The Golden Lily Chapter 13

THE DAY OF THE DANCE, I seriously conside red ink going prickle to the costume store and buying the flammable white costume.Lias deck up was a bit more than than I had expected.She had d hotshot a fair gambol copying the chiton style worn in ancient Greece, Id blow oer her that.The dress was sleeveless, pinned at my shoulders to drape into a neckline lower than I was easygoing with. The dress was floor length, and shed slightlyhow nailed my height perfectly with give a demeanor measuring me. That was where the historical resemblance ended. The material was some sort of silky, flowing fabric that engrossed around me and tryed my figure better than youd expect a dress desire that to man jump on. Whatever the material was, it was nothing the Greeks could stand produced, and it was red.I couldnt remember the exist time Id worn red. Maybe when I was a child. Sure, the Amberwood uniform variations sometimes had burgundy in them, however it was a subdued shade.This was a bril liant, flaming scarlet. I never wore colors that intense. I didnt akin the attention they attracted. Amplifying it was the amount of grand shed worked into the dress. Gold thread jumpd along the edge of the red fabric, glittering in the light. The belt was golden withal and not the cheap p workic of the costumes. The pins dimension the dress were gold (or at least some high fibre metal that appeared gold), as were the accessories shed provided a necklace and earrings made of little coins. Shed stock-still wedded me a gold comb with little red crystals on it.I tried it on in my dorm room and stared at the glittering, red display I made.No, I give tongue to aloud. nearly unrivalled knocked at my door, and I grimaced. It would take forever to change off of the elaborate dress, so I had no choice moreover to answer in costume. Fortunately, it was Jill. Her mouth opened to speak and because comely hung thither in silence when she pr all overb me.I tell apart, I tell. It s ridiculous.She recovered herself a a couple of(prenominal) seconds later. No no Its painful. Oh my God. I hurried her into the room before our classmates could see me. She was also attired for the dance, in a fairy confection of pale blue subtile material that tinctureed perfect on her willowy Moroi frame. Its red, I told her. In eccentric it wasnt obvious, I added I never wear red.I know, she state, wide-eyed. besides you should. It looks amazing on you. You should burn all your gray and brown clothes.I shake my head. I piece of asst wear this. If we leave now, in that respects muted time to go by the costume store and accept patronage something else.Jill shake cancelled her awed domain and alsok on an adamant, fierce look that seemed kind of extreme for the situation. No. absolutely not. You are wearing that. Its going to blow your boyfriend away. And you should put on a little more paper I know, I know. You dont manage anything crazy, except just darken th e eyeliner and put on some lipstick. up in force(p) a little. Youve got to match the dresss intensity.You see? Already this color is causing problems.She wouldnt stick out down. Itll take deal a slight. And thats all weve got. If we dont leave soon, were going to be late. Your boyfriends always early, right? I didnt answer right away. She had me there. Brayden was always early, and as much as the costume pained me, I couldnt stand the sentiment of making him wait especially since he wouldnt be able to stimulate into the dance without an Amberwood student.Fine, I said, with a sigh. Lets go.Jill grinned triumphantly. But first the piece of music.I conceded to the makeup and then, at the last minute, added my cross necklace. It didnt go with the theme and was instantly swallowed by the more flamboyant gold jewelry, scarcely it made me incur better. It was a piece of normality.When we finally left, we found Eddie waiting for us in the lobby. He was dressed in normal clothes, his only nod to Halloween being a plain white half-m adopt that reminded me of the Phantom of the Opera. I was half-tempted to crave if he had a second atomic number 53 so that I could do a rapid wardrobe change and just go hideed.He jumped up from his chair, his flavor going dreamy when he saw Jill in her blue, ethereal glory. H atomic number 53stly, how could no virtuoso else see how crazy he was limitingly her? It was so painfully obvious. He drank her in with his eyes, looking as though he aptitude swoon then and there.Then, he flicked his gaze over to me and did a double-take. His boldness wasnt lovestruck so much as dumbfounded.I know, I know. I could already see tonights pattern forming. Its red. I never wear red.You should, he said, emit Jill. He glanced between her and me then shook his head.Too bad were related. Id ask you guys to dance. Seeing as my cousin already wants to go out with me, though, I suppose we shouldnt croak any more rumors.Poor Angeline, said Jill, as we walked out to my car. She rattling wanted to go.Seeing as therell be speakers there, its in all likelihood best she doesnt, I said.Eddie paused when we reached Latte. Can I drive? I feel like I should be a chauffeur tonight.You guys look like royalty. He grinned at Jill. Well, youre always royalty. He opened unitary of the cover doors and actually brush her a bow. later on you, milady. Im here to serve. Practical, stoic Eddie was seldom given to such dramatic shows, and I could tell it caught Jill off guard. Th-thank you, she said, redeem into the gumptionseat. He helped her tuck her skirt inside, and she regarded him inquirely, like shed never noticed him before. After that, I could merely deny his request and gave him the keys.The Halloween dance was being held at a very(prenominal) fine hall adjacent to some botanic gardens.Eddie and I had checked it out this week so that he could condition its safety. Micah was meeting Jill there, though for different re asons than Brayden meeting me. Supervised buses were shuttling roughly students from the nurture to the dance. Upperclassmen like Eddie and me were allowed to take our own transportation, along with family like Jill. No bingle would technically know if Micah dropped her off later, but for now, she could only leave campus in the family carpool.I hope Im ready for this, I muttered, as we pulled into the parking lot. The dress had distracted me so much that I hadnt had time to ruminate over my different concern going to a dance. alone my old complaisant anxieties returned. What did I do? What was normal here? I hadnt had the nerve to ask any of my friends.Youll be fine, said Eddie. Your boyfriend and Micah will both be speechless. I un solidened my seatbelt. Thats the third time Ive heard your boyfriend. Whats going on with that? Why wont anyone hypothesize Braydens name?Neither of them answered right away. Finally, Jill said sheepishly, Because no(prenominal) of us advise rem ember it.Oh, come on Id expect that from Adrian but not you guys. Its not that weird of a name.No, admitted Eddie. But theres just something so I dont know. Unmemorable close to him. Im glad he makes you happy, but I just start to tune out whenever he discourses.I cant mean this, I said.Brayden was waiting out front for us, no doubt having been there for at least ten minutes.My stomach fluttered as he looked me over from head to toe. He didnt comment, though his eyes widened a bit. Was that good or bad? I flashed my student ID to get him in the door, and Jill al to the highest degree at present joined Micah. Eddies brief romantic flare was gone as he shifted into business mode. A brief look of pain crossed his face, fade as quickly as it had appeared.I touched his arm.You going to be okay? I asked softly.He smiled rump. Ill be fine. Just have fun. He walked away, soon melting into the crowd of students. That left me alone with Brayden. Silence wing between us, which wasnt unc ommon.It sometimes took us a few minutes to impregnable up and get the conversation going.So, he said, as we walked further inside. You have a DJ. I wondered if itd be that or a live band.Our develop just had a bad experience with a live band, I said, thinking of Angeline.Brayden didnt press for details and instead gazed around at the decor. untrue cobwebs and twinkling lights were strewn near the ceiling. Paper skeletons and witches hung on the walls. Over on a far table, students were scooping salt lick out of a giant plastic cauldron.Amazing, isnt it? said Brayden. How a pagan Celtic holiday has become such a commercial event.I nodded. And a very secular one. Well, aside from attempts to link up it into All Saints Day.He smiled at me. I smiled back. We were safely in well-known(prenominal) academic territory.You want to check out the cowherd? I asked. Some fast, bass-heavy call option was on, drawing lots of people to the dance floor. Fast move wasnt really my style. I d idnt know Braydens take and was afraid he efficacy want to join in.Sure, he said, looking relieved to have a purpose. Something told me hed been to as umpteen dances as I had none.The plug away provided us with a reason to discuss sugar vs. artificial sweeteners, but my heart wasnt into it. I was too concerned active something else. Brayden hadnt said one word around my dress, and it was filling me with anxiety. Was he as shocked by it as I had been?Was he politely holding back his true public opinions? I could hardly expect compliments if I wasnt giving them, so I opinionated to take the plunge.Your costumes great, I said. Thats from the theatrical company, right?Yes. He glanced down and change surface out the folds of his tunic. Not entirely close, of course, but itll do. The tunic was knee-length, pinned on one shoulder, and made of very light, off-white wool. He had a woolen mantle over it dyed in a dark brown that was exact to the time period. even off with the cap e, a fair amount of his arms and bosom were exposed, showing a runners body with a lightly muscled build. Id always thought he was cute, but it wasnt until this moment I realized he faculty actually be hot. I expected that to trigger a stronger tone in me, but it didnt.He was waiting for me to say something. Mines not entirely, um, accurate either. Brayden studied the red dress in a very clinical way. No, he agreed. Not at all. Well, the cuts not that far off, I suppose. He thought for several moments more. But I still think its very pretty on you.I relaxed a little. Coming from him, very pretty was high praise. While he often had a lot to say about every other topic, he was thrifty with words when it came to emotions. I shouldnt have expected anything more than a simple statement of facts, so this was a big deal.Whoa, Melbourne. Where have you been hiding? Trey strolled over to us and began liberally filling a cup with the fluorescent park punch. You look badass. And hot. He sh ot Brayden an apologetic look. Dont take that the damage way. Just verbalise it like it is.Understood, said Brayden. I couldnt help a smile. Trey had been behaving weirdly around me for the last day or so, and it was nice to see him back to usual form.Trey gave me some other admiring look and then turned back to Brayden. Hey, check it out. We both went for togas. Romans rule He held up a helping hand to high-five Brayden but didnt receive it.This is a Greek chiton, Brayden explained patiently. He studied Treys homespun toga, which looked suspiciously like it had been made from a bed sheet. Thats, um, not.Greek, Roman. Trey shrugged. Whats the residuum? Brayden opened his mouth, and I knew he was about to explain exactly what the contrariety was. I quickly rushed in. Yours looks good on you, I told Trey. Looks like all those hours of weight training paid off and I finally get to see the tattoo. Like Braydens, Treys tunic was draped over one shoulder, giving a glimpse of his l ower back. Trey, like half the schooltime, had a tattoo. But unlike the rest, his hadnt been part of the high-inducing, sinister vampire blood ones that had swept the student body. Treys was a sun with highly stylized rays. It had been done in normal, dark blue tattoo ink. Eddie had told me about it, but Id never gotten a look at it before, seeing as Trey didnt really go shirtless around me.Some of Treys enthusiasm dimmed, and he turned slightly, keeping his back away from us. Well, its pretty softcore compared to yours. Nice to see it out again, by the way. I absentmindedly touched my cheek. I usually covered the golden lily with makeup at school, but I figured here at the dance, I could claim it as part of the costume if any teachers grilled me about the dress code.Another fast song came on, and Trey brightened again. Time to show off my moves. You guys coming? Or are you going to supervise the punch all night?I dont really do fast dancing, said Brayden. I nearly sagged in relief .Me either, I said.Trey gave us a rueful smile before heading out. Color me surprised. Brayden and I worn-out(a) a good deal of that evening by the punch, actually, continuing our give-and-take of Halloweens origins and the larger subjugation of pagan holidays. Friends of mine came by occasionally, and Kristin and Julia in cross couldnt stop gushing about my dress. Every so often, Id also whelm a glimpse of Eddie patrolling the crowds, silently and covertly.Maybe he shouldve been a ghost. He was almost always within sight of Jill and Micah but cogitateing on guardian mode seemed to have saved him from pining over her too much.Both Brayden and I stopped talking when a slow song finally came on. We tensed and then exchanged glances, keen what was coming. Okay, he said. We can only avoid this for so long.I nearly burst out laughing, and he answered with a small smile. He too was fully alert of our social ineptitude. Somehow, that was comforting. Now or never, I agreed.We walked over to the dance floor, joining other couples locked in embraces. Calling what most of them were doing dancing was kind of a stretch. Most were just kind of stiffly rocking and rotating around. A few were precisely using the opportunity to plaster themselves all over each other and make out. They were quickly pulled apart by chaperones.I took hold of one of Braydens hands, and he rested his other on my hip. Aside from the kiss, this was believably the most intimate contact wed had so far. There were still a few inches between us, but I couldnt help but be overwhelmed at the change to my normal personal space boundaries. I reminded myself that I desire and trusted Brayden and that there was nothing weird about this. As usual, I didnt feel surrounded in hearts or rainbows, but I didnt feel threatened either. Attempting to shift my thoughts from our closeness, I listened to the song and immediately got a feel for its count. About a minute into the song, Brayden realized what I was doing.You you can dance, he said in amazement.I looked up at him in surprise. Of course. I was hardly sweeping across the floor in some grand ballroom waltz, but all of my movements were timed to the songs beats. I couldnt really imagine how else you would dance. Brayden, meanwhile, was only one step removed from the rigid movements of most of the other couples. Its not hard, I added. Its just kind of mathematical.Once I put it into those terms, Brayden got on board. He was a quick study and counted off the beats with me. Before long, we looked as though wed been taking dance lessons forever. Even more surprising, I glanced up at him once, expecting to see him concentrating and counting. Instead, he was regarding me with a soft expression an affectionate one, even. Flushing, I looked away.Amazingly, the smell of coffee still clung to him, even though he hadnt worked today.Maybe no amount of showering could get rid of that scent. Yet, as much as I loved eau de coffee, I found myself thinking of the way Adrians cologne had smelled at Wolfes.When the next fast song came on, Brayden and I took a break, and he excused himself to go talk to the DJ. When he returned, he refused to explain his mysterious errand, but he seemed supremely pleased with himself. Another slow song soon followed, and we headed back to the dance floor.And for once, conversation between us stilled. It was enough to just dance for a while.This is what its like to lead a simple life, I thought. This is what people my age do. No grand machinations or fights between good and Sydney?Jill was standing beside us a worried expression on her face. My inner alarms immediately went off, wondering what had caused such a sudden change from her happy, carefree attitude earlier. Whats wrong? I asked. My first fear was for Adrian, that shed sensed something through the bond. I shook the thought. I needed to be worrying about Moroi assassins, not his well-being.Jill said nothing but simply nodded toward the punch table, almost exactly where Brayden and I had been earlier. Trey was back, talking animatedly to a girl in a Venetian mask. The mask was beautiful an icy blue, decorated with silver leaves and flowers. The mask was also familiar. Jill had worn it in Lias runway show and had been allowed to keep it. equally familiar was this masked girls outfit, a threadbare shirt and ragged denim shorts No, I said, recognizing the long, strawberry blonde hair. Angeline. How did she get here? never mind. There were any number of people she could have sneaked here with. The chaperones probably wouldnt have noticed her on a shuttle bus. We have to get her out of here. If shes caught, shell be expelled for sure.The mask does hide her features, Jill pointed out. Maybe no one will notice.Mrs. Weathers will, I said, sighing. That womans got a sixth sense for oh. Too late. Mrs. Weathers was chaperoning on the other side of the room, but her eagle eyes missed nothing. Peering over the crowded dance floor, I saw her begin making her way toward the punch. I didnt think shed made a positive ID on Angeline yet, but her suspicions were definitely raised.Whats wrong? asked Brayden, glancing between Jill and me. No doubt we wore mirrored expressions of dismay.Our cousins about to get in some serious trouble, I said.We have to do something. Jills eyes were wide and anxious. We have to get her out of here.How? I exclaimed.Mrs. Weathers had reached the refreshments table, just as Trey and Angeline began walking toward the dance floor. I saw her start to go after them, but Mrs. Weathers didnt get very far because the punch bowl suddenly exploded.Well, not the bowl itself. The punch inside exploded, dust out in a spectacular shower of bright green liquid. There were shrieks as several nearby people got splashed, but it was Mrs. Weathers who took the brunt of it.I heard a sharp intake of breath from Brayden. How in the human being did that happen? That must have Sydney?Id cried out and jerked a few feet away, knowing exactly what had caused that bowl to explode.Brayden assumed my reaction was fear of injury. Its okay, he said. Were too far away for any glass to be over here.Immediately, I looked at Jill. She gave me a small, helpless shrug that said, Well, what else was I supposed to do? My usual reaction to Moroi magic was disgust and fear. Tonight, shock and dismay were there too. We didnt need attention drawn to us. True, no one knew or would even guess that Jill had used vampire water magic to create the punch distraction, but it didnt matter. I didnt want any word of weird, unexplainable phenomena leaking out of Amberwood.We needed to stay under the radar.Are you okay? Eddie had suddenly appeared by our side or rather, Jills side. What happened? He wasnt even looking at the punch. His focus was all on Jill, and just like earlier, she actually seemed to notice it. Brayden was the one who answered, his eyes alight with intellectual curiosity as he watched tea chers scuttle and try to clean up the mess.Some sort of chemical reaction, if I had to guess. Could be as simple as using baking soda. Or maybe some kind of mechanical device?I gave Eddie a pointed look. It was a prank, I said. Anyone couldve done it. Eddie looked at me, then looked back at Jill. He gave a slow nod. I see. We should get you out of here, he told her. You never know what No, no, I said. Get Angeline out of here.Angeline? Eddies face registered disbelief. But how? I directed him toward where she stood with Trey on the dance floor. They, like many others, were staring at the aftermath of the punch explosion with wonder. I dont know how she got here, I said. Its irrelevant. She needs to leave. Mrs. Weathers nearly caught her. A knowing glint flashed in Eddies eyes. But the punch distracted her?Yes.His attention fell back on Jill, and he smiled. Convenient timing. She smiled back. I guess we got lucky this time. Their gazes locked, and it was almost a shame to interrupt . Go, I told Eddie. Get Angeline. He cast one last look at Jill and then jumped into action. I couldnt hear the conversation as he spoke with Angeline and Trey, but the look on his face would use up no arguments. I could see Trey yielding to family authority, and after a few more arguments, Angeline gave in as well. Eddie quickly escorted her out, and to my relief, neither Mrs. Weathers nor anyone else seemed to notice.Jill, I said. It might be best if you and Micah leave early. You dont have to go right this second but soon.Jill nodded, face sad. I understand.Even if no one would connect her to this, it was best if she wasnt around. Already, I could see people gathering at the table and, like Brayden, trying to figure out what could have caused such a phenomenon. She vanished into the crowd. Brayden finally looked away from the spectacle. He started to say something to me and then suddenly jerked his head toward the DJ.Oh no, he said, face crestfallen.What? I asked, half-expecting the DJs table to collapse or a speaker to catch on fire.This song. I requested it for you but its almost over. I tilted my head to listen. I didnt know the song, but it was slow and romantic and made me feel well, kind of guilty. Here it was, a sentimental gesture from Brayden, ruined by myfamilys wacky hijinks. I caught hold of his hand.Well, its not over yet. Come on.We were able to dance to the last minute of it, but it was clear that Brayden was disappointed.I wanted to make it up to him someways and, in spite of everything that had happened, still have the normal high school dance experience Id wanted.The nights young, I teased. Ill go request one for you, and then you can try to guess when it comes on. Considering I didnt listen to the radio, it probably wouldnt be that hard to guess. I made the request and then joined Brayden for another slow song. I was still a little anxious about what had happened earlier but told myself all was well now. Jill had left. Eddie had taken ca re of Angeline. All I had to do was relax and A vibration startled me as I danced. I was wearing a tiny, red dress traveling bag over my shoulder. It was lost in the folds of my gown, but the buzz of my cell ring was unmistakable.Apologizing to Brayden, I stopped dancing to check the message. It was from Adrian We need 2 talk.Great, I thought as my heart sank. Could this night be any more of a disaster?I texted back Im busy.His response Ill be fast. Im close by.A feeling of dread crept over me How close?The response was about as bad as I could expect The parking lot.