The Summer Anthology ✔

Story #10- Lucifer's Effect

Written by user indievibes

"This is our only daughter, Adelaide"

The sentence kept repeating over and over again, her parents introducing her with a sickly sweet voice. Showing their perfect little daughter off. That alone made her want to puke.

Minute by minute, she was dragged around the ballroom, her high heels clicking against the marbled floor. Her parents thought it was a brilliant idea if she were to greet guests she does not even know. In their eyes, they were influential people.

The tight white gown they made her put on was suffocating her and her heels, were sending daggers through her feet.

I need to get away. Adelaide thought to herself. Her parents shot her sharp glares as she excused herself to the restroom. Darting for the exit she waited until she knew she was out of sight before slipping off her shoes; feeling the relief instantly.

Not caring that she was walking barefoot, she made her steps towards the fountain. The cold air prickling her skin.

Adelaide took a seat next to the stone fountain, the scenery made her thoughts wander. Her thoughts focused on how peaceful the area looked, how she would rather stay here than in that ballroom with people she hardly knew.

Looking up, Adelaide saw the stars that covered the night sky. She wondered if she saw a shooting star right now, would her dream come true?

"You shouldn't be out here all alone," A deep voice interrupted her thoughts. Facing the owner, her breath hitched.

"I assume you should be inside the party with that dress of yours," He was a gorgeous site to take in. His eyes were the first thing that caught her eye, it was blue, blue like the deep end of the ocean. He had a jawline that look like it could cut a piece of paper and God, he had a dimple on the right side of his face. Even the little scar he had near his eye didn't destroy his facial features. It was impossible not to stare.

Chuckling, he started walking towards the star stuck brunette. She looked liked an angel in the white dress; that intrigued him.

"Aren't you going back inside?" he had asked her. Taking a seat next to her; only inches apart. Adelaide shook her head, she dare not enter the lion's chamber.

"It's too suffocating," She muttered, eyes looking away she watched the fountain shoot water spiraling through the air.

"Then why'd you go in the first place?"

Sighing, she played with the hem of her dress. If only it was her choice not to go, she would've.

"My parents wanted me to accompany them," Her replies were softly spoken, very faint to hear.

He took a pack of cigarettes out of his back pocket, taking one out and lighting it up. The taste of nicotine burning his throat, he turned to face her, offering the pack.

"No, thank you. I don't like the taste of cigarettes," her reply was polite. In truth, she had never tried one but the smell of it was already bad enough, the taste could be even worse.

"Just one? No? Alright then," He replied back, inhaling some of the fumes his cig had brought. It calmed him down.

"Why are you here?" Adelaide had asked, she was not a curious person, but when an attractive boy sits beside you; in nothing but black clothes-- in a place filled with suits and gowns, it makes you wonder. Shrugging, he took another hit.

"My cousin's in there. She's making me wait for her till she's done," He blew out the smoke from his mouth, creating little circles as it polluted the air. "She's apparently picking her future husband."

"Oh..." was all Adelaide could reply. Honestly, what could you reply to that? She didn't want to say anything rude that could offend him.

"I'm actually planning on ditching her, do you think you're up for it?"

Adelaide was tempted to accompany him but she knew if she leaves the venue, her parents would lecture her even more when they got home. She didn't need that.

"It's alright, my parents would get mad at me if I left without a word."

He rolled his eyes at that statement.

Damn if her parents get mad, she looks old enough to make her own decisions. He thought to himself, eyeing the brunette angel in the process.

"How old are you?" If she had been younger than he thought, then that would be a problem.

"17," Adelaide replied. Her frustrations were always with that number, never was she old enough.

Taking his cig out of his mouth, he dropped it on the tiled floor, smashing it into tiny pieces so the flames won't spread out.

"Last chance, sweet." He offered his hand for her to take, if she takes it then he'd show her another world of fun. No boring parties, fancy dresses or high heels. She was already pitiful to look at, he could easily tell she wanted nothing but to run away from here.

Biting her lip, Adelaide was tempted but she knew better. She still had the common knowledge not to go with a stranger even if it was her ticket out.

"Maybe, next time."

If there is a next time. Boys like those only appear in your life once and then they're gone.

Nodding his head, he started to walk away, his back facing the white dressed beauty. Shame, he thought. He would probably never see the lady again.

Before he was completely out of her sight, Adelaide shouted.

"Hey wait!"

He paused, turning to face her. His mouth curved into a tiny smile, thinking she had changed her mind.

"Do I at least get to know your name? I'm Adelaide," Adelaide walked towards him, she noticed how her height was relatively smaller compared to his.

"Maybe, next time" he quoted her, a smirk on his lips. Adelaide was about to reply when his hands caught a strand of hair that was on her face.

"When I see you again, I'll tell you" he tucked it behind her ear. Adelaide felt her cheeks heat up and then he started walking away again.

This time she didn't stop him.