I dedicate this chapter to my wonderful bestfriend Sam :) AKA imagination57

"E-E-Evander?" I said, my eyes widening. A smug grin tugged at the lips of this immortal.

"That would be me."

"A-As in the G-God Evander?"

He smirked, "Anything you would like to say to me?"

I narrowed my eyes. He still ruined my dress. "No." I said strongly. The crowd gasped.

Now I said some irritation in his eyes. "No?" he repeated slowly.

"No." I confirmed.

"You dare speak to a God like that?" A woman bursted.

"All I have to say is, I'm going to need money for dry cleaning." I said, then turned on my heel and walked away. I felt everybody's eyes follow me as I walked away. Someone reached out to grab me but Evander's deep, British voice boomed loudly.

"Leave her be. That is an order." I went and sat on the stage where even the band was inching away from me.

Great. I thought to myself. Just freakin' great. My first party with Gifteds and I blow it by not respecting the main, most powerful God. I shook my head and leaned my head against the board. Sebastian came and sat next to me, handing me a bottle of water.

"Aren't you going to shunned if you speak to me?" I said, not evening looking at him.

"Screw all these people, Isabel. You've been my friend for as long as I can remember, and it will always stay that way."

I smiled lightly and looked at him, "I really didn't mean to."

Sebastian chuckled, "I know."

"I mean, I didn't know that he was a God. I expected a God to like...damn me or something for speaking to them like that. He just allowed me to keep going."

"I am honestly pretty shocked that Sir Evander let you speak to him like that. I mean, you must be the only Gifted in history to get away with that."

I raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

Sebastian nodded, "Really."

I sighed, "Well, this isn't the best start for my new reputation."

Sebastian nodded, "No offense, but lots of people hate you now."

I laughed, "For speaking to a God like that?"

Sebastian nodded again. I groaned, "I feel bad about it. I mean...all he did was spill wine on my dress. Well, not to mention that it was a 300 dollar dress..."

"Then apologize." a deep familiar British voice said. I lowered my head and found myself staring straight into those blue/white eyes.

"Lord Evander!" Sebastian exclaimed, "I must apolo-"

Evander held his hand up, "Hush. Let the girl speak for herself." Sebastian shut up, immediately.

"On my behalf, you had an unfair advantage. I had no idea that you were Evander. So..."

"So apologize."

I narrowed my eyes, "You apologize first."

Evander's eyebrow went up, "Apologize? And for what may I be apologizing for?"

"Spilling wine on my dress!" I exclaimed.

"And how much did that dress cost you?"

"300 dollars." I muttered.

"Well then, this dress costs 1000. Please, accept this gift as a token of my...apology." he said, then turned on his heel and walked away. I was left in shock as a box formed on to my lap. I looked down and opened the box. A series of gasps were heard as I pulled the dress out of the box. It was an emerald green, silk dress. It had a heart shaped cut with a slit sliding up the leg. It was beautiful. one...thousand...dollars. I fingered the fabric with wide eyes. It even felt rich.

"Sebastian?" I asked, my voice meek.

"Yes, Isabel?" he replied, his voice soft.

"Am I dreaming?"

Sebastian shook his head, "No, Isabel."

"Oh." After a moment, I said, "Sebastian?"

"Yes, Isabel?"

"Can we go home?"

"Yes, Isabel."

Sebastian and I walked out of the archway and back into his Mercedes. "What exactly just happened?"

Sebastian nodded, "The most oldest and powerful God just gave you an 1000 dollar dress."

After I said my thanks to Sebastian for giving me a ride home, I walked straight into my house and up to my room. I set my thousand dollar dress off on my bed and walked towards the shower. I stripped off my ruined dress and climbed into the hot water.

Since my parents died when I was 14, I lived with my Aunt and Uncle till I was 17. My parents had left me enough money to rent a house of my own. I moved out when I was 17, with my Aunt and Uncle's permission. Then the moment I turned 18, I didn't need their permission any longer. I graduated early and already got accepted into Dartmouth. School starts next fall, once again. I currently resided in the small Salem, New Hampshire so I could easily commute to Hanover, New Hampshire.

I got out of the shower and wrapped myself in the towel. I picked up my dress and hung it the edge of my bed. But I froze the moment I saw that dress again. The thousand dollar silk dress. The one that the God of the mid-realms gave to me. I shook my head, I'd think more about this tomorrow. I picked up the box and put it at the very top of my closet. I turned off the light and tucked myself into bed.

The next morning when I woke up, I dressed in my usual morning attire; yoga pants, sports bra, jacket, and running shoes then popped my headphones into my ears. I left the house and began to run. My usual route was running down the neighborhood, then around the park, towards the highschool, around the outer neighborhood, then back on to my street. A little over a mile. I started at a slow pace, getting quicker and quicker with each breath, until I was nearly sprinting. Halfway through, I felt like I was going to faint from exhaustion but I pushed forward and paced myself. Soon enough, I broke through the barrier of tiredness and began feeling like the wind as I raced through the air.

Sooner then I expected, I arrived at my home and opened the door...which was supposed to be locked. I grabbed the pocket knife that I kept hidden between my bushes. I pushed the door open and noiselessly tip-toed inside. Instead of finding an intruder, I found an elegant shoe box, with a lace embroidery and a fancy envelope that read my name in beautiful cursive on the outside. Setting the knife down, I picked up the card and looked inside.

It was a beautiful invitation with a picture of a gigantic castle on the cover. Along with the invitation was a crisp 100 dollar bill. Opening the card, it read:

Lady Isabel Ashworth,

You are humbly invited to Lord Evander Montelone grand Summer Ball. Please dress formally. This invitation is good for Lady Isabel Ashworth and a companion.

Date: Tomorrow evening

Time: 7:30 p.m. - 3 a.m.

Address: Lord Evander's Grand Estate. The Montelone Castle.

In the corner of the invitation, someone's neat and elegant handwriting was written in the side, I turned the invitation to the side and read the note,

Dear Lady Isabel,

I encourage you to wear the gown I graciously bought for you. Inside the envelope you will also find money for your dry-cleaning bill. I hope it is enough.

-E

I set aside the invitation and picked up the box. Inside the box were two gorgeous dark green high heels, that matched my dress perfectly.