Master of the Game

Calm Before the Storm

"C'mon Elizabeth, we have to be there before the party starts!" Raven couldn't control her excitement for the party her sister was finally taking her to. "

I can't believe how many high school students will be there. Will there be guys my age?" She asked with such tangible curiosity that Elizabeth couldn't help but say yes. She looked at her only sister to find Raven was already looking at her.

"Why don't I look like you Lizzy?" Raven had already asked this several times before but Elizabeth never answered, even though Raven was right. The two girls had nothing in common.

When it came to looks Elizabeth had long and full, wavy, midnight black hair. Her eyes were as unique as her aunt's, the color of amethyst. She was thin with curves a grown woman would have, and high cheek bones. Her full lips were as red as strawberries and her temper was fiery. She was taller than the average woman, but still shorter than an average man.

Raven, on the other hand, had short, spiky bright red hair. Her eyes were green as emeralds like their mom's. She was thin, but had no curves. Her lips were thin, but we'll shaped and she had the temperament of an angel. She was short and sweet. Elizabeth couldn't help but admire her.

"Why would you want to look like me my little bird? You're beautiful yourself." She ruffled Raven's hair causing her to giggle. As she started running her fingers through her sister's hair she said "Just like our mother." In a second Raven eyes became sad, her 15 year old face suddenly looked more like a 35 year old woman's. Their mother had passed away twelve years ago, leaving their father to take care of the two girls. Elizabeth was seven so she still remembered what their mom looked like and how she acted, but Raven was only three so she didn't remember anything except her laugh.

Raven's face suddenly cleared up and she said with forced happiness,

"Can we just go ahead and go to the party?" Elizabeth looked her up and down. Her hair was spiked up and she had a thin layer of eye liner on. Her dress was a short, deep green, A-lined dress that went perfectly with her silver wedges.

Elizabeth was wearing a deep purple BodyCon dress that made her eyes stand out, with make up fit for the woman she was. Her black heels made her almost as tall as the average man and her hair hung loose and wavier than usual.

"Yeah. Of course. And Raven?" She looked up at her sister with barely hidden fear at what Elizabeth would say next.

"You look great. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." She smiled sincerely down at her.

"You too, sis."

As they got in their car they didn't notice the black cadillac that pulled behind and followed them to the party.

The dancefloor was packed as soon as the girls walked in. The song that was playing was too slow for them to comfortably dance to, so they went over to the bar and ordered two drinks. The drinking age here was 18 so while Elizabeth sipped a scotch, Raven drank a diet soda. Elizabeth looked around the room from her perch, glancing over the couples slow dancing on the floor, when she saw him. He was staring straight at her, his ice blue eyes piercing her soul and tearing the rest of the room from her thoughts. As soon as he caught her eye he crooked his finger, motioning for her to come join him on the other side of the room.

"Raven? Do you think you could get yourself home safely if I went and had a little fun tonight?" Elizabeth looked at her sister seriously, when Raven suddenly started laughing.

"Yeah. Of course. You go have fun and I'll see you tomorrow, but you owe me. Not like Dad will care anyway, you're 19!" She said to her sister jokingly. She turned her attention back to the muscular bar- tender, not even wondering who had finally caught her sister's eye. Elizabeth slowly stood up, being sure her dress didn't come up, and started walking toward the man.

As she came closer to him, she found his face sculpted, his jawline sharply defined and his lips had a perfect Cupid's bow. His disheveled hair the color of midnight, was wavy and long, flowing not even an inch below his jaw. His nose was straight and his body was well built, like someone who went to the gym regularly. He held out his hand and said his name confidently.

"Griffon. Griffon Ayres."She took his hand as she stated her name.

"Elizabeth Winter." When she'd finished her name he kept her hand for several more seconds, then when he let go she felt as if a he'd taken a part of her in his hand.

"You look amazing" he tried to yell over the loud music.

"I'm sorry?" Elizabeth tried to ask but her voice drowned is the heart stopping bass coming from the speakers. He motioned towards the door, silently asking to step outside.

"I'd love to", she all but screamed as she took his hand and was led through the swarming sea of bodies.