Over Powered

Chapter 8

Alaina stepped out of the closet, did a dramatic twirl. Alex looked up from the book he was reading on the bed. As soon as he looked at Alaina his jaw dropped. Alaina smirked and did a small curtsy.

"How do I look?" She asked.

"Amazing." Alex breathed.

Alaina smiled and walked over to the full length mirror. She took one look and gasped. The dress was pitch black that complimented Alaina's blonde hair. The dress was also strapless and fit her perfectly, ending just about her knee. Just under the sweet heart neckline was a beaded ribbon, that was the perfect accompaniment to the black pearls that now hung over her collar bone.

Alaina had decided to leave her hair down, but she did take some strands from the front of her hair and braided them back to make a sort of crown. The braid would have taken minutes to do in Cathy's hair, but doing the braid on herself had proven harder. She had taken 20 minutes just on her hair. Such a girly thing to do.

Alaina suddenly felt her stomach turn to knots. She looked at Alex. "I can't do this." She whispered.

"What?" Alex laughed "Why not? Do you not like the dress?"

"No, I love the dress, but what if I was summoned for something bad." Alaina explained. "What if they want to kill me?"

Alex jumped off the bed and rushed to Alaina's side "Woah, woah! No one said anything about killing you." He told her soothingly. "I'm sure there is a very good, non-death related, reason that they summoned you."

"I don't know." Alaina said.

Memories of being grabbed, beaten, gagged and mistreated rushed through her mind. Along with memories of the cold nights in her cell and the loneliness of loosing someone you cared about. Alaina let out a gasp and fell to her knees, her shaking uncontrollable .

"I can't so back." She whispered. "I can't!"

"Go back to where?" Alex asked. "Come on talk to me."

"I can't!" Alaina cried out jumping away for Alex.

Alex, looking hurt and concerned, reached out a hand to Alaina. She squeaked and darted back into the closet. She slammed the door and slide down it, tears making stains on her cheeks.

"Hey, are you ok?" Alex calls from behind the door.

"Leave me alone!" Alaina cried "I can't go back!"

"Go back to where?" Alex asks. "Look I don't know who you are or what happened to you but no one is taking you anywhere."

"How do you know?" Alaina sobbed.

"I promise." Alex said through the door. "I promise as long as I live, no one is going to take you anywhere. You have my word."

Alaina sat on the floor of the closet staring at the cloths.

"Can you please come out?" Alex says from the other side of the door. "I have to get ready too you know."

Alaina smiles. "A girl has an epic mini panic attack in a closet and you worry about getting ready for dinner." Alaina laughs while standing and opening the door. "You are a strange person Alexander."

"I told you to call me Alex." He replies smiling.

Alaina stepped out of the closet and gestured for Alex to enter. "The panic room is all your's, Alex." She says.

"Come here." Alex says holding out his arms.

Alaina hesitated but soon stepped a few more feet closer to Alex in her elegant shoes. When she was close enough Alex pulled her into a hug.

"I'm guessing it's been hard for you." Alex says into her hair. "But that is no reason to go off like a raven."

"I like that." Alaina mutters. She had to remember that line for Cathy.

"Raven?" Alex said. "Ok, that's your nickname."

Alaina smiled and looked up at the boy. "Then I guess you can call me Raven."

"Unless you want to tell me your real name." Alex smirked.

"Don't you have to get ready too?" Alaina replied.

Ale just laughed and let her go, entering the closet. Alaina didn't mention it to Alex, but as soon as he let her go, all the warmth she had felt when he was holding her, vanished.

With a frown Alaina turned and sat on the bed. She picked up the book Alex had dropped and began to read.

"Wrong closet." Alex said exiting the closet. "Back to my room."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The Dining Hall was bigger then Alaina had imagined. A long table ran across the back wall, where food was spread out. Just beyond the table you could see large windows that let the viewer see the sparkling stars and glowing moon. On one side of the room, was a band that played music for the dancers that gracefully slid along the floor. A large crystal chandelier hung form the ceiling, that made everything in the Dining Hall shimmer.

"Amazing isn't it." Alex whispered into Alaina's ear.

Alaina nodded and moved her focus to the people around the room. Serval women were present. Most stood silently beside their husbands or master, but a few were talking with each other or dancing. The men on the other hand, were drinking, eating, chatting, and partying in general.

Alaina suddenly felt out of place and took a small step back. She was about to turn and leave when someone grabbed her hand.

"I'm right here, Raven." Alex smiled. He offered Alaina an arm, which she thankfully excepted, and fallowed him into the crowd.