CH.1 The Day My Life Turned Upside Down

CH 1

The day my life turned upside down

 From the moment I walked into the large ballroom that held the lavish event that was my 17^th birthday, I knew something was off. It was one of those feelings that you have right before an impending disaster, a shift in the cosmic energy from positive to negative. And then, I saw him, my heart lightened and my stomach began to flutter like a million butterflies had taken flight. My gaze shifted. My best friend Clarissa was standing nearby, her eyes alight with the light of the party. All around people whirled and twirled, a frenzy of color. I made my way over to them, hardly able to contain my excitement. Seeing me, they both strode to meet me, dodging different dancing couples. Dilan's sea green eyes sparkled with happiness, his familiar smile painting a picture of pleasure across his face when his eyes met mine. But even through my happiness, I couldn't help the slight feeling of jealousy that burned in my stomach from the way I had seen Clarissa looking at him, though I wasn't going to let some petty feeling ruin my night.

I gave them both a large grin, the anticipation  of spending time with my friends winning out over the seed of envy that had already buried itself deep into my mind. They both smiled warmly back. Each held a slender flute glass of bubbling champagne, and Dilan grabbed another off one of the servant's tray, handing it to me. The taste was light and crisp on my tongue, and after one or two I soon forgot about the look I had seen Clarissa give Dilan before I had entered their field of vision.

Soon enough I was pulled by Dilan to the center of dance floor, and he spun me artfully around, leading me wonderfully. Music wafted around us, encircling our moving figures. I lost myself in the gray silks of my dress, putting my body at the mercy of Dilan, handing him full responsibility. He as a wonderful dancer, there was no doubt about it. I hardly had to look to know other girls were looking at me enviously. I simply laughed and continued to dance and have fun. I began to dizzy suddenly, most likely from the two or three glasses of champagne I had consumed. I excused myself after the next song ended, moving to one of the tables decorated with a long golden table cloth towards the edge of the large ball room. Dilan didn't follow instead continuing to dance with the others. I peered out from under my silver mask, watching him. He was dancing with Clarissa now, and a surge of jealousy pulsed through me. He whispered something into her ear and she giggled gleefully. Who did she think she was... She couldn't do that...and why was he endorsing it...I thought angrily, sure my face was flushing. 

I continued watching them, just in time to see him lead her off somewhere, most likely private. Anger welled in me, threatening to bubble over.I decided to follow them, not taking note of the odd black haired stranger watching me from afar. Dilan led her to one of the many dark corridors that led either outside or to the servant's quarters, Clarissa giggling dumbly the whole way. I was sure of what was going to happen next, though it still caught me off guard. He pressed her gently against the stone wall, nuzzling his nose against her slender neck. My heart pounded in my throat, blood rushing through my ears. He began kissing her, landing some on her lips, others on her neck, just as he would do to me so often. I felt my fists clench into tiny balls at my hips. Her dress, scarlet and golden, was soon rumpled by Dilan's hands. I felt myself threaten to vomit.   

 I looked down at my gray dress that I had spent hours waiting for. It reminded me of a stormy day, the slight sparkle acting as a drizzle of rain. It was a spectacular manufacturing of gossamer and tulle, with small diamonds sewn in to look as if it was covered in millions of dew drops sparkling whenever I moved. Unfortunately the outstanding craftsmanship would have to go to waste.

I turned and ran. I ran until I reached the gardens out the back of the building, which to my relief was virtually uninhabited. As I walked towards the center fountain to sit down, I felt the intense need to turn around for fear of being followed. When I did, I nearly slammed right into a bodice made of dusty gray purple fabric. I looked up and when I saw the face that belonged to the gridelin bodice, I was nearly shocked out of my current problems and into oblivion. His eyes were enchanting, so mesmerizing I felt as if I would be lost in them if I wandered too long. A mask obstructed the rest of his face making it difficult when mixed with the darkness to see the rest of his face aside from his mouth. The mouth twisted into a charming smile showing off sparkling teeth.

“Well, when I decided to crash a party I didn’t expect to be crashed into as well.”

The silky voice raised me out of my stupor and I quickly replied,

“I knew I didn’t recognize you…”

His eyes were tinkling now, like stars dancing to the sound of the music emanating from the inside ball room.

“I definitely don’t recognize you; I would have remembered meeting such an enthralling woman.”

His grin grew wider as he saw flushness rush to my pale cheeks. A breeze blew through his wavy, midnight hair, causing me to nearly become infatuated again with this marvelous human being. Handsome wasn’t a word that could begin to encompass his beauty.

“Would you like to sit down rather than just staring at me, staring is quite rude you know.”

I blushed even more ferociously and silently followed him to the edge of the fountain where I had been rushing to in the first place. The fountain was illuminated with small candles floating throughout creating a romantic mood to fall about the gardens like a chiffon curtain. At this moment I must have looked like absolute rubbish, complete with puffy eyes and nearly ruined hair. Suddenly self-conscience of my appearance in regards to his, I turned to see my reflection in the fountain water. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the damage was not as bad as I had feared. Thankfully my intricate mask hid the puffiness of my eyes.  I turned back to face him, astounded to see he was already looking at me.  

“Where ever did you find a dress like that, I have never seen anything like it…it’s quite fitting for such a fair young lady.”

I blushed evermore; sure I was as red a tomato.

“It was custom made, as a gift for my 17^th birthday. This is my party that you did decided to ruin you realize?”

The look on his face made me giggle; it was a mix of embarrassment and surprise with just a dash of fake dread. 

“Oh my…,” his features relaxed into a lazy smile and he continued, “It seems I've lied. I actually came with an old friend who suggested I come to have some fun, but I was getting quite bored. I saw you run out, looking quite distraught and thought maybe you needed some help. I saw you enter earlier and was going to ask you for a dance…but you made a beeline towards someone else. A suitor I suppose.”

The memory came flooding back nearly sending me to tears. That’s why I was out here…and suddenly the weight of the world as laid back on me. I turned back toward the pool propping my head against my arm. The thought of seeing him with her sickened me, on my birthday too.

“Is something wrong? You’re looking a bit pallid.”

Right. There’s someone else here. I turned towards the beautiful stranger and starting crying. I couldn’t help it; I couldn’t lie when I looked into his silver eyes, they were too full of sympathy and…was that worry? I took off my mask and laid it next to me. I was surprised when he did not do the same but instead turned away as if contemplating what to do.

“I’m really sorry to inconvenience you from the party, I just saw something that shook me up and I would rather not go back, but you’re able to leave me if you would rather enjoy the rest of the night.”

He turned to face me again. In the dim light given off by the fountain, I could make out something I did not notice before. It appeared to be a very small bit of a scar.

“You seem to need me more. What did you see? It must have been pretty terrible for you to be reduced to tears like this.”

“I…um…well…I saw..." I wasn't sure what exactly I had seen, only that it hurt me. "I think I saw something I wasn't supposed to. It broke my heart and I didn’t want to do anything rash or irrational so I fled. I couldn’t face him again.” 

His silver eyes turned iron-grey, studying my face, almost angry looking.

“How could someone ever do that to someone like you? You have so much promise to offer. You’re beautiful and thoughtful. Not to mention, a gentleman would never do that to a woman.”

“I would love to say that I wasn't foolish enough not to see it coming but I had no idea...I thought I was the only one...”

“He’s the fool not you.” he said softly.

His hand brushed against mine and a shock of electricity went through my skin. It was a pleasant feeling providing my stomach with butterflies for the second time that night. He took my hand in his and studied it.

“What’s this?” he questioned, referring to the crescent shaped scar in the palm of my hand.

“I fell once, onto a nail, when I was young. It hurt badly and required stitches. I like it because it’s something different. I think scars are a part of who you are.” I replied.

He smiled, which in turn brought a smile onto my face.

“May I show you something?”

“I suppose so.” I said curiously.

The stranger took me by the hand and led me to a more secluded area toward the fox glove hedges. The scent of night blossoms filled the air with a sweet and enticing aroma as his slender figure guided us gracefully through the garden until we were near the very edge at which we stopped. He seemed nervous and I grasped his hand tighter in order to provide comfort and ease, when in reality I was nervous as well. I didn’t even know this stranger’s name much less his character, but something in me was drawn to him like a magnet and I knew he could be trusted. He released my hand and began to remove his mask. Underneath on his right side was a jagged scarred running from his forehead to his right cheek bone, the only imperfection on his otherwise flawless face. I must have uttered a sound of surprise because he immediately put the mask back on. I found my hand reaching back towards it, to remove it. He shied away.

“Don’t be afraid. I just want to see what you look like.”

He faced me again and I reached and gently removed the iridescent opal mask. My fingers gingerly grazed the long scar down his face and I felt a surge of sadness at the marring.

“Who did this to you?” I mustered out of surprise and amazement.

“When I was younger, I misbehaved. I missed my morning lessons one day because I was too busy looking in the mirror admiring my reflection. My father believed in strict discipline, and slashed me just enough to scar. His exact words were: ‘No you’ll have no reason to look in the mirror and when you do you’ll be reminded of what happens when you defy my authority.’”

He turned to stare at the moon, looking as forlorn as a wolf without a pack.

“Once when I was young, I used to throw fits when my mother would try to style my hair. One day she came in with the scissors and cut it all off. I cried every night for a month. It internally scarred me.”

The memory made me shudder. The stranger turned towards me again and twirled a lock of my long chestnut hair.

“Such a shame. It’s your most attractive feature.”

He winked, making me blush even harder.

“I think your scar makes you more interesting. It seems a very humbling thing to have.”

It was his turn to blush. Pinkness flooded to his light olive cheeks, something I found incredibly eye-catching. This in turn made me turn made me smile sheepishly. Far off I heard the clock strike twelve. He smiled back at me, not nearly as confident as he had been previously. Before I knew it he pecked me on the lips. Astonished I stood there for a second not knowing why or how I had just kissed a stranger.
"Hold on..." I said, swerving away from his kiss. "I don't even know your name...much less if I can trust you." I swear he winced, as if my words cut deeply into his heart, though they weren't harshly said.

“Forgive me that was totally inappropriate given your current state of affairs regarding Dilan.”

“How did you know that was his name…”

“Did you not state it previously?”

“No I had not; I had wished to spare him his privacy.”

“I believe I have not been completely honest with you, Dilan was my old friend that invited me here. He speaks of you all the time, and I must say I’ve always wanted to meet you. That’s why I came, though I did not know it was you when I came running after you. I’ve never seen you before only heard of you. I am very sorry to hear of my good friend’s unchivalrous nature. That was very disappointing to hear, he had disappeared from me and I was trying to find him when I saw you.”

He sheepishly looked down at his mask.

“Do you know my name?” I stammered, confused.

“I believe it’s Lucienne Alvora...” He replied.

“That is me…”

Before I could ask him his, we heard voices. He pulled me close and we hid behind the hedges. It was Dilan and Clarissa. I would recognize those voices anywhere and unfortunately I didn’t want to. The stranger squeezed my hand, and then whispered “I’ll be right back.” He turned to face me, his eyes glinting, placed his mask back on, smirked, and moved silently in the direction of the voices.

                I waited for around 5 minutes before my curiosity got the best of me. I moved as quietly as possible toward where I thought the voices were coming from. Soon enough I could make Dilan’s conversation between he and the stranger. Clarissa had either run back to the ballroom or was staying silent.

“Adrian what are you doing out here? I’ve been looking for you for an hour…”

So that was his name, Adrian. Depending on who you asked it meant fire or darkness, complete opposites of each other. When I looked at him, I could see both meanings etched in his face.

“I got bored so I decided to take a walk…Such a beautiful night, the moon is full and the gardens are magnificent.”

Adrian’s silky voice made my heart beat so hard it nearly ruptured. Both boys moved into my view. Dilan, in a boisterous blue overcoat, was a different type of handsome than Adrian was. He carried himself like a proud lion, pacing before a much more relaxed Adrian. Dilan looked indeed like a tawny lion, aside from his oceanic eyes, such a deep blue green, I could have sworn they were a pair of sea glass straight from the shore. His hair was a sun-bleached blonde, though darker now because of more frequent times spent indoors and his body leanly cut, though not nearly as graceful as Adrian’s. In comparison, Adrian was pale olive toned as opposed to Dilan’s dark tan skin and had hair as dark as the night. His eyes shown more like glinting silver coins now, with his stance was much more humble than Dilan’s though still with a healthy dose of confidence. The two of them together was an interesting sight. I inched closer to get a better look and in the process knocked over one of the unlit metal lanterns.

Dammit…Why…

Both boys darted around in time to see my skirts flutter around the corner.

“Who was that…” Dilan.

His familiar voice made me think of all the romantic evenings spent walking near the duck pond at the estate. And then I remembered. My descent into despair was quickly interrupted by the sound of nearing footsteps. Before I could turn to run I heard a voice.

“Lucienne? Is that you?”

“Oh…ah…I was just wandering?”

As I continued to walk away, I felt their eye brows raise.

“Wait,” it was Dilan. The one I definitely didn’t want to talk to.    

“Where have you been all night, everyone, including me has been looking for you…”

“I’ve been here, someone ruined the party for me.”

“Who was it? One of the servants? I can fix the issue if it will make you happy—“

“I don’t think you know what makes me happy.” I whispered.

“What? Why would you say that?”

He tried to take my hand but I snatched it away.

“I…saw you… and ….”

My voice cracked, a symbol of the dam about to break releasing more tears.

“You saw me what? I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me what’s wrong Luce.”

Suddenly anger, a white-hot fire, was ignited in my stomach. How could he be so ignorant of my emotions. He touched my cheek, making me wish things could return back to how they were, but they never could. I shied away from his touch.

“Why did you kiss her?”

This time my voice sounded ferocious, ready to rip him apart. It was as if my anger exited throughout my words. Immediately I regretted the tone.

“I..I…didn’t know you were there.”

“What does it matter if she’s there or not?” Adrian added nonchalantly. Adrian. I had forgotten he was there.

“It didn’t mean anything. It was a mistake.”

Just as I was about to answer a sad but sweet voice answered for me, Clarissa.

“It was a…mistake?” The voice was so pitiful it nearly brought my tears to the surface. All three of us spun around to face her. The look on Adrian’s face said it all, ‘Uh-Oh’.

“I…I…came to see if you were still out here and…” Clarissa broke down. Dilan’s brows furrowed and he rubbed his temples. He had made a mistake and he knew it. At that point, Clarissa had collapsed to the ground in a pile of silks and tears. Her scarlet mask lay, thrown off, a few feet away. Adrian ran his elegant fingers through his hair.  

“Looks like you have a lot to explain…I suppose I should be getting back to the party.”

As he turned to leave, I grabbed his hand.

“Please don’t go, or at least let me come. I’d rather not have the rest of my party ruined by what he has to say.” At mention of Dilan, my words spit out viciously. 

The fire was burning again and I was ready to leave. Dilan’s jaw clenched.

“Please Luce I-“

“Just shut up. I can’t listen right now. I’m angry and I can’t think straight. I need some time before I can talk to you or Clarissa. Tonight, on my birthday of all nights, you’ve betrayed my trust and my heart. Please just leave me alone.” And with that, I turned on my heels and sauntered away, leaving Dilan shell-shocked in the middle of the garden, alone with Clarissa.