The Lone-Dancer's Feat

Chapter 2

Pic on the side is of the gorgeous Christian Delmont and Lucia. Song is 'Young & Beautiful' by Lana Del Rey :P

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Chapter 2

Lucia's POV

I coughed at the slightly perfumed chemical cloud that infected the air and began to clog my air waves. “I think that’s enough hair spray, Beth.”

She prodded her fingers gently against my up-do, before nodding. “Yes, I think even that’s enough to make sure it stays.”

I glanced at my reflection, and couldn’t help but to be shocked at what looked back at me.

The dark make-up that Beth had so carefully applied onto my face looked professional and even I couldn’t help but to admire at how it brought out the green irises in my large eyes that normally were so dark as a result of my heavy emotional qualms. My up-do was just pinned up curls that slightly framed my face since I had wanted something as simple as possible to attract less attention, and was shocked at how much it emphasised the almost dramatic contrast between my pale skin tone and my thick brunette hair.

But I knew that if I sat down for too long, my perfectionist of a sister would find some fault in her hard work and would want to take even more time correcting it, so I quickly stood up and walked over to my bed to put on my heels before thanking her.

 A knock on the door alerted us before Annabelle strode into the room with three silver masks in her hands.

“Nearly all the guests have arrived, and Dad’s getting anxious to make our appearance so he can disappear again,” She said quietly and handed each of us our masks. From the way she said the last bit, I knew she wished she could do the same.

I looked down at the crescent shaped mask in my hand as I thought of the night ahead.

If I was honest, only the prospect of getting to dance for a legitimate reason had my heart thumping in excitement. The rest of the night though…the thought of having to entertain guests while they stared with pity toward the three of us, would grate on my nerves.

And though I was thankful it was a masquerade ball this year and I could therefore cover my face, I knew the stares of curiosity would increase as they tried to determine which one out of the three of us was me, because – though we all looked somewhat alike – it was my face that had the most media coverage.

Which wouldn’t be that hard for them if I were to unintentionally look directly at anyone, since there was another thing that separated me from my family; I was the only one out of them all that had green eyes, whereas they all had dark brown irises. Even my mum had grey-blue eyes.

And if it wasn’t for the fact that I still had similar features to my sisters, I would have been questioning my existence a lot more.

“Oh come on girls! Live a little. Music, photographers, and famous men! What’s there to be glum about?” Beth asked looking into the mirror so that she could slip her tiny mask onto her face without ruining her make-up and hair.

I shrugged in Annabelle’s direction and turned up the corners of my lips slightly in a sort of smile to tell her I was on her side, before I too slipped my mask on. She nodded in my direction to say she appreciated the sentiment, before taking off her glasses and slipping on her contacts so that the mask could be put on her face.

Annabelle and I moved to stand on either side of Beth and we all looked at out reflection in the full length mirror, because as the hostesses of the party, we had to look somewhat good. If not for us (as Beth constantly reminded us), then for whatever dignity this family had left.