Illusion

Chapter 3

I look in the full length mirror on the wall and smile. I do look like a princess. "Ok phase 1 is complete miss! Now it's time for hair and makeup!" Linda says excitedly.

"Um-wait- don't do anything crazy. I mean-" I stutter. I've never liked wearing tons of makeup but I guess wearing some is okay for this occasion...

"Fine. You haven't changed at all." She laughs. "Don't worry I was thinking something subtle and maybe just curling your hair in ringlets. Ringlets look good on you!" She says happily. I nod and she sits me down at my vanity and starts curling. She then starts to put on my makeup as I sit in silence. "Voila! You look beautiful Miss. Lucas should be here soon to be your escort."I smile and blush slightly. Lucas. I wish I remembered our history together but I cant wrap my head around it. I hope I regain my memory soon though, then maybe I can start to forget the artificial pain I felt as I watched the life I thought I knew burst into flames.

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. Linda opens it and on the other side is Lucas in a classic black suit fiddling with his cuff-links. He looks up at me and smiles. "Well, shall we go my lady?" He says in a slight mocking tone as he holds out his arm. I smile and take it. It doesn't make any sense, it feels as if we just met but at the same time we can act like this so easily that it's not that hard to believe that we are destined to be wed someday.

Behind Lucas, James puts his arm around a slightly annoyed but amused Rachel, and Liam and Clarity stand to the side. All for of them dressed up, maybe not quite to the nines but maybe to the sevens or eights. After Linda gives me a huge grin, we walk down the hallway to the elevator. When we step into the lift I can't help but be curious. "So where, exactly, is the party?" I ask.

"On the roof." Clarity says smiling.

"The roof huh? Seems romantic, huh Rache?" James says flirtatiously. Rachel rolls her eyes at this but still smiles. It's strange really, I bet they have history together that they don't quite remember either.

We ride up to the roof with high spirits, though we don't remember much we're glad to be back together. The ride up takes a good ten minutes considering the incredible height of the building. Once we reach the top the door opens to an incredibly dressed rooftop. The amazing rainbow sky that i thought couldn't be any more magnificent just got more beautiful as the stars sparkle through the gloomy rainbow haze. I look up at the sky in awe. "It's beautiful isn't it." Lucas says and looks down at me.

I nod "It really is." I say. We stand there looking at the sky together and we almost don't notice when Mr. Carnin stands up on a small stage, near the dance floor, with a microphone.

"Hello everyone! We are here to celebrate the wonderful, yet early, return of our volunteers. Now I know that none of you ever really liked the idea of a huge formal event so we've thrown you this quaint welcoming party and we hope you enjoy it. Thank you." He walks off the stage and starts talking to a couple of men in the corner.

Rachel and James come in front of us. "So this is quaint?" Rachel shouts over the music that the dj plays. I laugh and look around at the many people, some of whom look familiar but most are probably just office workers.

"Well... I know this may not be what you want to hear but it is your duty to socialize at your party." Clarity says to us smiling. "So go, go." She says nudging us into the crowd. Liam laughs and puts an arm around Clarity taking a swig of the drink in his hand. He is probably drunk.

James and Rachel disappear into the crowd and I look at the crowd of people in front of me. I've never really cared for crowds, I mean, I don't mind them but I just never know how to act or what to say. Lucas takes my hand and leads me into the mob of people weaving through bodies. We get stopped frequently to be congratulated and asked if we set date yet. We make our way through the crowd and when we finally reach a break in the he turns to me. "Hey I need to talk to you." He says.

I nod "Me too."

He looks around and grabs my hand leading me to a stairwell by the elevator. He opens the door and slips us into a dimly lit hallway before anyone notices and shuts the door behind him. He sighs and sits down on the steps loosening his tie "I've never really been one for big parties like this. Of course they're kind of unavoidable sometimes being friends with James." He says as I sit beside him. "Anyways, that's not the point. I mean-" He says slightly flustered.

"Hey. It's ok. I understand how weird this is." I say putting a reassuring hand on his arm.

He sighs "Your going to think I'm crazy, but um... did you-have a weird dream earlier?" He asks "I mean- I don't know. I just felt like I needed to ask you. I don't know why." He says scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. I can't help but laugh at this because he's just so awkward and adorable. He looks at me looking slightly embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you." I say. "You know, come to think of it I did have a strange dream. You were there." I say remembering the dream beach and the white dress. Lucas looks at me.

"It was on the beach wasn't it." He says. "I knew it was you. It was different than other dreams, it was calm and peaceful and you were there. You were there and alive." He says quietly. I just look at him and lean my head on his shoulder.

"Hey I will always be here ok? I wont leave you." I say.

"Did you ever think of me?" He asks softly. "In the simulation I mean. Because I thought of you, I saw you in my dreams . I didn't know who you were but I saw you." He says.

I look up at him and open my mouth to say something but am interrupted by the door swinging open. "I found the lovebirds." James says with a giggling Rachel on his arm. We both stand up quickly, I look at Rachel curiously. "I think it's about time you two loosen up a bit." He laughs holding out a flask.

"Where did you get this?" Lucas laughs taking it and sniffing it. He scrunches up his nose. "What is this?" He asks.

James laughs "I snuck it in. Just try it, come have fun." I look at them and take the flask from Lucas and take a big swig.

"Ew. What is this?" I ask laughing. Rachel grabs my hand and pulls me out the door giggling. I see Liam and Clarity who seem like they're having a nice time sucking each others faces off in the corner and I laugh slightly following Rachel.

"Come ooonnnn!" She laughs pulling me onto the dance floor. I smile and look back to where James is lecturing Lucas on 'how to have fun' very enthusiastically and I decide to forget about all these confusing things and just have fun for a while.

((Don't drink alcohol when your underage kids!))