Rosaline Wood (A Violet Eden Follow-on Reboot)

Chapter One: Turning Seventeen

    "Happy Birthday Rose!" The door swung open, inviting me inside. Dean closed it softly behind me then wrapped me a bear hug. I caught a whiff of expensive cologne before he pulled away.

    "Thanks," I grinned, adding mischievously, "You smell great." His tanned skin darkened a little.

    "I was thinking we could skip training today," he smiled, white teeth flashing under the bright warehouse lights. No practice? Every Monday Dean would come into town to help with my preparation for when I became Grigori, a human with the essence of an angel placed on Earth to protect it from exiled angels. Being able to fight was a major part of that.

    "You've got your b'day party tonight," Dean explained, deadpan, "And you don't need to stink any more than usual." I poked out my tongue.

    "I don't stink," I protested grinning. He feigned deafness but allowed a twitch of a smile through.

    "So seventeen," my friend whistled, "Had any dreams lately?" My face fell and so did my heart. I shook my head.

    "Never mind," Dean assured, "I got mine the night of my seventeenth. You've still got what?" He glanced at his leather banded watch, "Eight hours left. Depending on how late we're out tonight. Now follow me."

We crossed the area kept clear for sparring and headed for the staircase. I snuck a glance to my left, as always, and smiled as I caught sight of the painting my mother had done filling the great expanse of wall there.

    "Ladies first," Dean gestured for me to go up the stairs. Rolling my eyes I noticed the purple streamers running up the banister. As I climbed I ran my fingers along the crêpe paper covered wood. It rustled under my touch, crisp and rough, reminding me of how Dad did the same thing for me every birthday. Purple, my favourite colour. My mum's colour.

    "Furthest bedroom," a voice ordered as I came to the last of the stairs, "On the bed."

The room was too dark to see anything. No-one had bothered to open the blinds today. The light switch clicked as a soft yellow glow filled the room. My eyes fell to a box on the bedcovers. The cardboard was sky blue with a white silk ribbon and an envelope addressed in a long sweeping hand to 'Miss Rosaline Wood'. The bow came smoothly undone at the slightest pull. The lid lifted to reveal white stuffing paper, translucent and crunchy like snow. Curiosity overrode politeness and I threw aside the wadding not caring where it landed.

I gasped as I caught sight of the prize. Making sure not to shatter the dream I dipped my hands once more into the box. Holding onto the silky material gently I lifted my arms. From my fingers cascaded a waterfall of shimmering blue.

    "You like it then?" Though spoken softly, Dean's voice sounded like a whip breaking the spell of silence. I turned, wonderstruck. 'Nah, it's so ugly' I wanted to say, to rile him up. But I couldn't form the sentence.

    "Dean. It's . . ." I started, lost for words. My mind whirled in an attempt to capture how I felt, "Thank-you." My friend shrugged.

    "No problem." He checked his watch, "You might want to get dressed quick though. We've got a party to get you to." He handed me a bag that he must have collected while I'd been opening his gift. "Face paint, shoes and glitzy bits are in here."

    "It's called make-up!" I shouted playfully to his retreating back. He waved a dismissive hand without turning.

    "Don't forget deodorant." I rolled my eyes once again and shut the door. I began to unlace my school shoes.

. . .

    "Look-kin' good!" came the loud greeting the moment I stepped into Hades. I blushed, sure the entire pub was staring at me. My best friend and the eternal source of all embarrassment for me bounded over.