Mama didn't even wait for me and Tavi to finish eating breakfast, before which, Tavi's mum came over, looking equally excited as my mum. Oh my goddess. Please give me the strength to get through this afternoon with two excited ladies who can converse fluently in french.
I half heartedly left my half full plate of mouthwatering bacon and eggs. Just then, dad came in and started eating my breakfast. RIP my breakfast. RIP. With a heavy heart, I turned around to follow my mother and Auntie Flora (Tavi's mum) to my mum's studio.
Once we were there Mama spoke in her thick french accent "These are your dresses girls." She pulled back a thick red curtain to reveal two beautiful dresses siting on mannequins. Tavi gasped. I looked over at her to see her looking at the yellow-gold dress. It had one full-sleeved, netted arm while the other side was just a sleeveless, sweetheart neckline kind of thing going on. It screamed Tavi. Next to the dress, there was a table with accessories which consisted of a black bad-girl, spiked choker, black gem-stone earrings, and a soft velvet, black bracelet. At the foot of the dress were black, chunky heeled boots. The dress also had a slit running up to, what I would say, about mid-thigh. Perfect way to show off her rose plant tattoo.
The other dress was a red one. It was more of a Chinese style on that. It was body hugging, like the other one, but one which went up the neck, kind of a half turtleneck. It was sleeveless, on both sides, as well. Then there were dull, yellow flowers going up from the side. On the table beside this dress, there was a chopstick and a rose. At the foot of the red dress, there were a silver-diamond-ish coloured heels.
They were both very pretty dresses, but I was attracted towards the red one. I don't know why, but it felt like I was meant to choose that. Auntie Flora ushered us into dressing rooms. Mama followed into mine not long after carrying the red dress in her hands.
I was in the dress in about five minutes. Mama stepped back and let me see myself in the mirror. I turned around and gasped at what I saw. Standing in the mirror was a beautiful girl, whose dress perfectly fit her. Almost, magically. I turned back to my mother and she was in tears. She was legit crying.
I pulled her into a big hug. I knew she put a lot of effort into making these dresses for us. She's really the most amazing mother in the whole wide world.
We got out, me still wearing the dress, at the same time that Tavi did. She looked beautiful.
The dress looked like it was made for her. Well yeah it was, but still.
Her mother had a very proud expression on her face, like did mine. "They look so beautiful." Auntie Flora said. Mama nodded. "It really reminds me of the ball, where we met Jack and Aron." She said.
Woah. My parents met at a ball? Weird.
Tavi rolled her eyes clearly showing how disinterested she was in that topic. Auntie Flora spoke up and said "Girls, since you have to arrive at the ballroom by around 6:30, we'll be leaving now. So you girls go slip into something more comfortable while we get the car started. By the way, we're coming with you. We'll reach the Northern Pack at about noon, that's two hours from now. We'll be staying at my friend's place. Aurora and I will help you get all dressed up. We'd like to see our daughter's grow up." She teared up a bit at the end. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Auntie Flora, we aren't getting married or anything you know." I said. "But you could. Who knows when you'll meet your prince." She countered "Flora's right." Mama added. "But Auntie Aurora.." Tavi whined and I chuckled at how cute she looked. I'm sure she'd be quite the eye-catcher at the ball this evening. Her dress is just too good on her. And not to mention her tattoo just takes it up a notch. Guys would be falling for her at her feet. Getting back, Mama shushed her and we went back into the changing rooms to change back into our jeans and t-shirts.
We put our dresses into two huge ballgown bags and left for the car. Once there, we put out bags into the trunks and sat in the backseat. Mama got in the drivers seat and Auntie Flora rode shot gun. I leaned back onto the car door, after having put my seat-belt, and put my legs on to of Tavi's and slowly drifted off to sleep.
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I woke up with a jolt when I felt someone slap me. "Ow! Tav that hurt!" I said, now holding my burning cheek. She just chuckled. Sometimes I don't even know how we're friends. Let alone best friends.
I got out of the car and saw that we were in front of a small house. Pretty cute one too. This must be the friend Auntie Flora was talking about. A petite woman who looked as though she was in her mid 50's came out to greet her. She was followed by a guy in his late 20's holding a small kid in his arms. We introduced ourselves. It turns out that the little girl in his arms was his kid and he was just going to meet up with his fiancée in the hair salon.
The five of us had some lunch and then Tavi and I were dragged into the guest room. We were soon being pampered by our mums with a little help from Auntie Flora's friend. They kept switching from one girl to the other. "Oh keep still Tav." Mama would say and Auntie Flora would say "Don't open your eyes Al! Your gonna smudge the- Oh moon goddess. You opened them." And then it would be the other way round. But finally, they were finished with our makeup. Satisfied, they didn't let us see ourselves and ushered us into our gowns. After putting them on, Auntie Flora started working on my hair, while Mama on Tavi's. Soon, well if you can call three hours 'soon', we were both ready. I turned around and looked at Tavi. She looked beautiful. Her hair had this wild hair look, with most of her hair put on to one side and had wisps of it coming up. I thought it resembled a wave. Then her accessories were put on. The black velvet bracelet had a black rose on it. I didn't notice that before. Then the dress showed of just enough of her tattoo. All in all, she looked like a badass queen!
"Tav you look so beautiful!" I said. Tavi smiled and said "Well you should look at yourself. You're effing gorgeous!" She said. We walked towards the mirror and I gasped. Wow. I had a smoky eye, and just light make up, dark rimmed eyes, and baby pink lips. My hair was in a neat bun, which was secured by a chopstick and was a rose sitting in it. My dress hugged my figure and looked great on me. Wow. I can't even believe that's me. Mama came up behind me and placed something on my face. A mask. Wait. It's a masquerade ball? Oh my goddess. My mask was red and had lacy patterns on it. While Tavi's was velvet black with swirls of gold in it. I like where this is going. Mysterious, drop dead gorgeous girls in a ball, while everyone wonders who they are. Great story beginning I say.
We got into my mum's car and we drove to the palace. My heartbeat rose up at an unusual pace. I think Tavi sensed it and reached over and held my hand. You're gonna be fine girl. She said through our mind-link. Then Mama did too. I nodded and smiled back at Tavi. Thanks. I said through the mind link.
We were there in about 15 minutes. The palace looked gorgeous draped in beautiful lights. This is gonna be one heck of a night.
Mama and Auntie Flora bid goodbye to us, a little teary. Then we walked up the steps of the palace and into the ballroom. It was huge. We strode into the room with confidence. A few heads turned to us, but we ignored them and walked down the staircase. It literally felt like Cinderella. This is weird.
"Excuse me ladies." A voice said. We turned around to see The General. "Sir" Me and Tavi chorused together. His features had some sort of relief. "Oh it's you girls. Welcome to the Northern Pack's annual masquerade ball girls." We nodded. Then he asked Tavi to dance and she agreed. Darius swooped in out of nowhere. "Hello." He said. "Good Evening." I said. He asked me to dance and I hesitated, but accepted. We danced for a few minutes. Before he shot a question at me. "What's your name?" He asked. Oh so he doesn't recognize me. Hmm..do I tell him a fake name? Nah.
"Well I see you have forgotten me soon Darius. I'm hurt." I said. He groaned. "I should have known." I stifled a laugh. "So, won't your mate be jealous that you are dancing with another girl?" I asked, seeing that a few girls were shooting me dirty looks. One of them could be his mate. "Nah. 'Cause a. I haven't found mine yet. And b. I'm gay." He said. I nodded.
Wait. What?
"You're gay?" I asked again, afraid that I was hearing it wrong. He nodded confirming that he was, indeed, gay.
"Well duh! Can you not see that I only wear the most amazing suits. And this one is by Aurora Jackson. She's like hella famous. I bet you didn't even know her name before I told you." He said and made a gesture of flipping his hair. I stifled a laugh. Well I've known that name from when I was born.
I giggled and asked "Ever wondered why my last name is Jackson?"
He groaned again as I laughed.