"Filía I have to do your hair and make-up, like, right now!" Ness called from the bathroom.
"We have three hours." I said, not looking up from my book. I had been studying for Healing class, but it was all just the same thing being said over and over again. I couldn't take it so I grabbed something that doesn't usually repeat itself: History. One thing that does indeed repeat itself is my little sister... Especially tonight.
All of the sudden my book was being lifted out of my hands and there she was, her hair pulled up into a towel and a slimy green substance spread evenly over her face. She was scary. And frustrated.
"I also have to do mine," she said. "I obviously can't go looking like this, and you definitely can't go looking like that!" I grabbed my book back from her, checking to make sure she hadn't left any slime on it.
"What's wrong with the way I look now?" I asked her, still examining my precious book. Good, the slime ball didn't leave anything behind, I thought.
"Nothing," she sighed, exasperated. "And everything. You always do your hair the same way: in a ponytail. A straight, boring ponytail."
"It's easy and keeps it out of my face when I'm-"
"Reading. Yes, I know. But tonight you won't be reading," she declared, boldly taking my book away again and laying it on her dresser. "I'm going to curl your hair, and who knows how long that'll take. I also have to dry and curl mine. Plus do both of our makeup." She counted things off on her fingers, staring at the ceiling... I swear, she couldn't be more stressed out about something she's so excited about.
"Then do yours first. I'm not getting ready this early." I said, standing up and retrieving my book. She shrugged her shoulders and returned to her evil lair... The bathroom. "I didn't want to go in the first place." I mumbled, throwing myself back onto my bed. She stuck her head out the door, wet hair wildly hanging in her face and sticking up everywhere.
"Did you say something?"
"No... Hey, what did you... Something's different..."
Ness just shrugged her shoulders and disappeared from the doorway. I got up and walked over to the door, and peered in. I stared for a moment, then realized what was different. And when I say different, I mean drastically, incredibly, unexpectedly different.
"Ness! What did you do to your hair?!" It was dark brown, like mine. She was expertly curling it with a wet-dry curling iron as she answered me.
"I dyed it so we can really match. I want to look like twins!" I couldn't believe this.
"WHY on earth would you dye your hair?" She laughed at my genuine horror.
"Filía, it's not permanent. I'll wash it out in the shower tomorrow morning. It'll be like I never colored it in the first place," she assured me. That satisfied me, and I went back into the other room.
Ness continued get ready for the masquerade ball while I sat on my bed reading. What seemed like minutes was really an hour and a half. Nessa was already wearing her dress. Her hair was done, her makeup was done. She was digging around in the closet, searching for my dress. I had shoved it into one of the far corners of the closet, hoping that she wouldn't find it and I wouldn't have to go to the stupid ball.
"Aha! Found you," she said victoriously. I sighed and put my book away. I obviously have no choice but to give in to her. She practically danced over to me with my dress a laid it at on the foot of my bed and then went back to the closet and pulled out the masks.
"I'm sooooo excited!" She sang. "Now put it on!"
"I can't believe you're actually making me wear this thing," I complained, holding up the dress with two fingers, disgusted.
"What's wrong with it?" Nessa wondered, examining her own dress.
"It's pink. I despise pink. Nessa, you know that."
"I gave you a chance to come with me. You wouldn't have picked out your own dress anyway, so I had no choice but to pick one out for you. Now put it on so I can do your hair and make-up," she spun around the room, pretending to dance with an invisible partner. Probably Dr. Slye, I thought.
"You didn't give me a chance to come. You're practical forcing me to come! You roped me into going." I slipped into the dress. "Ruffles! Pink ruffles. Great Oz, I'm going to die tonight." I groaned, hoping it wouldn't fit right. But it did.
"Ooooh, Filía!" Nessa screeched. "You look beautiful! The boys won't be able to keep their eyes off you!"
"Now that I find hard to believe," I said. She shook her head.
"No, I'm serious! You look gorgeous!"
"Not as gorgeous as you, I'm sure," I smiled at her enthusiasm. "They'll be looking at you, not me." That's always what's happened anyway.
"Whatever, Filía. When a cute guy asks you to dance tonight don't say I didn't tell you so!"
"Nobody is going to ask me to dance with them," I said.
"Wanna bet?" Nessa's eyes flashed. She's so crazy, I thought.
"You're on," I said, and we shook hands. "How much?"
"Hmm... You'll have to attend the next ball too. With no complaining." Hahaha! This was going to be a cinch.
"And if I win?" I said, thinking... How to make this a good bet... Got it! "If I win-"
"If you win," Nessa said, "I won't wear makeup for a week." My jaw dropped. Had she really just said that? Well, it's her funeral, not mine. There's no way I'm losing this bet.
"If that's what you want. No one is going to ask me to dance, Ness." I believed it too, I wasn't just saying it. I hoped it wouldn't happen, though, for some reason. An image of a tall, broad shouldered man with blue eyes popped into my mind... And I abruptly pushed it away. There's no chance Arron is actually interested in me, I thought. We only met once. But he was looking for me... Whatever. I'm hopeless.
"Whatever. You're hopeless, you know that right?" Nessa sighed. Yes. Yes I am, I thought. She continued speaking to me. "Now, come here and let me finish you up."
Oh, joy. I'm so not looking forward to this, I thought. Then I walked over into the arms of Death and simply sat there as she did what she wanted. I'm such a pushover, I thought. I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe I'm letting her-
"There," she said, standing back. You're finished." She stared at me, obviously pleased with herself. "Go on, check yourself out!" I got up, walked slowly to the mirror and cautiously peered in. I was shocked, surprisingly enough, in a good way.
"Wow," was all I could think to say. I was wearing the dreadfully pink spaghetti strap dress with a flower decorating the right shoulder, with a short and incredibly ruffly skirt. Nessa had curled my dark brown hair and let it cascade gracefully over my shoulders, then topped it all off with a white witch hat adorned with a pink flowered bow to match the dress. She didn't go overboard with the makeup, thank Oz. For once in my life I actually felt kind of pretty.
"You like it! I know you do! You don't have to say it!" Nessa was thrilled. "I wonder how I'll do you up for the next ball...?" I was glad, because I wouldn't have admitted that fact anyway. And I think it's just so cute that she thinks she'll win the bet. Whatever; I liked how I looked, I still didn't want to go to the ball. Especially when Ness handed me a pair of bright pink high heeled shoes. As a matter of fact, I wanted to cry.
"Neeeeesssssaaaaaaa..." I whined, "I'm not wearing those. I let you put me in a dress, I let you do my hair and makeup. I even let you talk me into coming tonight. But there is no way you are getting me into those shoes!"
-The Masquerade Ball: Oz Dust-
"Ugh, how do you people handle walking in these torture instruments all the time?" I grumbled as we maneuvered our way through the crowd of people in the ballroom. "Seriously, it's hard enough walking in heels for the first time ever without having to push my way through all these people."
Nessa ignored me and continued to search the room, completely obsessed with finding somebody. I had asked her who we were looking for, but she wouldn't tell me. Doesn't matter, I knew. She was looking for Doctor Zedekiah Slye. She probably wanted to show off her dancing skills and fancy costume. She's such a flirt, I thought, shaking my head.
Even though I told myself I wouldn't, I found myself looking around for Arron. I realized that I had been avoiding him since the incident after Healing the other day... Maybe he's forgotten all about it, I thought. Even if I do see him, he won't ask me to dance.
We managed to run into Liir by chance. I said hello to him, we talked for a minute. He was shocked that I was wearing such a fancy dress, a pink one at that. But he wasn't focused on our conversation... He kept looking over at Nessa; the poor guy was obviously smitten with her. The moment I turn back to Ness she's gone. She probably found Dr. Slye, I thought. Poor guy.
"Nice party, huh?" Liir said, attempting to make conversation.
"Liir, I don't have to answer that honestly, now, do I?" He laughed.
"No, of course not. I understand that you didn't really want to come."
"No kidding," I grumbled. He poked me in the side, causing me to jump. "Hey!" I jabbed him in the ribs, hard. "What was that for?" He rubbed his side, in mock pain. Or real pain, I don't know. I poked him pretty hard. He smiled.
"I don't know," he said. "I hate to see you so bored. You should at least try to have some fun, Filía. Want to dance?" Drat. I wonder if Liir counts as a cute boy; if so, I just lost to Nessa. He held out his hand. I only had to think for a moment before replying; he's a friend, and he's trying to make me feel welcome. So...
"I have nothing better to do,"I said placing my hand in his. "Fair warning, I don't really know how to dance."
"It's not as hard as you think, just follow me." He assured me, leading the way.
He was right, it really isn't that hard. I just followed his footsteps. It was actually a lot of fun! Once the song ended we went to get some refreshments.
"Congratulations! You learned something new," Liir said handing me a green drink.
"I'll just take the water," I said, handing him back the green stuff. Honestly, I have no idea what's in that, I thought.
"Sure, here you are." He handed me a cup of water, "So are you going to run off like your sister, or are you just going to be... Well, you?"
"What do you mean by that?" I asked as we started walking.
"Just stand around and watch, maybe pull out a book and read... Get into an argument with one of the teachers." He teased.
"Nessa wouldn't let me bring a book, so I guess I'll just be standing around. I'd find someone to argue with, but I wouldn't want to spoil anyone's evening." I smiled, glad to have a friend who understood me so well.
"I find it hard to believe that you could spoil anything," he said, giving me a random hug. I just stood there for an instant, totally surprised. But then I hugged him back.
"Thanks, Liir," I said. "But we are just going to have to agree to disagree." He pulled back, but left his hands on my shoulders. He sighed.
"Okay, whatever. I know I'm not going to change your mind."
"Nope!" I agreed with him. "My mind isn't easily changed." He nodded. Then he looked over my shoulder and got this strange little grin on his face.
"Well... I'd hate to ditch you... But if you don't mind being left alone for a few minutes, I think I'm going to go try to get your sister to dance with me. If you think you'll
be okay," he wasn't stumbling over his words this time. His voice sounded husky, and almost romantic. I could tell he really hoped she'd say yes to dancing with him.
Great Oz, he's like a little boy in love. I pushed him back gently.
"I'll be fine," I said. "Good luck." His grin grew into a huge smile and he went off to find Nessa. I hope she notices him, I thought as I watched him walk away. He's a really good guy. Then I decided just standing there would make me look like a freak, so I moved.
I walked around the ballroom, observing what I could... UntiI I slammed into someone with a drink that happened to be green and it got all over my dress. I almost jumped with joy!
"Ah, how did you-? I could have sworn you were- I am so sorry! Come with me, I'll let you into the kitchen to clean up." The man grabbed my hand and dragged me to the kitchen, not listening to my protests. I swear I thought I was going to fall and die being pulled around in those wretched heels. Once we reached the kitchen, he got a damp washcloth and started to dab frantically at my dress.
"Please," I said talking his hand. "I can do it myself." I took the towel and continued. And I couldn't help but feel smugly satisfied when the green stain wouldn't come out.
"Right. Again, I'm so sorry. It's a beautiful dress." He said taking off his mask, "but of course you're the one who makes it stunning. This is quite the party. Are you enjoying yourself?" Stunning...? I had to catch my breath before I answered.
"Yes, I am." Great Oz I thought to myself. He thinks I'm stunning.
"Good, I could have sworn that you were still dancing with Liir," Doctor Zedekiah Slye said, seeming slightly confused.
"We've been done dancing for a while," I said. And then I thought, I had hoped I'd be dancing with Arron. Again I had to push the thought from my mind. Stop that! Ugh.
"Did your sister come, I mean, I gave her her ticket..." That caught me off guard. But whatever, of course he wants to know about my sister. Most men usually do.
"No, she's here." I handed him the towel. "I'm done trying. This is as good as it's going to get," I said, looking at my dress that now looked like a pink-and-green swirled cloud.
"Again, I am so sorry about that," he said, looking truly penitent.
"Don't be. I wasn't watching were I was going."
"That makes two of us." He smiled. All the way up to his eyes... "I was so busy looking for you that I didn't even see you."
I couldn't help but giggle. I was blushing, I could tell. So could he, apparently. He took my hands and spoke softly...
"Let me show you something. It will only take a minute."
"I should really get back, my sister-"
"Is having a good time, I'm sure. I don't think she's missing you. She's old enough to take care of herself, don't you think?" He said, pulling me back gently. Every thought of Nessa, of Liir, of Arron... Suddenly they were gone. It was only me and the Doctor.
"Only a minute?" I asked, feeling like a giddy child.
"Only a minute."
"Lead the way." I said, smiling so hard my face hurt.
That familiar grin came across his face as he turned to walk, keeping a firm hold on one of my hands as I followed. I don't know what I was thinking, I should have just
gone back into the ballroom. But something inside of me was telling me to just go with it. He stopped abruptly, causing me to bump into him. He gently pulled me in front, where there was a hole in the wall.
"You can see the entire ballroom, go ahead, and take a look." He said.
So I did, and he was right. We must have gone up to the attic or something. (I could have paid more attention to where we were going, but I had been caught up in my thoughts.)
"What do you think?" He asked. What did I think? Well, it was beautiful... I could see how much fun everyone was having, dancing, and eating, and talking, and just having a great time... I'm having a great time, I thought.
"It's amazing." I looked into his eyes. "How did you find this?"
"I grew up around here, came to the ballroom a lot. Well, my parents did... I was usually stuck in the kitchen." He just shook his head. "You didn't need to know that. I don't even know why I said that! Haha... But I guess we should get back before you're missed."
When we made it back to the kitchen, I stopped. I don't know why, but I did. He stopped and turned around when I didn't follow him.
"You okay?" He asked, his face veiled with concern.
"I... don't think I'll be missed... Besides, I probably shouldn't go out there looking like this," I said, pointing to my dress.
"Well, I guess not." He grinned as he walked closer. "But I can't just leave you here all by yourself." He said placing his hands on my waist.
"What are you doing?" I asked him, automatically wrapping my arms around his neck, without thinking. I could hear the music playing in the other room. It was a waltz...
"Dance with me," he whispered.
"I really am a terrible dancer," I whispered back. He chuckled, and I felt his warm breath tickle my neck. It gave me the chills. The good kind. He spoke again, louder this time, but still softly.
"You seemed to be dancing just fine earlier tonight." Was he watching when I had my dance with Liir? Well then. Maybe he was looking for me. That made me feel... Special.
"Well then, I guess one more dance couldn't hurt," I smiled up at him, daring to look into his eyes. And just like that, we were dancing... It was wonderful. All too soon the music was over, and I dropped my hands from his neck and started to back away.
"Wait," Dr. Slye murmured as he pulled me back, crushing me to him. He kissed me then, and I kissed him back. I could feel that smile of his as we kissed. I felt like a normal girl, who has finally found the man of her dreams. I knew we shouldn't have be doing this... But for once in my life, all my problems just went away. All because of him. The kiss seemed to last forever, and I wish it did. But eventually, he pulled away.
"Well," he breathed, backing away from me a step. "That was definitely my favorite part of the night. I don't think I'll be forgetting that anytime soon."
"Dr.-"
"Zedekiah." He interrupted. "Please, call me Zedekiah." He took my hands in his again. I smiled and stared down at them, so much larger and stronger than mine, holding mine so gently.
"Zedekiah..." I whispered, savoring his name. "Zedekiah, if you see my sister at all tonight, please let her know that I left and why."
He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me again, gently this time, for a moment, and then said, "I can do that." I was breathing much too hard. My heart was beating much too quickly. He leaned in to kiss me again, but this time I pulled away.
"Thank you," I said, walking quickly toward the door. Then I stopped, and said his name one more time. "Zedekiah." And then, just like that, I was gone.
This is absolutely my FAVORITE chapter! This story wouldn't be this good without my friend/editor, AdoniaAlma. Truely Amazing! So, leave a comment and let me know what you think.
** IT'S FIXED! And to what I'm referring to is the bet wasn't in the last update I made so I had to fix it. I thought it was in there but it wasn't. BUT now it is. :)