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1443 Words
My eyes probe open, the bright morning sun peeking through my windows. It’s Saturday morning, and I see Dominic this evening. My heart thumps in my chest.
I’m nervous. I also haven’t heard from my mother all week. It was highly unlike her, and to be honest, I’m looking forward to my trip home tomorrow. The dinner later today has given me anxiety all week. I’m still thankful to Dominic; I just don’t know if telling his dad about Bakers would be a good idea anymore. I don’t know if I can trust them.
Evening comes around, and I’m staring back at my reflection. The deep purple shade of my dress is a sharp contrast against my pale white skin. I dip a puff into my blush and dab both cheeks lightly, then my nose. I apply my red lipstick, finishing up my outfit with a white wool shawl. I take one last look in the mirror, sliding on my black kitten heels. I wonder if Dominic would come with a carriage? I probably shouldn’t get my hopes up. That’s luxurious even for him…right?
I hear the sound of horses neighing, and I look down from my window. It’s Dominic, standing in front of what looks to be a carriage. I hurry down the stairs, taking one last look at my reflection.
“Yes. I look good,” I affirm before walking out the door. Step after step I hurry down the stairs, but I’m stopped dead in my tracks.
It’s Dominic in a perfectly tailored brown coat.
“You look beautiful, Cassie.” Dominic says at the foot of the stairs. He stretches out his hand, taking mine in his, and he plants a light kiss.
“Thank you.” I’m sure I’m as red as a tomato now. “Are you ready?” He asks. I nod in response, and he guides me down the rest of the steps and out of my shabby apartment building.
Outside, I confirm that I wasn’t seeing things. I’m standing face to face with a carriage and the bright winter lights. The streets glow a gorgeous red and white, just like the season.
“Well, come on.” Dominic gestures lightly, and I’m brought back to the carriage in front of me. I follow his lead, and he lets me in, gently lifting me up. I take a feel of the smooth leather gliding underneath my palms. It has the most beautiful black leather interior. Dominic’s father must pack a lot of gold to have a carriage of this quality.
“Excited?” I hear Dominic ask. “Well, I’m not sure what to expect.” I say honestly. I don’t know if I’ll witness any occultic activities; talk of winter in the central city gave children nightmares. So I’m really hoping for nothing too crazy.
“I know that the wall worshippers get a lot of bad rap amongst you townfolk.” He starts.
“Oh, I don’t not believe in what they say.” I say hurriedly. I don’t want to say what could possibly get me arrested. They didn’t take lightly to non-believers in the central city.
“Hahaha. Don’t worry. I don’t believe in that bullcrap either. I’m only here for the free food.” Dominic says,.
I join him in laughing, and our laughter warms the air for a moment. We both pause at the same time, holding each other’s gaze. I swear my heart skips a beat.
We’re more alike than I thought.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be staring.” I apologise. “Don’t think much about it. I’m sure you’ve got questions, though. It’s your first time in one of our parties, right?”
I scratch the back of my head nervously. “I guess I just want to know if there’s anything I should look out for, you know. I don’t want to say the wrong thing.”
“Just stick with me and you’ll be fine.” He assures me, although it doesn’t do much for me.
To be honest, yesterday at the market I overheard some traders talk about one of their own missing from the prison system, and they mentioned the same wall sacrifice my people talked about when I was little. There were rumours of the wall worshippers killing criminals and offering their blood as sacrifice.
Winter is symbolic for the wall worshippers, and they largely believe that the divine protection that the wall provided was crucial in keeping them alive. A huge faction also believed that the wall was a goddess who shone down benefits on believers – absolute jargon to me, but what do I know?
My people were hungry, and the central police constantly impoverished the townfolk. There’s no way I’m going to believe in an imaginary divine protection. I certainly don’t believe in magical beasts either. It was all a joke, and I’m sure there would be a perfectly sensible explanation for everything if we weren’t all so scared of the central police.
The carriage comes to a halt, and the footman opens the door. I swallow, my mouth now suddenly dry.
“Nervous?” Dominic asks as he reaches for my hand. “Just a smidge?” I say, and he chuckles. I do too; our voices form a beautiful harmony in my opinion.
What am I doing here again? Did he just invite me here because he was so moved by my story? Or…something else?
No. Focus, Cassie. You’ve got to fit in now more than ever. I can’t afford sticking out or dying in social awkwardness.
“Let’s go.” Dominic says as he pulls me lightly out of the carriage. My heels sink in the snow, but Dominic holds my waist firmly. I swear I’m beetroot red right now; I can feel all his body heat.
We make our way to the hotel entrance. Bright gold and red lights flanked the entire all-too-large building, almost too bright. “Don’t let go of my hand.” Dominic says.
“I won’t.” I affirm.
~
The party is busy, to say the least, with the sound of opera blasting through the speakers. I immediately want to disappear; everyone looks to be dressed in real cotton and wool, not my synthetic shawl. I wonder if my dress looks obviously tailored. I had it as a present from my mother for my 18th birthday. I don’t have any more dresses, unfortunately.
I straighten out my dress with my hands, although I’m sure it does nothing.
“You look amazing.” Dominic affirms as though reading my mind. “Come.” He calls out to me.
“Meet two of my childhood friends. Preston and Elizabeth.”
“Hello, I’m Cassie,” I say nervously. “Cassie here is my girlfriend.” He turns red the moment the words escape his mouth.
“Girlfriend? For real?” “That’s amazing!” His friends gush. Except, I wasn’t aware that I was his girlfriend. I look to Dominic, who looks like he just swallowed a fly.
I’m not opposed to it in way, but… Wasn’t the right order to ask first? Should I be excited?
“Ah. Looks like my dad’s searching for me.” Elizabeth says. “Lovely to meet you, Cassie.” She says, breaking away.
“Likewise.” Preston shakes my hand before leaving as well.
“I’m sorry, Cassie. I meant to ask you after our first dance.” His words sound like sweet music in my ears.
Is this really happening?
He takes my hand in his. “Will you be my girlfriend, Cassie? It would make me the happiest man in the world.”
This is it.
Dating a man like Dominic would solidify my place in society; no one would dare mock or make fun of me anymore.
“Yes.” I hear myself say. I can’t believe he just said that, or that I just said that.
Dominic breaks out into what I would like to call the prettiest smile on a man. He really did have the most pearly white teeth. “Thank you.” He kisses the back of my right hand, lingering for an extra second. The interaction sends a wave down my spine, cold… but good.
The opera hit a crescendo; everyone approached the grand dance floor. “May I have this dance?” Dominic bows. I catch two of my coursemates looking in my direction before he comes back upright.
“Y-yes,” I say as I follow my boyfriend’s lead. Boyfriend, yes. Dominic is my boyfriend. I should just ask him.
“Hey, Dominic?”
- Writer
