Within His Grasp ✔️

T W O

My honking laughter could be heard from a mile away. My best friend, Miles, thought that dressing up as a woman and attending the ball would be a great idea. Why? I'm not sure, but his great description of the looks he would get had me rolling on the floor. 

"Jesus, Miles. Why on earth would you think that would," I wheezed. "Be a great idea?" His blue eyes shone mischievously at me. "Because, then I would be able to flaunt all that at the men there, then I would reveal I was a man the whole time and relay their reactions to you." He said, gesturing to my womanly assets. I rolled my eyes at him and smiled. "Well, you do you. Plus, we gotta find a way to enjoy this ball somehow."

Miles nodded in response. He flailed his hands and made a weird noise when I understood what he was saying. "Yeah, see? My family doesn't think it's a good idea, though." He frowned.

I patted his shoulder comfortingly and stood, walking around my room. "Maybe they're just jealous." His eyes brightened at that and he also stood. I pulled out the dress from within its box and he let out a low whistle. "Damn, Fable. That's..." his blue eyes scanned it from top to bottom. 

"I know. It's totally unlike me and very revealing. I really doubt if my mother is sad or not about the ball, because she's totally acting like it's the best thing ever." I scowled at the memory of her squealing and repetitively telling me of all the guys that are going to want to be with me.

Miles patted my back, returning the gesture. "It's okay, Fable. I'll be there for you."

I smiled at him and set the dress back in its box. "I know, I just can't believe the ball is tomorrow. It's seems too soon." He nodded in agreement and flopped onto my bed. "Yeah, I'm just glad that if we don't find our mates, we'll move in together. Right?" 

I smiled and nodded, the memory of us making a pact allowing some light to be shed on the situation. Miles and I made an agreement that, after the ball, if we were both still single, we would get an apartment together and live on like that. "Of course. I can't think of any other way I'd wanna spend the rest of my years, then with my closet friend."

I flopped on the bed beside him and sighed. I felt him wrap his long arms around me and I let my head lean onto his shoulder. Funny enough, a lot of people though Miles and I were dating because of how close we were. But, we're not. We've just been friends for our whole lives.

I never thought if his as anything more than a friend and I know he didn't see me like that either. Our families were just super close. 

But, Miles was handsome. With his floppy blond hair and his stark blue eyes. Yes, he was. And I don't doubt there was going to be a few women there who were gonna get all jealous of me. 

My mother was running her hands through my curls with a focused look. I could tell she was trying to do something with it, but they were curls. What could you do with them?

She smirked at me slightly and reached behind her, soon returning with the dreaded straightener. I widened my eyes and shook my head, but she held me down. She was a violent, violent woman.

I felt my hair being tugged on and I slumped down in defeat. "There, look at how nice it looks straightened!" She said, picking up the piece of straight hair. It looked unnatural to me.

I grimaced, but kept my mouth shut as she tugged on my hair over and over again. The time passed by and finally my mother stopped ruining my hair. She stepped back and clapped her hands in delight. "It looks wonderful!"

She yelled for my father, brother and Miles and soon I heard their footsteps. Miles and Philip had gone somewhere else to get ready and my father was waiting patiently outside. The parents always stayed behind, as they were already mated and the ball was strictly for finding your partner.

I heard the squeaky door open and saw two pairs of brown eyes and one pair of blue look at me like I was some sort of goddess. Miles stepped in first and he gasped. "Damn, Fable. You look... wow."

Philip and my father exchanged looks and smiled at me, though I could tell they were uneasy about the dress. I felt my cheek being poked and I scowled and slapped Miles' hands away. "Yep, still the same Fable." He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and stood, relying on my brother's arm as I took a step in my heels. My mother and father smiled lovingly at me and kissed my cheeks before doing the same to Miles and Philip.

I felt my step falter as we walked to the car and step in, my mind going foggy. I looked out the window and felt a hand hold my hand. I looked at Miles and he smiled at me. "We'll be okay, Fable. I'm right here."

I nodded and prepared myself for the worst.