The Disaster Born's

Chapter Twenty-Four- Alysia

"What about this one?" I ask Ember as she sits patiently on my bed in her long, flowing, silk orange dress. Ember shakes her head in response, "It's too casual, it's a dinner, babe," she says softly, watching me place the dress back into the wardrobe. She then rolls her eyes and stands from her seated position, her eyes filled with sympathy for me and my poor choices. "Here, let me look," she says, moving towards the wardrobe.

I move out of her way and sit on my bed, watching her flick through the hangers, inspecting each dress with a critical eye. "This one is perfect," she declares, her arms moving inside the wardrobe to pull out a brown long sleeve mini dress. "Brown?" I ask, not impressed. She smiles reassuringly, "You will rock this. Change it up; you're always in green," she says softly.

She passes me the dress and turns to leave, "Oh, and touch up your lip gloss," she adds, closing the door behind her to give me privacy to change. I smile and laugh to myself. Ember was similar to Aurora, a bit fiery, but we got along well. I put the dress on, pulling it as low as it can go, just above the knee. She was right; it did look nice. I take my lip gloss from my drawer and apply some more, rubbing my lips together to blend it in. I then remove the dressing gown string from my hair, which Ember had used as makeshift curlers. My hair bounces into curls, and I brush them through. It was different, and I liked it.

I leave the room to find Ember waiting for me next to Leon. Leon is wearing a more subtle attire today: a red shirt with black trousers. His eyes widen slightly as he smiles softly, "Wow, you look beautiful, Aly," he says sincerely. Ember interjects enthusiastically, "NO, SHE LOOKS HOT!" She grabs my arm and links hers through it, ready to head out. But before we can move, I hear someone clear their throat. Leon presses his lips together as I turn around and see Ash. He stands tall, in a white shirt and black trousers with a black belt adorned with a flame emblem. His hair is styled nicely, with a bit of gel to slick it back but not fully. His eyes widen with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat. He moves his hands from behind his back, revealing a single red rose.

"We'll meet you guys in there. Seems like you have a lot to discuss," Leon says with a knowing smile as he and Ember giggle, leaving me and Ash at my door. "What's the rose for?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. He smiles, "It's for you," he replies.

"Why?" I retort, trying to mask the fluttering in my chest.

"I want us to start over," he says softly, his eyes crystallizing into sapphires as he speaks with such vulnerability. "I was hoping you would accept the rose and attend the dinner with me," he adds, extending his arm to hand me the rose. He looks nervous, and I can feel it and see it in his eyes. He looks so handsome, and a part of me is kicking and screaming like a little girl, knowing he came here with a rose just for me.

I press my lips together, "Sure," I say as I reach out for the rose and take it. He smiles at me, a knowing smile, the same smile that met my eyes last night. He offers me his arm, and I take it, walking down the corridor with him to the Grand Hall.

Ash opens the door for me, and I step through, immediately noticing the hall's transformation. Large tables are elegantly set with place settings, cutlery, and bottles of wine. The room buzzes with laughter and conversation. Everyone is dressed beautifully in gowns and suits. I tuck my hair behind my ear and take a deep breath. Sensing my vulnerability, Ash leans closer and whispers, "You're a dual power, act like it." His warm breath sends tingles through me, making my heart race even more.

We walk down the grand stairs, and I notice a seating plan with name cards at each table. Thankfully, Ash and I are seated together. I smile and wave at Ezra, who stands in a black shirt and trousers. Beside him is Ruby, stunning in a spaghetti strap, long flowing, silk red dress. Her hair is half up, half down, with curled strands. She proudly holds Ezra's arm. Ezra waves back, pressing his lips together at the sight of Ash and me.