Breaking Chains

Day Out

It was finally the day of the party. The whole pack house was rushing around to get everything decorated and ready for the party. I went downstairs hoping that I would be able to get some breakfast and do some training. As I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I bumped straight into a guy I hadn't met before. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention when I came in," I said. The man looked at me and with a smile said," No harm, no foul, no bruise, I'm good. Are you alright Miss?"" Yes I am fine." When I looked up into his eyes, my breath caught in my chest. He was tall, about six feet, with long shaggy brown hair and a perfect set of green eyes. I mean, my eyes are green, but his were GREEN. They reminded me of a forest in the summer, so dark but also having hints of light flashing through them. When I realized I was staring, I quickly collected myself and decided to act normally and start the introductions. " Hi, I'm Michelle, and who might you be?" " My name's Ashton, I'm from the Delta Range pack." "It's very nice to make your acquaintance Ashton. Sorry I bumped into you." " It's all good Michelle. I hope we get more time to talk later at the party." "I would like that very much." "Cool, I'll catch you later then," he said as he continued on his way to the game room. I made my way into the kitchen and was stunned by all the commotion that was going on in there. "Michelle, is there something I can help you with?", asked a small elderly woman standing at the stove stirring something in a pot. "I was just looking for some breakfast before I go out to train." As soon as I said that, Aunt Lana and Uncle Matthew came up to me. "Oh no young lady, no training today. Today is all about you having fun", said Uncle Matthew. "I have the entire day planned!", squealed Aunt Lana. "Go get ready to go. Meet me in the car in 15 minutes and if you see Aaron, tell him to get a move on and get in the car please." Just as I was about to link Aaron, I was picked up from behind and turned in midair for the biggest hug. "Morning Cuz! Excited for tonight?" "Are you kidding me. I have been excited the last couple of days!", I exclaimed, hugging Aaron back just as hard. "Good. Mom has been planning this since we were kids, you know." Aunt Lana blushed a little and lightly hit Aaron in the shoulder. "Thank you for that son. Really love being put on the spot like that." We all laughed and parted ways with Matthew. Once in the car, we put on our seat belts and Aaron asked me what I liked to listen to. I like to rock out but with Aunt Lana in the car, I told him whatever he wanted to put on was fine. To my surprise, Aunt Lana turned the radio to the classic rock station and began singing along to Rainbow in the Dark by Dio. They both laughed at my reaction and then all of us joined the radio and sang until we got to our first stop.

We parked outside a small diner called Lucky's and went inside. " Welcome to Lucky's Luna. How can we help you today?", asked a girl about mine and Aaron's age. "We came in for a bit of breakfast before we go shopping, Ana. What are the specials today?" "We have a fresh made stuffed french toast with blueberries and whipped cream. We have a country fried steak and egg special and biscuits and gravy. What sounds good?" "I think I will have the french toast. What would you like Michelle?" "I think I'm going to go for the biscuits and gravy. That sounds superb. Could I also have a glass of cranberry juice with it?" "Of course sweetie." "Make that two please, Ana." Ana walked away with a smile and put our orders in with the cook. Aunt Lana and I sat conversing while we waited for our food. Ana brought us our juice and some cookies to nibble while we waited. Once we got our orders, we each gave the other a bite off our plates and complimented Ana and her father on how amazing the meal was. We paid our bill and then went out to roam the deep wilds of the mall! I have never had any brand-new clothes before, so I was kinda nervous. "Pick out anything you like sweetheart. We are getting you a completely new wardrobe." "Really?! Aunt Lana, that is way too much. I can't ask you to do that for me. " "You can and you will, young lady. Now march into the first store. Let's go find you something fabulous to wear to the party!"

We spent the next four hours shopping. Shoes, undergarments, tops, pants for every occasion and several handbags. I had never had a wallet, let alone a purse, so this was a completely new concept. The most amazing and uncomfortable part for me was my aunt getting me a credit card and wearing high heels. Whoever invented those things needs to die a slow, painful death. After 20 minutes, my feet had blisters and hurt worse than any other time I could remember. We loaded the car up with all of our acquired items and headed to the salon. Apparently, there was more in store for me yet. The hairstylists took me to the back. They washed and conditioned my hair and added a few extra highlights to my already almost platinum blonde hair and gave me some really nice layers. Next was a Mani pedi, followed by a full makeover on my face. I never knew that there were so many tools just for applying makeup. Personally, I think makeup is overrated. I had gone my whole life up to this moment not wearing makeup and I thought I was at least a little pretty. The stylists then helped me get my outfit for the party picked out and on. I wasn't keen on dresses so I decided on a spaghetti strap top that was a deep wine color with a sweetheart neck line and an hourglass siloette down my torso. I paired the top with a pair of black bootcut jeans and a pair of black leather ankle boots. I decided on white gold for my jewlery. I had a medium size pair of hoop earrings, a locket with a picture of my parents and my aunt and uncle, a gift from Aunt Lana, and a white gold bracelet that was engraved with a picture of a wolf and our pack name. I stepped out of the dressing room to find Aunt Lana in the most stunning dress I had ever seen. It was a wine colored cocktail dress with a small slit in the bottom of the skirt that went up to mid thigh from the knee. She was wearing white gold jewlery as well. She bought us matching lockets, hers held a picture of her and I from this morning at the diner. We both had whipped cream on our noses. Aunt Lana had decided on a pair of lace up heeled sandals that complemented her long legs. Her makeup, like mine was light and made all of her natural beauty stand out as her eyes danced with the colors of her eyeshadow. Her hair was done up in curls and looked to be pinned up in the back. She looked like a woman out of the 50's, very classy.

We exited the salon and headed home boxes and bags galore. When we got there, I was ushered hastily into the house and out the back doors where I was greeted by at least a hundred people saying, "Welcome Home Michelle!"