"Wow, Karen, you look hot."

Dawn's compliment made the brunette blush. However, after being dragged to the full-length mirror, the latter couldn't help but to agree with her friend's assessment. The black cocktail dress clung to her curves in all the right places, and its capped sleeves and modest neckline made her feel more comfortable with its tight skirt, which ended about six inches above her knee. On her feet she wore black heeled sandals with dainty rhinestone straps that hooked around her calves just above her ankles.

Rebekah had tied the teenager's long brown locks up into a French twist and had embellished the up-do with several small gold diamond and ruby butterfly clips. A matching bracelet was clasped tightly around Karen's left wrist in place of her watch, and a single butterfly dangled from each of her ears. Rebekah had wanted Karen to wear the final piece of jewelry in the set—a large butterfly pendant strung on a delicate chain—but the brunette's gold cross hung from her slender neck instead. She hadn't taken off the necklace since the day her mother had given it her, and she wasn't about to break that tradition now.

Karen studied her face, amazed at Rebekah's handiwork. "You made me look so pretty," she praised, her gaze meeting the woman's.

"Karen, I only added a little color. The rest is all natural."

The brunette turned her attention back to the looking-glass, her chest constricting. Dawn placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "I tried telling you..."

Karen shook her head, convincing herself that her friend was wrong and that the transformation which had taken place was only a trick of the eye brought on by a stunning ensemble and a little bit of make-up. Accepting the changes would mean accepting that she was as special as everyone seemed to think, and that just wasn't possible—not when it had taken her years to discover what her father had been doing to her. Michael never would have allowed himself be drugged. She suddenly felt like such a failure. Special indeed, she inwardly mocked. What a joke.

"Karen, are you okay?" Dawn asked, removing her hand.

The brunette silently nodded. Then, she walked away from her traitorous reflection and into the bathroom. She left the door open as she took her birth control pill. She felt Dawn's gaze on her, but her only focus was getting through her date with Michael without making him suspicious that something was wrong.

Karen could not deny that she and the killer loved each other. The question was, could she truly be his soulmate without being special like him? She supposed only time would tell. For now, she would just enjoy her date with her lover. This night was theirs, and she was determined not to let anything spoil it, especially not her insecurities. Taking a deep cleansing breath, she strode out of the bathroom, passing Dawn with a smile.

"That's better," her friend said. "I was really beginning to worry."

"I'm fine, Dawn. I was just starting to feel overwhelmed by everything. That's all."

The blonde girl nodded. "So, are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. Wish me luck."

Dawn gave her a big huge. "You won't need luck tonight, Karen. Just have fun. Heaven knows you deserve it."

"Thanks."

"Karen..." Rebekah sudden warned. Her blue eyes were fixed on the red digital numbers of the teenager's alarm clock.

"Yes, I know, Mrs. Helms," the brunette said. "I'm going." She then stepped away from her best friend and hurried out of the room.