Thanks for reviewing! To make something clear: Bella and Alice are 15 & 16 in this chapter. PS: For whoever is curious about Loïs and Marcus in this story, this is what I have in mind as to what they'd look like:

Marcus ./2008/04/david_gandy2_

Loïs ..com/articles/media/2009/09/sara_

Five

Bonfire of the Vanity

The handmaid could remember a time in the Brandon Mansion, when everything was just wonderful. The Brandons had once been the absolute picture perfect New York socialite family, free of flaws and scandals. As weird as it may sound to a foreigner, the New York Society was a world on its own, where ones behaviour, history, personal life and beliefs were constantly scrutinized in search of a single flaw which did not meet the extremely high standards of the Society.

Once a socialite had done something to dishonour the unspoken boundaries and rules of the Society, they would be punished and faced with scandal. For a New York socialite, wealthy and good-looking with nothing left to wish for, there simply isn't much to be afraid of in life, except for scandals.

Knowing that the very people you interact with and consider your friends or family are turning against you, using you as a means of entertainment, as a subject to discuss during high tea, dinner or even at the Opera, would be the second worst thing to imagine happening to them for a socialite. Losing money being number one of course.

The Brandons never had a reason to worry about that though, since their family was like polished leather, shining brightly and free of flaws.

That was the way they used to be anyway. The maid let out a sigh. If she had to pinpoint the day where it all went to hell, she'd say it was this exact day, four years ago. She had noticed both the girls had gone out that day, though she was worried, she decided it would be best for them to be absent during this very hour.

"Are you going out AGAIN?"

"Yes, I am going again, me and Cecile are hosting a cocktail reception to honour French Heritage Society at the Waldorf Astoria and we still have a lot to do."

"How long before the preparations are done?"

"Where is this sudden interest coming from?"

"Can I not show interest in my wife's whereabouts?"

"Well frankly, I don't feel like we're married at all lately. I don't even feel like I know you anymore!"

The outburst was sudden, Loïs had held her cool, calm exterior up till that point.

But as true New York socialites, they kept their problems to themselves and hid them behind layers and layers of lies to save their faces. That wasn't uncommon though. The other handmaids she'd come in contact with shared stories of the same nature about the families they worked for. The pretty, wealthy, picture-perfect Society of New York was nothing close to what it claimed to be.

When she had first laid eyes upon their firstborn child, Mary Alice, she had thought of her as just another wealthy girl, growing up to marry the right man and continue the charade that had been built up so well by the families that ruled the Society since the very beginning. However, when they took in another girl, Isabella, Alice had changed.

Her elegance, class and manners were still very much intact, though she was less withholding to do the things she really wanted to do. Isabella was like a breath of fresh air, a girl so true was a rare sight in the community that surrounded them. Although she was timid and kept mostly to herself, she wasn't prone to lying and did not pretend to be something she wasn't. She didn't give out her trust easily, yet she didn't make others believe she did. She really was a rare sight to behold.

As Alice entered her bedroom, Isabella went completely silent, her hazel eyes widening in surprise. She couldn't remember the last time, if ever, she'd seen something as magnificent as the girl standing in the doorway right now.

Alice was wearing a loose-fitting, black dress from silk that reached mid-thigh but accentuated her shoulders. Her hair was combed neatly, her usual spikes flattened a bit. Her eyes were shining brightly, the gray seeming to sparkle with excitement. Her lips were rosy as ever as the blush on her cheeks was. She wore a pair of quilted, leather, black and white ballerina's on her small feet. In her hand she carried an envelope clutch, small and sophisticated.

"You could pass for Chanel's daughter looking like that."

Ten years ago, and outfit like that would've been frowned upon to say the least, baring ankles and even knees? Women wouldn't dare to think of it. However, since the French Gabrielle Chanel had made her entrance in fashion, it seemed a boyish silhouette like both hers and Alice' were all the rage. Girls were starting to dress more and more boyish, loose-fitting clothes and skirts revealed more leg than ever.

Alice seemed to be born just in the right era.

"Je suis très excité pour la soirée!" Alice spoke French fluently, she'd learned at a very young age as her mother was French too.

Isabella thought she'd melt at the sight.

Isabella herself was dressed in a tight, black, high-waist skirt with a white, silk blouse tucked in. Her long brown locks were pulled back in a ponytail, tight on the sides but at the top it was round. She looked as sophisticated as a socialite could. She too wore a pair of leather flats, cream coloured and quilted.

"Did I mention how amazing you look?" Alice said flirtatiously, making Bella blush and look down at her feet.

"We should go though.. Wouldn't want Mother fussing about us taking too long." She let out a sigh before getting up and walking towards the door with Isabella trailing after her.

Once they reached the hallway, Loïs and Marcus were already there.

"Perfect timing, I take it we're ready to go then?"

Loïs was wearing a long, draped, one shoulder, soft pink dress. It reached down to the floor and accentuated both her height and small waist. A big crystal was encrusted on the shoulder strap, pinning it to the front of her dress. Her hair was done in a fashion much alike Isabella's. Her almost white blond hair was combed back, rounded on top and tight on the sides. It shone brightly, bringing out her light, blue eyes.

Next to her stood Marcus, looking absolutely dashing in his black, shiny tuxedo. He wore a blue bow around his neck which made his bright, blue eyes spring to life. His slightly tanned skin contrasted with his white blouse. His black curls shone radiantly.

His jaw was slightly set, Isabella noticed. She had known he didn't want to go all along, but since Loïs had decided to go he had to go as well in order to keep people from becoming suspicious about their problems.

Alice was the product of perfect genes, a very handsome Italian mixed with a breathtaking Francoise made for the most beautiful girl Isabella had known in her entire life.

Once they arrived at the Waldorf Astoria, they were surrounded with handsome, well-dressed, wealthy people. Everyone was speaking to everyone, waiters walking around with plates filled with hors d'ouvrés, champagne and more. Music was heard throughout the whole room. It didn't take long for Loïs and Marcus to be dragged away, which left Isabella and Alice to themselves.

"Alice, have you ever been to something like this before?" Isabella asked, looking around the room with wondrous eyes.

"Not often, which I'm glad for.. All you really do is greet acquaintances, show how well-mannered and rich you are and talk behind other peoples' backs. Mother goes to these events every week or so." Alice sighed, looking quite bored already.

"Could I offer you a drink?" A waiter asked them, holding out a plate of crystal flutes filled with champagne.

Before Isabella could answer, Alice had taken two off the plate and thanked him.

"At least we'll have something to make it more exciting tonight." Alice said, a sparkle visible in her eyes.

It seemed that lately, Alice was overstepping boundaries with more and bigger steps, and whenever she did, Isabella went along with her. She could never say no to Alice, who somehow seemed to be aware of this fact. However, Isabella was only fifteen and Alice sixteen, they both knew they weren't allowed to drink alcohol yet and Isabella didn't know if she even wanted to do so.

Alice took a sip, and then another one, and another one and within a minute she'd finished her glass.

"Oh Bella, come on, take a sip, it's not that bad! I promise you'll like it." Isabella knew she'd give in sooner rather than later, so she decided to go for it. After Alice had gotten them a second drink, Isabella started to feel a warm, buzzing feeling inside of her, it was quite nice actually. Alice looked even better with the red blush that had crept up her cheeks, bringing out her cheekbones.

Alice started leaning forward, her breath tickling Isabella's cheek and left ear, she could smell that same sweet scent she'd become so familiar with.

"Let's get out of here." Alice whispered before taking Isabella's hand, the flirtatious smile she gave her was all Bella needed to follow her lead.

They soon reached a field close by the hotel which gave them the perfect opportunity to return when needed. Flowerbeds in all kind of colours decorated the grass, illuminated by the moonlight and the stars. When Isabella looked next to her again, she saw Alice was already lying in the grass, eyes closed, still adorning that red flush.

She looked so beautiful with her pale skin setting off against the colours of the bright flowers. For a second Isabella thought of jumping on top of her and kissing her till they were both out of breath.

Instead, she slowly went to sit on the grass before lying down next to her friend. The view above them was breathtaking, the stars were shining brightly as was the moon. It seemed truly otherworldly to Isabella, it was mesmerizing.

"Enjoying the view?" Alice asked, smiling at the amazed expression on Isabella's face.

"Very much so." Isabella answered, though she wasn't thinking of the stars when she said that, looking at the girl lying next to her.

"I can't keep this up, I might never see anything, anyone as perfect as her.. How could I feel something so strong, and could she be completely oblivious? But maybe she isn't.." Just as Bella was gathering up the courage to lean closer, Alice spoke up.

"I think we should head back, I doubt people are going to stick around for much longer." Alice said softly before lifting off the grass, holding out her hand for Isabella to take. The warmth of liquor couldn't compare with the warmth Bella felt as their hands touched. It was unlike anything she'd ever known, and right at that moment, Isabella knew that life sometimes made up for the bad times it made you go through, with magnificent good times. They walked back to the hotel holding hands, smiling brightly.

Things had been going quite in the same fashion for a while. Alice was so unaware of the emotional tornado that raged its way through Isabella whenever they got really close, that she never knew how mad she drove the girl. Isabella was too afraid of losing their friendship if Alice ever found out about her feelings, so she kept it to herself. She tortured herself day and night it seemed.

Meanwhile, she tried to focus on other things. She tried spending more time reading and learning, which in turn made Marcus very happy. He loved to see the time he spent on teaching both girls, at least meant something to one of them.

"I don't see what's so interesting about it, I mean seriously Bella, it's just a book."

"No Alice, it's the story inside of the book that I like. You know, those little spots on the pages? Those are actually words and when put together in the right way, they tell you something."

"Great, what have I done? Now you're thinking paper can talk. Please don't do this to me Bella, let me take you outside where it's safe, so you can heal!"

Isabella plopped down on the bed next to the spot her friend was lying, looking at her through squinted eyes.

"Why do you hate it when your Father teaches us?"

"I don't.."

"Alice, it's me! Stop lying, it's not going to work." Alice looked at Isabella for a moment, then sighed in defeat, dropping her head on the sheets.

"Alright.. I hate it because I'm such a disappointment to him. Nothing I ever do is going to be good enough, so why would I even bother?"

"Alice! That's not true, your Father loves you, you know that."

"He doesn't Bella, he likes you far more. But it doesn't matter really." Alice pulled Isabella down till she was lying next to her, then curled up against her, embracing her tightly while snuggling into her neck. "Cause I like you far more than I like him too."

Isabella shuddered at the close contact, closing her eyes and slowly releasing her breath. She couldn't do this any longer, she really couldn't. She was going insane and the fact that Alice just couldn't help but always touch her in one way or another made it so much worse.

"She doesn't feel the same way, there's no use in telling her how much I love her" She thought sadly.

"That's good." was what she said instead.

The week that followed had been filled with home schooling, Marcus seemed to be inspired to learn them as much as he could and keep them locked in the study for as long as he could. At least, that was how it felt for Alice, a prison of books and knowledge.

She sighed deeply. Again.

"I get it Alice, you're both free to go. We can continue this tomorrow." Marcus said calmly. He had a certain sobriety, he didn't get upset easily nor did he get angry. He was like this sea of patience. His daughter however, was the polar opposite.

She could get upset instantly and excited even easier. She was unpredictable and full of energy, bursting with emotion. Neither one of her parents had those qualities, Isabella thought. On the other hand, perhaps they did but preferred not to show it, since their personalities were quite the standard as to what the Society expected you to be. It seemed as though people in this city could just as easily walk around with a painting of someone else in front of their face. They barely ever showed it anyway.

Alice wasn't like that at all though, which was part of the attraction for Isabella. She didn't feel the need to change herself in order to be accepted into a Society which held standards as high as the Eiffel Tower. Either way, she was in already. The Brandons had been part of the Elite for decades. They were "old money" as one would call them. Their family heritage came from generations past theirs, back when Merrit Brandon had found an Oil source which he eventually turned into an entire industry.

Alice had been guaranteed to never having to work a day in her life with the money they had, nor would her grand children. For Alice, that was all irrelevant. She'd have to worry about her future later, right now, she was way too busy enjoying the moment she lived in."

A week after the party, Loïs was expecting a visit from the Roitfelds. Being one of the richest families in New York meant their visits were always greatly appreciated and even envied. They certainly didn't mingle with just anyone. Carine and Damien Roitfeld had befriended the Brandon's though. Their shared French blood made for an instant connection between Loïs and Carine. However, for Alice they were pure bother. Their son Vladimir was quite taken by Alice and made that painfully obvious even after she subtly rejected him time after time.

This night was different though, Alice could sense it. The way Vladimir's eyes raked over Bella's figure the moment he'd set his hungry gaze on Bella hadn't gone lost on Alice. That hunger he hid so well behind his pretentious mask of sophistication, Alice saw right through it. Unfortunately, she was the only one who did.

Vladimir knew he could get away with nearly anything because of his families status, and he loved to take advantage of that fact.

"Sweet Alice, it's been way too long. I do hope you've been well in my absence." He took her hand and planted a kiss upon it, enjoying how uncomfortable he made her feel.

She took a deep breath, preparing herself for what was going to be a long, long evening.

Later that evening, long after dinner they had been seated in the living room, chatting and enjoying some wine. While the adults were happily chatting, Alice had set her gaze on Vladimir. From the beginning of the evening he had noticed her reaction whenever he set his eyes on Isabella. He'd spent the entire evening watching Isabella when she wasn't aware, knowing very well it would agitate Alice even more. When Isabella would glance at him, he'd turn his gaze at Alice. She kept looking at him, almost accusingly, whereas he would stare longingly and appreciatively.

Isabella had noticed the way Vladimir looked at Alice. The thought of anyone but herself looking at her in such a wanting way flared up a rage inside of her that she'd never experienced before. She hadn't even been aware she was capable of such a feeling. However, when she looked at Alice, she knew the feelings weren't returned.

"We'll be on our way now, we've enjoyed your hospitality greatly this evening." Carine said as she stood up together with Damien.

Anything else that was said was lost to Isabella though, as she watched Vladimir walk up to Alice and take her hand as though it was made of velvet while looking at her as if she were made of diamond. His lips were moving but the sound didn't reach her, all she could see was their descent, until they reached Alice' hand and watched as he planted a soft kiss on it.

For a moment, she felt as though her rage had swallowed her, the scene had seemingly played out in slow motion in front of her, fuelling the fire that was building up in her.

As he turned towards her, she knew the last thing she wanted right now was to face him. She impulsively turned away, saying her goodbye to the adult Roitfelds before quickly making her way upstairs. When she reached her bedroom she went for the balcony, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the view to calm herself down. The land seemed even more appealing at night, illuminated by the moon, glistening ponds and outstretched fields decorated by flowerbeds and trees. No one but Alice and herself could go there. No one could take that from them.

She sighed before closing her eyes. Just thinking of his lips on her skin made her chest contract painfully. A feeling as though her heart was made of elastic and someone held it above a fire overcame her. She knew she was probably blowing the situation out of proportion, in reality, it hadn't been anything to get upset about.

But for Isabella, it was the first time she realized she could lose Alice to someone else.

When the breeze became too much of a bother, she went back inside. Finally calmed, she felt her anger had dissipated and left room for sadness to take over. She had no idea what to do to keep Alice, or even have her in the first place.

With a sigh she sat down on their bed, taking her journal with her.

"The tenderest touch leaves the darkest of marks, and the kindest of kisses breaks the hardest of hearts. Sticks to your tongue and it shows on your face that the sweetest of words have the bitterest taste."

When she put down her pencil, she realized she hadn't really thought of writing anything, the words seemingly came out of nowhere. At the least it brought her some relief.

She put her journal to rest on the nightstand before closing her eyes.

For once, she wouldn't wait up for Alice.

Sorry for making you wait, I have no free time. I wrote whenever I could, I promise the next chapter is going to be more positive. With a lot more Alice & Bella time. ;)

Any thoughts to share? They make me happy. :)