𝔖𝔞𝔩𝔱𝔟𝔲𝔯𝔫

𝔉𝔦𝔳𝔢

"There's something there. You can't deny that, Maddy."

I rolled my eyes, staring into my bathroom mirror. Venetia stood next to me, both of us doing our makeup for dinner.

Dinner at Saltburn was one of the things I loved most about being here. Dressing in dresses I would've never imagined myself wearing as a kid, all of us together at one table.

"Maybe. But nothing's changed, Venetia. We might flirt a bit, maybe share a kiss or two and then leave and come back with different significant others next year." I said, putting earrings in.

"You didn't see the way he was looking at you in the library today."

I tried to not think too much about what she was saying. If I did, I knew it would make me think too much, and I'd get in my head about the way Felix felt about me.

"Thats just Felix. The guy who thinks a kiss on the cheek is the same thing as a handshake."

I shrugged, giving myself one last look in the mirror and hoping my comment would be the one to end the conversation. Still, Venetia went on.

"Not when it comes to Madelyn O'Claire. I'm telling you."

She stopped what she was doing and turned to look at me.

"You're different."

I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing at all. Instead, I left the bathroom to get the dress on I decided to wear that evening. Venetia was still just a few feet away, my bedroom and bathroom being connected.

I'd be lying if I said Felix wasn't in my thoughts when Elspeth gave me the funds to order my new wardrobe; something she did for me and Venetia every year. I truly think she doesn't know what else to do with her money.

It was maroon and form fitting, which was a risky choice for dinner but something I was comfortable with anyways. The struggle to slip it on was worth it when I looked in the mirror; I felt beautiful.

"Stunning, which pisses me off more and more everyday at the fact I could never outdo you." Venetia said, starting to leave my room to get dressed herself.

"Stop it, Venetia. You're always stunning." I said. She was, truly. There were no lies in my statement.

She didn't say anything as she left the room.

I waited a bit, not wanting to be the first one ready and at the table. It didn't take too long before I started heading down. I noticed a hand on the long stairwell below me. The person must've heard me coming, because the face that looked up was the one and only Felix Cattan, stopping to wait for me near the bottom.

I smiled to myself as I took the steps to watch up with him.

"Maddy. You look stunning."

His words were like a wave of adrenaline, as I almost fell to my knees right there. The sight of him dressed in black tie never failed to amaze me.

"You don't look too bad yourself, Felix." I smiled, acting like his words didn't have the impact on me they did. I noticed, however, that he was alone.