𝐄𝐂𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘 || RAFE CAMERON

009

Midsummers, the most awaited day of the year.

An annual summer party hosted by the members of the Island Club of Figure Eight. This year it was extra special considering the fact that Mr. Ward Cameron himself was getting coronated as Guardian of Knights of the Rhododendron.

Whatever that was.

Gianna had spent the entire day yesterday pampering herself, getting massages at the Country Clubs spa, along with getting her nails done.

It was the coping mechanism she had to get her head straight, wanting to have a clear mind ever since the events of toppers party two days ago.

So, she used the midsummers party as an excuse for her to spend hours getting different types of treatments. Clay masks, mud masks, cucumber soaks. You name it.

Midsummers was the one time of the year where everyone put in their utmost effort to look their absolute best, even if it meant spending hundreds of dollars on getting ready for just one night.

And, if Gianna was being quite frank, the 'getting ready' part was better than the actual event.

Her satin, light green dress was carefully laid out on her bed, along with a pair of white heels and gold earrings.

She sat at her vanity, bopping her head to 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' by Cyndi Lauper, applying layers of light eyeshadow on her crease.

She wanted to get ready with Marisa, but her family always insisted on arriving at the event together, Katherine always said it showed love and a united family.

Gianna knew it was just a front for what Katherine really wanted everyone to see, never letting anyone look through the curtains.

Finding herself satisfied with how her makeup looked, Gianna moved onto her hair, wanting to tie it up in an elegant yet loose, high bun.

But her lack of skill made the hairstyle a challenge to be conquered by her, feeling defeated as her arms ached as she kept them in the air for too long.

Finally giving up, the blonde got up from her vanity and moved toward her parents room, the faint 'Guns and Roses' song getting louder with each step she took toward the bedroom.

Peeking inside, she caught her father putting on his cufflinks and noticed the bathroom light on, leading her to believe her mother was in there.

Entering the room, Katherine Gray curled her hair, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

"Hey, mom?" The blonde scanned the countertop for any sort of alcoholic beverage her mother could be drinking.

She couldn't help but feel a tinge of anger and disappointment as she caught sight of the short pint glass filled halfway with beer.

She's already going to drink at the party, why drink beforehand as well?

Gianna tried to swallow down her emotions, trying her hardest not to lash out on her mother due to her own choices. "I need help with my hair."

"Okay... I'll try to help as best as I can," Katherine put her curling wand down. "I'm not the most skilled person for the job." She joked.

Gianna forced out a scoffed laugh, knowing how her mother would say something on her lack of reaction from her comment.

After explaining exactly how Gianna wanted her hair to be, Katherine began gathering a few supplies she might need.

"Hold your hair there," Katherine requested, Gianna keeping her hand pressed on the part of her head her mother had let go of.