The Awakening
Page 40
believe.Oneofmyabsolutefavorites—agownfitforaqueen.”
AliciapressedthegownagainstEve’sbody,comparingthesizeversusEve’s shape. “I wore this when I was around your age, and it looks like you’re practicallythesamesizeIwasbackthen.Ofcourseyou’remuch, much taller
—butthat’sofnoconcern,wecanhavethetailoraddsomelength.”Shecircled
Eve, eyeing her body. “Yes, you have a lovely figure.” She paused, her eyes landingonEve’schest.“Yourboobsaremuchsmallerthanmine,though.
We’reallblessedindifferentways,Isuppose.Youwithyourgift,mewithmy
perfectbreasts.”
“Mother,”Percygroaned.“Focus,please.”
“Well,wecangetthebusttailoredanyhow.”Shesighed,admiringEveasif
shewerestaringatherowndaughter.“I’llhavethealterationscompleted
tonight.Tomorrowmorning,youwillhaveagownthatfitslikeaglove,
revamped especially for you. And when you go to that party, you will be the most beautifulgirlintheroom.Doyoufeelit?”
Evefurrowedherbrow.“Feelwhat?”
“Beautiful!”
“Beautiful?”Evehesitated.“Honestly,it’snotsomethingIthinkabout.”
“Oh but you should think about it, darling,” Alicia corrected. “Everyone deservestofeelbeautiful.It’syourGod-givenrighttolookinthemirrorand
lovewhatyousee.Nevermindtheimperfections—we’reallimperfect,after
all.Butpeopletendtogetsocaughtupinwhatthey’relacking,theyforgetto
appreciate all that they have.” She pranced toward one of her many servants and tossed the dress across his shoulder. “To alterations, please.” She turned backtoEveoncemore,hereyesshiningwithenthusiasm.“Youare so
beautiful,Eve.Andtomorrownight,you’regoingtobeanabsolute gem.”
Evecouldn’thelpbutloveAlicia;hervitalitywascontagious,hersweet
dispositionabreathoffreshair.Evesmiledbacklikeanimpressionablechild.
AliciarestedherhandsonherhipsandgaveEveaplayfulwink.“AndI’lltell
youonething:ifseeingyoursexyselfinthisstunninggowndoesn’tgiveour Mr.Valentinearagingboner,thenhe’saboutasgayasmydarlingPercy.”
“MOTHER!”Percyshouted.“God,themouthonthiswoman.”
“What?WhatdidIsay?”
***
Eveawokethenextmorningonacloud—asoft,shimmeringcloudthatwas
thecolorofredwineandsmelledofwarmvanillasugar.Sheopenedhereyes,
hersenseshazyuntilshefinallyrecognizedhersurroundings:thecreamwalls
withtheirgoldencrownmolding,therichhardwoodfloors,themassive
canopybeddrapedwithburgundysilksheets—sheremembereditnow.Alicia
LaFleurhadsomanyguestroomstochoosefrom,butshehadinsistedthatthis
onewasthebest,abedroomfitforaqueen,andEvehadtoagree.Shebreathed
in deeply. The room was so peaceful, she could hardly find the will to pull herselffromherpillow.AndthensherecalledJason’sfast-approaching
twenty-firstbirthdayparty.
Withagrunt,shehoistedherselffromhersheetsandtrompedoutofthe
bedroom,headingthroughthehallwayanddownthewindingstaircasein
searchofanysignofhumanity.Shefollowedtheredandgoldruguntilsheat
lastreachedthekitchen,wherePercyandAliciasatatthecountergigglinglike
bestfriends.
“Eve,darling!”Aliciasquealed,rushingtohersideandsqueezingher
tightly.“Isuspectyousleptwell,yes?Youlookrested.”
Percysnickeredbeforebitingintoashinygreenapple.“Niceensemble,”he
teasedthroughmunches.
Evelookeddown;shewaswearingapairofAlicia’spajamas,madefrom
burgundysilktomatchthebedsheets.
“What?They’reyourmom’s.”
“Yeah,well,it’salsotwoo’clockintheafternoon.”
“Sonofa—”Evestoppedherself,blushingassheglancedoveratAlicia.
“Thistimezonethinghasmeallmessedup.”
“Oh,ignorePercy.Heforgetsthatnoteveryoneisusedtotheconstant
traveling.Yourbodythinksit’sthea.m.,andsoweshouldgetyousome
breakfast,”Aliciachirped,scurryingthroughthekitchen.
“Oh,that’snotnecessary.Weprobablyhavetogetgoingsoonanyway—”
“Nonsense,”Aliciasmiled.“Youhaveplentyoftime.I’llhavethechef
prepareyouaplate.Untilthen,”shegrabbedacrystalfluteandtwobottlesof
juice,“howaboutamorningcocktail?Cranberryandvodka?Ormaybe
pineappleandrum?”
“Um,”Evestammered,“isn’titabitearlyforthat?”
AliciashotEveablank,confusedlook,thenquicklymaskeditwithyet
anotherpicturesquesmile.“You’reright.I’llgofetchyouabottleof champagne.”Sheprancedfromtheroom,teeteringinhersix-inchheels.
Theroomwentquiet.PercystudiedEve,watchingasherfacedroppedand
hergazebecamedistant,asifshewaspreoccupiedwithsomething.
“Don’tyoudare.”
“What?”sheasked.
“You’vegotthatlookinyoureye,”hesaid,takingonelastbiteofhisapple.
“Theonethatsaysyou’rethinkin’aboutaliens.”
Eve frowned. “The Interlopers aren’t going to take the day off just because we’regoingtosome ball.”
“Eve,we’rein Manhattan,”Percydeclared,spreadinghisarmswide.
“We’regettingreadyforatop-drawerpartytonight— Jason’sparty.Andwe’re goingtoeat,dance,laugh,andgetdrunk—well, I’llbegettingdrunk.Notyou two.”Hetossedhisapplecoreintothetrashandtookaswigfromhis
afternooncocktail.“Ipromisewe’llgetbacktoalienhuntingtomorrow.”
Eveslumpedoverthecounterandrestedhercheeksinherhands.“Fine,”she
pouted,“butwecan’tstayheremuchlonger.We’vegotaflighttocatch.”
“Don’tbesilly,”Aliciacooed,startlingEveasshewaddledintothekitchen
withabottleofchampagneinhand.“Wehavesomuchtodobeforeyouleave.”
“Wedo?”
“Ofcourse!”Shepoppedthecorkandpromptlypouredtwoglassesof
champagne,oneforEveandanotherforherself.“Thebeautificationprocess
takes time. It’s an art form—a ritual, even—and you absolutely have to slow downandsavoreverylastbitofit.”ShegrabbedEve’schinandexaminedher
face.“Tellme,whenwasthelasttimeyouhadafacial?”
“A facial?” Eve asked. “I washed my face this morning, if that’s what you mean.”
Alicialetoutanadorablegiggleandturnedtoherson.“Isn’tsheariot?”
She released Eve’s chin and strolled toward the hallway. “I’ll call my beauty team.They’llbeoverwithinthehour.You’vewaxed,yes?”
Evehesitated.“Um…”
“No worries, I’ll add it to the itinerary. Afterward we’ll have lunch—well, brunchforyou,thankstoourpeskytimezonedebacle—andthenwe’llfinish
off with nails. It’s going to be such a fabulous day—us girls doing our girl thing, and Percy, too, of course. He’s such a good sport.” She let out a tiny squealofdelightbeforebustlingdownthehallway,herhipsswayingwith
everystep.
PercyslappedEveacrosstheback.“Guesswe�
�regoingtobeherefora
while.”Hewinked.“Hopeyoudon’tmindbeingfashionablylate.”
Thenextfewhoursflewbylikeatornado—exceptthistornadowasfilled
withscentedcandles,moisturizers,andsoothingbotanicals.Evesatback,
passiveandhelplessasseveralbodieshoveredaroundher,rippinghairfrom
her flesh, painting fruity paste across her cheeks, and buffing her nails to glossyperfection.Itwasthestrangestambushshehadeverbeensubjectedto,
and despite all of her ranting and protesting, Percy insisted on watching the spectacleandrevelinginhertorment.Timecameandwent,andsoonEve’s
stomachwasfull,hernailsperfectlypolished,herskinglowing,andherlegs
silky smooth, all thanks to the LaFleurs. Before she knew it, the process had cometoaclose,andshestoodwithPercyandAliciainthebuilding’slobby.
“Allright,darlings,”Aliciasaid,“ifyouwanttogettoyourpartyontime,
youshouldprobablyleave”—shepeeredatherwatch—“twelveminutesago.”
ShesmiledandshovedEve’sdressbagintoPercy’schest.“Giveortakeafew
minutes,ofcourse.”
“Shit,”Evemumbled.“We’llbelateforsure.”
“Don’tthinkofitasbeinglate—thinkofitas makinganentrance,”Percysaid, tossingthebagoverhisshoulder.“I’llloadupthecar.”
AsPercyfiledfromthelobby,alineofpeoplefollowedsuit,eachwearing
anall-blackensembleanddraggingasilversuitcase.Evelookedbackand
forthbetweenthetroopandAlicia,whocasuallysippedhereveningcocktail.
“Whereareallthosepeoplegoing?”
“Oh,that’syourhairandmakeupteam,”Aliciarespondednonchalantly,
swirlingherdrinkinherhandmuchlikePercyalwaysdid.“Youcan’tforget
aboutthehairandmakeup.They’rejustasimportantasthedressitself.”
Evesmiled;asridiculousasthewholecharadeseemed,sheknewthatAlicia
had planned it all just for her. It was an act of selflessness and care that Eve hadn’texperiencedinsomanyyears.
“Thankyou.”Thewordsfeltfeebleandalmostinadequate.“You’vebeenso
kind— tookindtome.”
“Oh,youstopit,”Aliciacooed,saunteringtowardEve’ssideandgrabbing
herhandtightly.“Itwasmypleasure.”
EvelookeddownatherhandandthenupatAlicia.“Percyisreallylucky,”
shestuttered,awkwardly.“You’reagreatmom.”
Aliciagiggled.“God,thatmakesmesoundsoold,doesn’tit?I’llneverget
usedtobeingcalled Mom.”ShecuppedEve’shandandbroughtitclosetoher.
“Please,don’tbeastranger,darling.You’repartofthefamilynow.”
Withoutanotherword,AliciaflungherarmsaroundEveandhuggedher
firmly.Herembracefeltwarmandloving,andEvecouldn’thelpbuthopeand
praythatherwordswereauthenticandtrue—thattheywerefamily.
Knowingtherewasnotimetospare,Evemadeamaddashtothelimousine.
Camerasflashedandpaparazzibarkedinanequestions—itwasstilljustas
terrifyingasthefirsttime—andshehurriedpastthem,divingintothecarand
parkingherselfalongsidePercy.Asthelimodroveaway,shesatinsilence,her
eyesglistening,andastrange,unfamiliarstirofemotionsurfacedwithinher.
Percyglancedoverathisfriendandsmirked.“Needatissue?”
“Shutup,dick-squeeze.”
“Attagirl,”hechuckled,wrappinghisarmaroundher.
Theycontinuedontheirtrektotheairportand,uponarriving,eagerlyboarded
theLaFleurjet.Evehadexpectedasmooth,carefreejourney,much
like her initial flight to New York, but their flight back to Billington felt exponentiallylongerandevenhectic.Therewerenohologamestodistracther
—instead, she sat less-than-patiently as makeup artists dusted her cheeks and
gluedherlashesandhairstyliststuggedandwrappedherlocksaroundburning hotirons.Shetriedtokeeptrackofthetime—sheevenaskedPercyon
multipleoccasions,butheprovedtobeutterlyuseless,toobusydirectingthe
finishingtouchesonhistuxedojacket.Theentireflightwasachaoticblur—a
randomflurryofcoloredpowders,harsh-smellinghairsprays,andseemingly
needlessaccessorizing—andwhenthecaptainsignaledthatthejetwouldbe
landingshortly,Evebreathedasighofrelief.
JustasEverelaxedinherseat,Percygrabbedherbytheshouldersand
hoistedhertoherfeet.
“Allright,woman,takeoffyourclothes.”
“Excuseme?”
“Oh,don’tbesuchaprude.Wehavetogetchanged,andwehavetodoit now.”
“Now?Whilewe’re landing?Can’twedoitbackatBillington?”
“Thepartystartsinexactlysixminutesandthirty-twoseconds.”
“What?”
“Thesecondweland,wehavetobolttotheRutherfordballroom.Now,”
Percyrippedoffhisshirt,exposinghissveltechest,“getnaked,anddoit fast.”
Eveglancedatthehairandmakeupteam,whosatonlyashortdistanceaway
andwatchedthepairwithcuriouseyes.EvesighedandglaredatPercy.
“Fine,”shegroused,unzippinghersweatshirtandpullinghertopoverher
head,“butyoushouldknowthatI hateyoualittlebitrightnow.”
Percystoodinnothingbuthisboxerbriefs,fiddlingwithhiswhitedressshirt asiftimeandnuditywereofnoconcerntohim.HeeyedEve’sganglyfigure
andsmirked.
“Blackbra andpanties? Someonehasanaughtyside—”
“Shutup, ” she spat, stumbling as the plane shook slightly. A light flicked on abovethem—itwasthefastenseatbeltsign,andEveglancedoveratPercy.
“Ignoreit,”heordered,grabbingherdressfromtherack.“Liftupyour
arms—you’regoingtoneedallthehelpyoucangetmaneuveringintothis
monstrosity.”
Thecabinshookonceagain,thistimemuchmoreseverely.Evetumbled
forward,collidingintoPercy’schest,andthetwoofthemtoppledtothefloor
inapileoftangledlimbs.Asshepushedherselfup,sherealizedthathewas
sprawled beneath her, nearly as naked as she was, and her eyes widened with horror.
“This neverhappened,”shebarked.
“Idon’tknow,Eve.IsitweirdthatIfindthisstrangelysexy?”
“Ugh!”ShepushedherselfoffofPercy’sbodyandstaggeredtoherfeet.
“You’refuntoscrewwith,didyouknowthat?”
“DRESS.NOW.”
Evestretchedherarmsintotheair,andPercyslidthegownoverherhead,
draggingitdownpastherhipsuntiltheskirttouchedthefloor.Hetuggedatthe back,pullingbothsidesofthezipperclosetogether.
“Suckin.”
“I amsuckingin.”
“Notenough.”
“Ithoughtthisdresswastailoredtofitme?”
“It wastailoredtofityou.Justnotwhileyou’rebreathing,”Percyscoffed.
“Suckin, now.”
Eveemptiedherlungs,mostlikelyforthelasttimethatevening,andwinced
asPercyforcedthezipperupherback,sealingherintoherdress.Sheshoved
her feet into her strappy black stilettos, teetering across the jet just as the wheelstoucheddown.Percytookasecondtoadmirehisjacket—solidwhite
&nb
sp; withathinblackliningacrossthelapel—thenquicklysliditoverhisarmsand
shoulders.Thejetfinallyslowedtoastopalongtherunway,andPercystepped
awayfromEve,eyeingherfromheadtotoe.
“Yup.That’lldo.”Hecockedhisheadtowardthedoor.“Timetogetour
assesoutofhere.”
“Wait,”Eveinterrupted.“Ialmostforgot.”
Sherummagedthroughherpileofclothesandpulledoutasleekblackgun
—thegiftfromPercy.Withlittlegrace,sheshimmiedherdressupherlegand
strappedthefirearmtotheinsideofherupperthigh.
“You’rebringingyour gun?”
“Ibringitwithmeeverywhere.NeverknowwhenI’llneedit.”
Percyopenedhisjacket,exposingoneofhispistolstuckedintheinside
pocket.“Mykindofwoman,”hequipped.HetookonelastlookatEvebefore headingforthedoor.“Hopeyoucanruninheels.”
ThetwoofthemtorefromthejetandracedtoPercy’scar,fueledbyananxiety
thatonlyformaloccasionscouldbringabout.Evesatanxiouslyinthe
passenger seat, bouncing her knee up and down and picking at her perfectly manicuredcuticles.Shegroanedaloud,hopingthattimewouldslowdownjust
abit,butwitheachpassingminuteshefoundherselfmoreandmorerestless.
The car peeled onto the Billington campus, screeching to a stop behind
Rutherford Hall, and Percy and Eve flew from their seats and raced up the dormitorystairs.Theybargedthroughthelobby—headsturned,buttheypaid
no attention—and piled into the elevator, and with a deep, exhausted breath, Percyslammedatthebuttonforthethirdfloorandwatchedwithreliefasthe
doorsclosedinfrontofthem.
“Twenty-threeminuteslate,”hepanted. “Nottoobad,right?”
Evewassilent;forthefirsttimeallday,shedidn’tfeelrushedorpanicked.
Instead,shewasnervous.SheturnedtoPercy.
“HowdoIlook?”
Hesmiled.“Likeatallglassofwater.”
Whatever that means, she thought to herself, and suddenly she realized she trulyhadnoideahowshelooked.Nervously,Eveturnedtowardtheshinywall
oftheelevatorandgazedatherownreflection.
Her hair was parted to the side and cascaded down her shoulders in loose, voluminouswaves;hereyeswereelegantlylinedinblacktooffsetthesweet,