Loveless

Chapter 21

"This feels and looks so awkward."

Eloise stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was curled and pinned into a neat, elegant bun, strands carefully arranged to frame her face. Subtle grey and red makeup sharpened her eyes, while pale lipstick softened the rest of her features. The dress fit her far too well, tracing her figure in a way she wasn't used to seeing. The realization made her shift uncomfortably.

She didn't want to think about how Sephiroth had known her measurements.

"Are you ready, date?"

She glanced at her brother's reflection and smiled despite herself. Zack looked surprisingly handsome in a black suit, almost refined. For once, he really did look like someone who could have a girlfriend.

The past days had passed too quickly. One moment they were training and nearly killing Angeal, and the next, the formal party had arrived. No one had asked Eloise to be their date, which left her feeling both relieved and strangely disappointed.

She had asked Genesis if she was pretty, and his answer — or lack of one — still echoed unpleasantly in her head. Maybe Matt had been right. Spending so much time around Sephiroth had rubbed off on her; she had grown distant, intimidating, hard to approach.

"You look amazing, Eloise," Zack said honestly, breaking her thoughts.

"Even if I looked terrible, you'd still say that."

He gasped theatrically and pressed a hand to his chest. "That's not true."

She gave him a flat look.

"...Okay, maybe a little. But I mean it. You look great." He smiled warmly. "You know I love you."

She rolled her eyes, though her expression softened. Zack was sentimental by nature, and after being surrounded by cold, unreadable people for so long, his openness felt almost overwhelming.

Everyone was supposed to gather in the lobby before heading to the event. The higher-ranking SOLDIERs had already left earlier at President Shinra's request.

When Eloise stepped inside, a few of her teammates stared in surprise. They were used to seeing her sweaty, bruised, and half-smiling after training, not dressed like this. The contrast was striking.

"I'm scared to go in," she admitted quietly, her hands trembling slightly.

Zack squeezed her hand and smiled at her with easy reassurance before pulling her along. If they hadn't looked so alike, people might have mistaken them for a couple; standing side by side, they looked oddly fitting together.

Angeal was the first to notice them. He smiled when he recognized Zack's hair, then his gaze softened when it landed on Eloise.

"You both look great. Might even leave some hearts broken tonight," he joked lightly.

Zack rolled his eyes and grabbed a glass of champagne. Angeal lifted a brow.

"Are you allowed to drink that?"

Zack froze mid-motion. "Am I?"

Angeal sighed, shaking his head with a faint smile. Zack took that as permission and downed the glass.

"I think I'll need a few more to survive the speech," he muttered before disappearing into the crowd.

Eloise watched him go and sighed, then scanned the room. She spotted Genesis and Sephiroth in different corners, both surrounded by people. Neither looked particularly approachable.

Time dragged. Zack loosened up after several glasses, while Eloise followed him around, trying not to look as uncomfortable as she felt. Angeal vanished somewhere into the crowd.