𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𓆩⟡𓆪 𝕏𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕟 ℝ𝕚𝕠𝕣𝕤𝕠𝕟

「 ✦ 0.01 ✦ 」

"Where are your gloves? I can't have you embarrassing me in front of the Riorson's. They will think you're a freak." My father hisses and I step back slightly in shock. My mother steps forwards and hands me the gloves I am supposed to wear. They hated when people saw what my skin really look like, so I always have to wear long sleeve shirts and pants, makeup, and gloves. It was exhausting. "You better keep those on."

"Yes sir." I say quietly and quickly put the gloves off, ignoring the sharp pang in my chest. I hated it here and wanted to escape this life. We quietly make our way to the Riorson's house and I was dreading this dinner. I had to put on a brave face and sing praises about my father, when in reality I hated him. In front of people my father is so loving, but behind closed doors... Well that's a different story altogether. 

I let out a soft sigh as we reach the Riorson's house, trying to put on a happy face in front of this family. Since being stationed here, we have been locked away in the house, but my father knows it's important to make sure the Riorson's are his friends so he can be in the loop in Aretia. I heard theirs a son that is my age, which gives me some hope that we can get away from the adults and all of the pressure

Please be nice. Please be nice. I think to myself as my father knocks on the door, shooting a glare my way as a reminder to be on a smile. I smile enough to please my father as the door opens and a boy about my age, his piercing onyx colored eyes instantly find mine completely ignoring my mom and dad's waiting stares. Something ignites within my veins and everything disappears. It's just this boy and I, staring at each other; like we're meant to meet and be friends. 

I hear someone clear their throat loudly and I quickly snap out of it, tearing my gaze from the boy and look at my glaring father. I flinch slightly, hoping no one saw it but with the look the boy is giving me, he definitely noticed. My father, however was already looking at the man standing next to the boy with the pitch black hair, introducing himself and my mother. 

"This is Ainsley, our beautiful daughter." My father says and I choke back a scoff at his statement. He likes to tell me I'm ugly any chance he gets, but only behind closed doors. 

"Lovely to meet you." I say politely, holding my hand out and he smiles brightly, before shaking my hand. The boy looks at my gloved hands and frowns, probably confused when it's summer. 

"How polite! I'm Fen and this is my son Xaden. He should learn some manners from your daughter, Whitlock." Fen jokes and Xaden shoots a glare at his dad, but they both crack a smile. I feel a lot of envy, because their relationship is so lighthearted and easy. I wish I had that with my father, but he hates me. He blames me for looking like this. Like a freak. "Come on in! Dinner is almost ready, so why don't we go into my study to discuss some matter while the kids go upstairs and play?"

"That sounds great!" My mother says with a bright smile on her face as she rests her hand on my shoulder. She squeezes it slightly and I instantly know what that means. I need to still put on a show for Xaden, even when we're alone. 

"Let's go, I can show you my room." Xaden says and I nod slightly, following him as she makes his way up the stairs. I follow him up the stairs, brushing my fingers against the marble railing as I slowly climb each step. Their house is much bigger than I expected, but they are considered royalty in Aretia, so it's not surprising. If my house was this big, maybe I would never see my father and could escape his wrath. If only. 

Xaden leads us down a long hallway, that seems to stretch for miles and eventually stops outside a cherry brown door. I reach my hand up and brush my fingers along the wood, feeling the rough surface against my thin gloves. 

I could feel Xaden's stare on the side of my face and I step away from the door sheepishly. 

"Sorry." I mumble quietly, knowing how weird I look. My room had no doors attached, so it was weird to see so many in this house. 

"Don't be." He says back softly and a smile takes over his face and I wish, in this moment, I could paint him and cherish it. He slowly opens the door and lets me go in first. As I walk into his room, I let out a small breath at house comforting it looks in here. It felt like I was sitting under the stars and was not cold, like mine. "Like it?"

"It looks like starlight in here." I say, turning to meet his gaze that was staring at me with so many questions swirling around behind his golden flecked eyes. I knew instantly one of his questions had to do with my gloves and I tried to hide them behind my back, hoping he did not notice. He did. 

"Why do you wear gloves in the summer?" He asks softly, stepping closer to me in silent steps. I want to step back, but something tells me I can trust him. I want to show him what lies underneath my gloves, but I don't want to be called a freak. "I promise I won't tell anyone. You can trust me." 

"I know." I say without hesitantly, knowing deep down I could trust Xaden with anything. I feel this strong pull to him and wanted to tell him everyone. I stare down at my hands and slowly take the gloves off to reveal the obvious discoloration in my skin. My tan skin was pale in big splotches, which looked a lot like the constellations that scattered across the sky each night. 

I feel Xaden's stare on my skin and I feel exposed in this moment. He was seeing a secret I have been forced to keep and it didn't feel right. 

"Wow." He breathes and I grip my gloves tightly, nervous at what he will say next. "How long have you had this?"

"Since I was born." I say quietly as I watch him reach out and run his fingers across the white skin, making a shiver run down my spine at the contact. A faint spark can be felt deep in my veins. "I know, I'm a freak."

I go to pull my hands away from his, but he grips them softly as to not hurt me. I meet his gaze and see so much intensity flashing through his eyes. 

"You are not a freak." 

"My dad thinks I am." I whisper and see him frown at my statement. 

"Your dad is an idiot then." Xaden says, letting go of my hand and meeting my stare. "I think it makes you unique and cool."

"Really?" I ask and he nods instantly, making me smile for the first time in years. I have always had to fake a smile, but not this time. "Thank you."

"You should smile more. It makes you look beautiful and your dimples show." He says and I smile wider at his comment. I hear footsteps outside the door and I quickly put my gloves back on in a panic, hoping it wasn't my dad.  "I won't say anything to anyone."

"Promise?" I ask, keeping my eyes locked onto his. 

"Pinky promise." He says holding out his pinky, making me smile softly, before linking mine with his. 

"Pinky promise." I repeat smiling, knowing I could trust Xaden Riorson with my life.