Outcasts

Chapter 9: Plot

Aaron helps Idris walk through the cobbled streets, a difficult feat in high heels. Idris curses as she stumbles for the fifth time.

"Your swearing may make us stand out."

"Then how the fu-" she stops and rethinks her words, "How in the world do I walk in these shoes?"

"You think I would know?"

"I'll let you borrow anything I have if you will switch shoes with me."

Aaron's eyes flit from her shoes to his own, mulling over the proposal. "Sorry, but I don't think they would match my outfit."

"I hate you."

"I love you too Idris," he teases. She rolls her eyes and attempts to walk a few feet on her own and trips yet again.

"I'm fine," she calls out, Aaron sighs.

They meet Caleb a block away from the Lemaire estate. "Did you lose a bet?" Caleb asks, motioning to her outfit. Idris rolls her eyes for what seems the billionth time that day.

The arrive at the gate. There are several dozen people on the lawn dancing, eating, drinking, and talking. Avery stands on the path looking like a forlorn angel. She wears a sleeveless powder blue gown that falls to the ground, her hair is pulled back in a neat half-up, and a cream-colored shawl is draped around her elbows. Oh my god, Idris thinks, her legs shaking ever so slightly. Avery glances over, catches her glance, and waves. Idris makes a spastic motion with her hand back. Caleb snickers at Idris' expression and she elbows him hard in the arm. "Oww," he complains, rubbing his right arm, as Avery approaches the gate.

"Hello," Avery greets, pressing a button that opens the gate. "You look beautiful," Avery compliments.

"You look more beautiful," Idris replies, flustered.

"Thank you." Avery looks around, "Let me show you guys around inside." She starts to lead.

"You need to relax," Caleb whispers. They pass through the door. The entranceway is lavishly designed with two marble spiral stairways that join together and go up.

"Wow," Aaron exclaims.

"Yea, it's a little over the top." Avery brings them up two floors to her room.

"Why are we in here?" Caleb asks.

"My computer can access the server and is farther from the door." She sits at the desk and unlocks the computer and presses on a tab. She opens a desk drawer and takes out a small square shaped piece of glass. Carefully, she runs her thumb over it and a series of numbers and letters appear over the screen. "I took this from my mom's desk when she was busy talking with the musicians." She places it on the desk beside her.

"What is that?" Aaron asks.

"It shows the password for the government server for two minutes before it switches again," she answers, typing.

"Amazing," he mutters.

"There, we are in. Can I have the flash drive?"

"Wait, I have to get it out of the bag." Idris fumbles with the clasp and it falls open, unceremoniously dropping the flash drive on the ground. "Sorry," Idris apologizes, wanting very terribly to disappear from existence.

Avery gracefully picks up the flash drive. "Don't worry about it." She plugs it in and taps a few things in the screen.

"We're all set. It says it should take about 15 minutes to copy and download all the information." She looks back at the three. "The back door is locked but Idris and I should wait out in the front yard to make sure no guests venture in here."

"Wow," Caleb utters.

Idris stands next to Avery in the garden. Idris watches her eyes flit from the guests. Daric walks up to Avery. Idris struggle to not clench her fist. "Happy Birthday Miss Lemaire," He says.

"Thank you sir."

"What is it that you most want for your birthday?"

"Probably my own apartment," Avery replies.

"Ahh," he replies, "I have been rude, who is this?"

"This is my dear friend Artemis," she replies. Idris nods respectfully.

"Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Idris replies cooly. The musicians start to play a slow dreamy melody.

"Artemis, may I steal Miss Lemaire away for a dance?"

"I apologize sir but I promised her the next dance," Avery interjects.

"Okay, it was lovely chatting with you two," He replies calmly, leaving.

"May I have this dance?" Avery asks, jokingly curtsying.

"Yes," Idris replies almost instantaneously. "One problem though..."

"What is that?"

"I don't dance," she whispers.

"I'll teach you as we go then," Avery smiles. "So you have to put both your hands on my waist." Carefully Idris does as she is told. Avery rests her palms on Idris' neck. "You sort of just sway in time to the music." They start to dance but Avery freezes, "Wait, something isn't right."

"What is it?"

"I have to be closer." Avery draws so close to her that she can feel her breath. Avery takes one of Idris' hand her own and leaves the other as it is. Breathe in... and out. Breathe in... and out, Idris has to remind herself.

They dance for awhile, their eyes locked, until Idris interrupts their silence. "So your birthday is February 24th then?"

"It would appear so," Avery smiles.

"Happy Birthday."

"Thank you."

"You are really beautiful," Idris confesses.

"Aww," Avery smiles and rests her hand on the back of Idris' head. Idris blushes, and looks down.

"Idris, I think you're-"

"I'm sorry Avery, but we must be leaving," Aaron interrupts behind her. Avery draws away as if Idris' skin has inexplicably turned to lava.

"Oh, let me walk you guys back," Avery replies.

"I live here," Idris states, as Aaron, Avery, and her arrive in front of their worn-down apartment complex.

"I'll be off, goodnight Idris and Avery," Aaron waves.

Idris watches him leave. "So it's just us now," Avery observes.

"Yea," Idris smiles. "Out of curiosity, what were you going to say before."

"When?"

"When Aaron interrupted you. You said 'I think you're...' then stopped."

"Oh. I was going to say I think... you're stunning."

"You were?" Idris blushes.

"Cross my heart," Avery gestures.

"I think-" Idris struggles to find something coquettish to say, "You're perfect."

"You're too kind," Avery replies.

"I mean every word."

Avery embraces her. "Thank you," she looks up and notices the redness in Idris' face and draws away. "I should probably... go." Avery begins to leave. "Goodnight Idris."

"Goodnight," Idris calls after Avery as she disappears into the dark.