Steph stood in her room, glancing into the full body mirror, checking her outfit. It was warm outside, despite the time of day. She had on a pair of knee length teal coloured shorts, paired with a white T-shirt and white sandals. Brandon told her to be ready at 5:30. She had 4 minutes to spare, deciding not to wear makeup. She pulled her hair half up, the way she liked it.
She'd always worn her hair like this since she was about 6. Walking down the stairs, she realised how annoying her flip flops were. She ran back up stairs and put on some white flats. Just as she exited her room her mum called up the stairs. "Hon, Brandon's here! And oh, he's wearing a suit!" You could practically hear the happiness.
A suit?!
She ran back into her room, throwing on the closest dress she saw in her closet, which, thankfully, was a rather nice dress that blossomed out at the hips. It also happened to be a very beautiful shade of emerald that complemented her eyes nicely. Using the most natural colours she owned, she applied some make up, but not too much. On her way out of her bedroom, she doubled back and changed out of her white flats and into nude coloured flats.
She then took a deep breath, realising her heart was going a million miles per hour. She slowly and shakily walked down the stairs, using the rail for the first time in years. The rest of the night was very nice. Brandon took her to dinner (where she {formally} met his parents). They were very nice, and she thought they got along quite well. She could see why Brandon was so handsome.
His father was tall, and he had a brooding look, yet very kind eyes, just like Brandon. His mother had very stern eyes and and an overall pointed look, but her voice was so soothing, like listening to Mozart on a sunny day. And Brandon was the perfect mix between them.
•••••••••••••
11:33 pm
Steph was sorry that the evening had to end. It had been absolutely wonderful. After they left dinner (that was so generously paid for by Brandon's mum) Brandon took her to a hill where they sat for a great while on a blanket. They watched the stars and promised each other that their love would last forever. Right before he started to take her home, he pulled something round and silver from his pocket: a promise ring. Fashioned like an olive branch, 2 pieces of silver were entwined, one of them inlaid with beautiful black and white diamonds.
He had said that even if they weren't together, that he'd always love her and be thinking of her. She promised the same. When he had dropped her off, she dreamily wondered up the stairs. She collapsed onto the bed, where she laid for the remainder of the night.
•••••••••••••
May 27 5:05 PM
The first time Leanne saw the ring was at supper the following night. She lost her remaining marbles. It was a mixture of happiness and anger. She pelted Steph with questions. Steph answered all of them but one.
"Are you pregnant?" This was the first natural thing that came to mind as a mother. It took 45 minutes, several phone calls, and a pregnancy test to assure her mum that she wasn't pregnant.
Life seemed totally normal. Happy, even. But that night, while laying awake in bed, dark thoughts seemed to flood her brain, like a tsunami.
YOU ARE READING
A Star in the Dark
TienerfictieStephanie Houlter was a normal girl living a normal life until the night she called the police to report that she found a dead man in her families summer home. When the police arrive, Stephanie is missing. Where did she go? Who is she? What has she...
