A Timeless Place

Chapter 60 - Part 1

Regal Regret

"Are you ready to partaayyyyy?" Eli and Jan excitedly walked into my bedroom. They had barely taken three step into the room before they had stopped dead in their tracks- their mouths hung open as they took in the scene before them.

"Who are you, and what have you done with Kitty Proud?" Jan's eyes were wide in shock and awe.

"Kitty sent you a 'thank you' note for choosing this dress," I joked as I stood in front of the mirror to look at the final product.

"Girl, you look smokin' hot," Eli gave her nod of approval. I didn't know whether Eli's approval meant I had done something very good or very reckless. Either way, it was too late.

"Do I?" I knitted my eyebrows together uncertainly, not sure which look I had tried to achieve when applying my make-up. When I was getting ready for the party, I had been angry at Wes and had been absolutely determined to spite him. Now I witnessed the fruits of my anger before me.

Both Eli and Jan came to stand on either side of me in front of the mirror.

"You look too hot to be frowning," Jan gently tugged my hand into hers.

"Wes isn't going to know what hit him," Eli grinned, taking my other hand into hers. She winked at my reflection. "Either you, or my fist." Jan and I giggled at the serious look on her face.

"Thank you guys so much, really," I nodded at their reflections in the mirror. Jan looked at me affectionately but Eli's eyes were blazing beacons of rebellion. She was proud of me. And that meant the world to me. My eyes trailed back to my own reflection.

My hazel-green eyes, although usually dole shaped, were now boldly framed in black and stared back at me challengingly. My fair face was covered with a soft delicate foundation and bronzer to accentuate my cheekbones. And my lips matched the exact shade of crimson that was my dress. It had been a while since I had done a full face of make up so I was a little bit rusty.

But this dress was deserving of my best look. It was the striking dark crimson of blood. It had a tight-fitted bodice, with delicately fitted off-shoulder sleeves. The skirts of the dress fell definitively from the bodice, the front of the skirt extended mid-thigh and the back of the skirt finishing just behind the knees. It was a powerful dress, and I the regent tonight.

I looked around at what used to be my quiet peaceful abode. Never had I seen it so altered as it was now. All the furniture was placed to the side or completely removed to create large spaces. All the delicate items on display had been carefully hidden from potential reckless teenagers. The kitchen was bustling with staff preparing trays and trays of food. There was a whole bar set up on the side where I could see the band members lounging around as they waited to be called on.

Eli whirled around the house, bits of powder blue skirts flicking here and there briefly as she double-checked and triple-checked every tiny detail.

"Stop that," Jan poked my hand. I hadn't even noticed that I was nervously tugging at the hems of my dress. "You look amazing. Stress isn't good for you."

"I agree," Kevin passed us by briefly, carrying a stack of chairs into the living room. He wore dark navy dress pants and a light blue rich formal shirt that complemented the colour of his eyes. "About the first part of course, don't know about the second." He winked as he disappeared into the next room.

Jan turned her head to look at Kevin and an odd expression crossed her face. Her honey-coloured eyes trailed after him until he was out of sight. She then suddenly moved to stand in front of me and placed either hand on my shoulders, looking me right in the eyes. Those honeyed orbs pierced mine severely.