The Gifted

Chapter 14

The last couple weeks of term had gone by in a rush, it was now Saturday and I planned to leave on Monday, the only good thing about this weekend was that I didn't have to spend time with Rivers at Pricilla's place. The last few weekends away had been tense, we exchanged brief words, such as hello and goodbye. I managed to learn many things from Pricilla which I still need to practice before trying on any human being.

However, that was not what was plaguing my mind, it was the excitement of the mall and the rush to find a dress for tomorrow nights ball. Us girls which consisted of Gracie, Bella, Darcy and me had been wandering the mall for the last hour with no luck, we were now standing in a store which I don't remember the name of.

"Ooo this one's pretty!" remarked Bella as she held up a black body-con dress that had a square neckline.

"Oh I love that!" exclaimed Darcy as she rushed over to Bella to examine the dress.

"Hey guys i'm gonna go check out the store next door," I stated not finding anything I liked in this one.

"Ok," Bella and Darcy chirped back, too interested in their dresses. With a small laugh Gracie walked over to where I stood.

"Come on, I know a great shop," she said linking our arms together. We then walked out of the store and across the courtyard that held a fountain and a coffee shop. Gracie pulled my arm as we got close to the store.

"Come on, we don't have all day!" She stated as we crossed into the store.

Laughing I retracted my arm, "But we do have all day," I said with a smile on my face. Gracie replied with a squeal as her eyes landed on the dress section. "Omg this your dress!" Grace said with excitement.

Coming to stand by her side I took in the beautiful dress. It was a red body-con dress that had a deep v, which I guessed put a lot on display. "Try it on!" She said flinging the dress towards me.

With a grin I walked into the dressing room. As I slid on the dress I knew it was going to be a prefect fit, the dress hugged my curves in a flattering way. The thick straps of the dress pulled my chest upwards allowing for more to be shown then I usually would like. It stopped 10cm above the knee allowing for the dress to be modest but with the tight fit allowing it to also be sexy. Taking in my reflection from the change room mirrors I liked the simpleness of the dress, with another quick check over the dress making sure nothing was wrong, I flung it over my arm and headed over to the counter.

I then payed for the dress while Gracie was trying multiple options on. She eventually settled a on white, silk, backless dress. We then meet up with the others in the Black suv that drove us back to the academy.

"Oh that looks amazing on you!" Remarked Bella. We now all resided in Bella's dorm showing one another our dresses. By the time we made it back to the academy the sun was on its way down and the sound of animals getting ready for the night drifted through the warm air. I had pulled a chair to the side of the window and rested my head on my hand, gazing out onto the vast grounds of the school.

I tried to pay attention to my friends but thoughts of the following days controlled my mind. I still wasn't sure how I was going to leave the school without being noticed. I was hopping that students were allowed to leave during break; but when Darcy had told me the other day that nobody was allowed to leave the grounds for safety reasons, my hopes had been crushed. How the hell was I going to get past the security?

"Looks like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders!" Stated Tom as he pulled up a chair beside me.

Darcy had dragged Tom along to show him her new dress. Tom not wanting to be the only guy forced Cam to come, he now sat in the kitchen with his back turned to us. We had briefly locked eyes, but he quickly spun his head away. 

Facing Tom I responded with a sigh, "Something like that," I muttered.

"Just talk to him, most guys are more nervous to talk to you than you would think," he said giving me a pat on the shoulder.

Taking Toms advice I rose from where I sat and made my way into the kitchen. He hadn't noticed me yet and I quickly thought about turning away. Too late, he looked up sensing my presence.

"Ah hi," I stuttered, fiddling with my hands.

"Hi," was all he said with his gaze focused on me, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

"Um can we talk outside?" I asked hopping he would say no and that I could go run and hide in my dorm.

"Sure," Cam said standing up from the kitchen stool, towering over me. Taking a shaky breath in we exited the dorm, while the other were too distracted to notice. Wordlessly we walked down to the communal living area and resided on the large couches facing the fireplace. We sat in silence for the next minute, with neither of us willing to be the first to speak. Lacing my hands in my land I tried to meet Cams gaze. Unable to, I dropped me head down and let my eyes focus on my lap.

"So...," We both said at the same time, cutting on another off. "You first," Cam stated gesturing his hand towards me.

"I Umm, I wanted to apologise for what happened. I never meant to hurt you I just...I," I stuttered. Before I could continue my attempt at a butchered apology he spoke.

"Lyra it wasn't you're fault that I couldn't take no as an answer."

Finally able to meet Cam's gaze, his eyes bore into mine. "Friends?" I whispered not sure if I was telling him or asking him.

He nodded with a small smile. "Well now that we are friends. Lyra, would you like to go to the ball together?" He asked.

Pondering his question I shifted my eyes to the right. Out of my peripheral vision a silhouette caught my attention. Slowly the figures moved into my direct line of sight. It only took a second but my heart sunk and tears crept to my eyes. There in front of me stood Rivers, with his hands wrapped around a girl. Their lips were intertwined, showing their public affection.

I dragged my head away in a rush and answered Cam's question. "Yes, I would love to go to the ball with you." I answered mostly out of jealousy and shock of what I had just witnessed.

Cam was stunned by my answer as he smiled like a child that had been given lollies. "We're not getting married, we're just going to a ball!" I laughed at Cam rolling my eyes.

He stood up and offered me his hand. Taking it I cast a look over my shoulder, Rivers and the girl had sat down, the girl was now sitting on his lap with her arms draped around his neck. Dragging my eyes away from them I tried to distract my mind with the ball tomorrow. Arriving at my dorm me and Cam gave our goodbyes and separated ways.

I had only been gone for not more than 15 minutes and my phone had blownup with texts from Gracie asking where I was. Sending her a message I slid my phone back into my pocket. Earlier today I had moved my dress from the couch to my wardrobe; not wanting to take the chance of it getting something on it. Grabbing my computer I came to lay on the couch, opening netflix I went on the search to find something I hadn't already watched.

Slowly as I watched movie after movie the sun completely set, leaving the dark sky dotted in white gems. Yawning I shut my laptop and slid it onto the coffee table. I then proceeded to get ready for bed, opening up my window I half hoped that I would catch a glimpse of Rivers secretly slipping out of the forest. With no luck I curled into bed.

With the distraction of the movies I hadn't quit processed the events of today, not only did I not have an escape plan but I had seen Rivers share a, let's just say heated kiss with another girl. Then finally being friends with Cam again. A few tears escaped my eyes as I visualised the kiss I had shared with Rivers only a few weeks ago. Had that meant anything to him, or was I just another one of his 'girls'? And why was he avoiding me, had I done something wrong? With those thoughts swirling in my head I drifted off the sleep and dreamed of nothing at all.