Battle of Fear and Trust

Lipstick, Nylons, and Invitations

I look at myself in the mirror, applying the red lipstick with perfect precision. I smile at my reflection and add a little more. After all, I want to look my best for the party tonight. I brush my hair and pin it up to make sure it's perfect. I move away from the mirror and look at my watch. I wish my date would get here already. I don't want to be too late to the party; he knows everyone is expecting me. Maybe I should go alone.

"You still need the rich fool, if you want to keep up appearances," I turn to see Jadis' image in my mirror. I'm not sure how long Jadis has been in my mind or even how she got in there. Then again, it doesn't matter- she has helped a lot in these past few years.

"Surely I can find another date, who will get me what I want and won't waste my time," I reply.

"Yes, there are many foolish men who are as wealthy as this one, but you wouldn't want to risk losing everything we've worked for. Unless you want to go back to being a pawn in the Lion's game." I cringe at the mention of that game.

"No, that's the last thing I want, and I thought we agreed never to talk about that!" I say angrily. After all, I spent four years trying to forget that game, I don't need- suddenly a spike of cold drives deep into my head. I let out an involuntary yelp as the pain stabs through me, but it leaves as quickly as it came.

"Our agreement is that if you want to keep your exciting life, you'll do as I say. You'll remember that I'm the one who got you this life, and you wouldn't want me to take it away from you," she tells me before my headache goes away.

"Alright, I'll keep him around, until I find someone else," I tell her. After all, I don't want to anger her, and I also don't want her to think I'm ungrateful for her helping me escape the Lion's game. That game caused me so much pain when I was younger, though I don't remember most of it. I'm just glad to no longer be a part of it.

"Susan! Jason's waiting for you downstairs," I hear my mother say on the other side of my door.

"Tell him I'll be right down," I demand, before grabbing my purse and hurrying downstairs.

Downstairs, I see Jason talking to my little brother and sister. Both seem bored to tears. They better not scare him away; I think as I enter the family room. "Hello, Jason, sorry to keep you waiting," I say calmly, not wanting him to know how annoyed I am; he does have beautiful hazel eyes.

"It's alright, it gave me a chance to get to know your brother and sister," he tells me.

"Well, I'm sure they made you feel at home," I smile as I take hold of his arm.

"As if we had a choice," I hear Edmund mumble to Lucy. I give him an annoyed look and he and Lucy just stare at me. I wish they would be a little nicer, then again, they never liked any of my dates. "Come on, we don't want to be late," I tell him, I don't want him to see me argue with my siblings.

"Goodbye Susan," mother tells me softly, though she looks rather disappointed. Of course, her and Father don't like the parties or my friends, they even tried to forbid me from going to one a few years ago. Though thanks to Jadis' advice I went to that party, they can't stop me from enjoying my life, and they don't have authority over me anymore, since I'm eighteen.

"Goodbye, I'll be home late, so don't wait up," I tell my family after ushering Jason out the door and leaving before they can say anything else. I get into his car and feel his kiss on my icy cheek.

"I don't know if I told you how lovely you look this evening." I smile at his words; of course, I know I'm very beautiful, but I love hearing it from someone else. "I bought this for you this morning, and I thought it would match your lovely eyes," he says, handing me a box. It has a pearl necklace inside that must have cost him a fortune.