The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 22

I step out of the limo as it parks next to the Exquisite Rose. The Rose is the hotel that hosts the Noel Ball. I don't want to step on my long dress so I'm careful where I put my feet.

My dress tonight is the color of eggplant purple. It is sleeveless, with two thin and sparkly silver bands. One at the top of the bodice and the other sitting at the base of the bodice, right before the top meets the skirt. The skirt flows down to my feet, which are dressed in silver heels with two straps. One over the foot, one above the ankle. The skirt has layers of fabric overlapping each other. Its lovely, I really admire it. Sharon found it for me at the same downtown boutique that she bought my short turquoise one. I also have a small string of diamonds sitting around my neck and a pair of exquisite diamond earrings that dangle from my ears. I piled my hair atop my head tonight. Took me a while, but once I finished, it was a very close resemblance to Taylor Swift's in her music video of Love Story.

Xander has gotten out of the limo and has walked to the other side where I'm standing. He is dressed in a snazzy navy colored suit. He has a white shirt on under the suit-jacket and the white sleeves peek out at the edge of his navy ones. Xander also has a navy tie tucked into his jacket. He closes the door behind me before casually holding out his arm to me.

I hesitate, then, very slowly, I slip my arm through his and we walk to the front doors. Inside, two bellhops are waiting to open it for us. As they do so, Xander leads me into an enormous lobby. The tiles on the floor are white and tan, and they match the various couches sitting in a small waiting room by the large oak front desk. There is an enormous chandelier hanging from the ceiling, so large it covers half of it. We make our way over to the elevators where a sharply dressed woman is standing. She asks as we approach, "Tickets please?" Xander reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out our two entrance passes to the ball. He hands them to the woman and she examines them. After a minute she says with a smile, "Thank you. Its on the eighteenth floor." She presses a button and as the elevator doors slide open we quickly step through them.

Xander pushes button number eighteen and we rise. I lean against the wall and close my eyes. I hear Xander say, "Emilee?"

"Hm?" I mutter, my eyes still closed. "You are stunning tonight." I inhale softly and let it out slowly. Quietly, softly, I say, "So are you." I hear a ding and the elevator doors slide open. I step out into the fancy room, Xander close behind.

The room is well lit by several lights hanging from the ceiling and the pillars that sit around the room like a large fence. The pillars sitting by the north wall have seven tall windows between them. These windows grant a view of the Los Angeles night sky. The floor is made up of tiles that reflect the lights scattered around the room as well as the many dancers that occupy the floor. The ceiling is decorated with many magnificent carvings, patterns, and pictures. The south wall of the room has many graceful tables that offer cuisine delights for the guests. Its beautiful and I am in awe as I take in my surroundings.

My eyes see a girl walking our way, past the other guests that are here. Xander smiles in recognition and I soon realize who she is as well. Its Isabelle Fuhrman, and she is beautiful tonight, like always. Her hair flows down her back in beautiful curls. She is wearing a short black dress that accents her figure very well. She smiles politely at me before grinning widely at Xander. He says, "Belle! Didn't expect to see you here." She responds, "I didn't expect to see you either Xander! I thought you said you weren't coming!" He slips an arm around my waist and says with a smile, "I wasn't going to. But then I found a wonderful date to come with me so here I am. Isabelle, I'd like you to meet a very special person. Emilee, this is Isabelle Fuhrman."

I smile softly at Isabelle and say, "Its nice to meet you." Isabelle looks at me again and nods slightly. Her eyes cloud over with a coldness as they look at me. But she quickly makes her eyes appear bright once more as she turns them back to Xander. "Well I'm glad you came! Now the party can start." Isabelle says in a teasing voice. Xander laughs and makes a retort. I just listen quietly as they talk, most of my attention on Miss Fuhrman. I've deduced why she's cold and slightly unfriendly towards me.