by Gina Keliher
Tonight will be so much fun. I just know it.
Chapter Forty Eight
At eight o’clock Poppy can’t wait any longer.
“Now? Now would be OK. After all, it is my party so we should go now. I should be there as guests arrive. So can we please go? Now!”
If we don’t, she’s going to get mad. Annabel and I have been ready for 20 minutes, its Poppy who has been in and out of the bathroom a hundred times.
“Let’s do it. You look fantastic.” I say to her genuinely.
We open the bedroom door and walk down the corridor to the stairway. For someone who wanted to sprint two minutes ago, Poppy is now walking like a Regal. I wouldn’t expect anything less of her.
As we reach the top of the stairway, we look down and there are our boys.
Annabel walks down first in her emerald gown. Glen is smiling at her as if she is the only other person in the world. I feel a little ache inside. We’ve never been best friends like Poppy and I, but I’d miss her if she veered off from the group. Glen is such a great guy and their eyes are sparkling at each other but still; I suddenly don’t want anything to change.
I’m looking around for Jason but it doesn’t appear he’s here yet. I look to Poppy and she can’t wait any longer. She elegantly manages to get down the stirs in two seconds flat and Stefan literally whisks her in a circle before giving her a big kiss on the cheek. I see him present her with a box. The bracelet of course. He hadn’t exchanged it the other night. She opens the box and her mouth forms that ‘O’ that translates in Poppy language to ‘O it’s perfect’. Stefan leans forward to accept the kiss on the cheek but Poppy kisses him full on the lips. For a moment neither of them moves and then he smiles cheekily, clasps the bracelet on her left wrist and then takes her arm in his to escort her through to the party room.
I start to walk alone down the staircase. I don’t expect Ian but I thought Jason might be on time. When I reach the bottom alone, Robbie appears. He looks more dashing than Glen and Stefan rolled into one which is virtually impossible. He’s styled his floppy fringe back so you can see his beautiful green eyes. I’ve never seen Robbie dressed up and it suits him. While Stefan looks like a male model always, Robbie tonight is every girls dream. Immaculate. He offers his arm and I am only too proud to take it.
We follow the other through the pool room and outside to the party.
There are people strolling up the red carpet but everyone stops to let the six of us pass. Poppy is ahead doing that crazy little jig she does when she’s excited. Anyone who didn’t know her would point her to the nearest bathroom. She’s going to freak any minute and as we get closer to the doors we all gather around.
“What the, oh my, no way, is that, really?” She turns to look at each of us. No real questions, just overwhelming excitement so we just nod. Here it comes.
“Waaaaaa.” Poppy screams as she runs inside. She’s heading towards the tent but there are at least sixty people here already that she has to stop and say hi to along the way.
I don’t recognize a lot of the people but I do see Nick and Lulu. They’re sure to keep the party going until dawn. Nick is attractive as always with his piercing blue eyes, shaved head and stubble; and Lulu? Well, that’s every girl’s envy. Chopped fringe above her eyebrows and straight dark hair, dark eyes and a laugh that could launch a thousand ships as my dad always says. I notice Poppy showing off her new Choo’s to the pair before moving on.
Poppy is literally twirling her way to the tent. Stefan is looking at her adorably and Annabel and Glen are in a world of their own.
“OK?” Robbie asks.
“Mm hm. Not sure why but I’m a little nervous to be honest.” I reply.
“Well I can assure you it’s not because of the way you look. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.” Robbie blushes.
We join the others and I look about the group. The three guys in their tux’s and three girls in emerald, plum and wine. I can see Poppy doing the same.
“We look so perfect!” Poppy exclaims and we all burst out laughing.
Chapter Forty Nine
We’re only an hour in and I’m exhausted. I think we’ve danced with everyone here and thank goodness Lady Howard installed huge fans or I would have passed out by now. My fantastic espadrilles are shoved under a chair along with Poppy’s sandals.
I’m lounging with Robbie and the gang when they walk in. I can feel Robbie tense before I see them.
Jason, David and Adam. You can almost feel the room slow down. There are so many ‘Gifted’ and pure Beings here. Surely they can’t all know what’s going on and I’m a little worried there’s going to be a slaughter on the dance floor. Common sense must prevail as they make it to us in one piece.
“Sorry we’re late.” Jason says. “You look, amazing.”
I break away from Robbie, reluctantly? “Glad you could all make it.” But I’m looking for the missing one, Ian.
“Car trouble.” Jason offers, showing me his greasy hands and shrugging.
“Thankfully we brought the mechanic.” David says.
“I’ll go.” Stefan stands up and takes Jason to the men’s room while the others sit. We have our own waiter so they order drinks and take in the atmosphere.
“I can’t believe I’ve waited all this time for this.” Adam says and we all stop and stare. “I’d have waited another twenty years. It’s freakin’ brilliant.”
We laugh but I can see the group suffering to numb their senses. For the hundredth time tonight we toast Poppy.
Where is he?
It’s easy to forget that we want to kill two people tonight. One of them is here and honestly he’d be dead by now if we didn’t think we needed him to draw the second out. Really we could just kill him now. I could draw the other one out. I’m pretty confident about that.
Around 10 o’clock Adrian comes up to the tent as it’s time to take Luke home.
“I thought he was with you.” Robbie jumps up looking as if he’s about to strangle Adrian.
“He can’t have gone far, come on Robbie, let’s go look.” I try to drag him away as there’s obviously a situation that’s going to spiral out of control any second.
“I’ll check with the house.” Poppy says.
We run through the people dancing, check both the girls and boys bathrooms and meet back up near the tent.
“Where the heck can he have gone?” I say to Robbie, who’s about to explode, turning in circles. “Upstairs?”
We both look up. We noticed the balconies the other day but haven’t been up there. We take the steps two at a time and find alcoves where people can relax and escape a little of the noise below. In the third one we find Luke and Jason.
I know Robbie is about to charge in and kill Jason but I manage to stop him at the last second.
“Thanks so much for coming up here with me Jason.” Luke says. “Promise me you won’t tell the others you caught me crying?”
Jason playfully ruffles his hair. “No way buddy. We’re mates, we stick together. Besides, I don’t think you were crying exactly. I think it’s all the lights and smoke machines irritated your eyes. It happens to me all the time.”
“Really?” Luke looks at Jason with such gratitude.
Robbie takes a step back and looks at me amazed. I grab Robbie’s hand and give it a little squeeze. I can feel his pulse racing but he’s breathing out slowly to calm down.
“Anyway, I don’t know if you saw, but her friend was way prettier. And I could tell she liked you.” Jason says.
“Really? The one with dark hair? Wow, I thought she was out of my league.” Luke says, looking at the crowd below.
“Want to go back down now? I can’t see any of the group in the tent and it must be getting close to your home time now.”
“OK, but thanks again. I’m lucky to have a mate like you Jason.”
Robbie looks like he wants to say something but I shake my head and lead him downstairs.
“He loves you
so much Robbie,” I begin, “he would have been so embarrassed to feel weak in front of you.”
“That’s not what’s bothering me Alice. I didn’t think Jason was worth saving but he is. He protected Luke for me. Don’t let anything happen to him.”
After the situation has died down and Adrian and Luke are safely on their way home, I feel the anxiety about Ian rise again.
“Jason, would you mind standing outside with me a moment?”
We wander outside. “Are you OK?” Jason asks, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Fine. Where’s Ian?” I can’t help myself. Let’s just get this show over.
“He had a sick relative. Out of town somewhere. No worries though, I’m getting to spend time with you. I thought you’d be busy with Poppy, but she and Stefan seem pretty close.”
He’s not coming. We knew he wouldn’t but there’s a hole opening up in my heart. I wanted to see him. To kiss him or kill him? I guess I’ll never know. The party is amazing and my night is ruined. I want to run away.
I turn to Jason, strikingly attractive, kind hearted. Turning lighter day by day and I will myself to love him. We’ve almost saved him so why don’t I feel happy?
“Are you OK?”
“Fine. Let’s dance.”
Annabel and Glen have slow danced to every disco, dance and rock song played so far. Poppy is just a maniac and if Stefan break dances once more he’s going to steal the show. I’ve crazy danced with Robbie, Jason, David and even Adam. It’s getting closer to 11 and everyone but Poppy knows what’s coming next.
The live band has finished and I can see a lot of people winding down. There must be somewhere between three and four hundred here.
The DJ comes back on and starts playing Pink. Let’s get this party started.
“Are you kidding? I’ve danced for three hours.” Pooped Poppy says.
“Come on. Girls dance.” I grab Annabel and Poppy and lead them onto the floor.
It’s just the three of us which is always embarrassing and me and Annabel are giving each other a look that say ‘five more minutes, wait for the dance floor to fill again’.
No chance. Two disgustingly fit guys with tight trousers and little else run onto the stage. Poppy has stopped dancing and is standing there flapping her hands at her sides. Annabel and I are wondering whether to run. The DJ screams ‘Happy Birthday Poppy’ and it happens.
Foam is jetting out at what feels like a hundred miles an hour. The three of us go flying. I look at Poppy, afraid she’ll be upset but she’s screaming laughing and looking like she’s trying to swallow the foam. Next thing I know there are two hundred people on the dance floor. Screaming, laughing, trying to dance and falling all over the place.
Laughing, I make my way to the side of the dance floor. I can see Stefan trying to dunk Poppy in the foam teasingly. She’s winning though.
Jason, David and Adam are in there somewhere. Perfect time for a bathroom break.
As always, loads of girls in the ladies room. I’ll never understand this.
I decide I’ll run into the main house. No problem.
Chapter Fifty
I’m laughing like a lunatic. This is turning out to be a great night. Worst part is Adam loves it. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to let someone enjoy themselves before you kill them.
I’m not going through the maze even though I know it like the back of my hand. That would be daft seeing as I need to use the bathroom. So I’m running, without my shoes, hope I can find them again later.
I make it to the house and slip inside. Do what I have to and then decide I’ll check in on Copper.
I text Poppy as I know she’ll panic if she can’t find me.
“Cook? Are you in here?”
“Miss Alice. Well what are you doing here? Caterers do a lousy job and you need some real food?”
Cook is huge. I think she’s eaten twice as much as she’s ever prepared. Must believe in trying what you serve; to a new extreme. But she’s the sort of person who’d hug you to death.
“No, just had to ‘powder my nose’ and crazy queue out there so thought I’d see how Copper is doing.”
“She’s fine. She had some pork left over from dinner.”
Great, no more canned or dry dog food for this one. I can see Copper snoozing under the huge farm style sink. Poppy texts me so I snap a photo of Copper and tell her I’ll be back soon.
“Don’t suppose there’s any chance of a cuppa?”
Twenty minutes later and feeling much better after a good cup of tea I head back. It’s around 11:30 and if possible more people appear to be showing up. This place is nuts. It’s going to take me ages to fight through all these people. Only sensible option is through the maze.
It’s pathetically easy when you know how. Two rights and a left. One right and a left. Two one, one one. Might be easier if you’ve done this a thousand times as I have!
I’m over halfway through when I hear him.
“Told you I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
I twist to the sound of his voice and inevitably fall flat on my bum. The bottom of my dress is still covered in foam and somehow I’d tripped on it. Whatever! I’m embarrassed, for a change in front of Ian.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper.
“Do you think I would not come to see something as beautiful as you?” He whispers. He’s close but I haven’t seen him yet.
He needs to die. Not that I want to kill him but he’s obviously delusional. Foam in hair, no shoes, been dancing for over three hours. Beautiful I am not. Crazy he is.
“Well at least if you’re here you’re not killing family and friends.” I say light heartedly. Don’t feel it though.
He finally shows himself. Damn. Wish he hadn’t. If it weren’t for all the blackness he’d be blinding. There is no one in the world that can possibly look as good as he does. Tuxedo that is obviously custom made. Perfect hair, eyes, and cheekbones. Bum!
“Alice I will make a deal with you. And I’ll even give you time to think about it. I will trade the deaths of your family and friends for you. I won’t go near your mum, dad, mentor, Poppy or the rest of the gang.”
“For me?” Then kill me now to protect them. But do I believe that? Nope.
“We will be together and they will be safe. Isn’t that what you want?” He asks, leaning in close.
OK. Yes, I want to be with him together, forever and let’s be honest, so would anyone. He’s gorgeous. Like every book your grandmother swooned over gorgeous. Every time you and your friends teased that’s who I’m going to marry. If we were normal and you couldn’t see the pure evil, well, even your mum would be jealous!
“Ian, kill me now. Let’s just get this over with. Don’t bother going after everyone else. They’re too strong. I have to be honest and apart from the very evil vibe, you’re quite charming. And If I were normal I’d probably fancy you. But the fact is I’m not. And you’re not. So, want to do this now?”
Damn. Sexy chuckle ensues.
“I can’t kill you Alice. I can hurt everyone you love but I can’t kill you. I love you.”
And that’s how I feel. Is that how Parker felt? Can you destroy each other without killing each other? I need Poppy, the gang. I turn to run but he’s there.
“Alice, look at me! This is destiny. I can’t change me anymore than I can change you but I need you to realize something. Whatever happens, I love you.”
How can this be possible? How can the one person you want to be with be the one person you can’t be with? I push with all my strength, trying to push his darkness away from me. Ian pulls back but the look he’s giving me is slowing me down. I can’t leave yet.
“I don’t understand. Why can’t things be different?” I ask, tears building. “I want to kill you but I want to save you more.”
“I don’t need saving Alice. We just have different points of view. Take care. I’ll come for your answer soon. Everyone is safe until then.”
“Wai
t.”
Please wait. Kiss me. Hold me. I’ll run away with you, but not to protect everyone. Well, yes, but more because I want to, if you kiss me one more time.
But he’s gone.
Chapter Fifty One
I stumble back into the party. There’s too much foam, the lights are too bright. I feel someone grab my arm.
“Where the hell have you been?” It’s Robbie but he looks more concerned than angry.
“I went to check on Copper.” I fake a smile. “Come on, let’s party!” I drag him on to the dance floor.
We laugh, dance and next thing you know Jason is beside me.
“Do I have competition?” He asks.
“What?” There’s no way he can possibly know, but he’s nodding towards the tent where Robbie is glaring at us.
“No.” I laugh. “He’s like a little brother. Very protective.”
The foam is up to our knees and it’s getting tiring to dance in it so we retire back to the tent. I know I’m loosing the will to enjoy the party. Ian took that from me as well as my common sense and my heart.
“Ah, fresh air, please.” Poppy begs.
“I’m just going to veg out here. Can’t stand.” I moan, rubbing my feet.
Everyone looks at me. There are hundreds of ‘Gifted’ and pure Beings here. I’m safe.
“Will you promise..?” Poppy begins.
“Am good.” I wink at her.
“We’ll keep an eye on her.” Jason states, confused. The gang go outside. I’m left alone with Jason and Adam.
“Having fun?” I enquire of both of them.
“Yes, but need a thirst quencher. Back in two.” Jason gets up and leaves me alone with Adam.
His cold eyes stare at me, as he says, “‘Whatever happens, I love you’? Well, well, well.”