I couldn't stop staring at him. He had dark hair with a blueish tint to it, his hair groomed over his right eye. Hands were large, his nails were painted black, his ears pierced with black studs. His skin was pale, his eyes the deepest blue color I have ever seen. I felt them peer deep inside me, chills ran through my spine as if someone is running an icicle down my back.
"What?" He questioned, "You look like you've seen a ghost, your eyes are the size of the moon."
I opened my mouth to speak but no words came. I managed to choke out in a low voice, "I-uh, you s-seem familiar..."
"Yes, well. Everyone looks a little like someone they know," He eyed me carefully. He was a bit short, I would say 5'5 or 5'7 to be sure. He wore a white collared shirt with a blue sweater vest and loafers, holding a walking-stick. Not necessarily urban boy look, perhaps an overly well-dressed prep-school boy.
"Sebastian," He called out. A tall and handsome man walked out wearing a 19th century butler suit with a crow tail. The man even had white gloves and a pocket watch with the chains hanging out. He was wearing full black, no color except for his blood-red eyes.
Whoever this boy was in front of me began to walk around, getting a full body examination of myself.
He began to speak as if he were comparing to someone else, possibly someone he knew. "Her hair is blonder, more of a platinum glow," He was behind me, I could hear his footsteps. He faced me, "Cheekbones are more prominent and jawline more complex." He looked down at my body, I heard him whisper bustier... "Thinner, possibly a size or two smaller, weak ankles." He looked me in the eyes again. That's the only difference? I would have expected more...
"And the eyes..." He took his cane and placed it under my chin, lifting my head. He stared into my eyes for what seemed like hours, but could have been only 20 seconds. He took his cane away from me and let out a breath, "Eyes are the same."
He turned around and walked away, "Sebastian, settle her in, and give her anything she desires."
"Yes, my lord."
The boy turned around and looked at me, "We'll speak tomorrow."
…
I stared out of my window, wrapping my old blanket around me tighter. It was nearly seven and the sun is just about to set. My thoughts raced around in my mind, as if I was flipping channels on TV. I shivered, this house was so cold. But maybe the tempurature wasn't the only thing making me quiver.
I looked out at the forest ahead of me, the trees that are inhabited by thousands of creatures. I opened the door and stepped out to the balcony. The wind was blowing the autumn air around. I took a deep breath then let it out slowly. Life in New York is different than life in London, even the air isn't the same.
I took my phone out of my pocket, realizing that it has been there forever and is turned on silent. I had six missed calls from Sterling and thirteen messages.
(New York time) 6:25- This school is already different without my curls here. When are you gonna come back, Ef?
6:40- Are you on your plane yet? Send me some pics and call me when you've arrived safely.
7:04- I totally forgot you left so I brought you your decaf white chocolate mocha with three sugars! Lizzy this isn't fair.
8:23- They still have your name on the attendance list and your name was called out. It broke my heart to have hear all the students say you left.
I didn't bother reading the rest because of how depressing he sounds. I rolled my eyes then called him.
"Hello? Lizzie?!"
"I told you to stop calling me that, that isn't my name," I sighed on the phone, smiling secretly.
"Why, hello Sterling. I'm fine and safe and not dead." He shouted into the phone. His voice sounded tired, like today was exhausting from the minute he woke up.
"I'm sorry, I had my phone on silent this whole time and forgot to check it. You didn't think I was actually dead, did you?" I asked him.
"I was considering it! I called you countless times and texted you countless times. Even Finn was worried something happened."
"Well, nothing did happen, and my heart is still beating," I chuckled.
"How's it like going back home?" He asked sarcastically.
"I lived in England for 6 years, I hardly remember anything of this place," I said. I began playing with my hair, watching the blonde spring in the ponytail.
"Come on, you've had to remember something...?"
I thought about it for a second. Do have any memories of myself in London? I tried to think back before my arrival to New York, before the plane ride. The only thing I could remember was the plane ride with my social worker. Why can't I remember anything else? I should remember something about my early childhood, no? I know my parents faces, what things did they do with me...?
"Ef...? Ef. Elizabeth!" I heard Sterling scream on the phone.
I snapped out of my thoughts, "Yes..? What?"
"I thought I lost you there for a second..."
"I'm fine, just got distracted for a moment." I furrowed my brows.
"That's okay. So how's the new parents?"
"Uhm, I don't think I've meet them yet. I think I met their son maybe, but I'm still processing this whole thing."
"Well, by now, nothing should be too abnormal for you."
I let out a laugh, "You're right."
"Hey, I got to go. I'll call you later, okay?"
I yawned a bit, "Sure, but remember your time is five hours behind, so don't call me seven over there when it's one in the morning here."
"Yeah, yeah. Sure. Finn says text him. Erica says hi."
I scrunched my nose at the name. Erica was Sterling's girlfriend. She was blonde like me but her face was chubbier and her voice was raspier. Erica hated me to bits because she thinks Sterling likes me more than her, but who else wouldn't think that, he's stuck on me more than glitter sticks to paper. Not to mention Erica tried to fight me once because Sterling lied to her so he could ditch shopping with her to come to the movies with me. Great girl.
"I bet she threw a ceremony on how thankful she is for my leaving," I said in a low tone.
"Oh, stop it. I love you both. I'll talk to you later, Ef. Bye."
"Bye," He then hung up. I checked other messages. Nick texted me about her visiting for Christmas. Finn asked me if I was dead. I replied to both of them.
I heard a knock on my door, making me turn around suddenly. I walked inside back and opened the door. Sebastian appeared pushing a cart of covered trays.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, dinner isn't usually given this way but I assumed you would rather relax in your room than dine," He gave me a friendly smile that showed generosity. I smiled back in return.
"That's generous of you, but I think I might just skip dinner. I'm not in the mood to eat."
"I insist, I tried to fix up something anyone would like," He came around the cart and opened the trays. "An 8oz Sirloin steak seasoned lightly with buttered steamed broccoli at the side and baked potatoes, french onion soup, and for desert and raspberry cheesecake sprinkled in walnuts."
I looked up at him slightly startled, "W-.. Tha-... That is exactly what I like to eat. How did you know?"
"I hope you don't mind, but I brought the masters favorite red wine, also a glass of water if you don't fancy alcohol," Sebastian said, completely ignoring my question.
I let it slide, "Thank you, Sebastian."
"When you are finished just place everything outside your door and I will clean it up," He bowed then left my room with the cart.
I took a breath then sat myself on the little coffee table in the room. This room was practically triple the size of my old room, though I had to share it with the other foster kids. I couldn't remember the last time I had a room to myself.
After eating dinner, I drank the rest of my drink then placed my plate outside of my door. I shut the door then noticed two forks on the floor. I picked them up then opened the door again, only to find nothing. I looked back inside to assure I left the plates out.
"What the..." I furrowed my brows. I set my plates down five seconds ago, how are they gone? Did Sebastian pick them up so quick?
I set the forks down and looked down both ways of the hall. Vacant. Is that even humanly possible?
...
