The Protector

FORTY-FIVE

"You have to come out at some point, love," Avery's tipsy voice whined from outside of the makeshift dressing room. "We're already running behind and it'll take us twenty minutes to get there." I could see his shadow pacing beyond the dark veil. I poked my head out of the curtain, careful to keep the rest of the material wrapped around me like a robe.

"There is no way in hell I'm going out in public like this. I'm practically naked and that isn't something the world needs to see!" I hissed and staggered sideways, almost losing my hold of the curtain in the process. The three bottles of champagne we drank while getting our hair and makeup done had finally taken its toll.

"Fine, bitch. If you aren't coming out, I'm coming in!" Avery threatened, and I shrieked as he stomped his foot and placed his fingers on his forehead like a bull.

"No!" I shrieked again, but it was too late as Avery barreled through the partition using his super speed. During the process, his inebriated leg caught the metal support pole, and the entire tent came crashing down around us.

"Avery, what on earth?" I whined, shoving sheets of dark fabric off me. I strained to look in the floor length mirror across the closet, but was at an angle where I couldn't quite see. I was anxious to discover if my hair and makeup made it unscathed through the running of the Brits.

"You have nowhere left to hide, darling!" Avery cheered triumphantly, standing gracefully from the material, bowing while holding his hand out to me. It reminded me of how he assisted me from the floor the first time we met. I took his outstretched hand and tried to ignore the strange looks from the others in the room.

"Like a dark Nirvana Phoenix rising from the ashes," the platinum blonde makeup artist, Rad, said, pressing his hands together in a prayer-like pose. I frowned as I walked over to the mirror to see what all the commotion was about. My silver eyes, lined thick with black eyeliner and mascara, met in the mirror, and they were the only part of myself I recognized. My black hair was pulled tight against my scalp into two smaller buns on the top of my head and my cheekbones were dusted with a metallic powder. My eyes trailed past the dark purple lipstick on my full lips to where my collar bones jutted out prominently. Small black jewels lined the pale skin there, and a few jewels even trickled down my chest bone, which was exposed between the leather triangles of the bra top. The top itself fit quite nicely, tight across my small chest and held up only by two skinny straps which dug into my shoulder blades before criss-crossing across the top part of my toned stomach. My black velvet skirt hung low on my hips, thanks to the month of labor intensive work out sessions. I turned side to side in the thigh high, lace up black patent leather combat boots that were at least six inches tall. I would, without a doubt, be the tallest girl there, which tempered a bit the wave of self confidence I felt.

"You look absolutely perfect. Stunning," Avery said as he slipped an arm around my waist, and I tried not to notice he was already a couple of inches shorter than me with these sky high boots on.

"You don't think it's all a bit too much?" I asked, turning side to side again, trying to pick out the things I didn't like about my body in this outfit.

"Princess, there is no such thing as too much at the club. I won't be able to keep the girls' hands off you!" I looked at him and rolled my eyes.

"He's right, you know," agreed the wardrobe stylist, eyeing my body approvingly and my cheeks flushed in the mirror.

"Thank you," I said, truly thankful for the confidence boost, but a little uncomfortable by the way she continued to look me up and down.

"Grab your phone and cards and let's go. The car's already waiting outside," Avery said, looping an arm through mine. "Don't wait up, glam squad," he teased as he pulled me from the room and I barely had enough time to wrap a long black trench coat around my body. My worst nightmare would be running into my father wearing this... outfit. Thankfully, we were the only ones in the elevator, and I felt the champagne rush to my head again as the car dropped rapidly.

"You know what we need?" I said.

"Another glass of champagne and a hot boy?" Avery said with a smile.

"No... we need to take a video to commemorate tonight," I said, handing Avery my cell phone. "Take a video." His eyes lit up and he aimed the phone at me. Quickly, I pulled open the trench coat and did a little twirl and my best Kardashian poses before fastening the coat tightly again.

"Very sexy, doll," Avery said with a grin. "And which boyfriend is that gem going to?" he said as he handed the phone back to me, but watched over my shoulder as I selected Julian's name.

"The real one," I said as the doors opened. We exited the elevator and walked across the lobby, and I tried to ignore the curious eyes of the Protector guarding the door. My phone buzzed in my hand, and I had to close one eye to read the name as Avery opened the car door. That damn champagne had gotten me.

Julian:

Damn, you're sexy. I hope you have the best time tonight. I can't wait to get a private dance when I get out of here.

I grinned as I followed Avery into the back of the nicest car I'd ever seen. I rested my head against the white RR monogrammed headrest, imagining how funny it would be to show up to the infirmary in this outfit, and strip for Julian in front of Healer Barbie and her sour expression. I texted back:

I will, but it would be better if you were coming.

My phone buzzed immediately. He must be bored.

Julian:

You know I'm a gentleman. I like it better when you come first.

I laughed out loud, and Avery smiled at me before looking back out the window. I texted back:

God, I love you.

I hit send before I could stop myself and my stomach dropped. I suddenly felt quite sober. What had I done? I told Julian I loved him. Three blue dots popped up on the screen, stopped, popped up again, and stopped. He had to know it was just an expression, and I didnt mean it that way. At least I didn't think I did. Did I? Love him? God, why wouldn't he answer? I typed again, but quickly deleted my apology when the dots popped up again.

Julian:

I love you too, Perry.

My heart leapt, and my mouth felt dry, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. This was all too much too soon. I almost kissed Kyler in the locker room this afternoon, and here I was telling Julian I loved him, and he said he loved me too. Like my outfit, my love life was a hot mess.

"You okay, love?" Avery asked, sensing my internal meltdown. He squeezed my thigh and I nodded tersely.

"I'm fine. Just ready to get there," I lied.

"We're only about ten minutes away, this guy drives fast," Avery remarked and I nodded, trying to pay attention to the pointless chatter and not the internal war raging inside my body. I loved him, I loved him not. My insides flip flopped, pulling the petals off my subconscious.

"Good. Are we taking this car home?" I asked, and he nodded. "I'm going to leave my phone here," I said, shoving the phone as far under my seat cushion as I could. "It's not like there's anywhere to put it in this outfit anyway." Avery raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.