Visions of Fate

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE - THE UNINVITED GUESTS

The week sped by smoothly, and I found myself staring at my calendar during my free times everyday, counting down the days left until Saturday.

School hadn't really been much of a surprise, and I was glad that I had completely stopped getting curious glances from my schoolmates in Ravenswood Academy. My uniforms just connected the last dot in making me part of the school and though I was still a bit uncertain, I found myself slowly growing into the school, and my friends only helped to give me all the support I needed.

We hadn't discussed a plan to bust Ava on Saturday, but that was because I didn't have one. As much as I relished the thought of embarrassing her at her annual party, I really just needed the moral support Abi, Zara and Ben could provide. But if Ava chose to go out of her way to see me suffer, my friends and I wouldn't hold back our iron fists.

Ethan, on the other hand, had only come over once this week, and the incident from that night hadn't been discussed, bringing me as much relief as it brought awkwardness. The both of us had just shuffled around any topic that could end the peace we had achieved. Ethan had suggested we had best "just enjoy our time together now," and leave everything else "behind us." Call me over obsessive, but I knew that was code word for, "shut up and do what I say, because Ava is better than you. And she will always be better than you, whether you like it or not."

I got his message loud and clear. What I also got was the text he sent me on Friday night. He told me to dress with casual sophistication, and the casual in his statement had me disposing my red sequined ball gown from the back of my mind and searching for a sleek pair of jeans, instead. I forwarded the message to the group chat Ben had created for our little group on Whatsapp, so they would all also be informed about the new dress code.

Admittedly, I felt bad for going behind Ethan's back and bringing my friends along. More so when Ben had replied with an emoji of a dancing man, thinking Ethan would be expecting him. Not knowing they would both be in for a surprise. I felt like a mastermind behind a potential catastrophe, but I dumped that thought at the back of my mind. Because I wouldn't have needed support if Ethan had been there for me in the first place. Instead he had gone off with Ava, thinking I could handle everything all on my own.

I stared at my reflection on Saturday morning and began to degrade, then resent myself for the outfit I had on, which simply composed of a short pleated tennis skirt, a tank top that didn't show too much cleavage, and a bubble gum pink cardigan placed over it. I had opted for a white converse that had my favorite silver sequined designs on each sides, to piece everything together.

Now taking in my outfit, I thought I looked like the Snow Queen came to life. I concluded it was the fact that white clothing didn't really sit well with my clear white skin and pale hair.

Well, my pink cardigan did put the sophistication in my casualty–at least that was what I thought. And with my light, well blended makeup, I didn't look half as bad as I did without it.

For the first time ever, I had curled my hair to give myself a sense of wealth that Ethan's parents probably had. It made me appear casually elegant, as if I looked good without giving too much fuss.

On my neck was a necklace that had a heart falling onto my chest, paired with a matching set of earrings and bracelets. Looking at me behind my judgemental eyes, I looked like snow and pink just puked on me. Imagining me from behind a stranger's eye, I looked like a normal teenager with sophisticated sense of fashion. Exactly what I needed.

I popped my pink, glossy lips and was still wearing my perfume, when the doorbell rung out, signaling my friends.

I rushed a little too eagerly down the stairs, and opened the door to welcome in my friends. I was still slightly shaken by how different they looked in normal clothes, as opposed to how they appeared in school uniforms.

Abi's outfit was the most eye-catching. She was dressed in an elegant lace gown the colour of cream. It was fashioned with a sweetheart neckline and spaghetti straps, and was made of a revealing net at her stomach, right before clinging to her waist and flowing down freely to brush the floor. She paired this with two hoop earrings and a necklace that settled on top her chest. Her golden hair had been packed up in a half bun, with the rest flowing down her shoulders.

She looked so elegant, I almost forgot she was my friend, though I still accepted the warm hug she happily gave me.

Ben came in behind her, then. Dressed in a white graphic t-shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans. He paired his outfit with black and white Jordans that fitted perfectly with the silver necklace that loosely fell on top his shirt. His hair had been combed forward, so as to fall over his forehead and almost, just almost make him look hotter than usual. I wrapped my hand around him and pulled him into a hug he soon struggled to get out of, due to the airflow restriction.

I laughed and let him go, waiting for Zara who stepped in behind him. I really should have been expecting Zara's outfit, which was made up of a light blue shirt, tucked into dark skinny jeans. A stylish leather jacket fell over her shirt and dutifully complemented by the spiky choker around her neck. Her thick bangs hooded her eyes, and her pale skin did well to make her dark lips stand out.

These guys really knew their fashion, didn't they?

"Wow guys," I said, after fully welcoming everyone. "You look amazing."

"So do you," Abi pulled me into another hug and I giggled in her hair. "I really love the skirt." 

I held the hem of my skirt shyly, "Thanks," I beamed.

"So when is your boyfriend gonna be here?" Ben asked, and I tried not to detect any envy in his tone. He was leaning against my couch, and had his arms crossed over his chest. Zara had freely helped herself to a position next to him.

"I don't know," I replied, pulling my phone out of my cardigan's pocket. "He hasn't texted yet. Let me try hitting him up." I went to the contacts app and was about to hit dial, when my phone suddenly pinged with a notification.

Hey babe. I'm outside your house. Ethan's text popped on my notification.

I looked up at my friends with a sheepish smile. "He's here."