L*O*S*T

12 - Preparation

Previously in L*O*S*T:

~~~~~

I open my eyes, horrified. I quickly let go of the chain and stumbled backwards. The man turned around and looked straight in the eye. The first time I've seen his face.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

And for the first time in my life, I never thought I would have run out of that situation as fast as I did.

~~~~~

Crunch. Snap. Shuffle. Swoosh.

The sound of twigs and leaves crumble beneath my feet as I pushed branches in my way, covered the sound of the man yelling behind me. I try my best to get home now as I took a wooded area to get there faster. I ran even faster as I twisted and turned, just to try and get him off my trail. As I found an opening and exit the wooded area, I dramatically fall out. Tumbling on the ground, I landed with a thud. I groan in pain, sitting upright and I turn my head slowly to the forest. I heard nothing. I turned around and looked at the place behind me. Silence. Besides the sound of my panting from all that sprinting. I stood up and dusted myself off. I began to turn away before a hand grasped my shoulder, making me jump.

"Hi Jenna."

"OH! Jesus..."

I turn around and there stood Elena and a friend of mine, Alizeh. I put my hand over my beating chest as I felt my pulse slowly die down. Elena giggled as Alizeh joined in.

"So, are you ready to come to my house?" Elena asked.

"Um. Y-Yeah."

I kept looking over my shoulder to the wooded area behind me. I gulped. I turn my head back and Elena was on a rant about who knows what and Alizeh was zoning out. Alizeh and I were classmates in school. She was a fun and independent girl. Academically, she (and I) aren't in the highest ranks but she's a great dancer. I guess that's how we both click. She dances and I sing. Her gorgeous brown curly hair was just past her shoulders and her piercing green eyes could kill if looks could. I was lucky to have her as a friend. She reminded me of my childhood friend, Skylar. Hmm.

"So anyways, are you ready to go?"

"Hm? What?"

Elena rolled her eyes playfully and snapped her fingers in my face.

"Wake up, Jen. Are you ready to come to my place?"

"Oh! Oh yeah. Lets go."

Elena smiled as we started to make way for her house. Ali tagged along and they began to talk dance as they both were in the same dance class. As for me, its like my gaze was locked on that wooded area. I could feel my anticipation for something to burst out of that place... That isn't a crow.

~~~~~

"You would look great with this shade of lipstick."

"No, give her this one. I think that looks better."

Elena and Alizeh were finished with their makeup and they were just about ready to do mine. We finally settled on a shade of blush and some other things that had to do with the face.

Elena picked up a scarlet coloured lipstick and opened it up. I have to admit, I do like that shade of red. Alizeh popped open her opinion of lipstick too. It was an orange crush kind of colour, more bright and fun. I liked both of them and I couldn't decide which one I like better.

"I'll take the orange."

Alizeh stuck her tongue out at Elena as she proceeded to apply the lipstick to me. Elena pouted and put her choice away. She stood up, picking up a golden yellow A-line dress before she disappeared behind the closet door. After Alizeh put away the lipstick, she spun me around in my chair, facing me to the mirror.

"Well? What do you think?"

I was astounded at how pretty I looked (I'm not trying to sound vain). I guess I wasn't used to putting in make up and looking very dolled up. I'm more entitled to pigtails, not beach waves.
Pencils behind my ears, not earrings. Eye Blacks, not highlights.
Chaptstick, not lipstick
Chipped nails, not nail polish.
Frowning, not smiling.

I stared at every detail of my face that was different. I felt like a totally new person. Alizeh smiled as I happily stared at myself in the mirror. From behind me, Elena erupted through the closet doors and twirled ground in her dress. We watched her dance as the dress fit all of her curves. Especially the big one on her face. It complimented her well.

"How do I look?" She asked.

"You look-"

"Amazing!"

We all laughed. Tonight was going to be a night to remember. And nothing is going to ruin that.

Ding. Dong.

"Oh! That must be Tristan!" Elena squealed.

I watched her leave the room and run down the stairs. I was happy my friends were happy. I didn't see Tristan as the type of guy to like dancing and social gatherings. But I wasn't either so I guess we're both trying something new. I hurriedly put my dress on as Alizeh went downstairs to greet them too. As I finally slipped on my baby blue strapless dress, I looked at myself in the mirror. If I had seen myself like this a few days ago, I would not believe this was me. I look like a different person.

I slid on my wedges and walked downstairs to meet them. My hand gracefully caressing the railing, I finally reached the foot of the stairs. In the kitchen stood Elena, gleaming like a lightbulb. Alizeh, giving me a thumbs up. Jedediah from French class was sitting by the table, surprised to see me. Felix was standing by the door, smiling as if he had gotten a puppy for Christmas.
And then I saw Tristan. He just stared at me. No emotion at all. At first, I was offended but I walked past him and right up to Felix. Felix was dressed up in a navy blue suit. His tie was red and he wore a white dress shirt. He wrapped his arm around me as he walked me out to the car.

"You look great, love." he complimented.

I blushed.

"T-Thanks."

Alizeh and Jedediah followed after us and Tristan and Elena came last. All of us got into the car, Felix in the drivers seat and I in the front passengers. He reved up the engine as our screams filled the car. The Winterball was coming our way.

And we can't wait to turn it up.