eloise’s pov
This morning, I received something in the mail, and I never get things in the mail. I was curious, ripping open the mysterious envelope. I was expecting a Christmas card of some sort, but instead, and invitation slipped out of the envelope. I opened it up, and it was decorated with all sorts of red and green glitter, and pictures of Santa’s and reindeers. It read;
TO: Eloise
WHAT: Annual Christmas Ball
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30 PM, December 24th
WHERE: Village Square
You may bring some friends or a date if you choose.
Hope to see you there!
Merry Christmas!
I laughed, tossing the envelope and invite onto the wooden coffee table. I get invited to these every year, but none of my friends live around here, so I never go with anyone. I was planning to dispose it, but then a thought came to my head, making me smile. Niall. We could go together! To round off our little Christmas adventures, as Christmas Eve is tomorrow, so last minute shopping and cooking and decorating goes on then.
I threw on a coat over my pajamas and slipped on my UGG boots, and was out of the door in a flash. I was heading over to Niall’s place, where he was most likely still sleeping, as that’s his second nature. I walked up his stone steps and knocked on the door twice, before letting myself in, with the spare key that was hidden under the ‘welcome’ mat.
I shut the door behind me, before making myself at home on the couch, and switching on the television. This was our usual routine, me coming over to his early, while Niall slept in to whatever time; usual ranging from about 10 till noon. Around that time, he trudged out, shirtless and with a pair of pj bottoms slung low on his hips. I avoided looking at him, and tried to focus on the moving pictures that were on the television set.
“Hi El,” he said, popping a few pieces of bread into the toaster. “Hey,” I said, flashing him a small smile. “So, what are we doing today?” he said, crunching on his breakfast. “Well, not so much today, but tonight?” I said, biting the inside of my cheek nervously. He cocked his head, confused. “What do ya’ mean?” he spoke eventually. I handed him the invitation, and watched his face, as emotions crossed his face, happiness being the main factor.
“Do you want to go together, like… a date?” he said, smiling. “Well, yeah, if you want to? I get invited to this every year, and I never go because I normally don’t have anyone to go with, and this could be a nice way to round off the Christmas activities?” I rambled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Sure, I’ll pick you up at 7?” said Niall, rolling the invitation up and sticking it in his pocket. “Okay, I’ll, um, see you then,” I said, hugging him goodbye, and then stepping out of his flat, out into the cool air of London.
I walked down the road back into my apartment, when realisation suddenly hit me. What was I going to wear? I ran into my bedroom, rummaging through my closet, yanking out various dresses that I had worn on different occasions. I eventually decided on a white strapless dress, with a lace neckline and sleeves. I had worn it once before, when I had to go to my younger brother’s graduation, back in Bradford, where I was originally from.
I matched them with a pair of plain white pumps. I laid down my outfit onto my bed, smoothing out any unwanted creases that had surfaced. I then treated myself to a warm bath, washing my hair in the mean time. Once my hair was blow-dried, I warmed up my curling iron, before curling my hair, into luscious curls, that framed my face nicely. I sprayed some hairspray in here and there, to keep the curls in place. I brushed my teeth, before applying some makeup. I put on a little bit of foundation and powder, before putting on a light layer of eyeshadow, filling in my eyebrows, applying some brush and putting a little bit of pink lip gloss onto my lips.
