Qreat. Just great.
I hung up the phone and tried to relax. The last thing I needed right now was to turn Darkling again. After a few minutes, I forced myself to put everything out of my mind. I then ran to take the shortest shower of my life. After blow-drying my hair, I quickly attempted an updo that surprisingly worked out better than expected.
When I finished with my makeup, I grabbed the Austrian crystal earrings Mom had gotten me as a birthday present and put them on. Last but not least, I slipped the gorgeous, spaghetti-strapped, backless lavender silk dress over my head and felt the luxurious material skim along my skin as it fell into place.
I also borrowed my mom's heels-silver strappy designer heels not terribly appropriate for December weather, but they looked fantastic with the dress. I finished right at the stroke of seven o'clock, just as the doorbell rang. The limo was here to pick me up.
A last peek in my vanity mirror showed a wild-eyed blonde girl wearing a beautiful dress. I took a quick, shallow breath that sounded shaky at best.
I would go because Melinda, my crazy, overdramatic, popular-on-the-outside best friend wanted me to.
I would try to be normal.
I would try not to think about my father. I would try to forget about Michael.
But I knew there was only one way for me to truly forget. One way for me to truly be normal.
I had to drink the potion.
I picked up the small bottle from the table next to my discarded makeup and stared at it for a moment.
Another quick glance at the mirror reflected a girl holding a small innocuous-looking bottle, her hazel, black- rimmed eyes shiny with tears, as she contemplated forever wiping away the memory that she was a demon princess.
Drink it.
My gaze narrowed at my reflection. I'll drink it later.
I slipped the bottle into my purse and headed out to the limo.
Chris wore a tuxedo that looked tailor-made for him. Since his family was wealthy, it probably had been. Honestly, the guy was absolutely gorgeous.
Perfect hair, perfect face, perfect body. He smiled when he saw me-a perfect smile.
'Wow,' he said. 'Nikki, you look amazing.'
'Thanks.' I gave him a weak smile. It wasn't his fault that, despite his perfection, I wasn't head-over-heels in love with him. But I wouldn't tell him tonight. In the end, it wouldn't matter anyway. He'd have no problem finding somebody else who would be beyond thrilled to date him.
But who knew? When I took the potion I might feel about Chris like I had before.
After I forgot about Michael.
I swallowed past the big lump in my throat as I remembered kissing him last night. Qood night, not good'bye.
I wished I could have seen him again. So much.
Chris led me out to the limo where Melinda was waiting with her date, a college freshman named Stephen whose full attention was currently on his BlackBerry. Melinda, as expected, looked absolutely stunning in a full- length red dress fit for a potential Winter Queen.
'When can we leave this thing?' Stephen asked, tucking the BlackBerry into his inner jacket pocket. He wasn't as good-looking as Chris. In fact, I thought he resembled a thin-faced rat. I had absolutely no idea what Melinda saw in him. 'There's a big party at my frat house tonight.'
Melinda sighed. 'Does no one except me want to go to the dance tonight?'
'I do,' Chris said quickly.
Stephen snorted. 'Maybe Nikki and I should hang out and leave you two to your lame dance.' I grimaced. Well, that was unlikely.
I stared out the limo window for the rest of the short ride and tried to remain calm, cool, and collected. The limo came to a stop in front of the high school and it was a blur getting out. Chris took my hand in his and pulled me along behind him through the crowd of people milling around outside. They parted like the Red Sea to let us through. It was seriously surreal.
I was surrounded by hundreds of happy, excited people and I'd never felt so alone.
The rest of the Royal Party bounded toward us with their dates-all of them Chris's friends-trailing behind as if attached by invisible wires.
'Melinda, you look gorgeous!'
'Your hair. . it's fabulous!'
'You are so going to be Winter Queen!'
Melinda turned to me and rolled her eyes so only I could see it. That made me smile a little.
'Let's get inside,' Chris said. 'It's freezing out here.' Funny. I hadn't even noticed.
I wasn't wearing a jacket. Mom had wanted me to, but it was only a short walk from the limo to the inside of the school, and besides, no one else was wearing a coat. Call me stubborn.
I wondered if that was another trait I shared with my father.
Inside, the decorating committee had done a fantastic job of turning the gym into a magical place. They'd spared no expense. At my last school in San Diego, before Mom married Robert and I had to transfer to Erin Heights, dances hadn't been such a big deal, but here they were the ultimate event. And they treated it that way, both the students and the teachers. When this one was over they'd immediately start planning the next one, trying to outdo what they'd done tonight.
That would be difficult. All my troubles were momentarily swept away as the flickering lights that sprinkled across the dance floor washed over me. The walls had been covered in dark blue fabric. The ceiling hung with streamers that sparkled as the light caught them. There were tables all around the edges of the dance floor, draped in shimmering cloth. Even the chairs were covered with ribbons and drapery to hide their utilitarian outsides. The deejay had set up to the left side of the stage where the Winter King and Queen would be crowned. To the far right was a long buffet table holding hors d'oeuvres, pastries, bottles of water, and a big bowl of red fruit punch.
Everyone in attendance looked stunning. It was like they'd spent hours getting ready, which was-according to how empty the school had been that afternoon before I left-probably an accurate assessment.
Each table had an ornate centerpiece of flowers, paper snowflakes, and balloons. It sounded tacky, but somehow it managed to look elegant. The balloons were white and silver and bore the imprint 'Winter Magic.'
It did feel magical.
But I still didn't want to be there.
I absently touched my dragon's tear bracelet, twisting it around and around.
I'd stay for an hour and then I'd make my excuses to leave. When I got home I'd drink the potion. I'd decided once and for all.
Melinda came to my side and reached down to squeeze my hand. She wore a big smile. 'I won't forget this, Nikki. Thank you for coming. I'm so glad you moved to Erin Heights.'
I laughed a little. 'You're just saying that because I saved you from choking.'
She shook her head. 'See. . that was fate. If that hadn't happened I might never have gotten to know you.' She frowned. 'Well, also I'd probably be dead. But I just feel like I can trust you. That you'd tell me anything.'
'Well…'
She raised her eyebrows. 'What?' 'If I am being perfectly honest…' 'Yes?'
'I think your new boyfriend is a jerk.' She sighed. 'I think you might be right about that.' 'No, actually, I know I am. He's hitting on Larissa right now.'
She turned her head to see Stephen with his hand braced against the wall behind the brunette in question- the same one who'd spent all afternoon with Melinda getting gorgeous. Larissa looked up at Stephen as if he was a movie star. He tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. She giggled.
'Well, that's unfortunate,' Melinda said out loud. 'Sorry.'
