Chapter 029

TALIA

Ruby and I pushed through the archway leading that marked the entrance to the fundraising party's venue. I stepped through the double doors and stopped.

It was hard to believe that we were standing in South Ville's gym. The elaborate decorations, the stage lights had completely transformed the place.

"Beautiful," I heard another girl coming behind us say.

Then I saw the costumes the others were wearing and my heart sank a little.

"Oh Ruby," I groaned.

"What?" she said, taking my arm and pulling me further in while lifting the hem of her robes so she would not trip.

"Look around," I said. "Almost everyone is wearing nice, colorful outfits except us! We look like the odd ones out."

"And who says our outfits aren't nice and colourful?" she said, looking around.

There were people dressed in retro fashion, dressed like fairytale creatures, dressed in costumes that could almost pass for dinner wear. There was even a girl whose pretty dress was shaped like an hourglass.

As far as I could see, no one else was dressed as characters from movies or books like Ruby and I were. I pointed this out to my friend.

Ruby snorted. "That means we are unique. Can't you see? Everyone else is boring except us." She nudged me in the side with her elbow. "Come on. Lighten up. Narcissa Malfoy would not look like she's out of place in a gathering like this. Be... haughty, girlfriend! Look the part!"

"Look the part?" I grumbled. "I don't see you cursing everyone with your magic wand, Bellatrix."

"I am looking for the perfect target," Ruby said, waving her wooden wand around and nearly poking me in the eye with it. "Ethan and your crazy sister. I will transfigure them into frogs. Do you think your mum will mind much?"

We grinned at each other, and cracked up, laughing so hard it took a minute to catch our breath.

When that was over, Ruby began to gush about the decorations. "It's almost as good as the decorations at daddy's party last year. And look at the table settings! I think the sequin backdrop is a nice touch, don't you think?"

"Uh-huh," I mumbled, not really listening.

My eyes were busy searching the room. My heart seemed to know what it was searching for long before my eyes did.

My spine jerked upright the moment I spotted him. Dressed in an all black outfit with a very high collar lined with scarlet, with one hand wrapped around a wineglass and the other in his pocket, stood Cassian in the middle of a group of professors. He was a head taller than most of them.

They were all talking or laughing. He wasn't. He was looking right at me.

I felt my breath stutter and could barely resist the urge to straighten my pointed witch's hat or pat down my blond wig. I wished then I was dressed in something more eye-catching. Although I thought the robes I was wearing wasn't that bad.

My robe was emerald green. Ruby had said it brought out the colour of my eyes. I agreed with her. I wondered if Cassian thought so too.

It took a lot of mental effort to turn away from him. I found Ruby was no longer by my side. She had drifted over to a group of four girls from our year. The girl in the hour glass costume was one of them.

She was blushing slightly and saying, "Jace is so cute! Have you girls seen him tonight?"

"Not as cute as my mate though," interrupted another girl.

Ruby, grinning, said, "Your mate is the redhead, right? I've seen you two around school holding hands. You seem very much in love."

The third girl let out a snort that sounded a lot like Ruby's and rolled her eyes at the ceiling decorated to look like a sea of clouds.

"In love?" she exclaimed. "They are obsessed with each other. You should see them making out under the bleachers-"

"Or in empty classrooms," another girl snickered.

"Wish I could make out with Jace," hour glass girl said dreamily.

The talk drifted to college and what they would major in when they got admitted. Again, I found my attention drifting to Cassian. I couldn't help it.

Were we going to have the chance to talk before the night was done? Or maybe he wouldn't think it was appropriate to spend a lot of time speaking to a student especially when a lot of other professors and parents were around.

Ruby had just said something funny I did not catch and the others were laughing when the small crowd before us parted. I saw Tessa and Ethan approaching.

My sister, dressed in a metallic gold costume was holding on to Ethan's hand.

"Hello girls," Tessa chirped, waving.

She beamed at the others and reserved a sneer for me.

"We are about to start a truth or dare game," Ethan said, pushing his fingers through his hair in which he had sprayed some shimmery golden stuff. "Come and join us."

"Truth or dare. Cool!" said one of the girls.

The others quickly agreed to join. Ruby said nothing, but I felt her comforting hand on my shoulder.

"You all can go," I said. "I don't want to play."

"Why?" Tessa said and let out a mocking laugh. "Don't answer that. It's obvious, sister. You are scared everyone will find out you are a nerd. Goodness, Talia! How pathetic can you get? You can't even fit in at a party with your mates and- Wait a minute..."

My cheeks flared crimson. I felt my stomach start to twist into knots.

I was beginning to wish I had moved away as soon as I saw Tessa coming. A few other people had left what they were doing to watch the scene Tessa seemed intent to create.

Tessa looked me over with a raised eyebrow. She pressed a hand over her heart.

"My goodness!" she gasped, shuddering dramatically."What are you supposed to be anyway? An escapee from a lunatic asylum? That is the most hideous costume I have ever seen. Seriously, Talia, it's embarrassing sharing the same last name with you."

Ethan chuckled and whispered something into Tessa's ear which made her look smug.

Clutching my wand so tightly my knuckles went white, I retorted, "If I am such an embarrassment-"

"Oh, but you are," Tessa cut in.

"Then why don't you just leave me alone? Why do you want me to play your game? Oh I know! Could it be that you are looking for someone to humiliate? You are never really happy, are you, unless you make someone feel lesser than you are?"

"You know nothing," Tessa spat, her eyes flashing.

"I wonder... What does that make you, Tessa? Sadistic or-"

Ethan stepped forward, his body blocking Tessa's

"Watch your mouth, you," he warned, pointing a finger at me. "One more word out of you and I will-"

His words were cut off by the high pitched whine from a microphone. People winced and some covered their ears. The shrill noise stopped as fast as it had begun.

A voice boomed over the speakers. "Attention everyone! Can I have your attention for a moment?"

The buzz of conversation died down at once. Ethan, to my utmost relief, stepped back and wrapped an arm around Tessa's waist.

I still had not forgotten how he had looked at me that day in my room. Seeing him so close to me again gave me the creeps.

"Thank you," the MC, a guy in a shimmering tuxedo continued. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen to South Ville's annual fundraising event. It is a pleasure indeed to see you all here again this year." There followed clapping and cheering. "While you drink, eat, dance and mingle, please note that the talent show will start soon."

The live band struck up a popular tune. Conversation started up again.

Tessa fixed me with a look of pure contempt and sashayed away, still clinging to Ethan's arm. I released a pent-up breath. My hands were shaking slightly with impotent anger.

"Calm down, Talia," Ruby said softly, taking me by the shoulders. "Don't let her get to you. That's what she wants. To ruin your night. So please, do not give her the satisfaction."

I took in a deep breath. And another. I forced my fingers around the wand to loosen.

"I guess you are right," I whispered.

"I am and I have an idea."

"What?"

"You written poetry. I have read some and I think they are freaking good. More than good if I'm being honest. Now why don't you do your poetry for the talent show? Put yourself out there, friend. Who knows? You just might win. Will you do it?"

I thought of Tessa saying I didn't fit in. I thought of the others who had laughed behind my back and even in my face tonight and before now.

I thought, screw it.

I nodded and said to Ruby, "I will do it."