The dress was a perfect fit but even though she was facing the mirror Mackenzie couldn't see it. She couldn't stop thinking of Elijah's face, how hurt he was by her stupid actions. It had been hard for him to leave her get ready for the ball; he needed an explanation; he was afraid to lose her and not know why. He let it go after she refused to tell him, but in his head was a painful battle and fear had taken over everything else. She had to find a way to make him trust her again. She had to find a way to apologize.

"Looks like your fairy godmother's already left."

Mackenzie jumped, startled by Alexander's voice. She would have sensed him come in if she hadn't been lost in her thoughts.

"What?"

"You look like Cinderella," he explained, gesturing to her dress with his chin.

"Cinderella's blonde," she mumbled.

"Fine, then, you just stole her dress."

Mackenzie eyed him up, taking in his outfit, which resembled his usual ones, but somehow didn't.

"You look fancy," she said, as it seemed like the only difference from his casual suits was the number of zeros on the price tag.

He chuckled. "Yeah, we're going to a ball, remember?"

"Maybe you haven't noticed the gown I'm wearing," she replied in his favorite language: sarcasm.

"Oh no, I did, but the look on your face tells a different story."

"I'm just…"

"Tired?" he cut her off. "You need to find a different excuse."

She paused, then shrugged. "What are you doing here?"

"Heidi bet you weren't gonna show up. Just making sure I get my fifty euros," he wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

"Why would she think that?"

"Elijah's going," he shrugged. "And since you're avoiding him…"

"I'm not avoiding him."

"Maybe not anymore. But you were."

"Aren't we gonna be late?"

"No, we still have a half hour, don't try to change the subject."

"I'm not trying to…"

"So what did he do? Did he hurt you?"

"What? No!"

"Then why are you scared of him all of a sudden? You risked your life for him, more than once."

"I'm not scared of him."

"Don't lie, I saw you yesterday, I was there, remember? And I know you stood him up for lunch today, I saw him wait for you for an hour and a half."

Her heart squeezed with guilt at the thought. She couldn't even imagine how he was feeling, especially after what she did the day before.

"I know, I just… it's nothing."

"Mackenzie," he sighed, a serious look appearing on his face, one she had never seen from him before. "He cares about you, you know."

"I know," she confirmed quickly. "I was being stupid."

"About what? Do you have doubts?"

"I…" she sighed. "It's stupid," she repeated.

"I saw him step out of your room earlier, he wasn't looking all that reassured by whatever excuse you gave him."

"Can't you just let it go?" she asked a little loudly. "How is this any of your business anyway?"

"You mean as your friend how are your troubles any of my business?"

She rolled her eyes as she turned her back to him, choosing to focus on her reflection on the mirror. Damn it, she thought. This was Cinderella's dress. Well, it was too late to change now.

"We should go," she said. "I don't want to make him wait."

"So you've kissed and made up, then?"

She wiped invisible dust from her skirt as she replied: "Not yet."

The 'ball' was everything Mackenzie expected it to be. Many rich people wearing amazing ball gowns and suits and jewelry more expensive than their houses. It was a very colorful event, not only because of the guests but also because of the food. The pastries, in particular, were of all colors, and seemed to have been made just for Cornelius, whom Mackenzie had seen talking to some people at the other end of the crowded room.

She was walking with Alexander, looking for Elijah as he was looking for Heidi. As it turned out, the original vampire and the witch were already together, exchanging a silence that they probably both enjoyed.

She shyly smiled at him as she approached, hoping it would reassure him. He smiled back at her, giving her a small grin full of hope.

"You look wonderful, Mackenzie," he said as he gently took her hand in his.

She blushed as she thanked him, squeezing his hand and taking a step towards him.

"You haven't changed," she joked, making him laugh.

He probably did change, but his suits were one and the same to her. Something inconsequential she actually loved about him.

"I'm sorry my clothes are boring you."

Her smile grew bigger. "You're a lot of things, 'lijah, but boring isn't one of them."

He grinned happily as he enjoyed the happy memory, of a time when she trusted him enough not to be scared of him or avoid him.

"Do you wanna dance?"

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I thought you hated dancing."

"But you like it. And I have a lot to make up for."

"It's already forgiven," he shook his head, pushing all the bad thoughts away.

"You waited half an hour for me, 'lijah. Let me apologize," she insisted as she dragged him towards the other dancers.

"I'm afraid this dress wasn't made for dancing."

"Just don't let me fall," she giggled.

"Never."

Mackenzie did hate dancing, and it was indeed more than a difficult task in this gown, however she didn't want to stop, and wouldn't let anything stop her, as she was enjoying this moment as much as he was.

"I'm really sorry, Elijah," she said eventually.

"Will you ever tell me what happened?"

"It's not important, it was stupid."

"What was it?"

"Just a stupid dream…"

"Are you having nightmares again?"

"Just the one. I think I ate too much sugar that night and I had this weird dream…"

"Tell me about it."

She sighed. She knew hearing about it would hurt him, she didn't want to do anymore of that.

"I don't remember, I told you, it's stupid."

"Let's forget about it then," he said as he rested his chin on the top of her head.

"I'll have lunch with you tomorrow if you want."

He smiled. "I'd like that."

She slid her hands on his back and rested her head on his chest, hoping she'd never had to let go, hoping she could spend the rest of her life exactly where she was.

"I'm sorry, 'lijah," she repeated again.

"I know," he said before he kissed the top of her head. "It's all forgiven."

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 26 (part 1) will be posted next Wednesday!

You can find it and part 2 on my patre0n page: patre0n dot com /alonelydreamer

Of course everything will be posted here eventually!

Have a great week!