BLACK ROSE

Ethereal jealousy and beauty

Ashley. 

I let Mae do everything she wants.

From my hair to my makeup to my outfit.

Whatever she chooses for tonight, I'll accept it. There's little to no energy in my body, little to no will at all as well. I feel drained, tired and my whole body is aching.

If only it'd be the physical body.

"What's wrong with you?"

I answer by raising my eyebrows.

"You've never let me voluntarily choose an outfit, yet alone with no complaints. Are you sick?" She rests the back of her palm against my forehead, checking my fever like a worried mum.

"What's..."

"Nothing, Mae, nothing." I flash a smile at her. She frowns, but doesn't push it anymore. "I'm just tired from the practice and have no ideas tonight. Sorry."

A half lie a half true.

She shakes her head. "If you don't..."

"No, no," I step in. "I do want to come. I promised."

I promised.... Promised to who exactly? I only know her and David and neither of them is the senior graduating. Her friends are strangers to me. Except for the white haired boy who's a little less stranger, though still a stranger. What relationship do we even have? A drug dealer and an apparent addict friends with the same, innocent girl? A plot perfect for a tragedy.

Mae studies my face for a few seconds before nodding. Her eyes travelled all over my face, studying it closely. Like an artist studying his masterpiece, eyeing all the details and carving them into his mind.

She wastes no time getting started, already claiming, twice, that we'll be late. It's not entirely my fault, though I can take most of the blame. And with little shame I will.

Mae herself is dressed in sparkling shiny pants, black as the basic colour and dotted with shining black, silver and white reflecting pearls, a tiny black top that is basically a cropped like an elegant party sport bra. It covers just what it has to, leaving everything else to the imagination. And that she paired it with a black blazer jacket. In contrast with her vibrant hot pink hair it looks absolutely stunning.

As always she's eye-catching. And I wonder if she didn't choose the colour on purpose.

For me she chooses a dress I didn't even know I owned. It must've been hiding in the very back of my closet. Black like her clothes, short and tight. Something I believe she'd wear herself. It wouldn't be a dress chosen by Mae, if it wouldn't contain at least one shining, eye catching element. On the left leg, there's a half circle shaped slit, revealing the skin that's covered with the shiny small chains. Delicate and soft at touch and reflecting the light.

It's a perfect dress for a night out.

I'm about to ask her if she thinks this dress is appropriate, when she answers my never asked aloud question. "You'll be the hottest girl in the club."

I had forgotten we're not attending a simple house party, but rather going to a real night club. Somehow they managed to book it for the night. And as Mae said, it might really be a once in a lifetime experience.

From her black purse she fishes up a shiny silver choker. With a mischievous smile she walks closer to me, making me take a step back. With her step forward, I take one back. Until my back doesn't collide with my wall.

"Don't you think that's going to be too much?"

She shakes her head, the smile only growing wider. "I was planning on wearing it at first, but now I see it will suit you more." Her pants are already shining like a disco ball itself. Another shiny element on her could create a disharmony if her personality or outfit don't match.