Where Cruelty Lies

Chapter Seven

Getting ready, I pulled on my brand new deep blue shirt bought on sale and the grey dress trousers I had found in the charity shop that still had the original tags on.  Feeling that this was a sign it was going to be a good night, I gave myself a good douse of the body spray before stepping out of my room and heading down the hall to my sisters bedroom.

Knocking quietly I waited for her to shout 'Come in' before opening the door.

'Hey you!' I called out, beaming at her, 'Don't you look like a princess! I am going to be the envy of all your classmates when I walk in with the most beautiful girl at the entire party.'

Giggling happily she gave me a twirl, her pale blue knee length dress flowing around her, the diamonte patterning catching the light as she moved.  Her prized silver pumps glittered as she spun.  'Do you think Daddy will like my dress?' she asked, looking at me hopefully.

'I'm sure Dad will agree with me that you will be the most beautiful girl in the entire pack' I replied smiling.

Laughing, Elise gave me a quick hug, 'you're silly, you know that all those senior girls will be there and they are so pretty' she said with a sigh.

Sitting on her bed to bring myself down to her eye level, I looked at her slightly dejected face. 'Hey' I said softly, 'Those girls may be older, but you have something they will never have' I whispered.

'What's that?' she asked surprised.

'You have beauty inside and outside, you are possibly the nicest, kindest more loving person I know and that shines through for everyone to see.  Those senior girls only wish they could be as amazing as my little sister.' I said with a small smile.  'My only worry is how i'm going to beat off all those middle school boys who try to ask you to dance tonight' I added with mock severity.

Pushing my shoulder, Elise giggled despite herself, 'Eww, boys are gross Brandon!'

'What?' I asked feigning hurt, 'I'm gross? you think i'm gross? i'm so hurt Angel!'

'Shut up Brandon' Elise shouted laughing hard, 'you know I don't mean you, you're not like a boy type boy, your my brother!' she reasoned.

'Well' I said standing up and holding out my arm, 'would you do this non boy type boy the honour of accompanying him to the dance tonight?'

Slipping her arm through mine, Elise gave it a small squeeze, 'Thanks Brandon' she muttered shyly.

'What for?' I asked smiling down at her.

'For being the bet big brother ever' she replied shrugging.

'Always my Angel' I replied tousling her hair with my free hand.

Leading her through her bedroom door we made our way downstairs where our father was waiting, tapping his foot impatiently.  'Where have you been, we're going to be late' he spat at me before turning his gaze to Elise who was holding on to my arm, biting her lip nervously.  A smile broke on his face as she knelt down, reaching his hand out for my sister.  'Well don't you just look like an Angel' he said, his eyes softening as they fixed onto her.

'Do you think so Daddy?' she asked, a smile breaking out on to her face as she took his hand and allowed him to pull her into a tight hug.

'Of course I do, you are possibly the prettiest young lady I have ever seen in my life'. he replied happily.

I stayed silent, glad that he seemed to be sober this evening, he had made an effort with his clothes, opting for a sharp navy suit with a clean white shirt and a mutely patterned tie.

Standing up he grabbed his keys and led the way out of the house, toward his pick up.  I carefully made sure that Elise sat in the middle between us both to keep me out of his thoughts.  He chatted happily to my sister as we made our way to the pack house, laughing as she told him a joke she had heard at school.  I smiled to myself, noting how different he was when my sister was in his sight, he was the dad I remembered from before and I was so glad she got to have that side of him in her life.

Pulling up at the pack house, Dad parked the truck up with the other members vehicles and jumped out, helping my sister down from the cab as I slipped out the other side and joined them, following slightly behind as dad grabbed Elise's hand and made his way toward the entrance.

Stepping inside, I gasped around us at the elaborate decorations, a large chocolate fountain dominated the foyer, trays of dipping food was arranged on trays around it for people to help themselves.  Balloons and streamers were hung from the ceilings, each one printed with '18'.  Walking through to the reception room we were bombarded with the music of the live band that was set up on the stage.  A dance floor in front of it, full of moving bodies that swayed to the music, mixtures of both our own pack and neighbouring packs who had been extended invitations.  Along the back wall were tables laden with food and drinks and seating areas had been set up, dotted around the room.

Feeling eyes on me, I slowly turned my head to meet my fathers gaze, noting his curled lip that showed his disgust, stepping close to me he growled, 'You will watch your sister, you will keep her safe and you will NOT bring attention to yourself, do you understand me'.

Nodding silently, I reached out for Elise's hand, closing my grasp as I felt her fingers slip into my grip.  Backing away, waiting for my father to break eye contact with me, I breathed a sigh of relief as a pack member called him and he made his way over to them with a friendly wave.

Looking down at the little girl who was bouncing on her toes excitedly I shouted over the music, 'So princess Elise, what would her highness like to do first? Get some food, dance till our feet hurt . . visit the chocolate fountain?' I added with a raised eyebrow.

Squealing Elise dragged me back out of the reception room and toward the fountain, staring longingly at all the skewered food as I chuckled, 'Not too many Princess Elise, or you will have a stomach ache tonight' I warned.

Looking slightly put out, Elise nodded before reaching out and taking a skewered marshmallow and holding it under the cascade of chocolate for a few moments and then popping it into her mouth, her grin spreading across her face as the chocolatey goodness touched her tongue.

'Are you going to have one Brandon?' she asked smiling up at me with a chocolate covered mouth.

Reaching for a napkin, I shook my head as I wiped her face clean, 'No thank you Angel, i'm just here to watch you have lots of fun' I replied happily.

After a few more marshmallows I gently guided my sister away from the temptation and back toward the party where she grabbed my hand and dragged me onto the dance floor, jumping around excitedly to the music whilst I awkwardly stepped from side to side, keeping my eyes fixed on my sister and away from the stares of my peers.

After a few hours, Elise started to flag, her adrenaline finally giving out as I picked her up and carried her over to the seating, sitting with her in my lap as she yawned loudly and snuggled into my neck. 

'She's a cutie' came a strange voice beside me, looking over I met the gaze of a young girl I'd never seen before, who looked to be my age.  Her long braided hair was jet black and soft curls framed her heart shaped face.  She was wearing a sequined purple dress and her mocha skin had a look of silk that caused my mouth to dry up.

Forcing myself to speak I met the strange girls deep hazel brown eyes and smiled, 'Thank you, she certainly is, this is my sister Elise, I am Brandon' I replied, awkwardly holding out my hand whilst still trying to support my sleeping sister.

Reaching out to grab my hand, the young girl smiled back, 'I'm Lily, i'm seventeen, my family just moved to Oak Grove a few days ago, i'll be going to the college from next week' she said conversationally.

'Brandon' I replied, 'Also seventeen, I go to the college too, Elise is ten and goes to the middle school on the other side of town.'

Smiling at the sleeping child, Lily raised her eyes to me, 'Well Brandon, it's very nice to meet you, hopefully we can be friends'.

Her face clouded slightly at my obvious surprise, 'You want to be my friend?' I asked uncertainly.

Lily shrugged her shoulders, 'of course, you seem nice, and you spoke to me despite the fact i'm a complete stranger here.'