Us Against the Apocalypse

20 - Finale

Walking towards Arlo and Harley who were each dressed in a black and white tuxedo was the most frightening thing Bluebell had ever experienced save the time she was cornered by a zombie. Her own dress was a deep scarlet in colour, covered in what could be considered childish sparkles. It was backless, and she felt the nip of the evening air against her exposed skin. She'd tied her hair into a bun but had been sure to keep the flower securely holding it back. Her braid was still there, only it was tied back, and the side of her face was for once exposed.

Arlo and Harley hadn't noticed her yet; she wondered whether to retreat back into the apartment and act as though nothing had happened. Back in the apartment, she'd examined herself in the mirror and been pretty self-confident, but as she stood here that crumbled apart.

Arlo was the first to hear her approaching footsteps.

As soon as he spun around, probably feeling the same amount of embarrassment and apprehension, his gaze brightened and his expression relaxed. 'Yeah, it's her.'

Bluebell couldn't help but wonder what they'd been talking about before her arrival but pushed the thought aside and increased her pace. Luckily, the night was hot and the air crisp, and all rain had been held back. It didn't look as though their outfits would be getting drenched in rainwater anytime soon.

'Hey!' Bluebell skidded to a halt against the tarmac and stopped against a building, panting.

'They gave you a nice dress,' Harley commented wistfully. 'The suits me and Arlo were given are shit. Talk about sexism.' He seemed pleased with his suit all in all and was probably just messing around. Arlo's, on the other hand, was around ten sizes too big and rolled up at the sleeves, so he looked like some sort of science experiment gone wrong.

In a way, it was kind of cute.

'I look terrible, right?' He seemed to be joking around about it, but his face was flushed and he kept trying to disguise the suit which was obviously close to falling off him. 'I bet everyone else is gonna look great.'

Bluebell brushed some hair from eyes before stepping back again in line with Harley. 'What're you talking about? You look just as good.' She was playing around, but Arlo went about as red as a tomato and refused to look her in the eye.

Harley burst out laughing. 'She got you there, man.'

Arlo himself wasn't the type of guy to take things to heart too often, but when it came to Bluebell his guard was down and it was extremely easy to set him off. He tugged at the rolled-up sleeves of his suit and yanked at the half-broken tie. 'Is this shit the best they have to offer?'

'Should've checked it before you invited me to this thing,' Bluebell hummed cheerily as she hopped along the sidewalk in her dress; she appreciated it more with every passing second. Bluebell was sure to stand a bit behind the others at all times - her exposed back still bothered her and she'd rather not have it on full display. At some point, she knew she'd have to come clean about it, but that would hopefully be a lot later on.

'This suit fits me pretty perfectly,' Harley whistled, examining the snakeskin belt which held the trousers firmly in place. It truly did suit him, Bluebell couldn't deny that, and Arlo whimpered from his place nearby.

'You both look great,' Bluebell promised. 'Now, how far away's the city centre? I'd rather not get blisters.'

'It's like a couple of miles up the road,' Harley explained, glancing at Arlo's watch over his shoulder. 'We'll be there in half an hour or so. Maybe longer, maybe shorter, but it won't be far away from that.'

Half an hour was bearable at least. Bluebell didn't mind the idea of walking with these two for a few more minutes before actually stumbling across the right location.