Love Can Be Chosen

Chapter Nine

A pineapple and coconut mist hung over the dressing room as the girls scrambled to look their best.

Alecto looked through her clothes, noticing what amounted to a Halloween costume: a black and red jumpsuit with wings, basically a devil costume. She had no idea why she'd packed it, but pulled it out of her suitcase.

Why not try something a little different?

When she had changed into it, she noticed Lottie look her up and down, then smiled approvingly.

"You don't think it's too much?" Alecto asked, fiddling with the black bracelet around her wrist.

This wasn't what she would usually wear, that was certain.

"Babes, I love it. You've really captured your essence with that costume." Lottie replied.

So you're really a devil and your essence is devilish? Huh?

"Captured my essence?" Alecto was more than a little bit confused.

"Halloween isn't just about dressing up like a sexy cat or something. As the nights draw in, we celebrate the darkness by letting our true spirit out."

"And you think this is my true spirit?"

"It's definitely showing me a side of you I've never seen before. It's perfect for this time of year."

"Why?"

"It's a waxing moon in Sagittarius this Halloween too, which means it's time to be open and take an emotional risk."

Lottie winked at her.

"Try it. You never know what might happen..."

Hope clapped twice to get the attention of the room. The girls looked up, their foundation brushes poised in mid-air.

"We feeling good, ladies?" Hope had a warm smile.

"Far from it." Hannah's voice was softer than usual.

Alecto glanced over at Hannah. She was pacing around restlessly.

"I'm sure it's going to be fine, hun." Hope tried to reassure her.

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right. Que sera sera!" Hannah's voice wavered.

"What does that even mean?" Lottie asked.

"It's from a musical. There's a whole song about it." Hannah cleared her throat and started singing. Her voice was wobbly and slightly shrill.

"Que sera sera..." She glanced over to Alecto for support.

"Whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see. Que sera sera!" She joined in, her voice relaxing into the song.

It feels so odd, singing so much. You haven't done this for years, since high school and Étienne making you self conscious of your voice. It does feel nice though, like welcoming an old friend.

"You're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you?" Lottie said, turning her smile to Hannah. Hannah beamed at Lottie and air-curtseyed.

Alecto spotted Priya watching her in the mirror as she started applying her makeup.

Why's Priya looking so nervous? Any of us could technically go home tonight. She may be gorgeous, but she's still the new girl.

Alecto smiled at her in an attempt to help her be less nervous.

Priya blinked, then smiled back.

Hannah checked herself in the mirror one last time. Marisol's gaze flickered towards her.