G.U.A.R.D. Book #3: Recusant

-22-

    A dark blue dress. Thick straps around the shoulders. A sweetheart neckline. A loose skirt down to the knees. Woven, brown fibers of a belt wounding around my waist. Blue flats.

It was the Summer Sunset Dance.

Truth be told, I had completely forgotten about it. Over the last two weeks of August, all I did was focus on my training. I never spoke unless spoken to, and I barely gave Shelby Light's picture a second glance. I put the seashell necklace on the bottom of my drawer and hadn't seen it since. But then Slade announced the dance was coming up. I picked out the plainest, most movement-easy dress I could find. The flats would surely give me blisters, but whatever. I was determined to go through this last evening because the next day... I was off to a station.

Slade escorted me to the thirty-first floor. What was usually a gymnasium of mats and exercise machines had been completely transformed. Somebody must've sprayed air freshener all over the place because it smelt sweet. Completely covering the sides, blanketed in white tablecloths, were long tables filled with rich foods on fancy platters. Fairy lights hung from the walls, illuminating the room with a warm, soft glow. The fluorescent lights were off, which duplicated the warm feeling. Most young, but some older, agents all dressed like prom high school students, crowded the area, chatting idly. Lilting music flowed through the atmosphere, some couples dancing to it in the middle of the room.

"I see some of your friends," Slade said, pointing to a small group clustered around some of the food. I felt my heart speed up. "Why don't you go have some fun?"

Fun. My brain seemed to snort at the idea. I had no desire to dance, or to mingle with the people I once hung out with. But I guess I didn't have a choice.

"Nat!" a voice shrieked.

I was suddenly tackled from the right. With a gasp, I widened my stance, crouched over my stomach protectively, and pushed my flat palm against the attacker's stomach. She stumbled back.

"Look before you attack," Slade hissed.

"I didn't attack!" I whispered back. "I was defending."

When the attacker straightened, I saw it was... Jackie. I'm not sure if I regretted it or not.

She clutched her stomach, but grinned at me. "You've been learning to fight! Oh, I bet you've become so good!" Jackie seemed to finally notice Slade, and she gave a mock salute. "Agent Slade."

Slade played along with a smile, giving a bow. "Miss Peek. You look lovely tonight."

She giggled. "Thanks. Can I steal Nat?"

Slade held out his arms. "Be my guest."

Jackie grinned and clutched my arm, dragging me forward. I forgot what she was like. With a sigh, I went along with it. The girl didn't actually look half bad. Her bob cut sparkled under the fairy lights, and she wore her usual red headband. Her dress was bright red with spaghetti straps, falling to her knees. And her shoes? Bright red converse.

I suddenly hated Slade for making me wear flats.

"Guys!" Jackie cried upon arriving at the group. "It's Nat!"

Sarah glanced to me, expression wary. "Hey, newb. Have fun down on floor one?"

Jackie gasped, turning to me. "I forgot about that!"

How could she have possibly done that?

"You have to tell me about it!"

I really didn't.