Chapter Ten:
I do wonder if I'll ever see him again. I mean, Alec was my first true love. If I do see him, I don't know whether or not I'll have the guts to challenge him. What if Joel and I manage to pin him down? Then what? Will I be able to kill--
"Kate," Joel whispers, startling me out of my reverie. He squeezes my hand, and I look around. No one is staring at me. But then again, normal humans are fairly clueless. They don't notice anything they don't want to. Right now Joel and I are shopping for my dress for the dance. He thinks I need a distraction. Meh.
"I don't think, I know," he jokes, nudging me. He points to a black dress that looks a little too sexy. I pretend to gag, and Joel looks hurt. "What's wrong with it? You'd look absolutely sexylicious in that dress!" He laughs, and I glare at him. "Oh God, you thought I was serious," he adds. "No, I think I should be the only one allowed to see you with that little clothes on." I slap him on the arm.
"Naughty boy. You're so dirty, Joel."
"I can be bad if that's what you want. I can be very bad." I close my eyes and shake my head in disbelief.
"Why do I put up with you?" I ask him.
"Because you love me."
"Yeah, I do, but that's not my point."
"Look, are we going to do this or not?" Joel asks. I nod.
"But... I haven't worn a dress in six years," I warn him. 'Good luck finding one I'll feel comfortable in,' I add in my head. Joel seems to accept my challenge.
"Come on," he says, pulling me along. For the next two hours, we march along on our fruitless endeavour to find the perfect dress. I haven't even tried one on, let alone considered buying it, but he shows no signs of giving up.
"Joel," I whine. "Can we please go back to the school?"
"No. Not until you choose a dress." I sigh and continue to trudge along after my pushy boyfriend. Joel stops in front of a mannequin displaying another dress, and he gapes. I look up, and my eyes widen.
"No, no..." I trail off hopelessly. Joel has a steely glint in his eye. Guess I'm trying it on then.
I tug and pull, and struggle as hard as I can, but I can't get the damn piece of fabric on my body. I swear several times, and I call out.
"Hello? Can I please get some help in here?" A shop assistant opens the curtain and steps inside, then laughs at me.
"Honey, your head goes in this hole." Once the dress is on, I look in the mirror and almost throw up.
"Oh, God, this is--"
"Amazing!" exclaims the woman.
"Terrible," I finish. "No way. This was a stupid idea. I'm not wearing a dress. No." Suddenly Joel walks in, and I squeal. "Joel! What are you doing? I look ridiculous. I don't want you to see me looking so... girly."
"Kate, really? I wish you'd dress like this more often. You look amazing."
"Fine," I snap. "If you want someone girly who will wear this piece of crap--"
"That is two hundred dollars!" the shop assistant cries.
"--expensive piece of crap, sorry, then you need to find a different girl. I'm not girly, Joel. This doesn't feel right. I don't feel comfortable." I look down. My breasts are half hanging out, my ass sticks out like nothing else, and my legs are on display. Yuk.
"Fine," he says. "We'll look for something you'll feel comfortable wearing. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. Heaven forbid you show some skin. Why is it such a big deal?"
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"I don't like it, Joel. It doesn't suit me. Not at all."
"If it didn't suit you, I wouldn't let you wear it, Kate! If you looked terrible, I'd tell you! Why can't you see that I'm looking out for you? I wouldn't let you look like a fool in front of everyone. Don't you trust me?"
"I think I'll leave," the shop assistant says uncomfortably, giving us privacy.
"So you honestly think I should buy this?" I ask Joel pointedly.
"No. I don't like this one."
"Me neither. It makes me look like a slut."
"Really? I thought you looked too innocent." I laugh. "Kate, my image of you is the kind of girl who would wear a sexy black dress with fish net stockings and six inch stiletto heels, while hiding knives that are strapped to your thighs. The dangerous, sexy, Protector." I grin.
"Your image of me is very unrealistic."
"Fine. Kate, imagine this as a mission. Think of dressing like this as a mission. You have to do it or you could die."
"Then I'd do it."
"Imagine that your life is in danger."
"Fine. I'll buy a dress."
After looking around for another hour, I've tried on twelve different dresses, none of which suit me. Then Joel sees something he likes. He throws the dress at me, and I reluctantly try it on. I look in the mirror and raise an eyebrow. The bodice is tight black lacy material, the skirt part flaring out slightly. It's pure black, and ends mid-thigh. The neckline is high, but it highlights the breast area with its tightness. I walk out, and I swear Joel's jaw falls to the floor.
"Wow. Just wow." I can't help but agree that it does look good. But it's really revealing, and-- "Kate! It's perfect!" I grin.
Turns out that we buy black stilettos, but no stockings. Joel also buys me stacks of make-up.
"Not bad for a few hours' work," Joel tells me, apparently satisfied. "Tomorrow morning we'll have to get you out to a beauty parlour."
"Why?" I ask him.
"For your hair, your nails and waxing."
"Waxing...?" I gulp. I've heard only bad things about that... activity.
"Then in the afternoon you'll need to get yourself ready for the dance. I hope your roommates are extremely helpful, because you are hopeless."
"Thanks. I love you too," I say sarcastically.
"You're going to look perfect."
***
Waxing. It's not as bad as people will try and tell you it is. I lie down on the bed, and some lady pours the hot wax on my legs. I feel a slight sting, and I look down to see the wax gone and my legs smooth.
"How are you doing?" the girl asks. "The first time always hurts the most."
"That didn't hurt at all," I tell her honestly. Soon I have hair missing from many parts of my body-- some extremely embarrassing.
"Okay, you're all done," the lady tells me. "What's the special occasion?"
"School dance," I reply. "My first one. My boyfriend is making me dress up."
"I take it you're not one to often wear dresses?" I shake my head. She nods.
"I think you'll find that dressing up can be quite fun." I totally disagree, but I don't tell her that.
***
Thankfully, Taylor agrees to help me get ready for the dance. She helps me put on my dress, then she does my hair and make-up. I finally put on my heels, and then I take a look in the mirror. I stare at the girl who stares right back at me. Her dark brown hair is elegantly piled up, with a few strands hanging down. Her golden brown eyes are surrounded by black circles from eyeliner, and her eyelashes are extremely long due to litres of mascara. Her body is shown off to everyone, and she looks like a princess.
I'm not satisfied. Not at all. I still don't feel comfortable letting people actually see me like this. But I don't have a choice, because once Joel arrives, he drags me straight to the ballroom. He takes my hand, and we walk inside. A spotlight shines on us as we enter. Apparently we all enter in a certain order, so that we can be shown off to our fellow students.
"Katelyn Joyce and Joel Raven, senior students," a voice pronounces over the speaker. Everyone stares at me, and I squirm. My heart begins to pound, and I feel true fear. Terror grips me, and I have difficulty breathing. I can't take it. I turn to bolt, but Joel grabs my shoulders and looks into my eyes.
'Kate,' he thinks. 'Trust me. The stares will stop in a minute when the next two come in. If you leave now, it will haunt you forever. Besides, who knew the mighty Katelyn Joyce-- someone who can confidently enter into a fight with Alec Mortan-- would be afraid of attention?' I smile weakly, and I grip his hand tightly, squeezing it. We walk into the crowd and fail at our attempt to mingle. Suddenly a new couple enters, and most people look up and away. Joel leads me into a dance, then whispers something in my ear.
"I have news," he tells me.
"Yeah, what?"
"I was thinking about when Marissa came. Somehow she knew that Alec gave you a note." He waits to let his words sink in. My eyes widen. "Alec probably went back and told them. Knowing my brother, he most likely asked them to watch you and make sure you're safe."
"So Marissa wasn't meant to be found?" I ask. "She wasn't meant to die? I killed an innocent woman?"
"No. I think she came to harm you, which means he would have killed her anyway."
"Joel... can we not talk about... him?"
"Okay... How many knives have you got hidden on your persona?" he asks jokingly.
"Only two," I answer honestly. Joel chuckles.
"Anyway, Kate, you know you look amazing. That dress is perfect on you. Although..."
"What?" I ask, seeing the mischief in his eyes.
"I bet it'd look even better off you." My heart pounds, and I pull Joel's mouth down to mine. Perhaps dressing up isn't all bad. Maybe it has a good side.
A/N: Kate's dress is on the side -------------->>>>
