All Because of Biana (REWRITE)

Chapter Five

Fitz kept to his word.

The next week was filled with planning between the two of them, constant transmissions to plan the perfect evening.

Sophie even made an illegal trip to the Forbidden Cities. Being in a Walmart with blinding lights and music was beyond strange. Seeing the new trends she'd missed out on for so many years felt like she'd come from outer space.

The cashier even asked where her accent was from. Surely her voice hadn't changed that much, had it?

After paying with some of the money Dex stole from an ATM what had to be a lifetime ago, she snuck into a back alley and leaped home.

The loud, ugly plastic bag rustled as she tried to sneak into her house.

Sure, she'd been to the Forbidden Cities plenty since moving to the Lost Cities, but normally everyone's lives depended on it. She doubted Grady and Edaline would approve of her rule bending for her evening plans.

She hid the bag under her cloak and raced up the stairs, throwing her door open and closing it as slowly and quietly as she could.

A sigh of relief escaped her lungs. She was in the clear. She turned to face her room, eager to get ready, and nearly jumped out of her skin.

Grady and Edaline stood in the middle of her room. A puzzling look painted their faces as they stood there each holding a package wrapped in pristine gold paper.

She pulled the bag behind her back. "Hi! What are you guys doing here?"

Edaline shot Grady a knowing look, smirks plastering their lips. "We came to feed Iggy. Biana dropped these off for you."

"Thanks!" Sophie cursed herself for the way her voice rose and octave. "You can just set them on the bed! I have to...pee!"

She quickly ran into the bathroom, closing the door and sinking to the floor.

That really convinced them. She resisted the urge to bang her head on her door.

The shuffling of footsteps was all she could hear as she listened. When she was certain they were gone, she peaked out of the bathroom.

Sophie opened the gold packages without much thought. The first was a pair of white slippers, one silk bow adorning each one. Clearly Biana was taking this sleepover seriously.

The second package had Sophie rolling her eyes. She pushed herself to her feet and went to her giant floor-length mirror and sighed.

"Really, B?" She held up a nightgown to her chest. It was beautiful, she had to admit. The square neckline and ruffles, along with the flowy skirt and lace detailing rivaled some of her fancier dresses.

She knew she'd get an earful if she didn't wear the thing, so begrudgingly, Sophie slipped into the gown. It was undoubtably comfortable, and the slippers felt like she had clouds for feet. She pulled the braided bun out of her hair and let her curls fall around her shoulders.

Finally, she grabbed the plastic bag, shoving its contents into a satchel, along with a toothbrush and her iPod.

Her once discarded cloak found its way back over her shoulders and Ella was plucked from her spot on her bed, held close to Sophie as she readied herself for the evening ahead of her.

The sky was a gorgeous dark blue when she arrived at the gates of Everglen. Stars had barely started poking out and the air had a warm breeze. She watched the sun continue to slip away while she waited.

Alden greeted her at the gates, welcoming her in with a warm hug. He led her down the path and towards the house.

Being with Alden always felt so nostalgic for her, especially as she looked around at the Pures and the greenery.