To Hell and Back

8

My eyes opened to the sun streaming through the windows and I sighed blissfully at the calmness that surrounded me. My roommate, Sage, wasn't in and I figured she was staying at her boyfriend's house again. Slowly I untangled myself from Julian and stepped out of bed. The icy wind hit my naked body and I shivered slightly before making my way to the bathroom. Once I had showered and brushed my teeth I went back into the room to find my lazy boyfriend still conked out. With a shake of my head, I quickly grabbed my keys and headed out. My next stop: Brickhouse.

I ordered two large Americanos and a cream cheese bagel. Once my order was placed and then a couple minutes later my name called, I happily set out with my purchases. I sipped on my coffee as I walked back up to the dorm, feeling the energetic rush that the caffeinated beverage always gave me.

I quickly ate half my bagel, in the warmth of my room and left the other half in the mini fridge for Julian. I put his coffee cup in the microwave to keep warm and settled myself down to study further. It was about an hour and a half later when Julian woke up that I took my first break. He kissed me and then hungrily ate his food and drank his coffee before rushing out.

"I've got lessons till about three today." He said, hopping into the spare set of clothes I kept for him in my closet.

"Yea, I only have one class today and I finish much earlier, I think at about eleven." I guessed with a shrug.

"Okay," He nodded, "I probably won't see you before the party then." He concluded with a pout.

I smiled at his cuteness, "Don' worry, you'll survive, but is there anything specific I have to wear, any theme?" I asked.

"No and I'd tell you to come dressed prettily but you already do that effortlessly." He smiled cheekily.

"What do you want Julian Mason Tesler?" I questioned giving him a look.

"A happy girlfriend," He replied.

"Don't worry you already have that." I laughed, giving him a hug before sending him off to his lectures.

At about nine o'clock I headed off to mine.

At precisely eleven as I had suspected my class ended and I was grateful for it. I was becoming increasingly excited for the party tonight and I was therefore itching to start getting ready. Neither Julian nor I had any classes scheduled tomorrow which was always a big bonus. I decided to pay a quick visit to Brickhouse to grab a speedy drink. I opted to get plain black coffee and sipped it thoughtfully on my way back to my dorm room. I had no idea what I was going to wear to this event and not even a clue as to where to start.

I thought I would have the dorm room to myself this afternoon but I was pleasantly surprised to see Sage sitting on the bed listening to music with her bright green headphones. I shut the door and sunk down on her bed. She looked up and smiled before hanging her headphones around her neck.

"Hey roomie," She smiled, "What's up?"

"Nothing much but I do need to ask you a big favour." I said.

"Yea, anything." She replied with an eager nod.

"Julian and I are going to a party tonight and I have no cooking clue what I'm going to wear." I explained.

"Well that's simple," She exclaimed, jumping up and to my closet.

"It is?" I questioned, giving her a surprised look.

"Well is there any specific theme to this party or is it just free-for-all-casual?" She inquired as she rummaged through my clothes.

"I think it's more casual." I responded, slightly uncertain.

"You don't sound so sure," She chuckled, "Where are you going?"

"The Den," I replied.

"Well why didn't you say so, I have the perfect outfit for that." She said excitedly as she started pulling out things from both my closet and hers.

When she was done I nearly bowled over with how awesome the outfit was; a short red dress with black heels, black earrings and a red velvet purse. I thanked her profusely and we celebrated her success. She gave me tips on make-up and such. It was only when she checked the time did she realise that she was going to be very late for her lecture. I laughed as she rushed around the room grabbing her stuff before bolting out the door. I figured I had a couple of hours left before my boyfriend came so I decided to start on some of the final projects I had left.

When I next looked at the time, it was three hours later and I nearly cursed at having gotten so caught up in my work without checking the time. Quickly I got into the shower and then put on my clothes. I left my heels by the door and put all my jewellery on my desk. I just straightened my hair and let it fall loosely around my face. I then started on my make-up; gold eyelids, bright red lips and red nail polish.

Quickly I put on my jewellery and then examined myself in the mirror. I thought I looked pretty okay and I gave myself a nod of approval. I decided to chew on a piece of gum to make sure my breath was minty fresh. Opening my desk drawer to get the gum I gasped in surprise. There was a small box that hadn't been their yesterday sitting in the centre of my drawer.

I quickly took it out and red the note attached to the ribbon,

Because I love you

-Your Little Devil

I teared up as I realised it was from Julian. Quickly I unravelled the ribbon and took the lid off the box. Inside sat a beautiful delicate gold bracelet. On the inside were engraved the words

...Always on my mind

There was a single stone in the centre where two swirls met up and as the stone caught the light it glistened like water. I immediately clasped it around my wrist and willed myself not to shed any tears. Just as I had composed myself I heard a knock on the door. I opened it and jumped on the person behind the door. Julian laughed as he hugged me back.

"Thank you" I whispered softly into his ear.

"I take it you found your gift." He said an eyebrow lifted.

"I did. It's gorgeous. Thank you." I gushed, looking at it again.

I was awestruck at the simplistic beauty that it was. It wasn't too flashy but it wasn't plain, it was the perfect balance and I absolutely adored it.

Julian smiled down at me and the held out his hands for me to take; a sign that we were leaving.

I quickly slipped on my shoes and grabbed my purse from the bed then I took his outstretched hand and grasped it tightly as we walked down the passage and out the building.