The Summoning (Sleep Token FanFiction)

XXVII - DYWTYLM

I looked myself over in the mirror of the department store. It was a comfortable color of dress, something that didn't call too much attention, but was still formal enough. It hugged my curves, the top tying with a velvet bow that I let hang half tied. 

The boys had been on the other side of the department store to look at suits, even though II and Vessel already had their formal wear at home. I wondered what they would dress in, but black was a good medium for any dress, no matter what the people I came with wore. 

The party was at an old event center in Birmingham. I guess it was a large, beautiful and historic building, but I had never heard of it. I felt myself get excited staring at myself in the full length mirror. I had never been to a large party before, especially not for a band's event, and especially not where we would be watching footage that I had taken and been turned into a documentary. 

Getting back into my jeans and t-shirt, I left the dressing room to search for the boys, folding the dress under my arm. I caught sight of them as IV showed off a suit to Vessel and II. Vessel nodded in approval, but II seemed on the fence. 

I purchased the dress, trying not to think of the cost, and had them fold it and put it in a bag so the boys didn't see it. 

I had been paid much more than I thought I would have and almost fainted at the bank as the teller asked if I was okay. I hadn't opened the envelope until getting into the bank. 

III had invited Isla to the event and she had agreed, though it seemed as though it had taken some convincing on III's part. I definitely understood why she would have been wary. Only a few weeks ago, she thought that III was dead. 

I was relieved that she seemed to want to try for their relationship, at least enough to come to the party.

Meeting the boys just as Vessel was fixing a tie for IV, I held my bag close to me as if they would yank it from me and look at what I'd gotten. It was a large paper bag that also had the box of chunky high heel shoes I had gotten to go with the outfit, along with fishnet stockings. 

"Troublemaker." IV greeted me, making a show of straightening his tie. 

"Stud." I greeted back, almost wishing I hadn't said anything in worry that it would be inappropriate. IV gave me a wolfish grin, standing straighter and slipping his hands into his pockets. 

"You got that right." II said next to me before shaking his head, "Don't be too nice, his ego is large enough."

"I look like a fecking idiot." I heard III's voice from the dressing room in front of us and we all looked up.

"C'mon, ya wimp." IV called and the dressing room opened.

He looked dapper, matching suit and slacks with his hair slicked back just enough. It was a slim fit suit that was perfect around his frame. 

II whistled as III nervously smoothed his hair back. 

"You clean up nice." I tried, hoping it would help him feel better.

"Yeah?" He was genuine in his curiosity. He had worn suits on stage before, but it seemed with the prospect of going to something formal with Isla made him unnaturally nervous. It was cute.

"What'd you get?" II leaned over to try and peak into my bag and I pulled it away, only for Vessel - on my other side - to try and snoop as well. 

I backed away, laughing as I pulled the bag close to me. "I'm not showing you!" 

"Well, then I'm not showing you!" IV announced and there was a beat of silence as I tilted my head, realizing Vessel and I had tilted our heads to him at the same time.

IV covered himself, "Don't look!"

I laughed, tossing my head back. It felt so good to laugh again. It made me think of what II had said before we left. That he wanted me to stay.

Could I really be a part of this friend group? Did they really want me here?

III draped his arms around IV's shoulders, seeming to be deep in thought, barely in the conversation at all as he looked at himself in the mirror behind IV.

"Let's go find you a bow or something." IV dragged III along as III still hung over IV's shoulders. I turned to leave with II and realized Vessel had still been standing there, looking himself over in the mirror with a look that seemed more like disdain than anything. 

"What are you wearing to the party?" I broached, taking a step back with him as the other three went off to the tie section. 

Blinking down at me as if coming out of his own world, he pointed to me, then his eye. You'll see.

I shook my head with a smirk as I craned my neck to look up at him and realized how close we were. 

I took a step back.

He seemed to flounder for a moment before looking up to where the boys were, looking back down to me and holding up four fingers before a a thumbs up and a brow raised in question.

"Four's definitely going to break some hearts, as if he hasn't already." I answered, hoping I was understanding what he was asking.

He scoffed, shaking his head before nodding in agreement. 

We started back to find the boys and I sighed, throwing an arm around his shoulder. "Do you like parties?"

I felt him stiffen and immediately pulled my arm away to find him staring down at me, almost in question, seemingly upset.

"Sorry..." I mumbled. Maybe I could feel like I belonged with the others, but not him. I had overstepped a boundary and felt shame travel to my stomach. I had seen him show friendly physical affection with the others as well as them being able to and thought maybe I could have as well. 

I took a step away from him to help him be more comfortable and his visage had turned to something resembling anger. My stomach did summersaults. 

I looked down and away from his eyes as I turned to get away from the situation, get back to the others.

He touched my arm, stepping in front of me and I stopped short before he dug through his pocket and pulled out his little notebook.

Jotting something down, he turned the notebook for me to see his quick scrawl.

Wasn't you.

This only made me more confused before he wrote more.

I don't really like parties. Your question was just unexpected.

"Oh," I muttered, though this only left me slightly less confused. I looked over his words for a moment.

He brought the little notebook close to his chest for a moment, taking in a deep breath with pursed lips before writing more, seeming to find it more difficult to find the words as his brow furrowed in concentration.

I died coming home from a party. Not this kind, but it still makes me nervous.

My heart ached for him. He left the notebook in front of me for a few moments before pocketing it again. 

When he made to go find the boys, I dared to touch his arm the way he had stopped me and was relieved when he didn't shy away from my touch.

"It'll be alright." I met his eyes as he looked at me with a bit of confusion and that underlying sadness I could see every time I got a good look at him. 

There was a moment we just looked at each other and I felt like he really saw me. All of me.

His lips curved up just a little as he pointed to my bag, then to himself.

I pulled it to me again as if to protect it, laughing again. "No! No one can see it!"

He huffed in mock frustration and crossed his arms and it made me laugh even more.

He seemed unable to keep the frown and nodded to the others as if to say let's go.

As we turned to go find them, he hesitated a moment before draping an arm around my shoulders.