CHAPTER 4: THE BALL

Bryanston was buzzing and everyone was out and about.

There was a festival today celebrating something.

I was going to find out

I don’t think I have seen the streets this full of life before.

I entered the diner which was spilling with people to the brim. I have never seen it this full before.

Alice was busier than ever today so I just grabbed a bagel and coffee to go and told her to text me once she was free.

I was going to ask her today.

I was nervous

Today was the day I finally got my answers.

It has been two months since I saw Ryker and his goons. He really is a busy guy but its weird because the town is quiet for the most part.

My stalker has been also dormant ever since.

So my plans for catching my stalker has been called off so far but I am still ready to pounce.

The feeling was getting more easier every single day.

I found that there was a lot of history missing from the archives.

I swear I saw more than there was.

Its as if someone did not want me to find out what was going on in this town. It was so frustrating.

I knew by the end of this week I would be done organising archives. Which meant that my time volunteering would be over by then.

I had to find another job to keep me busy.

Sane

From all my thoughts.

I got a text from Alice telling me to meet her outside.

“ you look so tense , I swear I can see the stick up your ass” she had some goodies in her left arm.

I took out my chalice and took a sip of my vodka. Kept me calm.

She brought some milkshakes too

I wonder how the milkshakes would taste with some vodka.

She handed me my bag and opened up hers throwing fries in her mouth.

There were people still around the town. Teenage girls buying what seemed like ballroom dresses.

I guess it had to do with why the town was so busy today.

“ you know for a person that’s in high school, I don’t really see you that much at school” I pointed out, her eyes darted to the girls that were across the street picking out dresses.

She laughed nervously like she was hiding something and said “ home schooled”

I gulped the last of my milkshake and I worked up the courage to ask.

“ what's with all the dress shopping and fuss around town” I rather asked

“ oh you don’t know, the mayor is having the annual ball celebrating the peace we have had” she said throwing her bag in the trash

“ Peace?” I had not read anything about peace celebrations in the history

“ Yeah, there hasn’t been wolf sightings in forever and we celebrate that because there haven’t been any killings” she said simple.

Mmmmm wonder why this was not in the records.

“ You can be my plus one, you know see how these things go” she said

“ oh no I couldn’t, I would rather stay clear of celebrations that were that big” I said knowing all to well what happens.

Photos

We don’t want any photos of me . because they would lead to unwanted explanations that I did not need right now.

“ you do not need to worry its totally a private event plus most of the town is invited and I am invited to where all the fun is” she showed me the invitation card

A private dinner with the mayor and his family

“ I probably should not impose” I said knowing it would be a bad idea, I don’t know these people and how they would react.

“ Common, I need some back up, Andrews mother is such a shred I need someone to keep me sane” she said giving me those puppy dog eyes.

I couldn’t possibly say no to those swirls of blues.

She made a face which she thought was helping but was clearly not.

“ Okay but please never make that face again—opp” she hugged me and I smiled.

Something pulled me towards her. A bond of sorts that made me feel as though I was once again happy.

Like I felt with my family back home.

She felt like family.

“so lets get you a dress” she said as she dragged me towards the shops the teenage girls were just leaving.

I didn’t have to ask the question that has been burning in my head.

I was ready for the ball

It was weird saying that.

This would be my first time attending something like that.

A black silk dress that flowed out and fitted to my figure. It had an opening slit to reveal some leg.

Alice was pretty good with makeup. She gave me a natural look and said that she didn’t want to ruin any of my beautifulness with makeup.

My curls were up in a bun. I haven’t had my hair in a bun for a long time now.

I showed off my long neck and left my shoulders bare. She gave me a necklace said it would help with the bare neck.

No one has given me anything since my family.

I held the diamond in my hand.

Alice hair was straight and she wore a red dress fitted all of her curves.

She had also done her own makeup and promised she would teach me her guide to all of this . her words not mine.

She was so excited for the ball.

She opened her car door. She had a pretty expensive car for someone that works partime in a diner.

She started the car and we were off to where ever the ball was being hosted.

It was a couple of miles out from Bryanston.

Pop music filled the car. I was not a fan of pop music more of the solitude person.

But I enjoyed seeing Alice look so happy.

The road led to a majestic palace.

The entrance was enthralling. A red carpet laid out at the entrance and there were valleys that took Alice’s car away. We made it up the stairs which led to huge wooden doors.

I breathed in the woodsy sent. Absolutely amazing.

As the door opened the warmth came in with it.

Loud chartering was heard throughout the main area. Laughing could be heard throughout all the corners of the room.

There was soft music playing in the background soothing the environment even more.

The ceiling was covered with a mirage of paintings it really was intriguing. It looked liked it was very old. It was covered by the chandler so you couldn’t actually see the whole thing and with that feel the whole experience.

I soon found out that I was oogling the roof like there was something wrong with it. I blushed as I looked back at everyone. It must be only me that has been here for the first time.

“ don’t worry I was worse when I came here the first time” Alice said smiling. She introduced me to a few people from town that I have seen around and they chatted about politics and such. Alice left to to go touch up her make up

I guess those were lies because I saw how Andrew was oogling her across the room.

Sneaky

I snickered

“ Quiet a laugh you have got there” I deep voice came from behind

Startled but not showing it I turned around

“ why thank you” I said being this close to him made something stir in me. That I did not quiet understand. Like a familiarity

“ Ryker Williams” he said taking out his hand for me to shake

“ Zoey Lavern” I said reaching for his hands

As soon as our hands touched , I felt tingles burst out where we had touched as soon as that happened I literally tore my hand out from his.

It was like a shock came over me a pull towards him I couldn’t explain.

He didn’t get a chance to even kiss the back of my hand.

My ears rang and I guessed that I was blushing hard.

“ are you new in town” he carried on like that did not effect him. Maybe it didn’t

Maybe I imagined the whole thing. I had to find out if it was true or not. I just didn’t know how to do that.

“ Yes, actually just passing by” I said smiling with all my teeth.

“ Well maybe before you leave I can give you a proper tour” he said “ after all I am the mayor” He smelled of earth and rain. That was some good cologne.

“ Id like that “ I was too enthralled in getting close to him again that I did not realise that people were giving us sneaky stares.

I did not care for the stares all I wanted was to find out how he did not feel what I felt when our hands touched.