Chapter 17
1666words
When I had awoken the next day, Loki was already gone. Not surprising, seeing as he still needed to attend school. While my lazy arse got to stay in bed. I had slept amazingly despite sharing my bed with a giant male with a hot sexy body. I could still smell him on my pillow. Like a creep, I inhaled it deeply, closing my eyes like it was a fucking drug. Which I suppose he was in his own way. A sexy, sinful drug that made me want to tear my clothes off and ride him like a fucking whore. God, that boy made me horny as hell. I sighed. Before finally getting out of bed. Shower. Dressed, breakfast. Then made my way over to see Storm.
My days started to burr together. Spending every day of my suspension with my best friend. Some days were better than others. Some she would insist we spent the whole day catching up on school or studying. Snore. While others, I would struggle to get her out of bed. And she would cry all day. It was hard seeing her like that. It broke me. Knowing there was nothing I could do to make it better. Nothing I could say to take the pain away. All I could do was hold her, my own tears mixing with hers.
Karen was amazing about the whole thing. She did question me about what the hell was going on. But after I explained that it wasn't my place to say. That Storm needed time and space to heal. That she would tell her personally when she was feeling up to it. Karen's face softened with a knowing look in her eye. She was a smart woman; I had said enough to help her understand. I didn't see much of Storms dad, who wasn't uncommon; he didn't really have much spare time and often tried to supplement that with expensive gifts.
Adam was barely around, busy with school, practice, football and band but also his girlfriend. It didn't bother me. After my days with Storm, I was often too drained to do much anyway. I did read, draw a little and visit the Studio a couple of times. Which always seemed to knock me out.
I hadn't seen Loki at all since he slept over. I had, in all honesty, avoided him a little bit. Making sure to leave before he was due home. Keeping my curtains closed at night. He seemed quite a contempt to be ignored, thankfully. He didn't text me once. Though I remembered his screen was smashed. But was sure it would have been fixed by now. I did, however, find myself thinking about him. Mostly late at night or while I was in the shower. Yes, I know. I'm a pervert. But can you blame me? The man was a god.
It was Saturday after dinner, one week later. The last Saturday before I was due back to school. Groan. Storm had been doing better, thankfully. She hadn't had a bad day since Thursday. I only hoped that returning to school with me wouldn't mess that up. I still didn't know what happened with barbie and was hoping beyond hope that she would move schools after everything. But knew I was probably asking too much of the universe. I had spent my day at Storms as usual. We had been playing board games. Something Storm had quite the obsession with when my phone buzzed—making me jump out of my skin. Storm burst out laughing; I'm talking, rolling on the floor laughing as the board and all the pieces go flying.
“Shit”, I groan. Picking up my phone.
Adam
Hey Sis. How's Storm doing? Think she will be okay starting school on Monday? There is a party tonight at Asher's house. You should come. Have a night off. God knows you deserve it. It’s only going to be a small crowd, and Cheryl won’t be there. Let me know. X
“What's it say?” Storm asked. Finally finished crying with laughter “Is it, lover boy?” She winked.
“Ew no,” I Grimes. “Adam just invited me to a party,” I remark, looking back at her.
“You should go”, She beamed, clapping her hands “it’s better than being here looking after, gloomy old me.”
“Storm, you’re not gloomy”, I reassure, but she waves me off. “You want me to go to a party on my own?” I question, raising a brow at her.
“You won’t be on your own. You have Adam, Shawn, Alisa, Asher and Loki,” She reminded me.
“Oh, fun”, I groan, not impressed. I wasn't close with Adam's friends, though they were always nice to me. I sure as hell didn't feel like going to a party with them. We had nothing in common. Beside Loki would be there, and I didn't think I could stand to watch him getting off with some random tramp.
“I'm not taking no for an answer!” She demanded, her voice too sweet to hold any real power. She got to her feet and ran into the bathroom. Coming back without the makeup bag I had stashed here and a hairbrush.
“But I don't want to go”, I protest.
“I'm sad, and this will make me happy. Therefore you have to do what I say,” She countered. Bitch, did she just use the sympathy card on me?
“Fine”, I submit “, But I'm only going for an hour, and you better text me the whole time!”
“Deal!” She grinned, jumping up and down like a dam rabbit. I can’t help but laugh. Storm was so cute when she got excited, and seeing her happiness rubbed off on me. It was the first real-time she had seemed like her normal self since everything when down. I couldn't let her down.
“You better help me pick out something to wear.”
I let Storm run wild. She spent what felt like hours; doing my hair, makeup and picking my outfit. Despite our different tastes and style, she chose something that I liked, which wasn't too colourful. Thank god.
We listened to music, both singing along at the top of our lunges. Karen came in to see what all the noise was about, smiling from ear to ear—seeing her little girl happy for the first time in what felt to us like months. She even joined in. Chatting, singing and assisting Storm with my hair and makeup. I couldn't help but grin. I felt like a dam fairy princess with my own makeup and hair team.
When they were done, they finally let me look in the mirror. I don't want to sound cliché. But I couldn't lie. I looked like a million dollars. My mouth fell to the floor.
“Looks good, right?” Karen grinned at me in the mirror. A glass of wine in her hands.
“She like a movie star,” Storm chimed, clapping her hands like a little girl.
“I...I...thank you,” I stuttered, feeling overwhelmed. I had done this for my best friend to cheer her up. But looking at myself in the mirror, I felt emotional. I wasn't a particular vain or self-continuous person. I had flaws like everyone, but I knew who, and I was happy with that—but looking at myself now. Wow. I felt like the most beautiful woman alive.
My silky long curls were tamed to perfection. Half up and half down a glittering silver band woven, though. My lips were painted matte burgundy—a hint of blush on my cheekbones. My eyes were Smokey, dusted with subtle glitter, my lashes long and beautiful. Eyeliner framing my eye and flicking out at the corners.
A velvet choker matched my lips, a big gem at the centre of my throat. My dress had been a birthday present, maybe a little too formal for a house party. But I didn't care. It was cute and sexy in all the right ways.
Simple black, strappy and low cut. Leaving most of my back exposed with only criss-cross straps covering me. The dress hugging my breasts, while the bottom felt weightless. The fabric gathered, falling halfway up my thigh in places and down to my knees in others. My legs bare.
And the shoes. Oh my god, the shoes! Karen had let me borrow them, and they were something else. Open toe, black lace-up heels. Going up above my ankles. My toes were painted Red. I looked truly sinful.
“You better stick close to Adam,” Karen teased. “I bet he will have a fit when he sees you,” We all laughed. It was true, Adam had pretty much taken on the father role since John are adopted dad left. Not that John could ever be considered my real dad. He was a sick twisted fuck.
“He's going to insist I change,” I joke back.
“Tell him that the makeup team will never bake or let him come over again if he does,” Storm replied. Making me grin.
“That's a crawl punishment,” I remark. Adam loved Storms baking. He always insisted she gave him at least five of everything she made. “I don't know if I'm going to be able to dance in these,” I comment, staring down at my feet.
“Oh, honey, you don't. They will kill your feet,” Karen admits.
“But Scarlett loves dancing!” Storm exclaims.
“Well, you could always hold them,” She suggests. I consider. Then smile. I would be too worried I'd lose them or someone would Knick them.
“Should I wear a coat or something? It’s pretty cold this time or year.”
“Take your cute little leather jacket, the dark red one. Then when you get there, make sure to take it off,” Storm winks. That was a good idea. We spend another hour chatting and giggling. Karen made us both mock-tails, though I'm pretty sure she added a little something to mine. She winked at me as I took my first sip. God, I wished she had been my real mum.
