Something Lost, Something Gained (BEING EDITED)

Chapter 23: Within Temptation

*Luce's POV*

I stare at the dresses in front of me. Each sorted by color and style on metal racks. Strawberry stands by my side, our mouths hanging open. We both look at each other before screaming like crazed tween girls. I turn around to look at Sebastian who sits in the corner of the room. He smiles at me and winks. A woman walks in carrying two paper visors for Lilith and I. She sets them up and leaves the room as quickly as she entered.

"Well ladies, compliments of my older sister," Bastian says spreading his arms to accentuate the many dresses. "Try them on and find the one you like. Afterwards we will go pick out shoes and other necessities."

Luke pops his head in through the door, "Just holler if you need anything!"

The boys leave the room to let Strawberry and I try on dresses. We walk around the white room, stalking the dress racks. I point her in the direction of the pastel colors, more suitable for her skin tone.

"I can't believe his sister owns a freaking boutique. Especially one as extensive as this." I say to Red.

"I know, and the fact that we can pick out whatever we want is amazing." She murmurs while picking out a light pink dress with sequins.

I make my way towards the black dresses. Not able to wear purple, since it would clash with my hair, I decide the next best color would be black. The dresses range from silk to taffeta, from long to short, and everything in between. I slip my hands between the many dresses and spread them apart. I'm sure it was quite similar to parting the Red Sea. I chuckle to myself.

"What do you think of this one?" Red asks while strutting over in a floor length yellow dress.

I subconsciously make a sour face at her, "Mm I'd try another one."

She pouts a little but mumbles and okay before walking away. I go back to sorting the medium length dresses. No, no, nope, ummm maybe, heck no, possibly if i was an old lady, nope, nada, if only I was taller, YES. The last dress I come to has my name written all over it, not literally. The dress that I pull off the rack is a medium length lace dress with tiny purple flowers embroidered on it. The dress was poofy at the bottom but was tight up top. I let out a squeal of joy before rushing to go change. 

Both Lilith and I emerge at the same time in our dresses. Hers is a short nude colored dress that has an empire waist. It fits her well and suits her skin tone. We both smile at each other and begin to giggle uncontrollably. 

"We are ready to go!" Lilith and I walk out of the store with bags in hand. The boys grab them and open the door for us. Downtown Marshall is beautiful at this time of the year. Frost covers the grass and most of the trees. Strawberry and I walk arm in arm down the slightly uneven side walk to the restaurant where we met Luke for the first time. Maami greats us at the door with a peace sign and a smile.

  "Hello again Maami!" I return the smile.

"Sebastian called ahead so we put some tables together. It is nice to see you again Luce!" She sets down the menus in case we wanna order anything special. I ask for a Dr. Pepper. The food is just as good as before. I watch as Luke tries to teach Strawberry how to use chop sticks. It's quite hilarious.

"No, see you hold it like this," He demonstrates. She tries but with no prevail.

"Ugh," She decides to just stab the chicken with one chop stick and eat it. We all laugh at her while she gnaws on her food.

After we are done Sebastian drives us home in his Challenger. He rides with the windows slightly cracked so he can smoke a cigarette. Red looks at him with her eye brows raised.

"How old are you?" She asks.

"I'm 18, why?" Bash replies.

"Oh, I thought you were younger." She chuckles nervously and sinks back into her seat. 

"Yeah, a lot of people do." He flicks the cigarette butt out the window. 

"Guys, I don't know about you but I'm super pumped for this dance!" I raise my hands above my head and shake my hips to nonexistent music.

When we get to my dads house the boys head to Bash's room and Strawberry and I head to mine. She stares at the various posters and art hanging on my wall. I had recently added some of my own art to the walls to make it more me. She touches one of the sketches I did of Bastian.

"This is really good," She compliments me.

"Haha, thanks. Bash doesn't know I drew it," I laugh awkwardly. I strip off my pants and shirt, and then put my dress on. "Can you help me zip this?"

I do the same for Red. We then plug in my curling wand and her straightener. We each sit on one side of the vanity bench and work on out hair. I try to tame my already wavy hair into perfect ringlets, but it is to no prevail. I settle with half my hair pinned up, and the bottom half down. It cascades over my bare shoulders. I move it so that my new tattoo is exposed. I keep my make up to a minimal, I have never really liked wearing much make up.

The boys great us at the door leading to the outside. I watch as both of their eyes go wide. Luke wears a suit with a white shirt and red rose that matches Strawberry's hair. He looks well groomed and handsome. I look over to see Bastian in an all black get up. He has his sleeves rolled up to expose his muscular forearms and his Druid mark, he also wears a black vest. He runs a hand through his perfectly tousled hair. 

"I got this for you," Bash says holding out a corsage containing lilacs and tiny orange blossoms. He wraps it around my wrist before pinning a similar arrangement of flowers to his shirt.

"It's so beautiful Bastian, thank you!" I lift the flowers to my nose. I inhale their familiar scent and smile. "Everyone ready to go?"

There is a chorus of yes's, so we make our way out of the house.

The dance is beautifully decorated in oranges, reds, and yellows. Loud music comes from the gym where everyone is dancing. Out in the hall ladies take our tickets and then out picture. Bastian and I pose in front of a fake fall landscape before entering the sweltering gymnasium. I grab Bash's hand and lead him to the center of the floor. He wraps his arms around me as our hips sway to the beat. The song is not a slow one but we dance the waltz anyways. His mouth mere inches from my neck as he pulls me closer.

"You can't Bash. Not here." I half yell into his ear.

"No one will notice!" He yells back. He looks up at me with thirst in his eyes.

"Oh fine!" I say drawing my hair back. His teeth sink quickly into my skin. 

"Mmmmm," He mumbles. 

My eyes start to drift closed. The musics suddenly grows quiet, the only sound I hear is the thumping of my own heart. And then a voice brings me to my senses.

"Vell vell vell, vhat do ve have here?" A woman with a Russian accent asks.

I feel Bastian let go of my neck. I watch as his eyes widen, my heart skips a beat. Next to the woman stands my Ethan.

"Dominika?"

"Ethan?" Bastian and I speak at the same time. My Ethan stands with his eyes pointed to the ground, in his hands he clutches Luke. He looks terrified. 

"This is Ethan?" Luke ask. "Like THEE Ethan?"

I nod my head unable to comprehend what's standing in front of me.

"What? How? Jesus," I shake my head violently. "There's no way. I watched you die."

He raises his head, "No, you LEFT me to die, and now you're whoring yourself around with this freak!" He points at Bastian.

"Hey! Don't speak about her like that!" Luke defends me. And then just like that Ethan snaps his neck.