When we get back, we snack for dinner – eating some light foods (consisting of toast and a salad) before getting ready. I switch my black and grey shirt for a plain black one, keeping my almost-black jeans on and shoving some socks on before attempting to smarten up my Chucks. It failed, but who cares. They're comfy. And he said I could wear whatever. I take my hair from its tie and fluff it out a little, but It's got an annoying dent where the tie has been – so I resort to Misa's straighteners because they're already on. Rod's downstairs waiting; Halle's dressed up too, so I assume she's coming along. She's wearing a very elegant black dress, floor length, like Misa's, only it shimmering-ly glitters. It's got a slit up her right leg, cutting off at about half-way up her thigh. The back is bare, the dress tying at the nape of her neck, covering her front and elegantly connecting very near the end of her spine. Her plain black shoes aren't too high or chunky either. Her hair is tied up, looking very un-Halle like, but pretty none the less.
"You look very nice" I compliment her look, grinning as something else comes to me. "Very feminine"
"Shut up" She grumbles, putting her hands on her hips and thrusting out her ahem, rack. "Did you forget I was female?" I grin, turning to Rod.
"You don't look half bad either" He too was wearing a black shirt, long sleeves, but his was more dress-suit than casual. Misa hasn't given us those ties yet.
"You too – wearing those shoes?" I shrug with a smirk and he says nothing else. "Kay..MISA!" He yells. "We're leaving without you now!" He leans past me to the door, opens it, and then closes it. Misa screams upstairs. We hear the light click off and then her light feet as they pad down the stairs, her heels in her hand. "There we go; c'mon" Halle opens the door and heads out to the limo, Rod heading after her. Misa looks mortified, she's struggling with her shoes. They're black and dainty with little diamonds on them. They're great in that they make her slightly taller, but not too taller than myself, so Misa feels like the older one. Because even though she is, she has a younger brother who is taller than her. Ha!
I give up waiting for her. I haul the shoes away from her and chuck them across the front yard to Skyar, who is also dressed up. He catches them and puts them in the limo. He gives me a thumbs up and heads around to the driver's seat. I debate whether or not he's been invited, or is dressed as a chauffeur. None the less, I grab Misa and launch her up, carrying her to the limo due to her current bare-footed situation. As she gets it, she scolds me even if I haven't ruined her dress. I ignore her and shut the door behind me.
"Is Skyar coming too?" I ask Rod.
"I said he could if he wanted to" He shrugs "But he's gonna' stick around as yer' safety net if you need it" I nod. Basically, he will stay, but only as 'protection'. At least Misa won't be fretting about stalkers – not that she could at a place like that.
"So" Halle shifts comfortably as Skyar rolls us out of the drive. "We aren't staying over"
"D'awh" Misa grumbles.
"Which means no drinking" Halle continues.
"No drinking! What kind of party is this?" Misa's eyes water, and she begins to panic because her make-up will run.
"You won't be making fools of yourselves..." She glances at Misa in particular, then at me. "...at this party. It's a social event, there will be many agencies there" Again, she looks to Misa. "So take advantage of this." Misa cheers up. "Mel, if you get any unwanted questions, you gracefully decline them with 'it's a personal matter' and move on"
"Okay" I nod.
"If either of you get drunk, tipsy, giddy, in any way, shape or form out of control, we are never doing this again" Rod says sternly. "Understood" Me and Misa both agree.
"Oh! So, what are you two meant to be?" Misa asks, grinning coyly. "Are you a couple now?" She says cheekily. I see the hesitance in Halle's eyes, then the slightly considerate one in Rods.
"Holy Shit" I breathe. "Seriously?" I laugh and Misa looks about, confused.
"What?"
"Mello – shut up" Halle folds her arms over her chest and looks away.
"It's fine if you are, y'know" I say. "In fact, I think it would be really good"
"They really are going out?" Misa gasps. "How long for? How come nobody ever told me!"
"Just – keep it to yourself" Rod frowns, leaning forward and glaring particularly at Misa. "I mean it"
"Oh, sure sure! Secret. Got it" She grins. "Awh, you guys are so cuuute!" I grin at Halle as Rod grumbles his curses. She sticks her tongue out at me and I chuckle. "Oh, ties!" Misa hands me and Rod one and places her hands together happily. Halle's not wearing any red; I feel bad. Misa's on it though; she takes the red ribbon that she's laced around her black fascinator-thing and wraps it around Halle's wrist as a mock-bracelet. "There – like a family!"
I won't go into detail about the party, mainly because it has no relevance to me. I mentioned that Misa basked in the light of the media, enjoying the attention and the popularity, she had no problem getting what she wanted and she's always been that way. Me? I wasn't – I'm still not – sure what direction I want to go in. I don't know yet. I still don't want to be in the media industry like Misa. But I don't want to wholly by involved with just the Mafia; I want options. Rod always told us that "image is important", but I'm still creating mine. My involvement with the media was convenient, a helpful hand when needed, but not my future.
Misa got the numbers of every contact she charmed at the party. Halle was properly and officially introduced to the 'correct' people as Ross' new 'partner' in his business, which was news to me. I supposed it made sense, in that now Rod could lay back and let Halle handle the most of the Media work without it seeming too suspicious. On the other hand, it probably also meant that there was more Mafia work to do. So was leaving the USA really the best thing to be contemplating? I socialise with everyone, as usual. I don't mind, the majority of the people are nice, some are annoying, a few are big-headed rich snobs, but the majority are fairly down to earth. The dinner itself is late, at about half past seven, but it's enjoyable. I sit next to a well behaved ten year old girl, who has surprisingly good manners, a rich appetite and a very good argument for the safety of Chihuahua's in people's handbags. She's ten. And I feel like I'm having a conversation with someone my own age. How strange. She is wearing a Versace dress, too, with designer shoes and her own handbag. She reminds me of Misa a little bit.
She takes a liking to me after I tell her the tale of my scar – the burn – obviously a child-proof version of the Fire Incident. She even asks me to dance with her, Bless. She's staying at the hotel, but only stays at the party until half ten. I talk with both her parents for a while too; they seem convinced that I'm a nice person anyway. Her parents give me their numbers; they are involved with some advertising company. Then she leaves, waving at me right until she disappears around the corner. Misa comes over and laughs at my new friend, but I tell her to shut up and go back to talking to the old fart in the corner. She stomps off after that.
The night was enjoyable, and we got back at a pleasing half past two in the morning, at which point, upon entering the house and locking the door behind me, I realise—
"Merry Christmas, Guys" They pause for a minute and think, before laughing and repeating it. We head to bed quietly; I even catch the beginning of a heavy-snow shower that I hope will last until tomorrow. Flopping down on the bed, I smile and sigh, rolling over and closing my eyes.
Merry Christmas, you two.