Protective

The Party

Lana

Today was a successful first day of school to say the least. I wasn't actually interested in cheerleading specifically, but it presented to be a very useful position to get what I want but also help Rose.

Hours had past and I was attempting to make sense of the dynamic at my school while simultaneously failing to do Calculus problems. Luckily for me, my phone began to ring.

"Hello?"

"Are you really not going to come?"

Roman?

I could hear the music blaring in the background.

"How do you know I'm not already there?" I questioned.

"There's no way I'd miss someone so beautiful walking around my house," he charmed, "Please come."

"Oh, so you have restored to begging now," I laughed.

"Lana, you will find that I am willing to go to great lengths for you," he started, "I want you to come."

"Hmm," I mused, "I'll come, if you pick me up."

"Why would a host leave his own party?"

"If you want me there, Roman," I insisted, "You will come get me."

He paused for a few moment mulling it over on his end, "What's your address?"

I smiled a great smile, relishing in my victory over this boy, and with a few exchanges of details, I was on a clock.

I had thirty-five minutes to get ready which was absolutely no time at all. What was I going to with my hair? What was I going to wear? How the hell was I going to sneak out of this house?

After taking a shower, I made sure the room was good and steamy so the makeup would blend better into my skin.

I did soft colors, making sure to highlight my best features as I worked. I didn't have a lot of time but I still managed to paint my face beautifully. I parted my hair to the side and let my hair cascade down my shoulders.

I had about ten minutes left now which meant I'd have to pick the perfect outfit. I quickly headed to my closet and shut the door behind me. I couldn't have anyone see me like this.

I picked out a thin baby blue dress that did much work to reach the middle of my thigh. The straps were thin and the dress itself hugged my body like a glove. I put on some of my favorite gold pieces of jewelry before rushing over to my shoes.

I could look for an hour and still wouldn't have been able to get through every pair. I settled for a cute pair of white Balenciaga platforms.

Taking one look in the mirror, I knew I was done. There simply weren't words to describe how good I looked.

I sighed as I moved to sneak out. Five minutes.

One fun fact about this house, it was built around the same time as when my father built our first home for my mother. My childhood home was even more massive and luxurious than this one, but after she died, none of us could bear to live there anymore.

One thing this house had in common with the original were the secret paths and corridors put in place by my father. He had secrets hidden away in this house. I had been traveling through those passages since I was a little girl. I knew them better than anyone else.

There was one that led directly outside, probably in case of an intruder. Father was very paranoid.

I intended to use it to escape. The only problem? I wasn't sure how I was getting back in once I left.