One Last Time

19. Dance

Taya clenched and opened her hands. How can she be sure that the Queen was not lying? What if the Queen was just playing with her mind? 

"What makes you say Kai killed my parents?" 

Adele stopped examining her nails and looked at Taya, her eyes piercing. "I never claimed any such thing. Those words came out of your own mouth." She paused. "Fine. I'll tell you everything after the dance. Please do come." 

Taya scoffed and tugged on Matt's hand. "Let's go." She whisper-shouted. He shrugged and beckoned the others with his other hand. They all bowed except Taya and walked out the same way they had come in.

*

Matt had pulled his hand out of Taya's. He turned her around, so that she was facing him. "What do you think?" 

She didn't need explanation for that question. "Adele's right. I know for sure now, that a car crash couldn't have killed them. If I am a Sotíra, that means they were too. Something that silly, couldn't have been their end. Now I know and I will make him pay." 

They stood blinking in the sunlight outside. Matt scowled. "Make him pay? Tell me Taya, how are you going to do that?" 

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Adele did say she'll tell everything. All we have to do is go to the dance." 

He rolled his eyes. "Alright, let's go get ready for the dance." Taya grinned at Stella and they walked ahead of the boys, whispering together.

Theo and Matt followed them, an awkward silence hung between them. 

"Why do you not like me?" Theo burst. 

Matt raised an eyebrow. "Who says I don't like you?" Theo made a face at him. Matt sighed. "I don't not like you. It's just that I love my Stella. I won't be able to see her hurt. I haven't gotten to know you well and I don't know if you'll break her heart or not. Even if she isn't my full sister, I love her more than myself, I've always been the one for her; the one she came to when she cried, laughed or when she was angry. Then suddenly you come and she looks at you as if you hang the sun, moon and stars, putting her life into uncharted territory.
I hated you at first, but I saw that you make her happy, you make her smile. You have been... better to her than I have." His breath hitched. 

A pair of hands encircled his chest and he turned around to see Stella hugging him, her eyes filled with tears. 

"Mattie, I love you too. I'd do anything for you too. You also make me happy and make me smile. You are the best brother anyone could ask for. Don't ever say you aren't better. You are the best." 

Matt chuckled. "Oh mei mei, don't cry." He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear and rubbed soothing circles on her back. 

*

Casey placed a final pin in her hair. She stepped back to admire herself in the mirror. Even though Taya had told her not to take any dresses she had. Now she was glad she didn't listen to Taya. 

Half her hair was braided and pinned at the back, the rest falling in curls. She had on a blue dress, that hit mid-thigh. It wasn't too tight or loose. It hugged her body at the right places, the sweetheart neckline making it look beautiful. 

Casey put on some lip gloss and grabbed her purse to meet Pedro. On the way out she saw Taya. She waved and Taya ran to her, who was not looking very happy. 

"What happened?" 

Taya brushed off her question and grabbed Casey's shoulders. "You look gorgeous Case. But why play dress-up?"