[Elvira's POV]
This was my final night at the Espgott Middle School and there was a celebration to welcome us as adults. I was filled with anticipation. After tonight, I would start my new life as an adult. At the very least, I hoped to leave behind the home that made my life a living hell.
However, I was also worried. I wasn't sure if my life would remain unchanged after I turned eighteen. Perhaps, I would still have to continue enduring all of this. My cousin, Bolt, had glanced at me with a lewd smile before I left. He had leered at my chest and muttered to himself with a snicker, "My beautiful cousin will turn eighteen tonight."
I wasn't sure if turning eighteen would bring about a new life or a new crisis. Along these my thoughts, various unsettling emotions like disgust, nausea and unease rushed through me. Stop thinking about it. Stop thinking about it. Just stop thinking about it. To distract myself, I threw my head back and swallowed a large gulp of my drink.
"It's so hard to swallow." I coughed heavily. The wine wasn't as good as they had told me.
"Elvira, don't drink so much!" my good friend Emma instructed me. She placed a glass of pink coloured wine in front of me and said, "If you aren't used to drinking, don't drink something that strong. Drink this. The alcohol content is much lower." With that, she took another glass of margarita from the bar and returned to the dance floor.
"All right, I'll do that…" I spoke softly. I didn't think she cared about my response. Perhaps, I ought to join her on the dance floor and dance to a few songs. However, I wasn't used to this kind of lighting, this kind of indulgence.
I tugged on the dress my good friend Emma had lent me. Before I left, she had carefully dressed me from head to toe. I had never worn anything this fancy. It was very different from the sweater I normally wore at my aunt's house. It was snug against my skin, and I had never felt fabric this soft. I reached for the glass she handed me before she left. It smelled like peaches, and I could not help but take a few more sips.
Fifteen minutes later, I watched as two tall men in suits walked in. Their outfits were immaculate. They appeared five to six years older than me and their expressions were mature, unlike those of the boys in this dance party. My eyes were quickly drawn towards one of them.
His features were stern and his skin whiter than most. His lips were as red and beautiful as a rose, and his long, flaxen hair made him easy to spot in the crowd. He stood to the side and his head was lowered as whispered something to the other blond man. His thin fringe covered one of his blue eyes.
I watched as they separated and wondered if I should go speak to him. However, he was too eye-catching. I felt that I wouldn't fit in even if I only went to pour him a glass of water. He couldn't have noticed me. That's right, who do I think I am? Even my clothes were borrowed at the last minute. How could he possibly pay me any attention?
"Elvira, come, dance with me!" Emma appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She tugged on my hand and tried to pull me onto the dance floor. It seemed like she had drank too much today. I quickly lost sight of the man.
"Alright, alright…" I searched for him again, but he was nowhere to be found. I could not help but regret my earlier decision. I should have approached the handsome man. However, Emma had already tugged me into the center of the dance floor. The lights were much more blinding than they appeared from the bar, and the music was loud against my eardrums. I felt as if the world was spinning.
All of a sudden, 'Runaway' began playing through the speakers. I subconsciously began to move my body with the music. I could feel the alcohol influencing my thoughts, but I could not care less.
For this final night, I did not wish to have any more thoughts. I no longer wanted to think about my cruel "home," my aunt's punches and kicks, or my cousin's lecherous looks and sneaky touches. Elvira, let's enjoy this. Let's not think about anything else. I thought this to myself.
I suddenly liked my relaxed self. I was growing bold and I felt like everyone in the room was looking at me. I liked being noticed. Although there were still people on campus who noticed me with my ordinary, baggy clothes, the attention I received right now was different from the ones I received on campus.
Perhaps, just perhaps, I would also receive his attention. Who knows? Forget it. The thought of him left me feeling strangely regretful. I had only seen him once yet I regretted not taking the initiative. If he shows up again, I'll definitely…
What would I say to him? I could say, "Hi," or, "You're so handsome." Or perhaps, "I'm Elvira. What's your name?" I wasn't sure. I think I would lose all ability to speak in front of him.
Just the sight of him would leave me swallowing all my words. He was so different and so eye-catching. He was too dazzling. If he stood by my side and danced with me, the entire crowd would likely jeer about how I didn't deserve it. Or perhaps, would they whisper that he was pitying me?
The more I thought about this, the more distracted I became. All of a sudden, I tripped over something. I felt my body falling forward. It's over. This is so embarrassing. Now everyone in my grade will have something to talk about!
Was this how I was going to celebrate my 18th birthday? No way! However, as I opened my eyes, I felt myself being held in a strong embrace. I recognized those blue eyes. It's him!