Chapter 2: New Friends

"I like this one, personally," Melissa said, pointing to a dress. I agreed, it was my favorite, though I was still going to give them their own choice. Allison and Michelle still hadn't arrived yet, but I wasn't about to give up hope; maybe they were just having different opinions about being in my wedding.

"Yeah, I agree, I like this one, too," Summer said.

"It is very beautiful," my mom chimed in. The dress was a deep red and looked as though it were made of silk. The bodice was almost a corset with black lace going up the front and the skirt was an a-line, fitting beautifully to any body type. I wasn't too worried about my bridesmaids looking pretty, knowing that they were flawless in their day-time clothes.

"Would you guys like to try it on?" I asked.

"Sure!" Melissa almost jumped in the air. She snatched the dress off the table and ran up the stairs like she was a deer.

"Just go into our bedroom!" I shouted, laughing.

Just as I heard our door close, I heard the back door open. The men had returned and the kids were following close behind.

"Hey, you," Dante said, kissing me lightly.

"How the hell do you work all day but come home smelling like roses?" I laughed, staring at him.

"I guess it's just one of the perks of being a vampire," he winked.

"Victoria! This dress is beau-" Melissa shouted, coming to a stop at the end of the stairs. She stared at the men surrounding her and I was sure that if she could have blushed, now would have been the time for it.

I walked over with my mouth hung open, almost having to clear the drool from my bottom lip. She looked breathtakingly perfect. The dress accentuated her curves flawlessly and fit her like a dream. I was beyond happy with the outcome.

"Wow, you look amazing," I said breathless.

"Thanks," she whispered, looking to the ground in front of her.

"Oh. My. God," Christopher said, walking slowly toward her and taking her into his arms. They sighed at each other and kissed deeply, causing me to look away.

"Summer, do you want to try it on now?" Melissa asked, a huge smile plastered across her face.

"Sure, I guess," she said, walking to her friend and following her up the large staircase.

"I'm so glad we picked that dress, mom!" I shrieked with joy, jumping into the air.

"I am too; it really does fit her marvelously."

"Would you prefer us leaving?" Dante asked me, taking my hand.

"Of course not! You guys can stay if you want, I mean, I'm just showing them the dresses and they're going to try them on."

He looked around for a moment and then back down to me. "Where are Allison and Michelle?"

"I'm not too sure. I decided not to look for them, maybe they just need time."

"Yeah, it's good to give them some privacy."

"I agree."

We waited for a moment, talking amongst ourselves, glancing to the stairs to see if they were coming down yet.

Finally, after feeling like we had waited forever and a half, Summer skipped down the stairs, her face as calm as stone. It was odd seeing her body flow so beautifully, but her face stay serious the entire time.

Melissa trailed behind with the same smile on her face she'd had the whole night.

Her body looked just as picture perfect as Melissa's had and I was sure that this would be the dress. We honestly didn't even need Michelle and Allison to show up to try it on; my mind was set.

"So, how do you like it?" I asked her.

She crossed her arms for a moment and then a smirk grew on the corner of her pink lips.

"It looks really good on me," she finally said.

"Just good? That's all you feel about it?" I laughed.

"Fine," she rolled her eyes, "it looks great. Happy, now?" She laughed for the first time since I'd met her. It almost sounded like music, echoing off of the high ceilings in our home. She covered her mouth, embarrassed, and went back to being serious again.

"Why don't you like to laugh?" I asked, realizing that had really come out of my mouth.

"Why does it matter?"

"I'm just curious. You have a really cute laugh."

"Well, thank you, but you would understand if you knew me better."

I glanced over to Melissa and she closed her eyes, nodding her head slowly. What could she be hiding? I thought for a moment about going through her thoughts, but stopped myself, promising that I would find out later once we became better friends.

"So, this is the dress then," my mom stated, grabbing me by the shoulders.

"Yeah, this is the dress. I think they both look completely wonderful in it, don't you?"

"They look like angels," she said, giving Summer and "up-and-down."

Nick walked over and hugged Summer, just as Chris had done with Melissa and the guys left the room. Dante kissed my forehead before walking away and looked back, winking.

"I really wonder where Michelle and Allison are though. I'm kind of worried to be honest," I muttered.

"Well, maybe you should try looking for them," Summer said blankly.

I closed my eyes and found Michelle's presence, searching for her. I couldn't find her at first, but then I saw her talking to a man. He was almost just a dark shadowy figure, but I could see his pale skin. I couldn't tell where they were, but she had such a pained look on her face that it just made me worry even more.

"Do you see them?" My mom interrupted. My eyes shot open and I wrinkled my forehead, staring straight ahead.

"Well, where are they?" Summer chimed in.

"I don't know. I saw Michelle, but she was with some guy and she looked really upset. I couldn't tell where they were, either."

"That's odd. I've never seen Michelle with a man before; especially without Allison by her side," Summer's face turned pained.

I walked through the girls and into the living, room, staring at Dante. He looked over and he could tell something was wrong. After a split second, all of the men were staring at me, their eyes burning a hole into my skin.

What is the problem, sweetie? He asked.

I don't know where Michelle is. She was with a dark man and I couldn't tell where they were. She looked upset; I'm really worried now.

I'll try looking for her.

Okay.

I waited in his mind and watched his thoughts flow wildly. He found her in the same state I did and I watched his face as it twisted, growing angry.

What's wrong? I asked anxiously.

She's with John.

And what's that mean?

That means that this war hasn't ended yet, Victoria.

What?! What are you talking about?! I killed April!

But we let the rest of the elders go free. They must be furious.

But I thought we had a pact! I thought you talked to them! Dante, what's going on?! What's he saying to her?!

It looks as though he is trying to sway her opinion. I cannot tell, but she isn't happy about it.

I can see that but I just don't understand this. How could they go against us again? I thought they hated April!

Yes, they hated April, but they didn't necessarily hate her views on our world.

What do you mean?

They liked that she was going to be a ruler. They want someone to keep order around here, and she was all for the business of it.

Well, I thought we were going to do that.

We haven't exactly taken the first steps into reigning, my love.

I know but, I still don't understand all of this.

I don't really either, but hopefully we can get this all worked out before another fight breaks out.

Yeah, I hope so too. I hate hurting people, Dante. It's not what I want to use my powers for.

I know exactly how you feel, love, but we must deal with this.

Can you tell where they are?

Not really, but maybe your dad can. It seems as though our powers have more holes than his do.

That's true. Dad? Are you listening?

Yeah, kid, do you want me to try to find where they are?

If you could; that'd be great.

It looks like they're at the mansion. Why can't you see that?

They're in the mansion?! I don't know why I can't see that, dad. This is so frustrating!

I'm sorry, sweetie. I stole some of your powers, but I didn't mean it.

Don't feel bad, Dante. It's not your fault.

Anyway, shouldn't we be leaving soon, you guys? My dad shouted.

Yeah, you're right, dad. We should get going. I want to see what's going on; it's driving me crazy!

Okay, let's inform the others of what is happening.

"What the hell are you guys doing?!" Chris shouted.

"Sorry, we were finding where Michelle and Allison were. Apparently, we still have some problems with the left-over elders," Dante said, looking to all of the people around him. My mother's face turned even paler; yes, it was possible. And Melissa and Summer looked emotionless.

"What are you talking about, Dante?" Chris asked again.

"It seems that John is trying to convince Michelle of something, but whatever it is seems to be making her terribly upset. I want to see what is going on, as does Victoria and her father."

"So, the elders think they still own control over us?" Nick said.

"That is apparently so. I guess that Victoria and I haven't taken the right steps yet, so they feel it is necessary to turn our friends against us."

"But that doesn't make sense! I don't get why these people keep coming after you guys! You have done nothing but be sincere to all of us and more than gracious for our company," Melissa yelled, stamping her foot.

"Maybe we should go and see what's going on," I muttered, pulling Dante's arm.

"I agree. Destiny, would you prefer to come, or look over the children?"

Xavier and Nikki's faces turned to hell and I could see that they really wanted to come. I wanted them to be there too, but as I was feeling more like a mother, I was feeling more like I had to protect them.

"Why can't we come?" Nikki shouted, standing up.

"Yeah, I wanna come! Vikki, why can't we go?!" Xavier jumped up and down.

"I want you guys to come, but I don't want to put you in danger, okay?" I asked, crouching down and hugging them.

"I'll be fine, Victoria, you know I can handle myself," Nikki whispered in my ear.

"But Xavier isn't ready yet. I need you to stay here with him. Please, Nikki?"

She sighed heavily and looked down, nodding.

My mom agreed to stay as well and we all walked outside, making a line of people.

I looked over to Dante and closed my eyes, taking his hand.

"I love you, everything will be fine, I promise you this," he said softly.

"I know, I love you too," I said back.

And with that, we departed back to the oh-so-familiar mansion that I now hated.