The Bond

Into the Woods We Go

"Dakota you can't wear that to a party!"  Emmie scolded Dakota with broad sweeps of her hands before pulling a white halter dress from her closet to present for Dakota's inspection.  The dress was made of thin eyelit fabric and Daokta regarded it with disdain before shaking her head no.

Shocked Emmie looked at the dress and back at Dakota not understanding the problem.  I laughed without drawing attention to myself while I sat on a beanbag that made me think of a giant hacky sack in the corner of Emmie's room.  Emmie had started with my outfit first and I didn't want to bring her attention back to me as I rested from the ordeal.

"The party is in the forest, I'm not wearing an ankle length white dress covered in holes.  I'll freeze and snag it on things all night." 

Dakota gestured to the white blouse and jean combo she had been sporting all day before continuing.  "What I have on is fine." 

I gazed at Dakota's tennis shoes in envy.  Emmie had wrestled me into strappy lace-up sandals and I was realistically concerned that I would get poison ivy from wearing them in the woods.  Using Dakota and Emmie's debate over the dress as cover, I deftly snagged my abandoned shoes and shoved them into the eco friendly tote I called a purse.  Emmie had coaxed me into a pale blue, short sleeved dress that had a drawstring waist for definition. 

She had tried more extravagant outfits with me, but I resolutely refused.  We had compromised on the plain dress that reached just above my knees and I had allowed her to curl my hair into gentle black waves that rested on my shoulders.  A swipe of mascara and lip gloss had me feeling more feminine and out of my skin than I had in a while, but I didn't mind as much as I thought I would.  It had been awhile since I took care in my appearance and I forgot how good it could make a person feel. 

I put my hand to my chest while Emmie rifled through her extensive closet.  Usually I would have refused anything to do with going out after dark, but it had been a long time since I had done something with my friends beyond grabbing coffee after school.  I knew I couldn't trust the recent lack of attacks, but I took comfort that if one did happen I could slip into the trees and ride it out in privacy. 

I felt my pulse bracelet vibrate on my wrist and fished my phone out of my bag to see what the notification was.  I couldn't help but smile as I opened another message from Miles.  Under the time of the party and directions on how to get there, he had typed out a new message reminding me to contact him if I needed anything at all.  I felt happy to have met such a cool guy, but I highly doubted I would need to call him for help.  Even still, it was sweet to know I could count on him.

I tossed my phone back in my bag in time to see that Emmie had lost the battle with Dakota and had moved on to reapplying her makeup.  We had about 20 minutes before the party was supposed to start and we still had to drive there.  We were taking Emmie's car, but first we would have to pick up Liam.

When Liam had seen us talking about the party, he had insisted on coming with us.  Emmie and Dakota didn't mind and I couldn't necessarily object without making them wonder why.  Privately after classes I had tried to convince Liam to skip the party, but he was completely immovable on the issue.  My attempt was half-hearted though, because secretly I was glad to have another friend by my side. 

Going to this party was well outside of my comfort zone and I was nervous about crashing a party full of strangers.  Having Liam with us would add an extra layer of protection and give me another person to talk to.  I loved Emmie and Dakota, but they both had a tendency to get caught up in their own pace which happened to be very different than mine.  I wasn't as outgoing and comfortable with these kinds of things as they were. 

I got up from the comfort trap of the beanbag and tapped Emmie on the shoulder so she would look at me.

Emmie had packed rose pigment around her eyes to compliment the floral jumpsuit she had donned earlier.  Her box braids were pulled up into a classy bun atop her head and she had put in thin gold hoops to add a gorgeous final touch.  I admired her style, but I was glad she had let me off easy with my look.  I wanted to blend, not stand out.  Emmie on the other hand was a die hard romantic and always wanted to look her best for her soulmate. 

Emmie lifted her doe eyes up to me after I had tapped her for attention.  I couldn't help but smile warmly at my friend. 

"You look amazing."  I signed, loving the smile that bloomed across Emmie's face at the compliment.  I was going to rush her along, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to build her up.  My mother had always taught me to compliment people when they deserved it.  Emmie definitely deserved it.

"Enough primping, let's go."  Dakota's stern face appeared in the mirror behind us as she signed for us to hurry.

My bracelet buzzed again.  Liam had texted my phone saying he was waiting for us outside.  Confused I signed to the girls his message before leaving Emmie's room to go see Liam. 

I opened Emmie's front door to see Liam's Dad's prized car.  Ot was a low to the ground, sleek and Shiney black vehicle.  I stood confused when Liam hopped out of the driver's seat with his arms spread in a big "tada" gesture. 

"What are you doing?"  I asked with my hands.  "Emmie was going to drive."

Liam closed the distance between us with a little engimatic half-smile on his boyish face.  He tilted his head down towards me.

"I wanted to be the one to drive you today."  His eyes were heated and I felt something respond in me unexpectedly. 

"As a friend of course."  I squinted my eyes at him in suspicion as I reminded him and he laughed.  I felt a pluck of sadness strike my chest that his laugh was pure silence, but I ignored it.  

"Of course.  You look pretty by the way."  Liam straightened with a sunny grin and nodded before slipping passed me into the house.  I knew there was a blush on my face and I secretly cursed Liam's new-found confidence.

Liam was coming with us out of concern, but I couldn't help but imagine how the privacy of trees could be used to steal more of Liam's warm kisses.  I had already made my decision regarding the matter, but the temptation to feel desired and whole was still in the back of my mind.  I shook my head to remove the dangerous idea and headed back into Emmie's ranch style house. 

I need to keep a rein on my teenage hormones before I did something stupid with Liam again.  It would only hurt me in the end.  Emmie's bright yellow door came into view and I peeked inside to see Liam towering inside the richly colored bedroom at ease with his environment.  Looking around I guess it was oddly reminiscent of his house, although Emmie had more of a sumptuous India vibe going. 

Liam had also changed his clothes and I was a tiny bit surprised to note how good he looked.  He wore a long sleeved grey shirt I didn't recognize with the sleeves bunched up to showcase his tanned masculine forearms.  He also had on a pair of dark denim jeans that fit him really, really nicely.  I looked up and met his eyes.  His face was pulled up into a smile of pure male ego over the fact that he had caught me checking him out. 

I rolled my eyes flustered and waved my hand to get Emmie and Dakota's attention as they bickered over something Emmie was holding in her palm.  Emmie noticed the motion and put down a pair of statement earrings with a defeated sigh. 

"If we're doing this then let's get going."  I signed with zero enthusiasm, my own defeated sigh leaving my lungs. 

Liam jingled his keys and Emmie frowned at the sight of them.  I noticed Dakota swipe the earrings Emmie had given up on and dutifully put them in her ears.  Emmie had a way of winning and I couldn't help but chuckle. 

"I'm driving."  Liam informed them with a proud puff of his chest.  Emmie shrugged indifferently and grabbed her purse.  I turned to go out the door and felt someone playfully tug a lock of my hair.  I looked back to see Liam following behind me.  He gave me a mischievous wink.  It was going to be a long night.