The Secrets Of Dragons: Book One

Chapter 17

The buzz in the air surrounding the Autumn Formal was palpable, and as the date itself approached, Elsie began to hum with excitement. I was feeling anything but the electric energy that had made its way through all the girls on campus. I still hadn't been home since my fight with Ryker and I didn't plan to come around any time soon. Giovanni and Sarah tried to sit me down and explain his side of it, but honestly, I did not want to hear about it. I really just wanted to move on from the entire situation. You live and you learn.

I tried but could not manage to ignore the stinging pain in my throat any time his name was brought up in random conversation. I guess that is what I got for fucking someone and had nothing but mutual friends. I felt a little bad that they had spent more time with me than him in the passing days, but it wasn't enough for me to approach him and try to hear him out. Elsie is still the only one that knows how intimate our relationship has gotten over the past few months and I planned to keep it that way to minimize the embarrassment of my mistake.

I wasn't looking forward to any sort of social event, but with the look Elsie had given me when I had hinted at not going broke any sort of resistance I had had. Giovanni and Sarah had the same sort of enthusiasm as everyone else, and that was the more shocking moment than anything else. When Black had his winter and midsummer gala's, Gio never seemed to want to go. He always put up a fight which always ended in defeat against his father. I was used to playing dress up being employed under the Company, but I never had to talk or pretend. I would just look pretty and stay in the shadows, making sure Giovanni did not end up doing anything dumb for the entire night.

This wouldn't be the same. I would be expected to enjoy my friends' company and try to seem like I was anything but what I am. My anxiety reached an all-time high when Elsie had dragged me to some of the nicer dress shops in the city, making me try on everything that she thought would remotely look good on me. I did not have the best taste in formalwear and usually just wore what Black had appointed for me but doing this on my own proved to be a challenge. Elsie came in clutch, rescuing me from the shame of not knowing what to pick out.

We had moved through all the racks and I only lightly brushed each one with the tips of my fingers. Most were elegant and beautiful, but some were entirely too strange and outdated. Elsie was having the time of her life moving through the thousands of gowns and released a squeal of happiness every time she found one worth trying on.

By the time we had bought our tents, Elsie gave a satisfied sigh and looked over at me.

"You're going to be the hottest girl at the formal, Jay." She mused.

"Only because you picked out a costume for me." I groaned. "There's barely any dress there. Leaves little to the imagination, Els."

"You'll look like starlight!" She giggled.

"Don't remind me."

It was true. She had chosen a midnight black dress that glittered faintly in the light. The only objection I had was how much skin it showed rather than covering up. She had seemed so pleased with her choice that I didn't want to say no.

"So, how are things going between you and Rye?" She asked absentmindedly. "Have you talked to him yet?"

"No." I sighed. "I don't really want to talk to him right now."

"Jay." Her nostrils flared. "You can't avoid him forever. You guys live together, and as much as I love you being with me all the time, I think Eddyson really wants our space back."

"Wait. What?"

"Well, she brought it up this morning." She swallowed hard. "But more than anything, I want things between you and Ryker to be civil again. I know he fucked up and that makes him the world's biggest asshole, but you need to sort it out together."