p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUpon arriving back at Elliott's, Five and I were greeted with coffee and tea, brewing so they would be fresh upon our arrival. Lila was up and moving about now, attempting to entertain herself. Diego remained passed out on the couch, while Elliott sat in his room filled with equipment, staring at screens and adjusting radio dials. Once she spotted us, that heart melting smile crossed Lila's face, and she made her way over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Welcome back," she greeted. It took her a second, but she realized there were less people standing before her than had been here last night. "What happened to you siblings?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"They bailed," Five scoffed. "End of the world, they always bail." Lila opened her mouth, likely to press, but I shook my head, discouraging any further speak on the subject that wasn't necessary. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We have a lot to talk about. You okay with filling Diego in while I change his bandage?" I asked, looking down at Five. He simply nodded, the words leaving him in his moment of lingering frustration./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You sure? I don't mind doing it," Lila offered. I shook my head and reached for her other hand, offering it a squeeze before I broke away to find the medical supplies. I could hear the clinking of something hard being poured into a bowl as I fished through the drawers, digging out the dusty First Aid kit Lila had thrown together from the supplies Elliott had lying around./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Diego!" Diego's eyes shot open and he bolted upright as I screamed, completely disoriented. "Good morning, sunshine." I took a seat next to him and helped get him upright, so I could easily reach his wound. Lila chuckled to herself as she took a seat next to me, one of her arms finding its way around my shoulders. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What the hell, Mina?" Diego demanded, glaring daggers at me… ironically enough. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You were dead asleep," I reasoned, pouring some antiseptic onto a cotton pad. "That was the easiest way to wake you up."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I thought something was wrong," he groaned. "Don't do that again." In a completely childish gesture, I stuck my tongue out at him, electing to ignore the eye roll he followed it with. "Am I crazy, or was Vanya here last night?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, you emare /emcrazy, but that's not the point," I taunted./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Thanks, sis," he deadpanned. I cast my gaze to Five, waiting for him to explain, but he'd become fixated on pacing, his eyes furiously scanning over the floor beneath him. He had been through a lot, so I didn't mind taking things over this time./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"A couple nights ago, after you passed out, one of the devices Elliott set up picked up some sound waves. We drove out to the coordinates and found Vanya there. Turns out, the reason those sound waves went off—you know, the source of her powers—was because these weirdos Five knew about tried to shoot her." I shook my head, continuing to watch Five dart across the floor. "Anyways, turns out her memory's been completely wiped. Five and I helped fill in a few gaps, but we… kind of left out the fact she caused the apocalypse. And then, we went to get Luther this morning, and he told her, and she got pissed and drove off." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDiego took a moment to completely process the recap, his facial expression shifting quite a few times in a matter of seconds, before he was able to jump back in again./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"So, what, you just let her go?" he asked as I changed out the gauze, throwing the used square tainted with brown blood to the side. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, Vanya had a lot to process." Five continued to pace behind the couch. At first, Diego had been following him with his head, but I'm sure it became too much of a strain on his neck by the time he stopped. "She'll come around. I know she will." I finished taping up the new piece of gauze, and once I set the materials down, I cast my younger brother a sympathetic smile./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What about the guys that went after her?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The Swedes?" Something about that name made Lila's brows raise the tiniest bit, almost as though she recognized it. Before I got the chance to question her, Elliott entered the room, our mugs of assorted morning drinks ready for our consumption. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah, I mean, how do you know they won't go after her again?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We don't," Five shrugged, cutting straight to the point./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Any idea who sent them?" Lila asked as she swallowed the first sip of her coffee. Five cast her a glare, causing me to stiffen slightly. Despite what he'd said back at the diner, he appeared to plainly despise her, and the thought of that made my stomach flip. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, I have my suspicions." He, too, acted like Lila should have known them. "But right now, our priority is finding Dad and getting answers, 'cause everything else depends on it."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Which, for the record, I found him already," Diego cut in, acting like he'd done something effective for the cause. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"And then let him go before we could have a meaningful conversation," Five snapped back, taking a seat in the chair across from the other three of us./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"He stabbed me." Rather than taking sympathy on his injured brother, Five smirked, a clear indication he was about to take a shot./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm surprised he waited this long, Diego. We've all had the urge." I'd chosen to take a sip of my tea right at that moment, causing me to choke slightly as I laughed. Lila and Elliott even joined in, even though they hadn't known Diego for that long./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen again, it didn't take much for him to piss someone off./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Good one." Lila stuck her hand out for a high-five, but Five just blinked at her, choosing to ignore the gesture before he attempted to move on. I watched as Lila shrunk back, defeated, so in an attempt to make her feel better, I reached up and laced my fingers through those of hers that were dangling over my shoulder. Thankfully, it seemed to work, and the life returned to her eyes./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Good thing I know where Dad's gonna be tonight." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFive removed the invitation from his pocket and passed it in our direction, waiting for one of us to take it. Since I was in the middle of the two people who had yet to see it, I snatched the paper with my free hand and held it out in front of me, keeping at a distance they could both see. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI felt my heart flutter slightly as Lila leaned her head against my shoulder./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Where'd you get this?" Diego inquired as he started to read over the cursive text. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Found it at his office while he was busy stabbing you." Our brother let out a couple dry laughs, taking just a second to glace up at Five before he resumed looking at the paper./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"'Hoyt Hillenkoetter and the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas cordially invite you to a gala.'" To my right, I could hear Elliott stuttering, intriguing me to look to him./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa, wait. Hoyt Hillenkoetter." I drew my head back slightly, taking care not to collide with Lila, as I raised an eyebrow at the floundering man standing before us. "Are you serious?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You know him?" Lila gasped beside me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We should go," she whispered. "Says there's gonna be a seafood tower." All I could manage was a single laugh, unsure of whether she was joking or not./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"No, Hillenkoetter is… is one of the Majestic Twelve" That clarified absolutely nothing on my end./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The hell is the Majestic Twelve?" My words may have come out a bit harsher than intended, but I chose not to dwell on it. Today was clearly just an off day for my patience./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What?" It took Elliott a moment to process my question. "It's a… it's a secret committee." He rushed over to his desk and began to sift through files, photos, and notes. "Uh, scientists, military, uh, deep state. No one knows what they really do."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Wait, so they're government." Diego attempted to sit up, but his wound got the better of him, forcing him to slide right back down./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"emShadow/em government," Elliott clarified, still searching for whatever he was trying to show us. "Yeah, Kennedy was the first president to try to push 'em into the light, but these guys are not to be trifled with. Oh, here we go." He jumped up a little as he pulled a small photograph from the bottom of a pile and presented it to us. All four of us leaned over, running our eyes over each of the men, all dressed in black suits. "Ah, right here." He pointed to one of the men closest to the front. "This one… oh, right here. That's Hoyt right there."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Huh." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanElliott had said they were the Majestic Twelve, but I caught one glaring error in his statement. Right as I opened my mouth to speak, Lila let out a little gasp and beat me to the punch. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I only count 11," she pointed out./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That's because they've only identified 11 so far."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Who's the twelfth?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRight as the question left Diego's lips, a singular image flashed in my mind, grainy as it was. Though suspicions couldn't be completely confirmed, the invitation Five had found was a pretty good indication. Slowly, my eyes floated upwards, meeting with my brother's before I flashed my gaze over to Diego./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanNow we emhad /emto go—no exceptions. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe only trouble was we definitely weren't dressed like the sort that would fit into a gala./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Okay, if we're going to do this, we have to look the part," I reasoned. "We're not going to last two seconds at that party if we show up looking like this. So, if you boys can bite the bullet for just a bit, we have to go get proper gala attire." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTo my surprise, neither of my brothers even let out a groan of protest. In fact, Diego started fishing around for his shirt, while Five got up and took our mugs away, preparing to head out./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, that was easier than I thought." I turned to Lila, an optimistic smile on my face. "You ready to go?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Let's get out of here."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAfter brief good-byes to Elliott, the four of us piled into the broken car and headed off to the only formalwear department store I knew of. The cashier eyed us with suspicion as we wandered through the aisles, likely because we looked like a group of homeless people, pulling at any dresses and suit jackets that caught our eyes. Different shades of each color flashed by along the racks, some far too bright for such a formal occasion./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs I was heading toward one of the changing rooms, I noticed my brother just sitting there, bouncing his leg as he remained put in one of those chairs they put by the mirrors for long-suffering boyfriends and children who whined about wanting treats the entire time, wearing out their frazzled mothers. Although Five wasn't rolling his eyes or complaining, the expression on his face indicated anything but contentment./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWithout even having to think, I hiked up the dresses in my arms and sunk down into the chair right beside him. He refused to spare me a glance, opting instead to keep picking at some invisible fiber on his blazer./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You know, if you wanted something to wear that wasn't that crusty uniform, I'd be more than happy to drop Lila and Diego off after this and go with you." That did absolutely nothing to soften Five's expression. In fact, I'm pretty sure I saw him further tense his jaw./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We don't have time, Mina. We're already behind where we should be."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, you said yourself we have to go to this gala," I accused. "The only way we're going to be able to do that is if we look like we're supposed to be there." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe still refused to relent, and I took the defeat. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're just going to have to bear it for a little while longer," I snapped, a heavy weight pushing down on me. "You'll live."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA bitter, intense sting poked around in my chest and throat as I stood, unwilling to give my brother any further attention beyond that. He wanted to sulk, fine, but I drew the line and dragging down the help we were offering him. Sometimes, he got so focused on the goal, he forgot there were steps that had to be taken in order to get there; this wasn't anything more than one of those. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFrustrated, I tugged on dresses before almost immediately tossing them aside. All of a sudden, I was unwilling to even give any of them a chance, and it wasn't until a dress required a little extra help that I finally gave myself pause. I considered myself pretty flexible, but the ribbons required to keep the dress on tight were just beyond my reach, meaning I'd need extra help. Reluctantly, I pried open the dressing room door, just enough so I could be heard./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Can one of you come help me?" I called out as quietly as possible. There was a bit of a delay before someone else spoke up./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I've got her."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI jumped back slightly as Lila slid through the crack I'd left in the door, shutting it quickly behind her. My heartbeat had just started to come down from the surprise, when I noticed the dress she'd chosen. The light, bouncy cyan complemented her skin perfectly, while the bodice hugged her just tight enough to show off the curves she had; the neckline scooped just before her shoulders, giving her a sort of elegance I didn't realize she was capable of./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLila looked… stunning./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You want me to help you with whatever you need, or are you gonna keep drooling for another couple of minutes?" she teased, pushing her tongue against her teeth as she smiled at me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Sorry, sorry," I shook my head. "It's just, you… that's definitely the dress you should get." Lila suddenly seemed to get self-conscious, brushing over the crisp fabric of the dress./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You think so?" I came back at her with a confident smile./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Absolutely." I turned around and pointed toward the loose-hanging ribbons. "Now, can you help me tie these?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI gasped a little as Lila yanked on the strings, pulling the dress as tight as possible against my skin, just short of cutting off my airflow. Sensing this, Lila loosened the grip a little bit before tying the ribbons up in bows. When she stepped to the side of me, her eyes wandered over me, taking in how the dress fit me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You look like a star," she finally complimented, settling her arms around my waist. "This is the one."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLila's affectionate manner and her close proximity to me brought the question Five had raised earlier today back into my mind. Gently, I set my hands over hers, then turned my head back slightly, our noses just barely touching. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know this may not be the most appropriate setting, but I have to ask… what's going on here?" I caught Lila off-guard for a second, her head moving from its place against my shoulder. "I don't want to make any assumptions on your end, but…span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI like you a lot, Lila." It took her a moment to collect herself, but when she finally did, the smile returned to her face. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'll be your girlfriend if you'll be mine?" I laughed./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Absolutely."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA warm blush crept up my face as she placed a kiss on my cheek, then went back out of the dressing room so we both could change and the four of us could get out of here./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Welcome back," she greeted. It took her a second, but she realized there were less people standing before her than had been here last night. "What happened to you siblings?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"They bailed," Five scoffed. "End of the world, they always bail." Lila opened her mouth, likely to press, but I shook my head, discouraging any further speak on the subject that wasn't necessary. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We have a lot to talk about. You okay with filling Diego in while I change his bandage?" I asked, looking down at Five. He simply nodded, the words leaving him in his moment of lingering frustration./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You sure? I don't mind doing it," Lila offered. I shook my head and reached for her other hand, offering it a squeeze before I broke away to find the medical supplies. I could hear the clinking of something hard being poured into a bowl as I fished through the drawers, digging out the dusty First Aid kit Lila had thrown together from the supplies Elliott had lying around./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Diego!" Diego's eyes shot open and he bolted upright as I screamed, completely disoriented. "Good morning, sunshine." I took a seat next to him and helped get him upright, so I could easily reach his wound. Lila chuckled to herself as she took a seat next to me, one of her arms finding its way around my shoulders. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What the hell, Mina?" Diego demanded, glaring daggers at me… ironically enough. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You were dead asleep," I reasoned, pouring some antiseptic onto a cotton pad. "That was the easiest way to wake you up."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I thought something was wrong," he groaned. "Don't do that again." In a completely childish gesture, I stuck my tongue out at him, electing to ignore the eye roll he followed it with. "Am I crazy, or was Vanya here last night?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, you emare /emcrazy, but that's not the point," I taunted./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Thanks, sis," he deadpanned. I cast my gaze to Five, waiting for him to explain, but he'd become fixated on pacing, his eyes furiously scanning over the floor beneath him. He had been through a lot, so I didn't mind taking things over this time./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"A couple nights ago, after you passed out, one of the devices Elliott set up picked up some sound waves. We drove out to the coordinates and found Vanya there. Turns out, the reason those sound waves went off—you know, the source of her powers—was because these weirdos Five knew about tried to shoot her." I shook my head, continuing to watch Five dart across the floor. "Anyways, turns out her memory's been completely wiped. Five and I helped fill in a few gaps, but we… kind of left out the fact she caused the apocalypse. And then, we went to get Luther this morning, and he told her, and she got pissed and drove off." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDiego took a moment to completely process the recap, his facial expression shifting quite a few times in a matter of seconds, before he was able to jump back in again./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"So, what, you just let her go?" he asked as I changed out the gauze, throwing the used square tainted with brown blood to the side. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, Vanya had a lot to process." Five continued to pace behind the couch. At first, Diego had been following him with his head, but I'm sure it became too much of a strain on his neck by the time he stopped. "She'll come around. I know she will." I finished taping up the new piece of gauze, and once I set the materials down, I cast my younger brother a sympathetic smile./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What about the guys that went after her?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The Swedes?" Something about that name made Lila's brows raise the tiniest bit, almost as though she recognized it. Before I got the chance to question her, Elliott entered the room, our mugs of assorted morning drinks ready for our consumption. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah, I mean, how do you know they won't go after her again?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We don't," Five shrugged, cutting straight to the point./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Any idea who sent them?" Lila asked as she swallowed the first sip of her coffee. Five cast her a glare, causing me to stiffen slightly. Despite what he'd said back at the diner, he appeared to plainly despise her, and the thought of that made my stomach flip. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, I have my suspicions." He, too, acted like Lila should have known them. "But right now, our priority is finding Dad and getting answers, 'cause everything else depends on it."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Which, for the record, I found him already," Diego cut in, acting like he'd done something effective for the cause. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"And then let him go before we could have a meaningful conversation," Five snapped back, taking a seat in the chair across from the other three of us./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"He stabbed me." Rather than taking sympathy on his injured brother, Five smirked, a clear indication he was about to take a shot./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm surprised he waited this long, Diego. We've all had the urge." I'd chosen to take a sip of my tea right at that moment, causing me to choke slightly as I laughed. Lila and Elliott even joined in, even though they hadn't known Diego for that long./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen again, it didn't take much for him to piss someone off./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Good one." Lila stuck her hand out for a high-five, but Five just blinked at her, choosing to ignore the gesture before he attempted to move on. I watched as Lila shrunk back, defeated, so in an attempt to make her feel better, I reached up and laced my fingers through those of hers that were dangling over my shoulder. Thankfully, it seemed to work, and the life returned to her eyes./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Good thing I know where Dad's gonna be tonight." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFive removed the invitation from his pocket and passed it in our direction, waiting for one of us to take it. Since I was in the middle of the two people who had yet to see it, I snatched the paper with my free hand and held it out in front of me, keeping at a distance they could both see. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI felt my heart flutter slightly as Lila leaned her head against my shoulder./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Where'd you get this?" Diego inquired as he started to read over the cursive text. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Found it at his office while he was busy stabbing you." Our brother let out a couple dry laughs, taking just a second to glace up at Five before he resumed looking at the paper./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"'Hoyt Hillenkoetter and the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas cordially invite you to a gala.'" To my right, I could hear Elliott stuttering, intriguing me to look to him./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa, wait. Hoyt Hillenkoetter." I drew my head back slightly, taking care not to collide with Lila, as I raised an eyebrow at the floundering man standing before us. "Are you serious?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You know him?" Lila gasped beside me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We should go," she whispered. "Says there's gonna be a seafood tower." All I could manage was a single laugh, unsure of whether she was joking or not./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"No, Hillenkoetter is… is one of the Majestic Twelve" That clarified absolutely nothing on my end./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The hell is the Majestic Twelve?" My words may have come out a bit harsher than intended, but I chose not to dwell on it. Today was clearly just an off day for my patience./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What?" It took Elliott a moment to process my question. "It's a… it's a secret committee." He rushed over to his desk and began to sift through files, photos, and notes. "Uh, scientists, military, uh, deep state. No one knows what they really do."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Wait, so they're government." Diego attempted to sit up, but his wound got the better of him, forcing him to slide right back down./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"emShadow/em government," Elliott clarified, still searching for whatever he was trying to show us. "Yeah, Kennedy was the first president to try to push 'em into the light, but these guys are not to be trifled with. Oh, here we go." He jumped up a little as he pulled a small photograph from the bottom of a pile and presented it to us. All four of us leaned over, running our eyes over each of the men, all dressed in black suits. "Ah, right here." He pointed to one of the men closest to the front. "This one… oh, right here. That's Hoyt right there."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Huh." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanElliott had said they were the Majestic Twelve, but I caught one glaring error in his statement. Right as I opened my mouth to speak, Lila let out a little gasp and beat me to the punch. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I only count 11," she pointed out./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That's because they've only identified 11 so far."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Who's the twelfth?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanRight as the question left Diego's lips, a singular image flashed in my mind, grainy as it was. Though suspicions couldn't be completely confirmed, the invitation Five had found was a pretty good indication. Slowly, my eyes floated upwards, meeting with my brother's before I flashed my gaze over to Diego./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanNow we emhad /emto go—no exceptions. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe only trouble was we definitely weren't dressed like the sort that would fit into a gala./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Okay, if we're going to do this, we have to look the part," I reasoned. "We're not going to last two seconds at that party if we show up looking like this. So, if you boys can bite the bullet for just a bit, we have to go get proper gala attire." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTo my surprise, neither of my brothers even let out a groan of protest. In fact, Diego started fishing around for his shirt, while Five got up and took our mugs away, preparing to head out./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, that was easier than I thought." I turned to Lila, an optimistic smile on my face. "You ready to go?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Let's get out of here."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAfter brief good-byes to Elliott, the four of us piled into the broken car and headed off to the only formalwear department store I knew of. The cashier eyed us with suspicion as we wandered through the aisles, likely because we looked like a group of homeless people, pulling at any dresses and suit jackets that caught our eyes. Different shades of each color flashed by along the racks, some far too bright for such a formal occasion./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs I was heading toward one of the changing rooms, I noticed my brother just sitting there, bouncing his leg as he remained put in one of those chairs they put by the mirrors for long-suffering boyfriends and children who whined about wanting treats the entire time, wearing out their frazzled mothers. Although Five wasn't rolling his eyes or complaining, the expression on his face indicated anything but contentment./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWithout even having to think, I hiked up the dresses in my arms and sunk down into the chair right beside him. He refused to spare me a glance, opting instead to keep picking at some invisible fiber on his blazer./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You know, if you wanted something to wear that wasn't that crusty uniform, I'd be more than happy to drop Lila and Diego off after this and go with you." That did absolutely nothing to soften Five's expression. In fact, I'm pretty sure I saw him further tense his jaw./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We don't have time, Mina. We're already behind where we should be."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, you said yourself we have to go to this gala," I accused. "The only way we're going to be able to do that is if we look like we're supposed to be there." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe still refused to relent, and I took the defeat. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're just going to have to bear it for a little while longer," I snapped, a heavy weight pushing down on me. "You'll live."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA bitter, intense sting poked around in my chest and throat as I stood, unwilling to give my brother any further attention beyond that. He wanted to sulk, fine, but I drew the line and dragging down the help we were offering him. Sometimes, he got so focused on the goal, he forgot there were steps that had to be taken in order to get there; this wasn't anything more than one of those. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFrustrated, I tugged on dresses before almost immediately tossing them aside. All of a sudden, I was unwilling to even give any of them a chance, and it wasn't until a dress required a little extra help that I finally gave myself pause. I considered myself pretty flexible, but the ribbons required to keep the dress on tight were just beyond my reach, meaning I'd need extra help. Reluctantly, I pried open the dressing room door, just enough so I could be heard./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Can one of you come help me?" I called out as quietly as possible. There was a bit of a delay before someone else spoke up./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I've got her."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI jumped back slightly as Lila slid through the crack I'd left in the door, shutting it quickly behind her. My heartbeat had just started to come down from the surprise, when I noticed the dress she'd chosen. The light, bouncy cyan complemented her skin perfectly, while the bodice hugged her just tight enough to show off the curves she had; the neckline scooped just before her shoulders, giving her a sort of elegance I didn't realize she was capable of./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLila looked… stunning./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You want me to help you with whatever you need, or are you gonna keep drooling for another couple of minutes?" she teased, pushing her tongue against her teeth as she smiled at me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Sorry, sorry," I shook my head. "It's just, you… that's definitely the dress you should get." Lila suddenly seemed to get self-conscious, brushing over the crisp fabric of the dress./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You think so?" I came back at her with a confident smile./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Absolutely." I turned around and pointed toward the loose-hanging ribbons. "Now, can you help me tie these?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI gasped a little as Lila yanked on the strings, pulling the dress as tight as possible against my skin, just short of cutting off my airflow. Sensing this, Lila loosened the grip a little bit before tying the ribbons up in bows. When she stepped to the side of me, her eyes wandered over me, taking in how the dress fit me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You look like a star," she finally complimented, settling her arms around my waist. "This is the one."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLila's affectionate manner and her close proximity to me brought the question Five had raised earlier today back into my mind. Gently, I set my hands over hers, then turned my head back slightly, our noses just barely touching. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know this may not be the most appropriate setting, but I have to ask… what's going on here?" I caught Lila off-guard for a second, her head moving from its place against my shoulder. "I don't want to make any assumptions on your end, but…span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI like you a lot, Lila." It took her a moment to collect herself, but when she finally did, the smile returned to her face. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'll be your girlfriend if you'll be mine?" I laughed./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Absolutely."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA warm blush crept up my face as she placed a kiss on my cheek, then went back out of the dressing room so we both could change and the four of us could get out of here./span/p