~
XXII
~
"I feel like a tent."
"You look amazing."
Aiyla turned to Enid and pouted, "Really."
Enid grinned and nodded, "You've come out of your cocoon."
"Like a deaths-head moth," Wednesday added, looking through her drawer for flashlight batteries.
"Xavier will love your dress," Enid countered.
Wednesday snorted, "Especially the part when he gets to take it off."
Instead of rolling her eyes, Aiyla exchanged a look with Thing. "So, will Tyler with you."
The Addams girl spun around at the mention of her romance, "I'm not going to the dance."
Aiyla gave a hum, humouring her best friend. "Right."
And then she and Enid walked out of their dorm, leaving behind a very confused Wednesday.
"I'm going to go find Lucas," Enid declared, running down the stairs, "Tyler should be here in a few- oh, Hey Tyler!" Enid gave the brunet a small wave as she ran past him down the stairs.
Aiyla glared slightly as Tyler made his way to her, "I don't like you," she declared, "In fact, I want to torture and murder you for what you did."
Tyler shifted uncomfortably, "I don't blame you."
Aiyla clasped her hands together, "However, Wednesday seems to be head over heels for you. But know this - if you hurt her; I will rip your eyes out of your head and shove them down your throat." She smirked evilly, "Got it?" she hummed.
Tyler faltered slightly, "G-got it."
"Good," Aiyla mused, "Wednesday's inside, knock on the door and she'll be out soon."
And then Aiyla barged past him and made her way down the stairs and out of Ophelia Hall.
Xavier Thorpe turned around to the sound of heels clicking against the stone staircase, and when he saw her, he couldn't believe his eyes.
Aiyla was dressed in a long, black dress, dusted with gold sparkles, one arm had a balloon sleeve whilst the other was sleeveless - and she had a large golden armlet on, with shimmering vines that wrapped around her bicep. The dress had a slit in it and Xavier could see a dagger peeking out of the dress, which was strapped to her thigh. She wore black and gold heels, as well as a small but intricate ring, a gold and black bracelet and large gold and black dangly earrings. She'd also clearly put a lot of effort into her makeup and nails. Around her neck hung the moon and star necklace she always wore. As she turned towards him, he noticed there was an intricate gold rose pin in the back of her hair, which was pinned up into a half up-do.
Xavier stared into those gazelle eyes and at that angelic face, and felt his knees go weak.
He'd suddenly forgotten how to speak.
How to breathe, even.
All that he knew was that Aiyla Demir was walking over to him and goddamit she looked gorgeous.
That was similar to Aiyla's inner monologue - which wasn't half as poetic.
Currently her brain was saying something like: 'Shit, he's hot. Shit, he's hot. Shit, he's hot,' On repeat.
And he was.
He wore an all white suit, except for a loose, thin bow tie - which was black. He towered over her, and Aiyla was just beginning to realise how tall he was compared to her.
Oh well. The pitfalls of being 4 foot 10.2".
The 0.2" was important.
His soft brown hair was out, and there was a strand falling over his bright green eyes.
Aiyla wanted to drown in those eyes.
Xavier cleared his throat, clearing his thoughts. "You look stunning, gazelle," he smiled and Aiyla's stomach flipped, "I mean it, you really are beautiful." He handed her a black rose, "For you. I may have been stalking your Pinterest."
Aiyla blushed. "Thank you," she bit back a smile as she surveyed him, "You look devilishly handsome."
Xavier held out his arm for her, "Shall we?"
Aiyla bit back a smile, but her face flushed pink, "Of course." She took his arm.
They made their way through the drapes and into the hall. Aiyla looked around at the twinkling lights that lined the walls and decorations, and the various ice sculptures that glinted in the light of the disco.
Music played and people milled around as the bubble of chatter began to dim down, as they laid eyes on the new couple.
Whispers filled the room like a wildfire.
People parted ways for them.
Aiyla felt as if she was being followed by mutters of:
"Do you see Bianca's face?"
"Bianca isn't going to be happy."
"Are they finally official?"
"See," Xavier leant down slightly so he could murmur into her ear, "You're a showstopper."
"That's not why they're staring," Aiyla countered.
Xavier looked her up and down and smirked, "Are you so sure about that?"
Aiyla shoved his shoulder slightly, "Shush. I'm going to get us some drinks."
She turned away from her date, heels clicking on the stone floor as she walked towards the drinks table. The layer of smoke on the floor made her seem somewhat ethereal as her dress fanned out behind her.
More stares. More whispers.
And some part of Aiyla liked that.
She turned finding Bianca sitting lonely on a table, next to one of the Nightshades Sirens. The one that Thing had given a black eye during the Poe Cup. What was his name again: Jason, Jayden? Aiyla couldn't remember.
The Poe Cup seemed like ages ago now.
Aiyla almost felt like an entirely different person.
"I hate you."
The Turkish girl turned around to see Wednesday Addams glaring at her.
The Addams girl was wearing a long, frilly black dress and had her hair in crown braids. She looked beautiful.
"You look amazing," Aiyla told her, "Has Tyler turned into a blushing, stuttering mess yet?"
Wednesday sighed. "Yes." She began to glare again, "But, 'sweet and genuine' how could you do this to me?"
"You whisper his name in your sleep sometimes," Aiyla admitted.
Wednesday stared, her mouth open and eyes wide - a bit like a fish - "I - what..." She managed to choke out.
Aiyla chucked as Enid walked over to them.
"Omg," she gushed to Wednesday, "I love the look."
"Thanks," Wednesday managed to reply. She and Aiyla both stared at Lucas. "Interesting choice of date."
"It's not what it looks like," Enid assured.
"Good," Wednesday answered, "Because that pilgrim already has two strikes in my book."
"Lucas is trying to make his ex jealous, I'm trying to make Ajax jealous," Enid explained, "It's a win-win."
Lucas noticed them and walked over, holding his hands up in mock surrender and grinning, "Wednesday, Aiyla, I come in peace."
Aiyla unsheathed the knife on her thigh with a flick and pressed it to Lucas' throat.
He lowered his hands and gulped, no longer smiling.
"You or your pathetic friends even look at my man and I will cut out your heart and send it to your father in a box," Aiyla threatened, eyes narrowed and flashing with anger. "Understood?"
Lucas nodded shakily, "Understood," he managed to stammer as Aiyla lowered the knife.
Enid squealed, "Your 'man'? Are you official now?"
Aiyla resheathed her knife and picked up two yeti-tinnies. She didn't reply and instead walked away, trying to suppress a smile.
Were they official now?
As Aiyla walked towards the handsome boy with the brown hair she hoped to God they were.