Chapter Fourteen:
Alex and Alexys sunk deep into their roles as part of the Spellman family. The days leading up to the Tenth were spent with indulgence and pleasure. Their romantic relationships seemed to increase with an enjoyable intensity both were very fond of. This included double dates, single dates, constant sleeping over, and taking turns of surprising each other with gifts. It became such a thing that Alex and Alexys hardly had time to investigate or talk about the growing numbers of black-clad students. The days swam together in one giant wave until suddenly it was the morning of the Tenth.
The light coming in from the window was colored a soft pink from the curtain hanging over it. Though the curtain was red the brightness of the sunlight casted a rose-like hue over the lovers wrapped in each other's arms. Alex woke with a small snore that caused his sleepy eyes to blink awake. The cool air of the fan Luke had recently bought him made his eyes slightly dry but he enjoyed the contrast of the shiver it produced with the shiver Luke did. He felt truly at peace.
"You're awake," came a gentle murmur at his side.
When he turned over he saw the brilliant smile of his love, Luke Chaflant. The man leaned on his side, his arm bent to keep his head raised as he gazed upon Alex's drowsy form. The light coming in from the window haloed around his head making him look like an Adonis. It was clear the man had been watching Alex sleep.
Alex blushed, "How long have you been watching me?"
"That is a loaded question," he grinned, leaning down to kiss at Alex's lips.
Alex chuckled and moved to sit up. A yawn escaped him and he stretched his limbs. His eyes immediately scanned the floor in search of Hicks, as it did every morning, but she was nowhere to be found.
"What's wrong?"
The gentle hand of Luke guided Alex's face back toward the very attractive man at his side. Over the past few days he had gotten used to Luke's ability to feel his emotions. Alex smiled weakly as he looked to the man, "Just felt sad for a second."
"Why?" Luke frowned.
"I don't want to talk about it," Alex answered honestly. He knew if he opened up about this one thing it would lead to an avalanche of other things he couldn't dance around.
Luke nodded in understanding, "Okay. I wasn't watching you sleep for long, by the way. I woke up only a few minutes ago."
"That's still too much," Alex chuckled. He didn't really mean it but he blushed imagining how he must have looked in deep slumber.
Luke laughed at Alex's response and moved to sit up with the man, "It gave me enough time to think about something though."
"What is that?" Alex went back down on the bed.
"I think we should skip classes today."
"But there are four days left until break!" Alex leaned up on his elbows.
"Exactly my point!" Luke kissed Alex's head, "I knew you'd understand."
Alex shook his head with a laugh, "No, that's not a statement of agreement."
"Come on, finals are done and attendance isn't exactly going to be noticed today. It's Greendale. Half the Professors are taking a 'sick day' too. Plus, it'll give us more time to look for our outfits to wear to the dance tonight," with the last sentence Luke began pouting in a way that was so adorable Alex could not stand it.
"Fine!" he laughed. "Fine, but I don't expect we'll be shopping all day, will we?"
"Oh no! I'm going back to bed!"
With that Luke curled back into the blankets and shut his eyes with a smile. Alex laughed and leaned down to kiss the side of his face before getting out of bed as quietly as possible. He supposed he'd enjoy some breakfast with his Aunties while his Luke slumbered.
Alexys, on the other hand, had been up for hours. She had taken to writing in the journal that Nick had gotten for her to track the details of all the events that had occurred and that were promised to occur. On one timeline she wrote down what she could recall from Doctor Who episodes and important events of the seasons. On another timeline she wrote what had occurred so far with her experiences with the Ninth Doctor and Alex's experience with the Eleventh Doctor up until their last sighting of the Tenth Doctor on the day of the Tenth. On the last she wrote down everything that had been happening since they had awakened in Greendale as the cousins Alexys and Alexander Spellman.
On other pages she wrote down details about the people involved, using code words where she could. She drew pictures of the golden compasses and the silver fob watches that still rested in their secret place under the floorboard. She jotted down the names of students that had suddenly begun wearing the all black and mischievous looks along with details of what they had been like before they arrived to school brand new. She made a list of possible suspects that could be involved in the unhinging of the universe. Worst of all she speculated wildly on what was to come.
She knew she had to solve what was happening quickly and with that she had to witness what the Doctor had seen that night when they had arrived the first time.
Her eyes glanced to the handsome Nick that slumbered peacefully.
More than the anticipation of what was to come kept her from sleep though. A dream that night of Nick frightened her so much she was unable to shut her eyes again. It was a dream that he had been a Zygon spying on her to get to the Doctor the whole time. When she awoke she knew it had to be just a fiction her mind had created with the anxiety of the coming day but it didn't shake the fear that filled her. She doubted Zygons were involved and she doubted Nick was part of them. But that didn't stop her from writing her dream down along with notes about how Nick had interrupted all of her plans for investigating further.
No, it couldn't be. She leaned over to drink some water she had gotten for herself in the restlessness. It was only anxiety turning everyone around her into a monster. Alexys looked back to Nick and how genuine he appeared as he rested. If he were a Zygon would that matter? He could keep is handsome face but she doubted the Zygon face would bother her much as long as he remained genuine on the inside. The thought of him being an alien didn't upset her near as much as the thought of him lying and using her.
It would absolutely break her heart.
The man jolted as if he had been shot in his sleep. His eyes flashed open and looked around in absolute confusion, "What time is it? What time?"
"It's a quarter to seven," she answered, her hand moving to caress the desperate features of the man's face.
He relaxed under her touch, "I just had the worst dream."
"What was it?"
Nick sat up and quickly crushed her to his chest, "I don't…I can't even…"
"It's okay, it's okay," she tried her best to talk but it came out muffled against him.
"It was so real. Just so, so real," he continued to murmur against her hair.
Alexys dropped her journal gently on the floor beside her bed as she turned to face Nick and wrap her arms around his neck to pull him against her, "Tell me about it. It might make you feel better. Talking about my dreams makes me feel better."
"No, I don't want to say the words. If I do they might come true," his arms were tight around her.
She let out a shaky breath, "I had a bad dream too."
"What was it?" he pulled back to take hold of her face.
Tears spilled from her eyes as she looked at him and imagined the transformation that had taken place in her dream. She pulled back and looked down at her hands, "I don't want to go to class today."
"Okay," Nick grabbed her hands and began to kiss her knuckles, "I'll stay here with you. Or do you want to be alone?"
The question was simple and yet it exploded inside of her. There was no way he could be a Zygon spying on her. A Zygon spying on her would never give her the option to be alone and would never say it with such earnestness. She looked up to him and leaned her head against his chest, "I want to take another bath with you."
"We can do that," he smiled as he wrapped her up in his arms, "That'll make me feel better too."
The rest of the day was spent in simple pleasures until 3:00 PM when they separated to dress for the dance. It was 7:00 PM when the red Buick Skylark and the handsome men that took the breath of the Spellman Cousins came to call upon them.
Zelda's voice could be heard through the whole house as she opened the door, "Don't you two just look dashing!"
"Oh, picture! Picture!" Hilda shouted with delight.
Alexys looked to Alex with a wink as she placed a new record on the record player, "Are you ready to make our debut?"
"I think I'm quite ready to turn some heads," Alex smirked.
She stepped in line beside him and looped her arm through his, "Let's go."
"Cupid, draw back your bow. And let your arrow go straight to my lover's heart for me."
The two walked arm in arm to the banister and were met with gasps.
"Cupid, please hear my cry. And let your arrow fly straight to my lover's heart for me."
Alex walked down the right side of the steps with the most confidence he had felt in all of his entire life. Though he had picked out the suit with Luke he had not tried it on in front of him for fear of how it would look without alterations. When he got home he immediately enlisted the help of Hilda who was skilled in tailoring his clothes and often did it with pleasure. It took her only an hour to get it all adjusted properly because of the beautiful material. The suit contained pieces that all together created a masterpiece but on their own were also quite impressive.
The evening jacket he wore was a Brunello Cucinelli design in crimson velvet. The jacket contained basted sleeves which allowed Hilda to do her tailoring with ease. The collar was made of the same velvet crimson but melted seamlessly into black satin peaked lapels. It had a two-buttoned front with welt pockets that gave perfect black accent to the crimson affair. The double vent back allowed for movement and comfort. The lining of the jacket was a mix between silk and cotton that made the thing feel just as much of a pleasure to wear as it was to see.
Inside the jacket was a Burberry sport shirt made of cotton. At first glance it appeared a simple white shirt but the details gave Alex as much delight as it did Hilda. The shirt contained a patch pocket with a beautiful lace trim as well as a button placket. The collar was pointed and the cuffs were barrel which fit perfect beneath the evening jacket. It had a back shoulder yoke which allowed the material to drape peacefully. This ensured that Alex looked incredible with or without the evening jacket. Around his neck he wore a black satin bowtie and the pièce de résistance was the Paul Smith rainbow cufflinks.
He wore a solid black tuxedo pant cut in a slim manner that allowed breathing room. The tapered legs allowed for the flexibility while not compromising on the fit. The trousers had slip pockets with back welt pockets deep enough to hold his wallet and any other secret things he might need to carry. It had a hidden closure that made the zip fly unnoticeable. It was made of virgin wool but the best part was the satin waistband that gave it real style. The shoes Alex wore were leather Oxford brogues that contained a contrasting high-shine toe cap. What decorated the heel was a D-ring detail that was quite impressive. It was Italian made Burberry that made every step feel like elegance.
His hair was perfectly parted at the corner of the left side his head which allowed his hair to be fashioned down in the manner he liked. For what felt like hours he begged Hilda to make sure to make his hair cowlick-proof for the special evening. The glasses he wore remained chic and fit to his face perfectly. Over his shoulders hung a classic black Burberry coat while around his neck was a Burberry scarf of the famous print.
At the bottom waited Luke who looked damn good himself. The theme for the couple was crimson and so Luke wore the color that matched Alex's evening jacket exactly yet his outfit was completely different. Instead of a dinner jacket he wore a crimson velvet blazer of viscose and silk-blend. The button closure was at the front along with welt pockets and a notched lapel collar with a buttonhole. Flap pockets rested at the waist along with padded shoulders that made his already large shoulders look massive and the four-button surgeon's cuffs made his arms look thick. There was a central vent at the back hem which Luke had mentioned he enjoyed on most of his jackets along with the brown hardware.
The pants were the exact accompaniment of the same exact brand and material. Straight-leg, mid-rise cut gave his long legs even more length. The four-pocket styling promised he had enough to hold even the most unnecessary of items. Raw edge cuffs accentuated the Dévoré floral pattern that begun at the cuffs and stretched out. The blazer had the same pattern starting at the cuffs and bottom of the blazer all in a gold pattern. Together it looked as though a fire had begun and stretched out into a beautiful dance across his clothes.
What he wore beneath was a Dolce & Gabbana solid dress shirt made of white cotton. The pointed collar fit perfectly with the lapel of his blazer. Alex knew from before that it had a hidden-button placket and mitered barrel cuffs. It had a curved hem with a trim fit that promised when Luke undoubtedly took of his blazer to dance it would give the world a beautiful show. The dancing shoes he wore were Franklin leather dress oxfords the color of cognac. It was bologna construction that offered padded cushion for comfort and flexibility. The stacked heel, wing-tip toe, and full-brogue detailing gave it style and grace.
His hair was perfectly coiffed as it always looked and round acetate-frame sunglasses in tortoiseshell rested on his face. The sunglasses had gradient lenses of pink tones that hid his blue eyes but made the outfit come together. In his arms he carried his wool-cashmere black top coat and even from a distance Alex could see he too had the rainbow cufflinks.
Beside Luke was Nick who alsolooked pretty damn good. The curls on his head looked perfectly defined as if he had gone through each one with a comb to accentuate its silk like texture. Over his eyes also sat a pair of panthos styled sunglasses though his were dark tints that made his brown eyes appear to be black.
The theme for Nick and Alexys was emerald and so the color of his jacket was a deep, green almost like melted chocolate. Up front were welt pockets along with a front flap pocket that accentuated the simple, yet elegant blazer. Basted sleeves led to hands that held onto a black, wool trench coat with a similar double vented back to the evening jacket Nick wore. The jacket itself was a tightknit wool affair with a notched collar that dipped low with a two-button front that kept his chest visible. His chest was covered in a white sport shirt of what looked nylon/spandex material. It clung to his body making the muscles in his chest very apparent. The spread collar and front buttons only accentuated the appearance. The rounded barrel cuffs fit perfectly beneath the dinner jacket.
The pants he wore were slim-fit plain-woven wool. It was a midrise mohair-blend trouser in a classic black. The pants had a central crease at the legs with darts at the back waistband. On his feet he wore Grecco leather Oxford dress shoes. They were leather with leather sole and lining that shone bright under the lights. He appeared very dapper and even from behind his black sunglasses it was clear his eyes were focused on Alexys.
Walking down the left side of the stairs was Alexys who, like Alex, felt more confident than she had ever in her entire life. Zelda had assisted her with every aspect of her outfit and she looked up with approval. Alexys had her hair down in black waves held back by a gold floral circlet headband. Her eyes were decorated with gold eye shadow that was amplified by mascara and winged eyeliner. The features of her face were accentuated with bronze blush and subtle highlight that made the apples of her cheeks pop. Mahogany liquid lipstick turned her typically kind smile into something far sultrier. Each step she took was with black open-toed thick-heeled ankle-strapped stilettos.
The dress she wore was a masterpiece straight from the family treasure trove of old clothes that had never been thrown away. It was made from sumptuous emerald velvet that looked as haunting as it did beautiful. It was an A-Shape that accentuated her curves in an appropriate and provocative way. A mandarin collar fit around the neck and at the hollow of her throat fit a bow that hung over her chest. Across the bodice was what looked like two thick strips of velvet that formed "V" with the vertex being covered by a thick strap of velvet surrounding her waist. The lines of the "V" connected into the shoulders that connected to the collar and down the length of her arms in thick strips until it came to a cuff. Around her shoulders came the velvet into another thick "V" that sunk into the waist. The velvet sections were held together by beautiful emerald lace that both covered and revealed much of her tan flesh.
Down from the waist and over the hips thick connected sections of what beautiful emerald velvet. At the end of the hip line the sections stretched out in long slits that allowed her legs to breathe and be visible. Covering the slits once again was the lace pattern that connected each long section to one another. The gown reached half an inch above the ground which gave Alexys length without tripping her. It was absolutely stunning.
Alex and Alexys met once again at the landing, locked eyes, did their handshake, then completed their decent to their partners.
"You look amazing," Luke's hands over Alex spoke more than his words did.
"I am speechless," Nick whispered as he held onto Alexys' hands and guided her in a small twirl.
"Oh! Get together all of you! We need photos!" Hilda shouted with excitement.
First she got shots of just Luke and Alex and then she got shots of just Nick and Alexys. She then had the four of them pose on the stairs for prom-styled pictures. After twenty minutes of picture taking Zelda finally put an end to them.
"Alexys, allow me to assist you with your coat," Zelda said in a firm tone that signaled the end of Hilda's fun.
"Oh, I suppose it is time for you all to get go," she frowned but chippered up to give Alex's cheek a little pinch, "You all look so lovely!"
Zelda assisted Alexys with her coat so that she didn't have to lift her arms too high, "I hoped one day to see this dress used. I will say you do it quite the justice. I only ask that you don't make any sudden movements and do not allow anyone to touch it."
"Will you ladies be joining us?" Nick asked, helping Alexys with the buttons of her coat once Zelda had finished getting it onto her. Zelda handed him her velvet bag to hold which contained her journal.
"We may be arriving later in the evening," Zelda gave a coquettish smile, "I do have an invitation from a certain Professor."
"I actually have two invitations!" Hilda beamed.
"Shut the front door!" Alexys shouted.
"Who?" Alex demanded in a teasing way.
"Oh…there is that Professor Smythe," once again all eyes went to Alexys to see how she reacted but she kept her face still in the positive expression as she waited on the next name, "And Dr. Cerberus!"
"No way! Look at you! I'm glad you're getting some action!"
"Who did you say yes to?" Alex asked, knowing it was what Alexys wanted to ask but could not.
"Oh, I don't know! I said I would decide when I arrived!" she grinned.
"We will all be surprised but now it is my job to make sure my dear, sweet sister makes both these men eat their heart out," Zelda said, grasping Hilda by the shoulders as she guided her away.
"Have fun you two!"
Nick held his hand out just as Luke held his out, "You ready?"
Alex and Alexys took their partners' hand as they agreed, "Ready."
The short drive was filled with laughter and music but once they stepped into the dance the mood changed.
It was very, very, very clear that they were very, very, very overdressed.
