Blue 2

Chapter Six

Skiing wasn't as terrifying as I expected. I'm not saying I didn't look like a fool falling on my butt too many times to count, but I did enjoy myself. My mind finally let me have fun without thinking of the past two grueling weeks. After the first half of me falling on my butt and tripping over the heavy ski bindings while following the instructors advise, I was finally able to ski down a slope made for babies without falling on my face. Declan kept his promise and gave me a few helpful tricks, helping me down another slope that was a tad more difficult, but I managed to slide down, though I did fall on my back. I haven't laughed as much as I did skiing with everyone, Declan included. He was sweet and patient with me.

We skied the entire day until the tall lamp poles flickered on. My fear of heights vanished on the way back down to the lodge, via the ski lift. I admired the fairy lights running from tree to tree, illuminating everyone's face, making their smiling faces glow. It was breathtaking. I followed everyone into the hotel and ventured off to my room to get dressed for dinner. I put on a white dress with tiny pink flowers details, with ruffles on the sleeves and a nice pair of pink flats. Since the party started at ten, which was in an hour, I figured I may as well get dressed correctly so I don't have to change again into another outfit. After curling my hair and letting it loose, with a pink headband keeping my hair out of my face, and putting on lip gloss and blush, I joined the lovely family at dinner.

The food was delicious. I ate more than I should have, but I couldn't help myself. I enjoyed every bit of it. While we ate, we all delved into conversations. Samuel comments on the food, saying it's ten times better than it had been the previous year. On the topic, he brought up the time Catherine challenged him to race down one of the difficult slopes, where he twisted his ankle and she sprained her wrist. They spent the rest of the trip laughing at themselves and promising each other to another challenge this year. I laughed out loud when Elliot brought up when, earlier today, he sneak attacked Delia with a snowball and she slid down a slope out of shock. She blushed and whined, causing everyone to laugh around the table. Overall, I enjoyed myself and valued the time with them.

After dinner I relaxed in the lounge area in the lobby with Delia as we waited for Elliot to get ready. While we waited, her and I talked about nothing in particular. I voiced my admiration for her rose-pink satin slip dress and glowing-gold cheeks. She chuckled when I asked what was on her cheeks, explaining it was highlighter and even put some on my own cheeks, having a container of the makeup product in her purse. When Elliot finally came down in jeans and a forest-green button dress shirt, his dark hair tousled. Delia visibly swooned at his stylish appearance. I blushed and followed the two to the ballroom. I heard the music before we arrived and saw the technicolor lights through the translucent doors.

"Ladies..." Elliot playfully bows as he opens the door.

Delia and I step inside into the party. Instantly, I feel overwhelmed and begin to re-think agreeing to come. I'm out of my comfort zone as I look around, dazed. The walls are vibrating from the booming music, and lights dance across the enormous space. There are people everywhere I look: Over there grinding on each other, over there taking shots, over there singing along to the catchy lyrics of the song playing—just everywhere.

"No wonder there was security roaming the halls outside," I say to Delia, but I doubt she heard me over the pounding music.

"What do you guys want to do first?" Elliot yells over the music.

I want to find Declan, but I notice Delia staring at the bar across the room. I'll find him sooner or later, but I guess we can drink in the meantime. Tonight isn't just about testing the 'dating waters,' it's also about having fun. Which is something that's been hard to come by for weeks, but this party will definitely help. Parties are practically made for having the time of your life and forgetting about everything else for a few hours. Even though you wake up in the morning wish you hadn't drunk.