trepidation | h.s

part twelve: The Ball

buckle up...
(content warning! violence, blood, some scary moments)

Anxious. That's all I felt.

I haven't told Harry about the doll mask, because I knew he'd completely cancel going to this ball tonight if I did and we'd be on the next flight home. And besides, I'm pretty sure I imagined it.

We had spent the rest of yesterday hanging out as a group, in the pool on the balcony outside. Eliza and Louis snuck off at one point, except it wasn't very sneaky at all. But who am I to judge?

There was one point where Harry and the guys had some sort of conference call with Matteo's associates, talking about what was to be expected for the party.

Today was the day of the ball.

We all went out for breakfast at a nice brunch place, and took our morning and afternoon slowly until it was time to get ready.

The boys were in a different room than Eliza and I.  We were in the gigantic downstairs bathroom. The two of us literally had to help each other into our dresses and heels.

It was a weird atmosphere, knowing all of us were getting dressed up in our fancy gowns and suits. I stand in front of the mirror, my hands holding my waist as I examine myself in the glass. My hair was in curls, half of it tied up at the top of my head neatly, while two curly strands hung in front of my face. Eliza put her hair up entirely because she wanted to stay off of her neck for the night, which I guess in hindsight made sense. She had told me I looked beautiful before going out into the main seating room.

I take a deep breath and sigh, grabbing the skirt of my dress and picking it up so I didn't step on it as I walked.

I haven't seen Harry in his suit yet.

My heels tap against the hardwood as I leave the bathroom. I keep my head down, distracted by my thoughts as I walk down the hall.

While my eyes were down, looking at my hands, I suddenly heard a voice from the other end of the hall that I immediately recognized as Harry's.

"Lydia?" he spoke, making me stop walking and snap my head, my eyes perceiving him a few feet in front of me.

My heart raced when I saw him, mainly because of his appearance. I had expected him to pick out some old black and white tuxedo and maybe a fancy tie...but instead, he was stood in front of me in a red suit, the jacket and pants matching while underneath he wore a black dress shirt with white decorative details.

My lips parted as his suit and mere presence amazed me. He looked incredible. His hair was neat, the curls still prominent, however. He had his infamous rings on his fingers, his chest slightly exposed under the dress shirt.

"You look..." he starts to speak, looking at me up and down and shaking his head in awe. I was so distracted by his appearance that I forgot about my own. "You look incredible." he completes his thought.