The Stray Souls ["The Diary Keeper" Sequel; "The Dark Legacies" Series]

Chapter 39: Lost in cityscape

Since the very childhood, one of my biggest dreams has been to travel around the world, but mostly these so-called travels were limited to skipping lessons around the outskirts of Ravenwood. My parents, being very busy people, never had time to take me to the ocean shore or for a mountain retreat. That's why I entertained myself as best I could. As you can see now, my unfulfilled dream eventually led to escapades like sneaking into nightclubs or escaping into award ceremonies. What else is there to do when being surrounded by four walls on all sides becomes unbearable?

"Liandra, your smartphone keeps lighting up," Caroline remarked, who was obviously nervous. "Someone is probably trying to reach you."

"Not someone, but my parents," I replied indifferently, "They still can't grasp that it's not me who should be afraid of the world, but rather the whole world should be afraid of me."

"Lia, pick up the phone!"

I hope one day my roommate will recover from neuroticism, but until that happens, I silently sigh and answer the call - all just to get Caroline to stop panicking over trivial matters. There are 38 missed calls on my screen - a real nothing, I had even more.

"Where the hell have you been?" I barely had time to say hello before a whole stream of questions poured out from my furious mom. "Neither the police nor the search service know anything about you!"

"Have you managed to get in touch with all of them yet?"

"Liandra, you may not come back home. We've had enough of your antics! From tomorrow, you're renting an apartment and paying for it yourself!"

"Great idea! I'll live rent-free at Caroline's house, she won't mind."

"Lia, shut up! Seriously, are you okay? Have you been kidnapped?"

"Not as you said, but I had kidnapped Martin and Caroline. They're in the car with me," I couldn't help but laugh into the phone. "Honestly, Mom... We're heading to Charleston, South Carolina. No, not to a night club this time. I have an award ceremony for young photographers..." I couldn't finish the sentence because she cut me off mid-word.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier!?"

"You were against this profession, weren't you?"

Mom abruptly hung up, and all I could hear were the dial tones. And in that moment, I realized we had already reached our destination.

***

So, Caroline and I decided to hit up the boutiques in Charleston to find the perfect outfit for the award ceremony. Let me tell you, stepping into those stores felt like stepping into a fashionista's dreamland. Everywhere you looked, there were racks upon racks of gorgeous clothes, each more stunning than the last.

Caroline, with her impeccable taste and keen eye for style, was like a kid in a candy store. She'd pull out these dresses and blouses, each one more glamorous than the last, and hold them up against me with this knowing smile. It was like she could read my mind, picking out exactly what I didn't even know I wanted.

And the clothes themselves? Oh man, they were straight out of a fashion magazine. There were silky dresses in every color of the rainbow, sparkling sequined tops that caught the light just so, and shoes that looked like they were made for strutting down a red carpet. It was like being in a movie montage, trying on outfit after outfit in this whirlwind of glamour.

Finally, out of the corner of my eye, I spot it - this stunning blue glittering suit that practically screams "wear me to the ceremony." I mean, talk about fate, right?

I couldn't resist. I had to try it on. And let me tell you, when I slipped into that suit, it was like it was made just for me. The colour sparkled brightly like a starlit sky. It was bold, it was dazzling, and it made me feel like I could conquer the world.

"Liandra, just take it right now, no hesitation!" Caroline practically yelled.

So, what did I do? I bought it, of course. I mean, how could I not? It was like destiny had intervened, leading me straight to that suit. And as I walked out of the shop, my head held high and my heart full of anticipation, I couldn't wait to show it off at the ceremony. And dang it, I was going to wear it with pride.

As I strutted down the street, my new suit sparkling in the sunlight, I couldn't help but smile. This was it - my moment to shine, to show the world what I'm made of.

"The next stop is the beauty salon!" I said and checked off in my notebook.

So, there I was, sitting in the beauty salon chair, feeling a little bit nervous. Although make up is an obviously my thing, it was a completely Caroline's idea this time. She had this sudden burst of inspiration and insisted on giving me a makeover fit for the award ceremony. And let me tell you, I was both amazed and slightly terrified.

As the makeup artist worked her magic, I couldn't help but steal glances at myself in the mirror. Fake long eyelashes? Check. Red lipstick that could stop traffic? Double check. And don't even get me started on the glitter - it was like I was dipped in a fairy dust factory. I mean, talk about glam overload.

All in all, it actually looked good. Like, really good. Caroline had this knack for knowing exactly what would suit me, even if I had my doubts. And as she watched me transform before her eyes, a proud grin spread across her face, like she'd just unveiled her masterpiece to the world.

See, Caroline had always been the studious type, burying herself in books and drowning in notes, so seeing her suddenly take an interest in makeup was like discovering a whole new side of her. Don't get me wrong, I love my roommate just the way she is - bookish, nerdy, and completely unapologetic about it. But there was something oddly refreshing about seeing her step out of her comfort zone and embrace a whole new world of glitter and glam.

As Caroline and I were knee-deep in boutiques and beauty salons, Martin, true to form, was off doing his own thing - just casually strolling around Charleston like he owned the place. Leave it to him to skip out on all the girly stuff and opt for some good old-fashioned exploration instead.

But hey, that's Martin for you - always marching to the beat of his own drum, never one to be swayed by trends or peer pressure. And as much as I teased him about it, there was a part of me that admired his independence and his ability to just go with the flow, no matter where life took him.

Finally, I am ready to go to the ceremony. Let it start.