Worlds Beyond: Shattered (ON HOLD)

Chapter Three

Days went by normally after our first day, and by normally I mean my usual nightmares returned.

Which was better, honestly. I still couldn't shake off the weird feeling that new nightmare had caused me, the emotional pain that was left inside me.

But it was just another nightmare like any other, so I decided to stop thinking about it. Sel was still poking at Jaden every so often, even though I had made it clear she should stop. Jaden told me to just let it go, as nothing would stop Sel from doing whatever she wanted. But today I didn't have to worry about her or Mr. Pyth. Oh no. I had something much worse to worry about.

"Party's at 9. I'll see ya downstairs in a bit! :)"

My death.

I stared at Jaden's message for a few minutes, my expression calm and relaxed, but my mind a mess, as if my head was on fire and a bunch of little people were running around in panic. Why did I agree to go with him? I was terrible at parties. People will definitely look at me, flirt, or just talk! How did one socialize? Were frat parties any different from normal events? Of course they were. What did people talk about at parties like that? School work? Life events? Personal preferences? Music? Movies? Latest trends?

Oh God, what if someone asks me what I think about certain things? What things? All I know are my books and horror movies. I don't go out much.

Wow! Really? Gee, I would've never guessed that.

I shut my eyes tightly and pressed the heel of my palms against them, taking deep calm breaths. I was so close to hyperventilating and that would not end up well. I was panicking for no reason. It'd be okay. Not only Jaden would be there but I'd also be able to drink, and God knew alcohol always calmed my anxiety. Not that I was an alcoholic or anything, but if I wanted to interact with other people I'd need to have some sweet alcohol poured down my throat.

After I managed to calm myself down, I took a quick shower and changed into a short black skirt that marked my curves nicely. I grabbed a off-the shoulder white tank top and tucked it inside my skirt, pausing to look at my attire so far. Was this how people dressed up for parties? Sure thing it would have to be something less casual, but not too formal.

I decided to go with black high heels today instead of my usual ankle boots. I reached up to tie my long black hair in a high ponytail so it fell in silky waves over my back, the red tips dangling like droplets of blood. My eyes drifted to the top of my closet where my accessories laid and I picked up the necklace I loved so much. It was a single black key hanging from a black silver cord with a bright red ruby attached in the middle. My mother had given it to me when I was little and I used it as a lucky charm when I most needed it. And right now, I needed like six of these.

I slid it over my head, admiring it for a moment with a smile before making my way to the bathroom. I decided to try something new today, something I had always tried to avoid the most but it was a special occasion, so there was no way I wouldn't do this. I picked up my black velvet cosmetics bag from the countertop, something my mother had tucked in my bag in case I needed it. I didn't think I'd ever find any use to it, but I also didn't think I'd end up in a frat party but guess whose going to one now?

I reached around in my bag, starting my make up with thick khol around my eyes with a perfect slight curve at the end. I applied black silver eyeshadow over next, fading them together the way my mother had taught me, and just a bit of mascara that made my already thick eyelashes look all the more larger. I picked up a red velvet matte lipstick and applied it over my plum lips, contouring my cheeks with a pale shade of brown blush.

After I finished my little session I stepped back to stare at my reflection fully, slowly grimacing.

My blood red eyes were far more brighter with the dark eyeshadow around them and that really unnerved me. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. This is why I never wore make up or barely applied khol anymore. But it was too late to change now.