Selected of Illèa-A Selection Fanfiction

21

I smoothed the cream fabric of my dress in excitement. Lucas should be coming with Emily soon. My maids had designed something perfect for me to wear. It is really cute, but it won't overshine anyone. It is knee length, cream, short sleeved and has blue embroidery on the top and coming down to the skirt.

Then, with Lucas's hands over her eyes, Emily walked in. He took his hand off and her eyes fluttered open. "Suprise! Happy birthday!" We all yelled.

Emily jumped a little at the words but her eyes took in everything. The cake I made. The blue and white decorations that matched our dresses that Riley made. The pile of gifts that Isabella organized. The music played by Aubrey. Ellie's 'Happy Birthday' sign. The smile on her face wided as she looked at all of our faces. She looked back at Lucas and something changed in her eyes. Something, I only see in my parents eyes, or old couples that have been together for decades. It mirrored my feelings for Lucas almost perfectly. He smiled back with the same affection he shows me.

I felt as someone stabbed me in the heart. I faked a smile but inside I felt as though I was dying inside. I breathed in and out. I searched my mind looking for the calming techniques Ashley had taught me years before. I feel as though whenever I need to remember something, I forget it.

Isabella turned to me with a worried expression on her face, "Are you okay? You look as though you've just seen a ghost."

"I'm fine," I lied, "I'm just thinking about something my brother said." I lied. I haven't lied in a long time. I smiled to give her reassurance that I was okay. Riley came up behind me.

"Somebody's jealous. Give the girl a break it's her birthday," Riley hissed in my ear. No matter how bratty she is, she is right. I have no right to be jealous of Emily on her birthday.

Knowing myself, I went out of the room for a second to put my feelings aside and be happy for Emily. She's my friend. She deserves to love Lucas.

Feeling ready I paced back to the door. Aubrey was playing some festive music. Some guards had come to dance. Officer Mark Leger asked me to dance. His eyes still had the pain of loss etched into them. And that's when I heard it.

Riley, watching Emily clearly flirt with Lucas, murmured, "My, my, he really is falling for your tricks." And the last person I expected to retort, Ellie, said, "Your one to talk little miss I'm-going-to-makeout-with-this-guard,-not-tell-the-prince-and-become-an-elite. Don't think I didn't see you in the music room." We all stopped.

Riley's face contorted in anger. "You little-" Aubrey stopped playing music, "Are you kidding me? It's Emily's birthday!" And then, so fast I almost missed it, Riley turned around to Aubrey and punched her in the stomach.

Aubrey staggered back before lunging on Riley, but Riley, too quick, moved and Aubrey hit the cake off the table on to a very angry Ellie. All heck broke loose and the three girls were hitting and scratching and punching one another. It took four guards to pull them apart. I comforted Emily as her birthday was torn apart.

Then, Lucas made them go to hospital wing, and without hesitation, Isabella, Emily and I went up to our separate rooms, Emily's room just across the hall from mine.

I made her a happy birthday card with an apology for the party, even though I didn't do anything. I took it across the hall.

Just as I am about to knock on the door to her room, I hear Lucas, "Happy birthday, my love." I don't need to see them kiss to know a kiss followed that.

Before I can stop them tears fill my eyes and roll down my cheeks. Why does Emily and Lucas have this effect on me? Why can't I see them together and be happy? I know the answer, and it's what scares me. I love Lucas and there is a chance that he is going to break my heart. My feet carry me into my room.