Lycan's

8

I had finished curling my hair into gentle beach waves when I heard the knock on the door. I quickly looked once more at my appearance. I applied more mascara and a bit more lip gloss, now that I was confident about my makeup I averted my attention to my dress. Doing a quick once-over. The light blue dress I had on was short and tight until it hit my hips where it flared out and downwards. It was sleeveless and tied around my neck, leaving the better part of my back bare. I grabbed my white heels and slipped them on. I walked as quickly as possible to the door grabbing my white denim jacket that had been laying on the bed. Finn knocked once more before I opened the door.

"I - Woah," he said startled. I smiled to myself assuming he had previously meant to chastise me for being slow. 

"Good evening to you too," I answered. Trying to act as unflustered as possible. Finn opened the door wider. "I really hope I didn't dress to formal," I said quietly as I stepped past him. 

"As a matter of fact, you're only missing one thing," Finn closed the door behind him and pulled a small velvet box out of his suit jacket. And may I say, he looked absolutely striking in a suit. His muscles bulged from his tight fitted button up shirt and jacket and his shirt was slightly unbuttoned. Just enough to show his well-defined upper chest. 

"And that would be?" I asked.

He opened the box, inside laid a silver necklace with one small simple star set in the center. Matching it was a set of crawler earrings, that were also stars, the back although had long chains, that varied in length creating the effect of a shooting star. I couldn't help but gasp, they were beautiful. "Can I put it on for you?" he asked, I nodded not sure how else I was supposed to respond. I gently pulled my hair to one side of my head to make it easier to put the necklace on. "I hope you like it," he said softly as his hands brushed the back of my neck, I refrained from shivering, there was something about his touch that made me want to melt into him, "and I hope you don't mind but I have one more surprise." We continued to walk down the hallway and he stopped in front of another door. He knocked lightly and paused waiting. 

When the door opened I was startled to see a smiling Em. "Lo!!" she screeched as she came bounding out of the open door and wrapping me in a hug. I didn't even know what to say. "Em?" I asked still in shock. I was almost positive I was gaping, "You're actually here?!" She held me at arm's length away.

"Girl, who let you do your own make-up. We are fixing that right now," Em said pulling me into the room she had been in previously. 

"Wait!" I said as the shock was beginning to wear off. "Finn, do we even have time? I thought dinner was at seven." 

Finn nodded, "Yes, I'll just let my mother know we will be about thirty minutes late."

I practically squealed, so happy that Em was here, standing in front of me. "Thank you," I said giving him a hug. I looked up at him as I pulled away, he stood stock still. Probably from surprise but a slight smile touched his lips. "Really, I mean it." 

"You're welcome. I think," He ran his fingers through his hair as he spoke almost nervously. 

"Marlo quit flirting we have to fix your make-up," Em said, trying to keep her face as serious as possible. 

"Yes, madam. I'm coming." I backed away from Finn farther into the room where Em had receded too. "Thank you again, Finn, it means a lot," I said before turning and following Em.

...

I smiled and tried not to move as Em reapplied my eyeliner. "I'm glad you're here and everything, Em, but why'd you come. This place is practically a prison." I felt my smile falter as I said this, but I wanted to know the truth. 

"Because Finn asked me too. Has he been treating you okay?" She asked worry etched in her tone. 

"Yeah, I guess. He just seems like he has this need to be in control. He can't stand it when someone else takes charge. Then he has these insane mood swings. It's annoying and mentally taxing," I hesitated, not wanting to admit what I felt I needed to say next. 

"Yet. . . " Em said softly, being gentle as she prodded me to continue talking. 

"And yet, somehow, I'm still attracted to him," I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. Em stood back the eyeliner still in her hand, assessing her work. "You're coming to dinner with us right?" I asked. 

"No, I'm just chilling here. Now go, have fun. Give Finn a chance," she said as she ushered me back towards the door. "I've taken enough of your guys' time." 

I smiled at her and walked to the door. Suddenly the idea of spending the night with Finn. Didn't sound so bad. If all else failed I'd have Em to come rant to about it. 

. . .

I walked next to Finn, holding his bicep loosely. Goodness was he toned. He stopped in front of two large doors and turned to face me. "Are you going to be okay with this?" I nodded slowly. Was I really okay with this? Would his parents like me? "We really don't have to-" 

I cut him off mid-sentence. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me," I smiled slightly and nodded softly. He nodded more to himself than anyone else and opened the doors. I was startled by the enormity of the dining room. The walls were a soft gray and there was a table that was roughly twelve feet long. It was dark brown wood with white distressed chairs. Sitting next to each other were Finn's parents. It was the first time I had seen his father. He was tall, judging by his posture as he sat talking to Clarrisa who gently turned his head to face us, drawing themselves out of a conversation. A thin smile crept onto his face and I struggled to find any physical similarities between Finn and his father. 

Finn pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit. I smiled in his direction in silent thanks. "Marlo, how nice to see you dear," Clarrisa said happily. 

"Hello Clarrisa, it's good to see you too," I responded smiling. It was hard not to in the presence of such a happy person. 

"This is my husband Ross," Clarrisa said another smile brightening her face. Ross kept a thin smile on his face. In fact, it looked rather forced and strained. I immediately felt uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze. 

"Hello," he said, his face the same, masking his emotions. I shifted in my seat. 

"Hi, it's nice to finally meet you," I said trying to sound polite. 

"The pleasure is all mine." And although he said it kindly, it sounded like the words coming out of his mouth tasted bitter. 

. . . 

A/N

Sorry that this took so long. Also sorry that it's more of a filler chapter. But the next few are going to be more interesting!! I can't wait and hope you can't either!