Sudden Bite

Chapter 16: Sisterly makeover

“I’d ask you to tell me about yourself but Alexander has basically told me your life story” she joked with a light laugh, head tilting back slightly like Alexander’s did. We had since entered her room and she told me to make myself as home as she flung open her walk in closet doors and began to look through it.

“He really talks about me that much?” I ask shyly having thought that when she mentioned it before that she was just joking. Sitting down on the edge of her bed and playing with the bottom of my skirt I tried not to smile like a mad man.

“Honey, you have no idea,” she replied before coming back out of the closet with a couple items in hand. “Why don’t you try this on,” she suggests handing it over to me before pointing over to the door on the other side of the room – that we hadn’t come in through – telling me it was her bathroom and that I could change there. Once in the bathroom I realized that along with the shoes she’s given me there was also a dark maroon dress. Slipping it on I found that like my skirt it ended mid-thigh; it had a sweetheart neck line and then black lace attached there going over my shoulders as sleeves. Even though Annabelle did look to be a couple inches taller than me the dress still fit and not to shortly either, which was a pleasant surprise. The shoes she had given me were black – of course – and they were heeled ankle boots that laced up the front with an open toe. It certainly wasn’t something I would have picked out for myself but seeing it on I couldn’t help but admire how the dress displayed my curves nicely and contrasted against my fair skin, the heels giving me the extra little bit of height I’ve always wanted.

When I came back out, my own clothes folded and in hand, Annabelle was nothing less than impressed which I was happy about since I personally liked the outfit she pictured out.

“There’s a little vixen hidden in you,” she teased before patting the bed in front of her, “Now let me have at that gorgeous hair,” she said as she laughed at her own words. I sat in front of her – back facing her per request – and she quickly ran a brush through my hair before telling me that she was going to do a simple twisted up-do since it was usually pretty hot at parties. She used a flat iron on the shorter pieces of my hair that had fallen from the up-do to frame my face to give some curl to them.

“There, perfect,” she declared as she finished, handing me a dark lipstick to apply myself – which I did with the aid of the mirror in her bathroom. “Do you mind if I get real serious for a moment?” She asked running her fingers through her hair. Nodding I wordlessly told her to go on; the atmosphere already tenser than it had been before. “It’s just… our family is a little different, so Alec keeps to himself and your actually his first friend, little lone girlfriend, and that means a lot. I’m really happy for him that he’s let someone – that’s he’s let you – into his life I just want you to know it’s not easy for him to open up so give him time. He cares for you, he really does, so don’t think otherwise just because he’s hard to crack.”

“I know,” I tell her after a moment, “I trust Alexander and I know that anything he’s keeping from me he has his reasons and I trust those reasons whatever they be.”

“Thank you Catalina,” she sincerely says before coming over to hug me real tight. When she pulled away she chuckled a little awkwardly – most likely due to the serious atmosphere – and added, “Well, we better get you back to Alec before he starts have a hissy fit.”

Annabelle led me down the long hallway to Alexander’s room since I had no idea where it was, not even knocking on the door before she flung it open and entered.

“We’re done, you can have your girly friend back,” she declared. Coming in behind her I was happy when Alexander’s eyes instantly sought mine out. His ever intense gaze clashed with mine before dropping to look me over, making me feel shy under his gaze. My hands were behind my back, holding the plastic bag that contained my clothes. Annabelle told me that on Monday I could just give her clothes to Alexander for him to bring back, to which I profoundly thanked her. Is this what having a sister was like? Sharing clothes and makeovers? Probably not but it was nice to think so.

“Thank you oh so much,” Alexander sarcastically replied before wrapping his arms around my shoulders in a back hug, obviously hiding a grin in the crook of my neck.

“Alright, I’ll leave you love birds to it,” Annabelle rolled her eyes before leaving Alec’s room, closing the door behind her. My watch told me that we still had an hour before we were meant to leave for the party. Thank god – dressing up was fun but I still wasn’t a fan of parties.

“Let’s lay down,” Alexander suggested, pulling me by the hand over to his bed. His room was honestly much simpler than I had expected, walls a dark grey blueish colour, furniture all a dark brown that looked black. The blankets on his bed were black and dark navy blue so not much more colour there, actually the posters of random bands and musicians taped to his walls probably provided the most colour to his room and that was saying something.

Alexander ended up lying on his back with me nestled into his side, his arm wrapped around me and fingers lazily dragging up and down my bare arm in the most mesmerizing way. My head was rested on the spot where his shoulder connected with the rest of his body, fitting perfectly, as I slung my arm across his torso. It was a very slow, content filled moment.

“I didn’t tell you before,” Alexander says, suddenly breaking the silence, “But you look really gorgeous… I thought you should know.”

“Thank you,” I mumble sheepishly before hiding my red face into his shoulder.

“And you say you aren’t adorable,” he teased before turning onto his side and moving downwards so that we’re face to face. “I like making you blush,” he admits only worsening the color in my face, only this time I have nowhere to hide thanks to our new position. Leaning forward he kisses my forehead… and then my nose, and my cheeks, and then my chin, leaving me speechless. And then finally he takes my lips in a short yet meaningful kiss. Whenever we touched liked this, simple yet passionately I felt as if before now I had been starved and only he could cease my hunger; it was a hunger unlike anything else. Of course I still absolutely loved talking and bantering with Alexander, I really appreciated those moments, but times like this when the moment was vanilla and quiet with few words spoken and simple touches shared it felt like something completely out of this world… as cheesy as that sounded.

“I have a confession to make,” I sighed when he pulled away causing him to suddenly look concerned, “I actually really mad at you because like I can’t quite figure you out and yet you’ve made me like you, like a lot, like excuse me Mr. where do you get off doing that?”

All of a sudden Alexander burst out into that laugh that I love, rolling over from me as he laughs and rolls back as he finally calms back down. “You had be seriously worried there for a moment,” he tells me, gently brushing the back of his finger against my cheek.

“I’m being serious, like what 2.5 months later and I like you this much already?” I couldn’t believe I was admitting this out loud but once I opened my mouth it all just started coming out. I suppose honesty was the best policy… even if it was kind of embarrassing.

“I feel so honored,” Alexander told me, pulling me into a big bear hug, which resulted in me letting out the happiest, most content sigh ever. We continued to lay in each other’s arms, sometimes breaking the silence with conversation, sometimes just taking in the moment, and we did that until Sam called me, completely ruining the moment and asking us where we were since we were actually late.

I didn’t want to go anymore (even though I technically never did) but since I already told Sam that I would, I’d feel really guilty if I skipped out now. Remind me why I agreed in the first place? Alexander lead my reluctant self out of the house and into his car before getting in the driver’s seat and taking us back into town for Bear’s party. The whole while his hand was placed on my thigh and my hand was over top of his, our fingers laced together.

The sun was setting when we arrived, the house already pulsing with music, lights dancing out of open windows. How on earth were the neighbors okay with this? Noticing how I was kind of – really – jittering with nerves Alexander took my hand and intertwined our fingers together, soothing rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand and lead me into the house. Instantly I was overwhelmed by how crowded the house alone was – not to mention loud – teenagers drinking and dancing and doing so much more than I’d really rather not think about. Alexander led us down the hallway and eventually we emerged into a less crowded kitchen, which is where Sam told us to meet him when we arrived. Thankfully he really was there, his face instantly lighting up when he saw us.

“Aw, it’s my sister’s first high school party,” he teased giving me a quick side hug. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and smile slightly at my brother. He didn’t look that definite than he did on a day to day basis, t shirt and jeans, dark brown hair brushed back from his face all fluffy yet straight, his usual wide dorky grin making him look incredibly approachable. “Drinks?”

Automatically I shook my head and much to my surprise and pleasure Alexander politely declined. I never judged anyone for drinking even though it was underage, all I cared about was them (especially Sam) being responsible and safe while doing so. So, I wouldn’t have held it against Alexander nor minded if he chose to drink with everyone else but I couldn’t help but admit that I was happy when he chose not to. We both wished Bear a happy birthday since him, along with Thomas, were here in the kitchen hanging out with Sam. Alexander and I stayed with Sam for a little bit, making conversation, but eventually Alexander leaned down close and close to my ear asked,

“Care to dance Milady?” Laughing at the nickname I nodded and allowed Alexander to pull me out of the kitchen and into the living room aka the unofficial dance floor. Faintly I recognized the song, probably having heard it playing from Sam’s bedroom at some point in time but I still felt a little awkward. Other than dancing around my house alone or that one time Alexander and I slowed dance when Sam and dad were gone I didn’t really know how to dance – never mind in a situation like this. However, when Alexander’s hand came down on my hips I instantly felt at ease; everyone else in the room seemed to vanish and it was just us. I wrapped my arms around his neck loosely and swayed and moved to whatever music was playing, forced close together because of the lack of space – not that I minded.

It wasn’t long before I was hot and exhausted so wordlessly Alexander pulled me out to the backyard for some much needed fresh air.

“How are you feeling?” He asked brushing hair from my face.

“Not bad,” I answer honestly before leaning my head against his shoulder. The night air felt nice after being in such a hot, humid room and I just wanted to take in the moment for a bit and then I’d be good again. When I leaned away feeling much better than just seconds ago I smiled slightly before looking up at the night sky – my favorite view.

“I need to go to the bathroom; do you want to wait out here for me?” Alexander asked and I nodded. Before leaving he removed his leather jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, pressing a kiss against my forehead before quickly heading inside.

I sighed contently when I heard the door open back up. Turning around expecting Alexander I began to ask him why he was back already when my voice fell short.