Aftermath | Sebastian Sallow

2: Chapter 15

Imelda and I stand in the ladies bathroom, preparing for the New Year dance. We have spent the majority of the day prepping for tonight. Our hair is twisted into coiling curls, Imelda opting for an updo with loose curls falling down from the intricate twists of hair she had on her head.

Imelda looks radiant this evening, wearing a shimmering silver gown that hugs her waist and falls into a ruffled skirt around her. The sleeves of the gown are tight around her upper arms, then cascade out from her elbows. She has matching silver flowered pins pressed into her hair.

Imelda will most likely be matching Ominis tonight, with whom she probably intimidated into going with her. Either way, I'm happy they will be enjoying the evening together.

The door slowly opens and in the reflection of our mirror, I see Anne walking into the room. She looks like a living doll. I turn around to take in the sight of her, nudging Imelda to look as well.

Anne has her hair completely up, her bangs pulled back along with it so you can see her face. She has in earrings that hang down in three shapes as round stars, encrusted with small diamonds. Her rosy cheeks compliment her porcelain skin. There are matching stars framing the crown of her hairline.

Her dress is a very soft ivory. The sleeves of it sit just off of her shoulders, in very small ruffles. They move into a modest neckline across her chest. The bodice of her dress is snug around her tiny frame, fluffing out into a skirt with sparkling white sheer over it. There are matching jeweled stars pressed in random places on the skirt. She is absolutely dazzling.

I know she will match Felix perfectly, as I assisted him in picking out his tuxedo for the evening. He'll be wearing all black, including his bow tie and under shirt. I tried to convince him otherwise, but he loves his black attire. The only reason he agreed to the ivory pocket square was because I told him it would be a little touch to match Anne for the evening. He has the biggest soft spot for her, and truly I think they both deserve it.

Sebastian has yet to speak to his sister about Felix. I convinced him to leave the matter alone until after tonight, as to not ruin any of our time tonight. He reluctantly agreed.

"Anne.." I begin to say to her.

"You look like angelic!" Imelda interrupts me excitedly and Anne answers with a blush.

"Thank you." Anne says, looking down at her gown. I stride over to Anne, the skirt of my own gown swishing around my legs.

I take Anne's hands into my own and she looks up to meet my eyes. I smile at her. "You truly look breathtaking, Anne. Felix is bound to fall deeply in love with you, if he isn't already." Anne smiles nervously and chuckles.

"I think it's about time to be leaving." Imelda says, putting down her light pink lipstick.

Anne breathes in and out. I believe she really is nervous to for this evening with Felix. It's rather adorable.

For myself, I've been really looking forward to spending this night with my best friend. The person I love most in this world. It seems like a dream after everything we have been through together. I hope we have many more moments like these to come in our future.

"Very well, let's go." I smile at them both, then hold out my arm for Anne to take with her hand. I place my other hand over hers to help guide her out, easing her nerves the best that I can.

Ball gowns and stairs absolutely do not pair well with each other. By the time we make it to the Reception Hall, I'm ready to take off my heels and threw them in the garbage.

Felix and Ominis around waiting outside of the doors.

"You look great, Ominis!" Imelda says, walking to Ominis and immediately straightening his bow tie. "Well, compliment me,  or something."

"It's not like I can see y- ow!" Ominis exclaims as Imelda reaches over to pinch his shoulder through his jacket. I try to hold in my laughter. "I'm sure you look dashing tonight, Imelda." Ominis grumbles out. Imelda laughs at him, grabbing his arm and swiftly turning them around to walk through the Great Hall entrance.

I look over towards Anne and Felix, holding each other's arms. I can't help but smile at them. Anne is looking up at Felix and he is slightly leaning over her. They actually fit quite perfectly together. If he is a shadow, she is his moon.

There is still no sign of Sebastian as I look around us. Felix notices this and begins walking my way, guiding Anne with him. "He'll be here shortly, said he would be coming in right behind us. You look great tonight, little sis." He reaches his long arm out to ruffle my hair I assume, to which I swat away swiftly. Through my frustration and reflex, I feel the pendant on my necklace vibrate against my skin. I keep my composure.

"I don't think so, I spent hours on this." I motion up and down my body.

Felix laughs at me, while Anne smiles at us both. "Would you like us to stay..?" Anne offers.

I look around me again. "Uh.. no, thank you. We will be in soon." I smile at her. They walk away towards the entrance as well.

I stand there alone, seconds feeling like hours. It is hard to keep my excitement contained, as I begin to fumble with my necklace nervously.

I look down at it and turn it around in my hands. I wonder why it reacted the way it did when I became defensive towards Felix..

"There you are, my love." I hear a husky voice behind me. A wide grin spreads across my face. I turn around to face him and the blood begins humming through my body, as I take in the sight before me. Sebastian looks like an absolute dream. The deep green of his tuxedo and bow tie make his amber eyes pop against his freckled skin. His hair is neater than I've ever seen it before, and he stands there giving me his signature devilish grin.

I begin laughing at him and run towards him, jumping up as he grabs me by my hips and picks me up into the air. He laughs along with me, slowly bringing me down so our foreheads are resting against each other's.

"You're late." I tease him.

"You're beautiful." He says in a low tone, leaning in to press his lips against mine. He gives me a sweet, yet tender kiss.

"You're still late." I whisper to him.

"And you're still beautiful." He says back. I pull back away from him, raising my eyebrow.

He chuckles at me. "You'll see why I was late. Come on, we have a dance to go to." Sebastian says, holding out his arm for me. I wrap mine around his, and we stride towards the entrance to the Great Hall.

Sebastian holds open the door for me. The Great Hall has been cleared and decorated for the ball. There are crystallized snowflakes, with white and silver decorations dancing all over the room. The enchanted sky above us imitates snowfall.

I see Poppy and Natty across the room, smiling and pointing us out to each other. I offer them a smile and hold my hand up to wave at them, but stop when I see heads turning towards us. One by one, several students and faculty look in our direction.

As if I wasn't the center of attention enough last year when I defeated Ranrok and news spread of the ancient magic I harbor, I'm now the girl that battled Xaiden with Felix and fell into a coma after.

Great.

"They're staring at me." I whisper to Sebastian, who looks around the room.

He turns to me. "Let them."

Thank you all for being patient with me while I've been under the weather!! 🖤🤧