The Last String

|09| Real

|09| Real

Dressing up has always been my favorite but wearing halloween costumes? It's definitely not my thing. I've never been to a halloween party before since I am literally friendless snd no one would want to invite someone like me. 

But then again, this year's gonna be different.

"We need to be part of the best dressed this halloween, Finn! My competitive side is shaking in excitement!" Maria said as we talk about the Student Council's Halloween Party Program next week. Taehyung is munching something while sitting beside Maria and Gavin is all ears listening to what Maria is saying. 

The halloween's theme was Royal Scare and I can't think of other costumes other than being a vampire. It's so lame, isn't it? 

"Let's do it by partners," Gavin draped his arms on my shoulders and smirked playfully. "I'd go with Sera and the both of you should together."

Maria and Taehyung both groaned in annoyance and looked at each other like they're some kind of germs or something. 

Have I told you that they look cute together? 

"I'm okay with that," I said and shrugged my shoulders with a sly smile on my face. 

"Argh, okay! You win!" She gave us an eye roll which made me laugh. Such a cutie. 

"So what's your plan? I'm thinking of being Snow White but the poisoned version." She said with a glint on her eyes. So she'll be twisting fairytales? That's kinda cool. 

"So V, you need to be a handsome evil prince with a basket of apple because you're the one who's gonna poison Snow White," Maria said with finality. The latter just nodded his head because honestly he can't do anything about it with Maria finalizing all the details in front of him. 

"How about you?" She asked. 

"Vampire royalty? I don't know much how this halloween party works so I think I'll settle for that," I shrugged.

Maria claps in excitement. "Oh em gee! It will really look good on you with your red hair and Wraith will look good in too!" 

I smiled a little and put my elbow on the table to rest my chin on my hand. "Hmm I want to wear a black shimmering crown. I'm kind of contemplating between maroon, black, and white as the color of my victorian gown. What do you think?" 

"Then can I be your vampire king?" Gavin rested his elbow on the table and looked at me with his coy smile on his handsome face. 

"You have no choice but to go with me, Gav." I gave him a side eye and look at Maria who's busy watching our antics. 

"Color, Maria?" I asked. 

She gave me one of her secretive smirk and shook her head. "Let's surprise them, Finn."

Then, a surprise it is.

***

I don't know if I'll be angry or thankful to Maria because she woke me up at seven freaking am on a weekend. Like seriously? Girl if she weren't my friend I would've b***h slap her from left to right. 

"Go take a shower and we're going to my designer," she pushed me back inside of my condo and she happily hopped on my couch in the living room and opened my television.

"Have you eaten?" I asked her and she shook her head. "We'll just eat outside, Finn!" Nodding, I headed to my bathroom to take a bath and fix myself. 

It was the shortest shower time in my whole life but I made sure that I'm thoroughly clean and all. Maria's wearing a dress so I opted to wear a dress too. A short red body con dress complimented my fair skin and my red hair. With my white converse on and my small white chanel sling bag, I left my room only to find out that Gavin and Taehyung were dressed up too. It looks like it's going to be a long day, huh? 

"Oh, she's a bomb!" Maria exclaimed with her phone on phone probably taking a video or something that she'll post on her social media. My hair was left unkept and ruly as it is so I hide behind the laughing Gavin but Maria had to be so annoying and followed me suit. 

"Let's go I'm hungry!" Taehyung exclaimed and grabbed Maria's hand and exited my condo. Laughing, I turned my tv off and checked my appliances if they're off before going out. 

And of course, Gavin had to make me blush because he's that guy who compliments a lot. 

"You look beautiful," he smirked and draped his arms on me. I'd like to say that he looks good too with his black polo with three buttons open and his black denim jeans and black shoes but I don't like to inflate his ego more. 

He's a total head turner. Periodt. 

A silver tesla awaits us with Maria and Taehyung bickering in front of it. What's new? I'll be totally shock if they don't bicker and banter for a day. 

"That's yours?" I asked. Well, if it's Taehyung's then he should've been in the driver's seat already with Maria telling how cocky he is. 

"Yup," he said with a small smile. He ushered me to the passenger seat as he open his car. Maria followed suit as Taehyung sat in the shotgun seat. 

"Let's go to Alleyna's!" Maria shouted and I internally grimaced because her voice is so loud that I think I need to have my eardrums repaired. The designer's name is familiar, tho. 

"I already talked to her the night you told me what you wanted. Actually she has our vital stats already because we needed suits and gowns for a gala next month but you, my dear friend we need yours today. Anyway she already had some designs on-hand because I told her that we have like the same body type so she'll just adjust it to your liking," she said without any pause that I almost thought she's rapping Eminem's song. 

She sounds like my neighbor's nanny when I was in the Philippines who talk so fast that my playmate called the way she talk as 'ratatatatat' because according to her, she talks so fast like a machine g*n. 

And I am so not gonna tell Maria that she sounds like M-16. Ever. 

"So you mean, we'll fit our costumes?" I asked and she nodded. Woah. She got it all covered for a span of what—three days? Damn this girl be using her connections very well huh? 

"Uhuh!" She linked her arms with me and leaned his head on my shoulder. "We are so gonna steal awards next week, Finn! I'm sure of it!" She said as if she knew what will happen. With awards or not, I'll be glad to experience halloween party for the first time. 

All the first times with them. 

"We're here," Taehyung announced and got out of the car. Curious and excited, I got out of the car only to be welcomed by a fancy couture shop named after the designer. 

"Alleyna Esquivere," I mumbled. That's why her name sounds familiar. I remember my Mom coming home with parcels she needed for her charity events and most of her gowns came from Alleyna Esquivere, the most sought designer of the elite society. 

"Alleyna!" Maria shrieked as soon as she saw the blonde woman with striking blue eyes wearing a two piece navy tuxedo with white heels on. She looks gorgeous. 

"Maria! It's good to see you again!" She kissed Maria's cheek like how they greet each other. 

"Wraith, Vincent you guys are looking good as ever, huh?" She then saw me beside Gavin because how can she not? I'm literally a striking red female with my head and my dress. Her eyes squinted an unknown glint as she ran her gaze from head to toe. 

"Are you a model? You look so beautiful and your piercings looks hot on you." She said with a big smile on her face. I don't know how I will react to her so I gave her a small smile. 

"Thank you. You look beautiful too," I said. 

"You must be Finn. Oh well, let's see how my dress will fit on you. Goodness! They will swoon after seeing you in that dress my dear!" She ushered me to one of her dressing rooms as she called her assistants to assist me and Maria in fitting.

"When Maria told me that you have red hair, I immediately knew that off white will look good on you so try this dress on and let's see." She gave me a long beautiful lace dress and closed the curtain of the dressing room. With a large mirror on the wall, I strip n***d to fit the dress. 

It's an off shoulder long sleeved long dress with lace designs with some soft tool, satin, and lace in the skirt part. It also has a white sequined corset to accentuate my waist and it looks good—really good. 

"Are you good!?" Maria asked. 

I opened the curtain to show her my dress and she mouth hung wide open with Alleyna clapping like a mad seal on her side. 

"Better than ever," I smirked. 

***

"See you tomorrow, Finn!" Maria said as she entered their condo unit. Taehyung followed suit with his voice saying 'annyeong'. 

"So why are you here? Hmm?" I asked Gavin who's now leaning on my door frame with a small smile on his lips. 

"About the gala," he said and scratched his head, "can you be my plus one?" He smiled cheekily as if he knew that I can't say no. "I promise I'll take care of everything," he said. 

"Promise me you'll take care of me because I've never been to one before," I said laughingly. His forehead creased as his lips parted in shock. "What's so shocking with it?"

"But I always see your parents attending charity events and gala!" He sauntered. I shrugged my shoulders as kept mum. He squinted his eyes as if reading what's on my mind for some moment but then he sighed and pinched my cheeks. 

"Call me if you need someone to talk to, okay?" I flick his hands away from my face and gave him a glare. "Ouch! It hurts!" 

"I know it hurts so talk to me," he said seriously. I averted my gaze to the floor and scoffed. He's been observing me, huh? How keen. "You pinched me hard! Of course it will hurt!" I said faking madness. 

"I saw you last night at your balcony," he said. Shocked, I looked at him only to find him looking at me softly. 

"Don't wear your mask, Sera. Just—just be real with us, okay?" He fixed my hair gently to the side and smiled. "We're always here for you no matter what." 

I unconsciously closed my eyes as he stepped forward and a soft kiss landed on my forehead. 

"Good night, Sera," he said almost breathless.

With his back facing my sight, I watched the only person who saw through me entered his unit and I know, unconsciously...

...he had entered my messed up life too. 

#

end of chapter nine