I grabbed a beaded black clutch and stuffed it with the essentials, and made my descent down the staircase. I always imagined the walk down the tall, wooden staircase, to be somewhat magical on my first date when I was a little girl. Unfortunately, I never imagined my first date to be with someone who despised me, to a dance where I was sure to make a fool of myself, by orders from a Royal Prince who likes me but has been forbidden to talk to me; but I never had much of an imagination.
Talbott waited at the foot of the stairs, more pink chrysanthemums in hand; well, they used to be my favorite flowers. As my heels clicked on the staircase, Talbott looked up to take a look at me. The moment his eyes took me in, they nearly bugged out of his big head. His mouth dropped open and I could see that he was struggling for words. I would have taken it as a compliment except the look on his face made me more self-conscious than anything.
“Y-y-y-you can’t wear that,” Talbott stammered out.
“Why not?” I asked defensively and finished my descent down the stairs.
“Because, you can’t,” he said simply, not really giving me a reason.
“Yes, I can,” I argued back with attitude.
“Where is the dress Prince Kiran sent you? You have to wear that one,” Talbott took a step forward and I thought for a moment he was going to push me back up the staircase.
“No, I don’t have to wear that one. I don’t have to do anything. You’re lucky I’m even going to this stupid dance,” I brushed passed him and out the door, leaving him to stare after me completely unsure what to do.
“Eden, behave tonight,” Aunt Syl called after me, fidgeting with a camera she never got to turn on, as I made my way hurriedly towards Talbott’s retro limousine.
The chauffer tried to get out of the driver’s side quickly, but I beat him to it, leaving him just as confused as Talbott. I yanked open the door and threw myself in to the back seat, landing on something soft, but not quite a car seat. I looked up and saw Kiran looking down at me, confused and surprised.
“Excuse me,” I said irritably, and maneuvered quickly, and as lady-like as possible in my short skirt off of Kiran’s lap.
“You’re excused,” Kiran replied slowly and somewhat befuddled.
“I didn’t expect anyone to be in here. I mean, I thought it would just be Talbott and me,” I tried to explain, and crossed my legs self-consciously. Suddenly, I was rethinking my choice of evening attire.
“It’s a double,” Kiran cleared his throat, never taking his eyes off of me. Talbott finally began to make his way down the walk and towards the limo. “Didn’t you like the dress I sent you?” his smirk was suddenly there and I watched his eyes appraise me.
“No,” I replied simply.
“I think I like this one better too,” Kiran cleared his throat again and I couldn’t tell if he was nervous or annoyed. “Thank you, for coming tonight,” he said sincerely.
“I didn’t think I had a choice,” I looked out of the window, hoping for a distraction. Kiran was dressed in a nicely tailored black tuxedo, shiny shoes to match. His dirty blonde hair was slicked back away from his face, accentuating his strong facial features. I had never seen him look so handsome; it was distracting me, and making me forget how mad I was.
“Don’t be so grumpy Eden,” Kiran scolded playfully, before half standing to sit next to me on the seat that was facing him. Talbott burst through the door of the limousine and I noticed for the first time that he was wearing a tuxedo as well. Apparently this was not just an ordinary high school dance.
“Wouldn’t you prefer to sit over here Sir?” Talbott had not yet recovered from my dress and was still awkward as he took a seat across from us.
“I will Talbott, stop worrying so much,” Kiran scooted closer to me as if to spite Talbott before turning towards my face and wrapping his arm around me.
My heart began to beat wildly and my magic was barely under control. Kiran’s touch brought an electrical storm through my blood and I felt it begin to boil just below the surface of my skin. I saw Kiran smirk once again before leaning his lips close to my neck, breathing softly on my neck.
“You look beautiful tonight, Eden,” Kiran whispered delicately in my ear, his breath tickling my throat gently. I felt dizzy from with him so close. “Will you save a dance for me?” I was flooded with overwhelming magic, making me forget how angry I was. I would have said yes to anything he asked, until….
“Driver, to Ms. Van Curen’s, please,” Talbott instructed the driver with authority. I suddenly remembered why this night was so preposterous and snapped out of my hypnosis.
“I don’t think so,” I said, half standing up as quickly as I could, moving across the limo and onto the seat next to Talbott. I folded my arms stubbornly and stared out the window, vowing to ignore Kiran Kendrick completely. He was not taking both Seraphina and me on a date; clearly he needed to be reminded.
To my irritation however, he only laughed, as if my rejection of him were somehow entertaining. I fumed silently; the blood that was boiling from desire now boiled from fury. I could feel the magic radiating off me as if putting up a guard that no man could cross.
Any and all hints I tried to throw Kiran’s direction apparently flew right over his head because he purposefully scooted over in his seat and sat directly across from me. He casually slid his feet next to mine, our ankles touching in the smallest of ways. I tried to maneuver my feet away from his, but the space in the limo was too confined and anywhere I moved my feet, he simply stretched his longer legs to accommodate. I saw the smile on his lips and realized this was just another one of his games. Talbott sat next to me, head in hands, afraid to watch.
The driver came to a stop in front of an elaborate mansion on the northwest side of Omaha. The house was gigantic, with immaculate detailing. The walk up to the house itself was a good 50 yards. The entry way, surrounded by tall white columns, was large enough to accommodate an elephant.
Kiran stepped out of the car and walked the long way alone. I breathed a sigh of relief and stretched my legs from out of their cramped position. Only a few minutes went by before Kiran returned with Seraphina, whom he opened the door for and helped into the seat across from Talbott. I expect her to scoot down and across from me so that Kiran could also climb in the car, but to my disappointment he walked around to the other side of the car and took his place, legs stretched out before him and all, across from me.
“You look nice,” Seraphina said sarcastically, after only seconds of entering the vehicle. Her eyes appraised me in a much less flattering way than Kiran did, and I once again felt self-conscious.
“So do you Seraphina,” I tried to return it sarcastically, but I knew the sincerity shined through, because she genuinely looked stunning. She only rolled her eyes and slipped her arm through Kiran’s as if marking her merchandise.
Kiran glanced at her approvingly before giving her a small peck on the cheek. I couldn’t blame him, although I wished I could, but she looked like a goddess tonight. Her long blonde hair was wrapped into an intricately woven side ponytail, her golden locks hanging curled and shining. She was dripping in diamonds from her earrings to her necklace to her bracelets. They complimented her floor length, bodice hugging, silver gown, and gave her the illusion that she was sparkling. Her silver gown accentuated every one of her curves and was low cut in the front, but maintained the class and sophistication my dress did not. The entire bodice was beaded and embellished and had almost a 1920’s look to it.
I understood now, why the pink gown was more appropriate. I once again was walking into an unknown situation looking like a tramp. I rolled my eyes and continued looking out the window, internally cringing. This dance felt less and less like a high school extra-curricular activity and more and more like a witch trial; unfortunately for me, it turned out I actually was the Witch.