A Quest To The Known

chapter fourteen

Lyra

The white gloves lightly scratched my arms as I prepared to walk down the stairs. The bow around my waist reminded me to correct my posture and walk straight, something I hadn't been obligated to do since I my ballet classes.

They hadn't paid much attention to decoration but the ballroom still resembled a Disney movie. As my eyes wandered through the room I spotted Lucas, also trying to keep his posture, glowing bright from the chandelier above him. His hands couldn't keep quiet, much like my own. He stood next to the tables, they were arranged so the dance floor was shaped as a circle, a chandelier hanging low in the middle.

My dress slipped down as I started to walk and I cursed myself for picking a strapless dress but then reconsidered. I had small boobs, might as well use then well. I took about two minutes to descend the right side of the wide stairs. I'd fallen in heels before so I liked to take my time when I wore them. Make sure I didn't show my underwear to a kid. Again. People began looking at me with concern at one point, and some even offered to help but I polited declined because the round skirt didn't allow them to come too close, it'd just be an awkward mess. I hoped they didn't feel offended. And that these heels didn't break or else I'd actually go broke.

Lucas's expression remained the same when he spotted me walking in his direction and I couldn't help but be disappointed. I had taken a lot ofbtime to choose a dress that'd make me feel good and impress him, at the same time. The main proof of that was the text on my phone asking him to not wait for me in the hotel room.

"I'm so sorry I'm late and you're beautiful. I'm not sorry you're beautiful, I'm actually glad you are." His rosy cheeks complimented the color of my dress.

I loved seeing men in suits and Lucas wasn't an exception. Actually if I knew him earlier in my life, he might've been the reason. His monochromatic black look set him apart from the many blues and greys and his turtle neck made him stick out even further. Despite a little casual, he looked perfect.

"I didn't know what to wear and I couldn't afford the whole suit so-" He ran a hand through his gelled back hair, done just like that time I did his hair, hiding the curls I seemed to grow so fond of.

"You look great. I'm actually beginning to think there's no way for you to look ugly." The air between us great heavier as soon as the words left my mouth. My teasing was a whole lot different from when we first began this trip. Back then it was mostly to make him open up to me, laugh a little, but now I meant what I said. I wanted him to know I appreciated the way he looked. But one thing remained the same, he still didn't know how to take a compliment.

So he shifted the attention to me, "You too. I mean, you look amazing. And you got the whole look, too," He showed me his forearms to indicate the gloves, "It's great. You're great."

"You're awful at paying compliments but I understood what you meant, so thank you," He sighed in relief.

He looked a whole different from the other days, not because this time he was actually smelling what I recognized as cologne but because he was uneasy. He was fidgeting and he couldn't seem to look me in the eyes. I guess I was also different because for once I was not fidgeting.