Lost Lovers

4

I woke up, my legs hurting because of yesterday's long walk. I knew we should have stopped when the sunset started, but Cath wanted to go to the river nearby. A servant knocked on my door, informing me that my mother wanted me downstairs in twenty minutes.

I got up, hissing because of the stabbing pain that was concentrated on my leg. While on the river, Cory got scared by a bird that flew really close to us and accidentally pushed me, making me fall against a sharp rock, making a big, but not deep cut in my left leg. Cath got immediately worried that it could get infected so we ran to her house because it was the closest. After she disinfected my leg, her father drove me and Cory to our houses. I went to my room as fast as possible, trying to avoid questions about my blood stained pants.

I slowly walked to the bathroom, taking the homemade adhesive from my leg and cleaning the injury quickly. I dressed up and headed downstairs to the dining room where my parents and Elani were sitting, waiting for me to start eating while servants entered and left the room, leaving multiple plates filled with fruits and sweets on the table. I sat next to my sister and we all started eating in silence, and occasional conversation here and there.

After we were finished my mother got up, like she usually does in situations like this.

-"Tonight we are going to a party at Hemingway's house. I want you two ready to go at nine."- She proclaimed, preparing to leave. -"I expect you to wear tones of purple and black, no other colours. You can leave now."

I left the division with my sister because she asked me to help her choose her dress for tonight. Choosing the best shade for her skin tone and hair colour was always something she'd stress over, so I was almost always there to help her choose. After she was done with my help, I went to my room, deciding that I had more than enough time to read something. When the time arrived, I went to my closet, searching through all my suits. I had a lot of occasions where I used purple suits, but I don't usually have the opportunity to wear black, so that's what I was going for. Specifically my midnight black, which I never had the chance to wear and was just gaining dust in the back of the wardrobe. I dressed it up, brushed my hair and teeth. To accessorize a bit I decided to put on some silver rings. I went to Elani's room and waited for her to come out so we could go down together. She opted for the layered lavender dress that our father brought her last year. We went to the entrance where my mother was already waiting, wearing a fluffy black dress, her hair tied in a crown braid, and a small tiara resting on top of her head. We all went outside, quickly leaving for Hemingway's residence.

As we arrived I could shake the feeling that I have been here in the past, but I couldn't recognize the family name. I guess that the biggest possibility was that I've been here before, which was weird because with the amount of different party invitations that we get, going to the same party twice was a rare thing.

The mansion's entrance was a blunt memory, its exaggerated decoration, filled with the smallest details and lots of plants around the pillars that supported the big balcony above. We entered the party, being greeted by the maids that were standing next to the door. My mother took the opportunity and asked one of them where was the Hemingway's greeting the guests, to which they pointed to the right, saying something along the lines of "next to the semi circular stage". We went to the place where the maid pointed to, almost immediately finding the hosts. I was taken aback when I found myself staring at Asher, his brother and his father, greeting a couple.

And that's when it hit me. Why everything seemed so familiar to me, but at the same time I couldn't really remember where I knew this. Probably if I paid more attention last time I was here I'd recognize the build, but I was too busy admiring the brunette to notice.

As we got closer, Asher noticed me, getting seemingly anxious by my presence.

-"Welcome back!"- Mr. Hemingway said enthusiastically. He gave my mother a kiss on her cheek, my sister, one on her hand and gave me a handshake.

-"Thank you for inviting us back"- My mother smiled.

-"These are my two sons, Asher and Louis, I wanted to show you them last time, but they were already on the girls"- The man laughed.

-"Well, I think we will leave you three to talk with the other guests while we go enjoy this beautiful party"- My mother laughed, putting her hands on me and my sister's back, pushing us to walk away -"Collin you can leave now. I really hope that you find someone today, you already know the consequences if you don't. My patience is starting to run out"- She whispered in my ear before leaving.

I left with no goodbyes, only nodding once to my sister, as a sign for good luck. I went to the drinks area, knowing that it would take a bit until Asher was free from his father. He'd know where to find me. He always knows somehow.