Conflicted (Brothers Conflict)

Chapter Eleven

On the day of the wedding. I woke early changed the dressing on my gunshot wound. Luckily it was just a graze, it probably could have used a few stitches but it wasn't dire, and the bandages were working fine. I cleaned out the wound with my first aid kit before rebandaging it. It didn't hurt as much as it did the day before. Once I was sure it wouldn't bleed through the bandage, I changed into the pale green dress Miwa had bought me and slipped on the heeled shoes, they were a low heel. The dress was short sleeved so I was currently rocking a mummy look as my burned arm was completely wrapped in bandages.

It was going to take months to heal, and they needed to be dressed in bandages at all times to keep from getting outside toxins on the healing tissue that may hinder the healing process. Luckily, the dress was long enough that no bandages were poking out on my leg, as I was sure Masaomi would notice and would want an explanation. There was a knock on my door as I looked warily at the make up Ema had given me to put on. I didn't usually do the whole make up thing. It wasn't my style and I could never master the art of eyeshadow. One would always be slightly darker than the other and I'd keep layering to try and even them out and always ended up looking like a not so cute raccoon. I opened the door curiously to see who was at my room so early in the morning.

"Good morning E." Louis, the eighth Asahina son, greeted me with a lazy smile. He was twenty-one, three years my senior and worked as a hairdresser. His eyes were a breathtaking mauve color and he had shoulder length pale ash tinted champagne hair. He always addressed me how Juli did and was the only person aside from Ema and myself that Juli seemed to get along with, much to my surprise.

"Good morning Louis." I greeted him politely.

"Can I do your hair?" He asked me hopefully. The first time I'd met him he asked to do my hair, I said no as a reflex and it really seemed to depress him. As he was probably the nicest brother I'd met aside from Natsume, I didn't want to make him sad again and told myself I wasn't going to tell him no again.

"Sure, I'd like that." I smiled, hoping it wasn't too forced.

Louis smiled and motioned for me to sit at my desk chair before setting to work. His hands moved quickly and steadily with practiced care. Though I wasn't typically the kind of girl that liked make overs and going to salons, I did have to admit, there was something relaxing about letting Louis play with my hair. I'd imagine it was like a hair massage, if hair follicles had more feeling it would probably be heaven.

"That dress suits you." He said after a moment.

"Ah, thanks. I always think I look weird in dresses." I admitted somewhat shyly as I thought about meeting up with Natsume later and him seeing me in a dress. Was it going to be weird? Would he laugh at me?

"It's cute." Louis assured me.

Would Natsume think so?

"Is your arm okay?" He asked me as he applied the finishing touches to my hair.

"Yeah, it's a little itchy, but that's probably because it's healing." I looked to the makeup Ema had given me, scattered atop my desk. "Louis, would you happen to know anything about any of that gunk?" I motioned to the makeup.

He chuckled, "Do you need help, E?"

"Yes." I admitted in defeat.

"I'd be happy to help."

"You're a life saver." I grinned.

When Louis was finished, I actually looked like a girl, a pretty girl with neutral toned makeup, blushing cheeks and rosy lips. My hair was half up, half down and looked amazing. I thanked Louis for his help before rushing to meet with Ema. We were supposed to go to the venue together, early to meet with Dad and Miwa.