Chapter-Six: The Red Rabbit Pt.1

A few hours have gone by since I arrived home, and now It's 5:46 in the evening. My aunt arrived home a few minutes shortly I did, and we've be locked in our own rooms ever sense.

I stand in front of my opened closet, staring at at white dress hanging from the metal rod, a dress given to me as a gift my mom bought a couple birthdays ago.

The color is off-white, with thin shoulder straps, a flared skirt at the bottom. I sigh, watching it idly hang there.

It's the only dress I currently own, but in my humble defense, I wasn't expecting to attend any formal 'gathering' during my stay.

I don't even own formal shoes, such as flats or heels. Only a few pairs of sneakers and sandals.

I guess white converse it is.

I put on my dress, then walk over to my vanity mirror. It hugs my body well, considering I've grown a lot since mom bought it for me, specifically in the bust and thigh area.

It covers my nether regions fairly nice, but I can't help but feel a little naked. I suppose I'm feeling this way because I haven't warn something this revealing before; well, besides the ballet attire, leotard and tutu in all.

I used to focus on dance more than anything, so the amount of skin I was showing was literally the least of my concerns. 

As for my hair I leave it down as usual, but tuck each side back with two white hair clips. It's looks good enough.

I put on the pair of white converse, since it was all there was to match the dress, I turn off my bedroom light and head out the room. 

I sit and wait in the living for my aunt to come down, but not even thirty-second later, she comes down the steps, wearing a black long sleeved pencil dress and a big hand bad clutched in her hand.

I stand on my feet in awe. She looks at me and smiles from ear to ear as she puts her a pair of black high-heels one foot after the other. "You look wonderful, darling," she says, "Just wonderful."

Bashful, I look down at my shoes. "S-So do you." 

Aunt Jennie lets out stiffled grunts as she pulls and twists at her dress to adjust it. "Nobody  knows I'm pushing 52," she teases.

Aunt looks at my dress again, but this time, her face turns sour. "Oh sweetie, that just won't do." My eyebrows furrow by the sheer animosity of her tone. 

"Wait here," she says and running off upstairs, leaving me completely dumbfounded. After thirty seconds, she darts down the steps again with a white, satin shawl. It looks like it was made from the finest silks. "Here," she places it in my hands, "It's going to be chilly out there tonight, this might come in handy"

My eye in pure happiness. "Thank you so much!" I beamed, draping the shawl over my shoulder and wrapping myself in it's silky arms. I feel a lot less naked than before. 

"Also, here," she pull out keys from her pouch and throws it at me. I hands fumble, trying to catch the keys. Thankfully, I succeed. "I'm gonna need you to drive us there, will you? I took a nap but forgot to set my alarm," she raises her hand pouch. "Forgot to put my make-up on."

Oh.

"It'll just save us time."

I meticulously nod and give in, considering we are a little late. 

~~

The evening sun blindes me as we pull up to the venue, and my mouth drops in absolute awe. The tent structure I saw earlier is lit up with beautiful drapping and sophisticated lighting, pouring from the inside.

The venue isn't as crowded as I previously thought it would be, but  my aunt -- while smudgeing blush on her cheeks,  informs me that the event actually starts in a hour from now. She's just late for a meeting with her staff before the event begins.

Oh.

I park in the closest parking space near the venue, and then we step out of the car head straight towards the venue. A security guards stops us, but let's us enter after Aunt Jennie pulls out this I.D card from her purse.

My breathe is caught in my throat as gape at the interiror. It's draped in white it looks absolutely breathtaking, and here I thought the outside was something else. There's mini crystal chandaler. lined on the metal panel that extends down the vast ceiling.

There's round table's, decorated with golden cloth and cutlery. There's also a bar right at the entrance, and further down the venue hall, there's a stage, with an quertet instruments set it.

Everything seems so fancy. More fancier than what I'm use to. And quite unexpected, to say the least. 

Aunt leaves me behind to go on her duties, and here I'm left alone. I wonder about the place, gaping in the world of my thought before I feel the heat of a looming person standing behind me. Not again.

"You really came, huh?" His low, amicable voice rattles through my shivering heart. I turn around and meet his chocolate brown eyes, full of mischief just itching to be unleashed. 

"Why wouldn't I?" I retaliate. 

"Well," he clears his throat. "This place doesn't really seem up your avenue."

"What's that supposed to mean?" my voice becomes frigid with offense.

"Lilith, c'mon. You're like the most obvious textbook definition of a introvert." 

I let my mind simmer in his words, and i can feel disdain boil on my tongue.

His white button-up and black vest rises up as he crosses his arms. "Do you want to be here? Yes or no."

I open my mouth and, "Answer honestly," he cuts me off. 

I sigh. "No, not really."

He raises a brow and replies, "And why is that?" I am left more puzzeled then before.

My eyes shy away from his as I feel the wrath of his scrutiny. "I-," I stutter, looking down in defeat. " I don't know."

I can feel his eyes burn into my scalp as I hide my gaze, pretending I'm looking at something interesting on the floor.

"Well," Caleb starts, "I have to go back on patrol duty."

"Patrol?" I ask.

"You're not working here this evening?" I hope I don't slund ridiculous asking him these sort of questions, but I have abosultely no idea what his job really is, or how many responsibility this guy has here.

"I was, but my schedule mysteriously changed all out of thin air. Strange isn't it?," he winks at me before turning around and walking away. But just when I think he's gone away, "Oh," he snaps his finger, and turns back around. "I forgot to mention this. But you're aunt wanted me to tell you to meet her at the entrance right over there by the stage at 6:25 before the event begins."

"And also, whatever you do, don't follow the red rabbit," he winks once again before walking off, and I am left confused and alone once again.

Sitting on a table, close to where my aunt wants me to meet her, I watch as guests began pouring into the venue. I can feel my anxiety begin to stir,  but I swallow it down, because making a fool of myself is the last thing I need to do.

Families from all over the resort are draped in their best attire. I can feel my eyes perk as I spot other teens around my age walk around, some with their families, other in cliques, though I don't plan on sparking conversation. 

Which reminds me, I wonder if McKenna's coming? I mean, don't get me wrong, we're far from being the bestest of friends, let alone aquantances -- but, It would be nice to see another familiar face.

The more I think about it,  I do recall her conversation with Caleb about having plans tonight, and based on the atmosphere of posh, and lavish atmosphere, with which I assume is catered to and for the wealthier class, I doubt she is the type to bother for these types of thing.

Well, maybe I'm wrong, considering I'm here too.

A couple of feet next to me, the musicians for tonight entertainment begins to tune their instruments, giving me the cue that the gala will begin soon. I stand up from my seat and shyly manuver through the crowds of bodies blocking my way, and finally it to the back exit.

The cool air stings my skin as I walk outside, and the lake -- being the first thing I see, shimmering under the fading sunlight. A lot of event atendees stand around outside, mostly near the main entrance up at the front, but here as well.

I walk around, aimlessly until i find my aunt surrounded by a hoard of people. With lit faces and cheerful smiles. Her eyes find mind beyond the crowd, smiling, she walks over and wraps her arms around me. 

"There you are," she looks at the crowd. "This is my niece I've been telling you all about. "

Their eyes fall upon me, and I could've sworn I almost heaved up my this mornings brekfast. 

A woman in her late thirties walks up to me, followed by a man, and behind him is a boy somewhere around my age. "It's good to finally meet you. We've heard so much about you," I am left in utter shock as she pulls me into a hug like she's known me since i was a kid. I stand stiff and still, and sigh in release once she backs away. 

The man come up next, extending his hand for me to shake. I take it, respecfully. "Nice to meet you Lilith. I'm Micheal Kingston, this is my wife, Lisa.. and son Luke." He points to the respectively mentioned. The boy, Luke, approaches me next. His amicable demeanor felt intemedittating, as well as his grey eyes, burrowing themselves in mine. "Hi there," he bares his hands for me, and I shake it, eyes unable to look at him directly. "You look wonderful, by the way," he compliments, holding onto my hand firmly, as if he has no intention to let go, all while smiling.

Tonight is going to be long one, I think to myself. But little did I know how much of an understatement that would be.