A Love Like No Other

Six: Dress Hunt

Selene

Vanessa popped by, her aqua blue hair really popping with her punk rock Lolita outfit she was rocking. I was so jealous that she could make that doll-like goth style work for her, to be honest. Me, I would look like a Barbie doll, or freaking Daenerys Targaryen with my natural pearl blonde hair.

I wore a simple fitted black top over dark Rock Revival skinny jeans, and black ballet flats, because I knew that we were going to be doing a lot of walking.

"So, how was orientation?" She asked non chalantly, getting into her silvery Porsche Boxster.

"Not bad," I replied, buckling myself into the passenger seat. Ever since I got my license, I don't like to be a passenger, but for once, I didn't mind it so much with all the things jumbling around in my brain at once. "Dells and Margery made it fun. Marge asked about that orgy last summer at your place."

Vanessa frowned, pulling out of the driveway. "Yeah, well, everyone but her knew that her ex was a cheating thug. But what's up with Josh calling you, girl? I mean, aren't you two like ancient history?"

We were on the highway now, and it was so nice not being the one to pay attention to traffice, it was relaxing, actually.

"Yeah, so I told him," I chuckled. "But when has that boy ever freaking listened? I'm just going to block him on my phone, maybe then he'll like get the hint and move on with his life."

A wicked gleam came into Vanessa's eyes. Oh no, what in the world was that girl thinking? "Or...you could, I dunno..find someone else."

Gee, Ness,' I could just show my cheating ex, who punched in my v card, by the way, that I have a fallen angel as a boyfriend. Oh yeah, that'll go over famously. "I'm not ready for that yet," I said lamely. "I think I would rather focus on my studies for a bit before arranging another hook up."

Vanessa rolled her light brown eyes. "Nerd alert! God, girl, what happened to the fun chick who didn't care about all of that academic crap?"

I could feel my anger boil over. "Maybe, just maybe, I actually want a future. Unlike you! You know what? f**k this s**t. I have tons of gowns at home. I'm out of here, I'm done with this immature bullshit. Stop the car."

Vanessa looked at me like I was insane. But I looked at her coldly, and she pulled into the exit for Rodeo Drive. I grabbed my purse, and stormed off. I called up a limo service on retainer from my parents.

I was picked up quickly and I told the driver I just wanted to go home. When I got home, my parents weren't home, and I saw the note on the refrigerator:

Selene dear,

Your father and I had a charity ball to go tonight. We hope you have fun dress shopping, but if you get home early, Margarita made you a lasagne. It's in the oven, all you have to do is just reheat it.

Love you,

Mom

I grinned at seeing the lasagne in the oven just for me. There was also half of a strawberry cheesecake for dessert in the refrigerator itself. Lovely. I supposed that I had to call up Vanessa to apologize, but I really didn't want to. She was always the wild child, the devil may care sort of girl that was fun to hang out with in school, but since I was a Junior, I had to be thinking of college, and what happened afterwards.

I went upstairs, and opened up my laptop. I had a program on it that listed my whole wardrobe in my huge walk in closet, and a digital picture of me to see what each outfit would look like on me. I clicked on formal wear, and all of my dresses popped up. I scrolled through half of them until I came to a backless black sequined dress that reminded me of a flapper gown somewhat. I thought that this was the dress.

I went into my closet, and found it. I put it on my mannequin, and thought it was perfect. So what if it looked like something too fancy for a school dance, I was going to wear it. I paired it with some nice black pumps, and a jewelry set that looked properly asntiqued. When all of that was done, I decided to have dinner.

I savored the quiet of my parent's mansion, and ate in peace and quiet for once. I packaged up the rest of my dinner, and ate a bit of the cheesecake. When I got ready for bed, I dreamed of the maze again, and of being chased by a monstrous creature, and of Sariel trying to get me to safety before the monster killed me.

I woke up screaming, and in a cold sweat. I then heard the sound of wings flapping, and then Sariel was there. He was dressed in a gray Henley shirt tucked into dark stone washed jeans.

"Hey, hey, shhh," He murmured, gathering me in his strong arms. I curled into his arms, and cried, "A m-monster t-t-tried to kill me. I saw it, and you...you saved me."

He kissed my temple, and held me close. "I know, darling. I know," He whispered. "Shh. Sleep now. Do you want me to stay? I can appear invisible to everyone else if you're worried about that."

I should have refused. I still didn't know what to think of all of this, of having a super sexy angel protecting me, but at the moment, I just needed someone to hold me close. How little did I know that my life was about to change yet again, because of my guardian's boss's obsession with me...