On Your Mark

Chapter 14

"Did you get any sleep last night," Vee asks, poking the heavy bags under my eyes.

"Not much." I shrug, yawning.

"Well how could anyone?" My mother scoffs, "with the rogue sighting and the excitement of the day!? I don't blame you, Dear."

The two of them eagerly help me get dressed, fluff my hair, and conceal the evidence of my sleepless night. I never cared much for primping, but it seemed to make them happy and I didn't have the energy to protest, so I sit quietly on the stool while they work. All the while, my brain is scrambling dozens of thoughts about my first shift, the pain I would soon endure, and the miserable idea of having to engage with Gregory Porter at the party.

Once they have finished with me, they push me in front of a mirror.

"So." Vee smiles, "what do you think?"

I look at the girl in the mirror - her white dress clinging to parts of me I never thought I had, a pretty face with bright eyes, and her hair perfectly tamed ... Well, sort of. I don't look like myself, but at the same time all I see is me. I find myself smiling at my reflection.

I nod, "I like it."

"What," my mother asks, clearly confused and taken aback by my response. "You like it?"

I nod again, "thank you. Both of you."

I turn around, pulling them both close to me for a hug. Veronica wraps her arms around my torso happily, closing her eyes and laying her head on my shoulder. But my mother is more hesitant, eventually hugging me back and relaxing.

They lead me down the stairs and into the garden, which has once again been completely transformed in a matter of seconds it seems. Many of the guests have already started to arrive, setting presents down on a table, eating snacks, and finding good seats around the wooden dance floor. I leave the pair of them to mingle, and find my way to an enormous glass punch bowl, ladling into the purple liquid.

"You look beautiful," he whispers behind me.

I smile softly, melting into the warm embrace of his compliment. I drop the ladle to turn around. His dirty blonde hair is perfectly puffed and his white collared shirt is tucked pristinely into his khaki pants. A silver chain peeks out from under his shirt, peaking my interest. His large hands are pushed into his front pockets and he smiles, rocking on his toes in front of me.

"You don't look half half bad yourself," I tease. "You are missing something though."

I pluck a lavender bunch from the nearest centerpiece and tuck it behind his ear, my fingertips brushing through his hair.

"Thank you, thank you." He chuckles softly, touching the flowers gently. He removes his hands from his pockets to pass me a small glass of the punch. "A lot of people are here already."

I turn around, looking into the crowded tent. A lot of eyes are on me and I grow self conscious under their stares. Sam leans over my shoulder, his breath hot on my neck as he whispers, "lots of eligible wolves."

I scoff, turning into him, "yeah, right."

Isaac is suddenly at my side, planting a kiss on my cheek, "you look lovely, Al. Not at all like yourself, but lovely all the same."

"Thank you." I laugh nervously, "I think."

"Porter," he says, patting his friend on the shoulder while subtly pushing him away from me. "You look dashing, my friend."

"Graves." Sam smirks back, shying away from my brother's grasp and stepping closer to me anyway. "Can I offer you a drink, friend?"

"No, no." Isaac grins, winking at a girl several tables away from us. "I've got drinks one, two and three, waiting for me over there. I just wanted to wish my baby sister a happy birthday."