CRACKED BUT NOT BROKEN.

Night on the town

Diamond and I head downtown so I can show her around. The first place we stop is the tailors place where I work. We enter the shop that has rows and rows of color fabrics of all kinds of textures. Diamond walks past the display window and stops infront of a ball gown embedded with pearls and Swarovski crystals that me and Mrs.Graves had worked on for 3 months straight. We were hoping someone buys it for the future Alphas ball that is coming up.

Just as me and Diamond are talking Mrs.Graves comes from the back room. "Hey Salel, you don't work tonight, what brings you out?" She ask me with a curious gaze at Diamond. " I was just showing the new girl around town, Diamond this is my boss Mrs. Graves and Mrs. Graves this is Diamond. " They shake each others hands and talk about the upcoming ball for a bit.

"Mrs.Graves is it possible for Salel to commission me some evening wear for the future Alpha's ball next weekend," Diamond ask. I whip my head around to see Mrs. Graves look of shock. "I'm not saying your works aren't gorgeous because they are, I just want you to see what an amazing talent Salel has and give her a chance to showcase what she is really made of."

I am overtaken by nerves and jitters as i wring my hands over and over. Mrs.Graves has this look on her face as if she is contemplating the pros and cons. She breaks the tension in the air with a huge smile and lets Diamond know that would be more than OK.

Me and Diamond squeal and jump up and down as this will be my first commissioned piece. Mrs. Graves giggles and goes to the back to write up a contract, while Diamond and I get to work picking out fabrics, sheers, beads and crystals. We come up with black and gold for the colors being it would look amazing on her sexy dark complexion. "I'm thinking a big poofy black Cinderella dress," and Diamond cuts me off immediately.

"Salel I know you don't know me that well just yet, but what part about me says big or poofy." I cover my mouth and giggle because she is absolutely right. I grab my pad and start sketching a black one piece made of different textures, with side cut outs of sheer lace with rose embroidery. " OK now we are getting somewhere," Diamond says with a smile. I stick the end of my pencil in my mouth and twirl my tongue around the eraser as I always do when I'm thinking. I look at Diamond and swear I see her eyes flash black as if her wolf was at the surface. She immediately looks down at my pad and acts as if it's the most interesting thing in the world.

"The concept is really nice but it doesn't scream ball," I say to nobody in particular. Just then an idea pops in my head. I start to sketch a silk attached to the shoulder cover up, and Diamond groans. Just wait I say. I then draw arrows and a back portion that is bedazzled from the shoulders all the way down to a beautiful train with long splits, when flipped above her head. "Now that's what I'm talking about," Diamond yells with enthusiasm.

"Are you sure Diamond this could be really expensive," I tell her defeated. " "My dad was head warrior at our last pack for 25 years and it came with six figures annually, we are loaded," she laughs awkwardly. Just as I am finished sketching Mrs. Graves comes from the back to see the sketch I have created with all the notes with materials and sizes. "Wow Salel she says as she looks at my sketch. "This is really beautiful and Diamond will look stunning," she says. "This will be about $1500.00 dollars can you afford that?" Diamond whips out a platinum credit card and hands it to Mrs. Graves who looks astounded.

I look at Diamond shocked she is paying up front without seeing the finished product. " I have faith in you Salel," she tells me and rubs her thumb over my cheek which calms my beating heart immensely. Strange. "I will get 20 percent of the profit which is amazing and I can definitely use it." I say with tears clouding my vision. Mrs. Graves comes back with a receipt for Diamond to sign where i see her add a $500 dollar tip.

"Please Diamond don't , you have done enough for me already," I say. " This is just the beginning she says,"and starts to lean over as if to kiss me before Mrs.Graves clears her throat and hands Diamond back the platinum card.

We exit the shop and make our way into an ice cream shop about a block away where lots of kids hang out. As we enter I see my sister and her bit××y friends at a booth near the back. I immediately lower my head and head to the counter with Diamond following close behind. "I'll have a large rolled peanut butter cup please," I say and Diamond says make it two.

The cashier totals our order, and I reach in my pocket for the crumpled 20 I brought with me. Diamond snatches the twenty and shoves it in my back pocket as she hands him yet a different card. "Diamond please let me pay, its the least I can do for your generosity," I pout. " Girl please, we are friends right, you need to save for fashion school."

I smile and we go find an outside table to be away from my evil sister. We chat and I tell her about everything on the strip. From dell's, bars, clothing stores. Even about the 18 and over club at the end of the strip. Just as we are finishing Star comes outside and knocks my ice cream out of my hand. Diamond stands nose to nose to nose with my sister and dares her to touch me again. " What's your name Crystal," my sister smirks. "You shouldn't hang out with dogs or you might catch fleas," she tells Diamond. "First off the only mutt here is you," Diamond mocks her. " I would rather hang with Salel then a c×m dumpster like you, as I can see all the trash you hang with.

By this time everyone is staring and I grab Diamond's arm urging her to let it go and we leave. "You better watch your back Emerald," my sister says and walks off with her trashy friends following. "It's Diamond bit×h," she yells at my sister's retreating back. Me and Diamond leaves and start walking towards her house. All I can think of is the punishment I will receive but I don't tell Diamond this. As we are walking Diamond takes my hand and interlace our fingers which calms me immediately. Weird.

We enter a massive house and head up the stairs to her room. Diamond starts looking for her old phone and finds it in the closet in a box. She powers it on and deletes somethings before handing it to me. We sign me up for cash-snap and settle in for a movie. I don't know when it happened but I fall asleep, and wake at 5:30 am. I am screwed. I remove Diamond's arm from around my waist and head down stairs and out the door to a punishment I know is waiting.