SEVEN

ROSALEIGH ISABELLÉ

The ride to the college was stress free 'cause I opted a bus with Lucy than a car ride with Alex. It was fun because this was the first time I travelled in a bus since I remember.

Everyday either Mama or Dad dropped me to college. It felt like one of those five years old school going girls. It was pretty uncomfortable and embarrassing but my parents didnt give a damn to all those glances that would come our way. By the time it was mid sem, no more stares came my way. It was accepted as normal.

Today too, Mama was skeptical to allow me for a bus ride but when Adam accompanied us, she approved. Sometimes, I was overwhelmed about my parents being so protective. It was like they're hiding me from something or someone, safe guarding me from an unknown threat. My life was nothing normal as much as it appeared.

Walking through the corridors of college with Lucy, we noticed students prepping for the fest. Banners hung on the walls, paintings and drawings adorning the lecture rooms, fairy lights decorated the pillars. The college was ready for the fest that was to be held this weekend.

Entering my classroom, I was surprised cause the person who was my bestfriend till yesterday sat beside Alex engrossed in a talk.

Yes Grace.

They spoke like two bestfriends who mended their broken friendship over a coffee. Alex smiled at Grace as she spoke biting on her chocolate bar. Somehow they noticed me and Lucy standing on the entrance of the classroom as Grace gestured us to join them.

Walking near them I noticed Grace holding some kind of paper. Taking a closer look I realised that it was a participation form for the college fest "Golden Flairs" that was held in our college every year before Christmas break. It provided the students a platform to showcase their hidden talents. Like every year Grace participated in the fashion show and Lucy in debate. I was always there in the audience to cheer my friends.

"Rose, Alex is going to participate in Golden flairs" said Grace raising the form for me to have a look. I nodded at her without having a look at it.

What event was Alex taking part in ? Was it debate, the fashion show or a dance duet? This guy can master it all!

The main event was the grand party with different themes every year.

This year it was a masquerade ball. It was the same masquerade ball Grace has been bragging about recently. The ball party was preceded by various different events. I'll skip the party as usual like every year. Not because I didn't have a date, though it was a part of the reason but usually crowded areas made me dizzy.

It was Thursday today, the ball was on coming saturday. To fetch my bestfriends the perfect dress we decided to go out on shopping. I called Mama to inform her and ask her permission. Luckily she affirmed but my happiness didn't last long when she asked me to take Alex along.

Like what the hell would he do with us? The girls who are on shopping!!

Carry your bags- said my inner devil.

I chuckled at that thought.

Nevertheless we left early from college to the nearest shopping mall. Both Grace and Lucy went for their dress hunt while I sat on the couch waiting for them to get out of the trial rooms.

Almost an hour later, Grace chose a maroon dress that reached just below her butt paired up with stockings. It hardly covered anything. It was slutty and skanky. Grace swirled a bit to give me an complete look.

"You dont like it, do you?" She asked reading my expression.

"You have enough money to afford bigger piece of cloth than a handkerchief." I taunted non-apologetically.

Huffing she disappeared behind the racks again, rummaging through them. I was now habituated of taunting Grace for her choice of clothes. But the best part about Grace was, at the end she obeyed me.

Moments later Lucy emerged, the off shoulder beige dress was complementing her pale skin perfectly. The sweetheart neckline was filled with small pearls and beads. It was perfect, Lucy was perfect. Getting my approving nod Lucy trailed back in the room to get changed.

Selecting and approving dresses for both of them became my ritual since the past three years. This couch has now became my judging partner. It has witnessed me taunting Grace about her choice of short clothes and complementing Lucy every year.

At the end of the day it's me who is going to find that ideal dress for Grace which covers her modesty as well brings out the best in her.

I was so engrossed in looking out for Grace that I didn't notice when Alex left my side. May be he got bored and decided to have a break. Obviously this store has nothing that can keep a man interested.

The couch dipped and I felt a hand on my shoulder. I titled my face to find Alex.

Think of the devil...

He looked at me expectantly, raising his hand to show me a blue satin dress.

"Can you please try this ?" He asked forwarding the dress to me.

"Umm... Sorry but I am not going to the ball." I shook my head, glancing at the dress. Surely he got the wrong idea seeing me picking out dresses.

"What? Why?" Alex exclaimed.

"Ohh... 'cause crowded places overwhelms her" said Lucy taking a another seat beside me.

"...And she doesn't have a date to go with" Grace added as she stood facing us, hands folded on her chest.

Alex looked at me as if some kind of realisation has dawned upon him. I felt embarrassed. Why do my friends have to share my fears with him? Isn't he a newbie to us? We have known him just for a month. Shouldn't we be sure first, before to trust him?

"Umm.. okay I'll try this" I said grabbing the dress from Alex to avoid any further embarrassments.

It wasn't until I had wore it that I actually noticed the charm the dress held. It was full length while the bodice had a simple yet elegant flowery look. It rested on my body like a second skin making my petite body look voluptuous. The mermaid flounce gave the dress its one last finishing touch. I twirled front of the mirror to have a proper look at myself. The colour of the dress matching that of my eyes.

As I stared at myself in the mirror  feeling my eyes getting blurry.

*

**

The enormous garden was full of colourful different flowers. A girl sat, her head bowed and eyes closed as she breathe in the serene beauty around her.

"Bellé, I got you a Christmas gift" came a voice from behind her. She looked up to find a big gift wrapped box forwarded towards her.

She got ahold of it. Opening up the box, the girl stared at a blue dress. She touched the fabric of the dress as her eyes took in its minute details.

"The colour resembles the blue of your eyes Bellé " He said.

***

"Rosaleigh, are you fine in there?" Grace's voice startled me from my vision. It was yet another blurry glimpse from my past. I could feel a strong connection with that girl name Bellé. I tried focusing on the face of the boy but just couldn't. However his voice was very familiar.

"Rose, please answer. Should we barge in??" This time it was both Lucy and Alex. Worry filled in their voice. Wasting no more time I walked out of the trial room. Relief washed over their faces as I heard them sigh.

"You were gone for more than ten minutes, what took you so long? " asked Lucy worriedly.

"I..I was..."

I couldn't complete myself before Grace interrupted me.

"Lucy, dont you see she looks so bewitching... I am sure she was busy adoring herself!!" Grace squealed happily as Lucy agreed with her.

"That means you're coming to the ball?" Lucy asked expectantly.

"Ofcourse she is! Why do you think she agreed for the dress? Rosaleigh you are coming, aint you?" Grace asked. Her voice full of joy.

I wanted to deny but didnt have the guts. Before I could, they concluded my answer and in no time I was engulfed by my bestfriends into a bone crushing hug. They were so happy. My eyes travelled to Alex who stood there with his most dazzling smile. A smile rising to my lips as well.

Breaking our hug, we headed to check out. Suddenly Grace stopped and turned towards me making me halt as well.

"Who will you go with? Roseleigh I'm not letting that Leon to get at a metre distance near you.. So you better get... "

"She is going with me." Alex intervened.

"Umm... Okay no issues" shrugged Grace as she started walking.

I was speechless. I couldn't think anything. This couldn't be done I can't and don't want to go with Alex... Hell I don't want to go with anyone else!!

It was just because of Alex I was in such a situation. Hadn't he asked me to try that dress wouldn't my friends misunderstood I going to the ball. I glared at Alex's back as he stood at the billing counter.

It was decided that I won't go. But my girls were too happy to bomb them with my decision. So I thought of ditching them at the last moment with some excuse.

Fever doesn't knows what's a ball party, does it? - I smiled inwardly.

Our next stops included of finding the ideal accessories as well as shoewears matching our dresses. I had to play my part so that they don't doubt my intentions. It took us whole of four hours to complete the shopping.