him downstairs to where the party had already begun. From behind her, Julian could see how the elegantly high neckline of Emma's dress fell away at the back to sit low on her waist, leaving her shoulder blades completely bare along with the silvery Marks that covered them. There were very few scars in that particular area of skin – rather an accomplishment for Emma, seeing as the rest of her body was almost completely covered in the faint silvery lines of scars from years ago, and the harsh red lines from more recent accidents, both in training and out on hunts. The long sleeves of the gown shimmered in the candlelight, hiding the backs of her hands as they looped around the middle finger of each hand. Julian had to watch his boots as he was pulled down the stairs to avoid tripping them both by stepping on the train of Emma's dress; he doubted she would appreciate his ruining both her dress and her hair, which must have taken Christina hours to construct in to a delicate, intentionally-messy bun.
The foyer of the Institute looked beautiful – all the candles were lit and there was tinsel and fairy lights, snow-flakes and mistletoe hung all around, filling the hallway while still remaining tasteful. The corridor down to the ballroom was marked by a narrow, deep red strip of carpet, adorned with tiny images of holly, with fake snow piled up on either side to create a walkway, wide enough for two people if their arms were linked. Julian and Emma met their parents in the foyer; Mr and Mrs Carstairs were dressed as James Bond and Miss Moneypenny, while Mr and Mrs Blackthorn had opted for a knight and a princess, but both couples fawned over Emma, who would never normally wear anything other than gear or ripped skinny jeans and flannel shirts, and giggled at Julian, with his clear disdain for the bright clothes Emma had forced him in to. He half-glared at Emma's father in jealousy of the tasteful white tuxedo he was wearing, wishing his outfit hadn't had to be so bright. Their parents remained in the foyer to welcome all of the guests, while they ushered the teenagers down the red carpet to the ballroom, from which music was already audible.
"Emma, I still look ridiculous, please don't make me go in there like this," Julian begged, but Emma just pulled him to a momentary halt, messing with his hair, brushing off his epaulets and pushing the centre of his back to make him stand up straighter.
"Julian, listen to me. You look wonderful, okay? Now, come on, you promised you'd come with me since me and Cameron aren't speaking, and you're not allowed to break promises you made to your best friend." Julian just sighed and offered Emma his arm, which she gleefully took, before pulling him down the hall towards the tall oak doors.
AN: Hello my lovelies! Sorry it's been so long since I last updated - school and life have really gotten in the way - but here's the next chapter! Hope you enjoy it! Love, KitKat xxx