Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 17

Oh what I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall the moment Seth received the invitation. In my mind’s eye I could already picture him walking up and down, wondering why I suddenly had the urge to spend time with him. He wasn’t given much of a choice though, he had to accept, since getting closer to Cara was part of his goal- even if it meant spending time with me too.

Despite my hesitation, here I was, one of the four girls, helping pick out outfits for the party.

I have never been too comfortable in malls, maybe because they didn’t exist back in my childhood days. But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now. I get to keep a close eye on Cara and Seth.

I specifically told Cara to tell him that it was I who sent the invite.

Why?

Well, I wanted to mess with his mind as much as he messes with mine.

Poor fool. Judging by the way he’s been acting all day, it was clear that my efforts weren’t in vain.

He was a lot more quiet than usual, probably using his time to think, no doubt. He was constantly watching me, observing my behavior as if trying to figure out my intentions. Sure, I hated the fact that Cara and her gal pals had to walk into every store in search of items, but I kept my mouth shut and played along. Apparently, this party was a big deal to her, so I felt it necessary for her to do what she wants to. Time with her friends does her good. It’s her escape from reality.

Cara is still a kid. She doesn’t deserve the life that fate has given her.

Seth didn’t say a single word, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

“What’s up with him?” I heard Cara’s friends whisper to each other more than once. Thanks to my vampire senses, I heard every word.

“I don’t know. But he seems to be staring at Aralynne a lot. And there was a time when Cara didn’t seem to trust Seth at all, but now she seems okay with him….it is kinda weird.”

“Maybe something is going on between Aralynne and Seth, and since Cara is a close friend of Aralynne, she supports her?”

Their words awakened a strange emotion within me. He was staring at me because he’s wondering about my reason for inviting him, wasn’t he?

Maybe there are other reasons?

“Now then, I guess we are all set.” Tammy said after the gang came out of the umpteenth store carrying hundreds of bags.

“Not really, we still have to find the newbie an outfit.” Cara’s voice brought me back. An outfit? She must be joking!

“No need. I’m not going to the party.” Cara didn’t even try to hide her disappointment. Was she going to play the “protector’ card again, as a way to get me to go?

“Aww why not?” Tammy whined. I had to think of some excuse, and fast.

“Well, er…it’s a couples thing. I don’t want to intrude. Besides, it’s not like I have a date.” There. That ought to do it.

“I’ll go with you.” All of us turned in unison, completely stunned. For the first time today, Seth spoke, but his voice was different somehow. He didn’t sound like himself. He sounded….almost human.

“What did u say?” I asked. I couldn’t believe what I heard. It sounded too unreal.

“You heard me. I’ll be your date for the party.”

“Well then, I guess I’ll see you tonight?” I was trying to stay calm about this. This was just... unexpected. He was turning the tables again, using my own mind tricks against me. I’m almost sure of it. Almost.

“Yes. You will. Don’t be late.” He replied and gave me one of his charming smiles.  

“Alright then! Seth, you’ll have to leave now. Girls, its makeover time!” I didn’t even object. Some part of me didn’t want to.

Zayden would kill me if he knew what I was up to, even though getting closer to my old friend was originally his idea. I had to stay focussed on my mission, and not let the possibility of upsetting wolf-boy stop me from being the guardian I vowed to be.

I didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t a change as big as this. I ran my new perfectly manicured (blue) French tipped nails through my now Chinese bob haircut as I approached the entrance to the party. Cara and the rest of the gang went before me, and insisted that I must arrive “fashionably late” in order to make a perfect entrance.

A few hours later, I hardly recognised myself. The girls went extreme this time. My dark hair now had honey colored highlights, I was wearing makeup ( a first for me) and above all, I was wearing a mini dress.

At first, I thought I’d feel quite uncomfortable, but this little silver sequin number proved me wrong. In a way I felt that much more than my looks changed. After decades of being serious, I was ready to have fun again. The fun started with all the stares I got the moment I walked in, but most of all, it started when I saw the look on his face.

Without hesitation (and without stumbling in these heels) I walked towards him, grabbed his hand and led him to the dancefloor.

Time to party.