A band was now setting up as I pulled up by the roadside, opposite the square entrance. I killed the engine then sat back for a few minutes, taking in short raspy breaths. It was a cold windy night, blanketed by a paltry bathe of moonlight up ahead. I popped the door open, slipping my favorite furry brown coat over my shoulder.
Approaching the stage, I spied a couple of college kids milling around in groups, chatting, and laughing to slim cups of beer. A quick glance around for Freddie, almost missing the tip of his dark locks as he slung a brown beanie over it. I made a beeline for him, unconsciously pulling at my low cut hair. That'd been one hell of a makeover, I had to sit for long hours watching my precious hair being cut to shreds. Well, not all was cut but the substantial bits. Carter had insisted I wore it low and cropped, stating that boys liked it that way these days. Whatever that meant, I loved my long hair.
When I eventually pushed past the crowd to the bar, Freddie was gone from plain sight. I gaped around in panic as the wind swished past my ear making me feel self-conscious, all eyes on me as though I was an intruder, someone unwanted. It felt discomfiting.
Something tugged at my shoulder - I swung around. A girl beamed at me then pushed her blazing red curls backward. She seemed to be around Sidney's age but shorter, sporting a mischievous glint in her dark, opal eyes. She held out a hand. "Hi there, you must be Carlie. I'm Ginna, Freddie's sister."
I relaxed a bit then shook it. It felt smaller against mine, warm. "Hi,"
"You look great by the way, Freddie was just about to give up on you."
I blushed then touched my cheek awkwardly. "Thanks. I'm not usually like this,"
"You should cut your hair more often. And your eyes....are those pure contact lenses or just natural?"
I shook my head a bit, taking a cursory step back. "No. It'd always been like that,"
"I don't think so. It doesn't glow much before. It's just wow,"
Seriously, what did Carter do?
"Thanks," I felt a lot better. At least someone complimented.
"Want to get a beer?"
I hesitated. "No. I just came for Freddie," I hoped that hadn't sounded too much of a giveaway.
She smiled knowingly. "So you both are an item now huh? That's good."
I sensed an envious undertone but let it slide because it didn't make any sense. She told me Freddie was her brother after all. "Yeah, beer sounds nice,"
She raised an auspicious brow. "Really? You don't look like you mix well with alcohol" She placed a thin palm on her waist then tilted her head back in the survey.
My chest tightened. "I suppose a bottle won't hurt." I smiled slightly.
Once we got our cups, she led me to the food booths. Leading over one, she ordered a pecan sandwich then passed me a caramel apple. I bit into it, feeling uneasy; there was just something discreet about her, something anonymous that only she knew. It made me edgy and each time she looked my way, my chest did a casual flip.
"So," She drawled, taking a long swing from her cup. "For how long have you both been together? He never told me about you two," her eyes were directed now at the male attendant who pushed another apple towards me. She batted her eyes gesturing a call me motion. I smiled biting into my apple. "Technically we're not together. Just wanted to hang out tonight as pals."
She seemed relieved, partly turning to look at me. "Great, so he's your buddy then."
I considered this for only a moment. "Er... you could say that."
My eyes narrowed as she breathed more evenly, her shoulders more relaxed and then the oddity struck. She didn't in any way bear a resemblance to Freddie, her hair wasn't even dark. And her accent was heavy, french, just like Dorian. Could Freddie be french? Well, I heard that french men were very thin and he clearly didn't fit into that category.
"Isn't it great huh? I mean - " She broke off suddenly, mingling with the crowd in an instant. I turned just as Freddie halted, his eyes taut and bloodshot.
"Was someone with you just now?" he asked, his words heavily slurred. I wrinkled my nose at the lucid smell of alcohol. "Have you been drinking?"
He staggered a bit, leading me to reach out to him. I flanked his side, holding him up. "Yeah, I've been around," he laughed, then gazed at me more seriously. "I waited for you"
Guilt clawed at my guts. "Come on, let's get you home."
"Freddie? Are you alright??" Charlie gasped rushing forward. He steadied his friend. "What happened?"
"Turns out he'd been drinking," I shrugged, letting go. Charlie looked back at him. "Maybe I should get him home."
"That'd be great," I watched them disappear through the crowd, then strained my eyes in search of Ginna. Why had she warded off like that? Was she afraid of Freddie? Her own brother??
The core events of the evening commenced first with performance, then dance. People glanced my way curiously, occasionally shaking their heads in scathing pity. I was unsure of what to do. I very much wanted to go home. The night hadn't quite turned out as I expected.
I crossed the stage, snagging a glass of wine that was being passed around. Just one more glass and I'd leave. I was uncomfortable, an invisible knot continuously tightening around my chest. It wasn't particularly good.
"I took him home," Charlie leaned forward, causing me to squirm in fright. "Theresa might have a hard time reviving him tonight." my brows furrowed at the name.
Theresa. Not Ginna.
His eyes eventually fell on me, curious. "Um. Hi Carlie."
Nodding, I looked towards the stage, acutely aware of his presence. I watched him move slightly, jostling with the crowd from the corner of my eyes. He stood behind me now, so close that my back brushed his chest.
I felt the hair on my arms stand, static. I closed my eyes, overwhelmed, internally screaming as his breezy cologne hits my nose. It smelt of roses, just like him. I stood still, wondering if he'd put his arms around me. The pull at my gut, anxious of a longing feeling, an expected one.
I felt him move a bit closer. Am I imagining things or did he just lean down, his nose close to my ear?
My eyes snapped open just as the tip of his nose touched my neck, nuzzling it a bit. He sighed, one of presumed content.
Oh god. I swallowed a vicious lump. It was just as I'd imagined it.
Is this real? Within Carter's little stay and all these? Am I imagining stuff? Maybe I'm going out of my mind.
I turned to make sure, bumping right into his chest, his hands went up my sides to hold me and I felt my internals turn to gossamer when he gazed at my face. His eyes twinkled, plunging me into a deep world of blue, Papery snow sticking to his golden curls, a mesmerizing sight causing me to turn back quickly, his hands sliding off me.
"I should get going," I began walking away, jittery butterflies yowling in my stomach. "It's been a great night."
He took a moment to answer. "Well..okay. Shall I walk - "
"No! No!!" I declined frantically, sprinting across the road. He watched me slid into the car before turning back to the festival.
Perhaps that was a little too rude. Stupid me.