~Our Notion~

(i couldn't think of a chapter title, so i just made it up)

*The One*

"I hope you didn't mind," I whispered through the window as everyone stepped out; seven people total (I was the odd one out).

"Anything for the president, Ms. Gray," Samuels nodded, smiling as he drove off.

I stepped into the mall quietly, trailing behind as they lead us through the four story building. I watched in agony as Ashley's hand held onto Sylar's, her head lying on his shoulder, giggling as he talked; purse slung over her shoulder. Liz held onto Liam's hand, swinging back and forth as they strode along and Sarah's arm quietly linked with Dal's, her head resting on his shoulder.

I sulked, keeping my feelings to myself as I was the caboose. To face it, I never really thought about hooking up. I felt as if I'd always fit in like that, so people wouldn't think I was a whore or anything.

We arrived at a place called Vivi's a great friend of mine—not so much Sylar since he didn't really like fashion . . . or people who were trying to pull on some moves on him.

This was the largest place in the mall for dresses and tuxedos, and the only place we were dropping by before going home.

"Ah! My Vasanti!" Vivi called in her Scottish accent, hugging me as I walked in awkwardly with her line of skinny jeans and a halter top, my hair in a ponytail, a clip of hers surrounding my hair tie. "You look fabulous in my clothes!"

"Thanks . . .?" I whispered.

"What brings you here?" She smiled at everyone behind me, a question in her eyes as she looked at the loner.

Me.

"We're going to . . . a . . . umm . . . ball-sort-party," I said, my hand waving around. "It's on Saturday."

"Ah, the president's ball," she nodded. "No need to keep secret, Icicle."

She circled around me and stared at all the girls and guys behind me for a few minutes, wringing her measuring tape around her fingers.

"Well then," Vivi answered, smirking at Sylar as she circled his body. "I'll work on you all, one by one. It'll take a few hours but I will be able to get you on your way before the mall closes."

I stifled a laugh. Vivi never kept you longer than a few hours if it was a large group. If you described it, she had it. If you didn't know what you wanted, she'd know exactly what you needed. Her make-up to go along was incredibly cheap, but amazing because it worked exactly like the really expensive make-up; her accessories were the type that you'd only see in magazines.

"I'll help the gentlemen first, since they'll need a more advanced suit to wear," Vivi muttered. "Vasanti, I'll need your help with the ladies."

I smiled as I finally belonged in a group, pulling out dresses that fit Liz's description as Vivi helped Liam, slipping on and off different dresses for her, lasting pretty long.

"Vasanti, you're not really into this aren't you?" Liz asked as I fixed a gown on for her, straightening the ruffles on her dress.

"I like it," I lied. "I used to work here in the summer and there'd be hundreds of people in here at a time."

Liz nodded and her eyes darted to a small stack of dresses, her eyes widening as she walked away from me. She searched through the clothes and smiled as she stopped at a dress, seeming to be lost in her own world, pulling it out and smiling.

"This is the one," she gasped, her fingers running down the dress, the satin purple gleaming in the light.

I nodded, stepping up to her and leading her into the dressing room as I looked for a pair of heels to go with it. I rummaged through the racks on the wall behind the store; the dark red boxes with a signature on it were amazing to look at as I ran my fingers through pumps, heels, flats, tennis shoes, and more.

When Liz stepped out of the dressing room, I nearly dropped the box I was holding because I couldn't recognize her. Her blonde hair fell on her shoulders and the satin pressed against her skinny body, hugging her hips and the straps hanging diagonally on her shoulders.

"Those heels would go amazing with this," Liz squealed.

She ran over to me, and I handed her the box I had dropped, walking around with the back of her dress draping beautifully on the ground, the purple tinted heels hovering off the ground.

"Ah, Vasanti," Vivi called, Liam trailing behind her. "They look like a match!"

Liam smiled at me as he passed, his hand holding hers as he stood next to her for a 'compare and contrast' moment. Liam was in a dark gray suit, fitting perfectly with Liz's dress, his silver tie tucked under his fest. I smiled at them and continued throwing the heels back into place on the shelf.

"The heels are hot," Liz complimented. "We're ready to rock this ball."

***

I sighed as Sarah spun around in a dress near Dal, his head shaking in disapproval. He really did know his fashion in this world.

"I think he's right, Sarah," Vivi muttered. "It exposes too much."

"Try this one," I offered, holding up the dress that I'd been wanting her to try on for a while. "I think it'll make a good fit."

Sarah finally stepped out in a silver satin dress with a slit on her back right leg, her heels sparkling as she took a step, her head tilting to the side, searching for Dal's approval or disapproval.

He was speechless.

Dal stared at her in awe, a smile spreading on his face as she stood next to him, holding his hand silently. Dal was in a black suit with a black tie, two buttons to tie his suit together, his tie tucked under the suit. They were a great contrast to each other; breathtaking to be exact. Too cute.

Somehow, Ashley managed to find her dress while waiting for Liz and Sarah to finish, and when she opened the door, stepping out of the dressing room, I nearly fell over in shock. She was in a strapless gown, a sparkling red-velvet dress, falling to the floor after flaring out from her waist. Her beautiful shade of sparkling, red pumps hovered above the ground with a ring coiled around the front as a pattern.

Sylar appeared behind her in a quick fashion, raking his eyes up and down her dress, loving how she looked. I could see the lust in his eyes as he squeezed her hand, his eyes still lost in the shape of her body as she smiled at me, her smile lighting up the store.

I smirked at Sylar as he wrapped his hands around Ashley's waist, his head setting on her shoulder. He was in a black mirage suit with one button to clasp together his suit with a white undershirt and a red tie, his black pants looking sharp with everything else he had. Everyone looked so stunning standing next to each other, giggling and smiling; ready to leave. They could all pull it off, even in an informal dress, but I had to do something big and catchy to even start to measure up to the others.

All of the couples stood next to each other in their dresses, smiling as Vivi showed the girls—and yes—the boys how to do their make up and put their accessories on, the hair styles that would match the different themes of their dresses and suits.

"Now, you all relax here," Vivi pointed to the cushioned seats as she guided me to the racks and mannequins. "Vasanti, my beautiful child. Which dress pleases you?"

"I don't know . . ."

"Maybe this one . . . or . . ."

She probably took the longest on me because I was so plain even though she didn't admit it; all the dresses didn't going along with my plain face. Vivi tried her hardest, throwing me in a dress, but I refused; it looked too much like Sarah's dress. Every dress she threw on me, I felt as if I had seen it before—but of course—I'd seen every fashion in the world.

"Vasanti," Vivi growled, not frustrated yet. "Do we need to go back to the 1800's?"

A frightening picture ran through my mind.

Powdered wigs.

Bonnets.

Large hats.

I shivered at the thought, shaking my head violently.

"Vivi," I sighed. "I don't think I need to find a dress at all. I'm so . . . plain. We'll never find a dress . . ."

I turned around as I was saying this, but was cut off as a single dress on a stand caught my eye, seeming to sparkle as the glitter gleamed off the spotlights on the mannequin, glowing.

"Vivi . . ." I whispered in a daze. "This one."

She pulled it off the model, handing it to me as she stared at my eyes gleaming from the amazing feel to the pricey fabric.

***

I stepped out of the dressing room, smirking in uncertainty as the heels seemed to high and my dress too exposing. The dress was a light color of blue, the one strap slung diagonally on my shoulder, the bodice slim against my chest, pushing them out a bit more and from the hips and flared down to the ground behind me.

A slit on my right leg ran up to my thigh and as I took a step, it exposed my lower thigh, my light color of legs exposed beautifully. My silver-blue high heels were 3 inches high, the straps circling around me feet, crossing each line creatively.

I felt beautiful for once in my life. Everyone who'd found their dresses or suits already, stared at me like I was from another planet as I twirled around, my hair brushing against my exposed and bare back.

"Vasanti," Vivi cried "simply . . . stunning. Elegant. Sexy."

Sylar stepped away from his arms around Ashley, his lips pressed in a thin line.

"Absolutely not!" Sylar yelled out, making everybody jump.

Everyone closed in on me, protectively standing in front of me, not including Sylar and Ashley. I gulped as everyone was ready to use their powers against Sylar—Liam especially. He didn't know how powerful Sylar was when he was mad. Sylar stiffened at the thought of my friends protecting me and going against him.

"Why not, Sylar?" I whispered, breaking through between Liz and Sarah. "Are you going to start cutting of my fashion too?"

Sylar stared at me; his eyes penetrating through my soul, making me feel vulnerable and weak as his eyes dilated. His stare was deep, searching my soul for something useful to use against me. As he hit the jackpot, he started to say the words, smirking in a way at me that made me hate him even more as my brother.

"Think about—"

"Sylar, please," Ashley muttered, circling around him, caressing his arm. "She looks stunning, and she needs to look good for the president . . . or anybody else she'll be meeting on Saturday night."

Ashley nodded to the entrance to Vivi's and all our heads snapped up. I almost groaned and rushed off into the dressing room to hide forever as Senator Petrelli walked in, Peter and Rachel behind him.

But what I groaned about was Senator Petrelli, not Rachel and Peter. I didn't want anybody to see me in my dress . . . yet.

Peter and Rachel held hands, swinging back and forth, talking to one of the employees and laughing. Sylar stiffened beside Ashley as Rachel waved to me and I waved back.

Please no, not now, I thought to myself. I'm too plain to be in public.

I blushed silently as Ashley's eyes grazed down to me, her eyebrows raising.

"Sylar, maybe we should invite them for dinner down in the food court," Ashley whispered, looking into his eyes.

A fire of aggravation raged on with those two's eyes for a whole two minutes, exchanging opinions and arguments.

"Fine," Sylar finally said. "But I'm not sitting by them."

"Deal."

***

"So Rachel, what's the big occasion?" I asked, trying to stay inconspicuous.

We sat at a large table, Peter and Rachel across from me as Senator Petrelli, Liz, Sarah, Dal, and Liam were spread around the circular table, sipping drinks and smoothies after we'd had our dinner. Sylar stared at the Solitudes in disgust in the table behind us; his eyes carefully cautious for danger.

"A ball of some sort," Rachel said, concealing the already-known-secret.

"Intriguing," Liam answered.

I smiled at Rachel as she pushed through my mind and drawing me into her thoughts.

You're going too?

Yeah, but don't tell anyone . . . unless . . . Peter's listening also?

Peter's eyes met mine.

Yeah, he is. But he's not talking, Pete's into their 'conversation'.

My eyes darted to Liz and Liam, staring at each other and smiling as if they were locked on each other forever.

Well then, Peter! No gossiping for you!

Peter chuckled and Rachel snapped me out of her mind.

"How about you, Vasanti?" Nathan's voice rung immediately after I was snapped back into reality. "Your occasion?"

"Party at our mansion on Saturday," I lied. "I'm hosting."

I threw up my hands and swung my hips, trying to convince him. Nobody needed to know a little girl was going to be president one day . . . yet.

"Do you plan on coming?" Liz whispered to him, a taunt in her voice. "She doesn't have a date."

I kicked Liz in the knee, making her flinch and glare at me.

"Of-of course I do!" I hissed. "I just . . . don't know who it is . . . yet."

"I'd love to be of assistance," Senator Petrelli said, nodding.

I smiled, wishing that I would have a date. But . . . seriously . . . did he . . . just say . . . yes? My heart leapt.

"I'm sure that Vasanti would love that," Rachel said, eyeing me as Peter laughed.

"We'd better be off," Sylar growled icily, tapping on the table and passing us.

I scowled at him, standing up and securing the strap around my shoulder and grabbing my drink. Everyone on the table said their goodbyes, nodding to each other as they mingled for a last time. Senator Petrelli came up to me.

"Thanks for having dinner with us," I thanked, smiling at him, feeling stupid. "It's not everyday that you eat with the Senator."

"Thank you for having us," he said, taking my hand. "Glad to be of assistance."

I smiled at his touch, biting my lip and holding back my feelings that could be pouring out at this second out of hysteria.

Get a grip Vasanti.

He started to lean down to press his lips to my hand, but Sylar stepped between us, cutting him off.

"Get your filthy Solitude hands off of her," he growled, stepping towards Senator Petrelli. "Touch her again, and you'll never see the light of day."

I sighed, blushing in embarrassment as I turned around with my bag.

"I'm sorry, Senator Petrelli," I closed my eyes. "Thank you for being of my assistance."

I curtsied an old fashioned way, and he bowed, making every one around me giggle.

"Silence!" Sylar cried, stepping up to the senator, grabbing him by the collar. "Listen, Solitude. Don't you ever touch Vasanti ever again."

"Sylar, leave him alone," I muttered. "I've got to go before it starts to get too windy."

I glared at Liz, her terror stricken face making the wind slap against the mall windows.

"Nate, we'd better be leaving," Peter mumbled, hi hand resting on Senator Petrelli's shoulder as he shared Nathan's power.

They stepped outside, bags in hand, and ran into the alley, flying up into the sky with a puff of smoke in the shape of a circle behind them as they lifted off the ground.

"Sylar," I growled. "That was uncalled for."

~End of Chapter Three~

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