"Jackie, what about this?" Her mom showed her the black dress which they had bought last month. "This isn't a funeral, mom." She was straightening her hair, her dress already picked out. "What about this?" a sleeveless mustard color jumpsuit. "Looks good. You can use my belt." It was 6:30 pm, and they were getting late. Her mother had laid out 5 clothes and 4 more. It was a miracle she chose one before 9 pm. They both got out of the house at 7 pm and reached the hospital at 7:20. There were fancier cars in front of them, and at the back, people getting out in expensive clothes and diamond jewelry, the valet driving it away. The only parties Jackie had attended were birthday parties at the diner or at home, with cake, balloons and karaoke machines. Cheap beer they used to sneak in, and the dance parties. That was fun.
Her mother handed the keys to the valet and linked her arms with Jackie, who straightened her powder blue dress with the free hand. Her hair was half up and let loose, the gray to gray strands tied with the bun. A man in a black tux showed them the way to the ballroom after asking for the invitation. It was weird to have a ballroom at a large hospital just five floors above. Cancer patients struggled to hold on to their weakened soul. Three glass chandeliers brightened the room, reflecting against the black marble. There was a podium, and behind it was a banner decorated with tulips and roses: "CONGRATULATIONS DR. GRAYSON." The banner read in bold blue letters. "Wait here, i need to greet my boss and colleagues." Claire said, leaving Jackie in front of the small table all alone.
Jackie noticed the servers were wearing a silver masks, handing out colorful champagne. The buffet wasn't opened yet; she hadn't eaten lunch and her stomach needed food. "Jackie, you made it." came a cheerful voice from behind her. She turned around to find Jade walking up to her with an empty wineglass, wearing a checkered green tux and a gold brooch with his house emblem. He looked somewhat handsome. When he neared her, she noticed the flush on his cheeks. "You're enjoying." She said, pointing to the empty glass. Jade shushed her with a wave of his hand. "You look hot, oh let me introduce you to my date." He scanned the crowd looking for someone, then a smile spread on his face. "There he is." he said beckoning a bald young man over to him.
"Jackie, this is Thomas, or Tommy. He is also a student at the academy and a member of the student council." Tommy looked like he wanted to kill everyone in the room. His gaze was penetrating her. She felt like he was watching her every expression and movement. He had a piercing on his lips and a broken heart tattoo on the side of the neck. "Nice to meet you, Jackie." He spoke with manners matching a King. What was with these people and politeness? "Nice to meet you, too." She wanted to come across as polite as well, but when she spoke, her voice was the same, loud and witty.
"He's a senior." Jade whispered in her ear, fully aware that Tommy was also listening, but the boy smiled looking down. Jackie raised an eyebrow, pretending to be awed. "Oh, my mom is calling me. Be right back." He disappeared behind a group of ladies. "What will you be specializing in, Jackie?" Tommy asked her. "Elemental magic, i want to get a job as a Slayer at the Citadel. What about you?"
"Divination. It's my family's magic, and i have been told that i am talented in that area." Divination, that means he get's visions. He can also read the future and tell a person's past by gaining access to their minds.
"What's your family magic?" he asked.
"Psychic, my mom actually works as an Empath here." He nodded.
"Can i ask you to read me if you don't mind?" she had always wanted to ask that but her mother always refused. The question made Thomas lit up, offered his hands and Jackie gladly placed her in his.
Thomas closed his eyes while Jackie watched the process. She was nervous and already doubting her decision to ask him. What would happen if she pulled away right now? Was she sure she wanted to know her future? Before she could speak her mind, Thomas opened his mind. A sweat bead rolled down his side face. "What did you see?" Jackie asked, her voice low and scared. "Couldn't concentrate because of the environment, sorry. But I can read you tomorrow if you like?" She was disappointed and relieved at the answer. Jackie nodded and took a glass of pink wine from the server. "Can I ask you a question?" she said, sipping it. He nodded.
"Why are the servers wearing masks?"
"These are the chairman's personal servers. He doesn't like them to be revealed to the public. It's because he trained them in magic, and rumor has it he has a hold on them." He whispered the last part.
"So they are slaves?" Jackie responded, angered at the idea.
"The Vidarr family is served by generational slaves. It's not just them. Their ancestors have been serving the Vidarrs since the family came into power."
"How do you know so much about them?"
"I'm part of the family. That silver haired brat is my cousin." He pointed to Alaric, who had just arrived wearing a maroon tux, with Daisy on his arms.