I've been paraded around the room, making acquaintance with over seventy people. Names that I'll probably not remember. Most of them are part of the Morston elite. People in high places, among them is commander Addison. Lovely man, very charismatic in his old age, respectful but also on the authoritative side, giving what he does for a living.
So far, he's kept me entertained while everyone else is engaged in a very vigorous dance that has me sweating just by looking at them. Even so, they are all having fun. Everything has moved so fast that has me a little lightheaded.
Thaddeus and Will wave at me from the other side of the room, we only had time to exchange a quick hello before Marie and Enid swept me away to a different person, whose name I can't remember. Shocking, I know.
" How are you finding your time at the academy Miss Abernathy? "Commander Addison asks, and I know for a fact that his son was supposed to attend. Wish I'd remember his name. Was it Jude? Or the other one, Henry?
" It is...challenging, " I settle on that and Commander Addison sullenly nods.
" My son didn't last very long. He was shown the door after two months. Troublemaker," He hums. Oh, that explains why haven't seen him around. Even though he is one year ahead of me.
" Him and the other one. Apparently, he engaged in sexual intercourse in a lab in broad daylight. Shameful. Discraceful. " He frowns, staring down the glass in his hand. Tamara? Could it be that he was with Tamara? It has to be. That is too much of a coincidence. How come Tamara got off scot-free? Considering, how often I get summoned to Eric's office, I'm sure the opportunity will arise to ask her the burning question.
" I'm sorry to hear that, " I say trying to sound compassionate, but I have a feeling that there is more to come if the tense set of his shoulders is anything to go by.
" I've been too permissive. I thought if I allowed him to do whatever he wants before he starts, he would get it out of his system, but I guess I was wrong," He sighs heavily, deflating staring absently at the glass in his hands. I haven't met his wife or perhaps she is not around.
" Who would've thought that a girl that pretended to be dead for a year would have better chances at succeeding than my waste of a space son," Oh, boy. What do you even say to that? I feel put on the spot at this very moment, slightly guilty that I've been given plenty of chances to prove myself. Granted, I haven't engaged in coitus in broad daylight. Not yet anyway. There is still time.
Decidedly, I'm not the one to shine in emotional situations. So, I keep silent while Commander Addison commiserates. It turns out that Jude has been shipped to a rehabilitation facility somewhere in Yeden District. Also known as the prison district. An entire district dedicated to punishing the criminals, and rehabilitation of the rebellious ones. It stands in a crater with a three hundred miles circumference, encompassed in high volcanic rock that makes you wish you'd never been born.
Since luck has abandoned me completely Ashley finds me at the worst possible moment or best I'm not sure. I'm not sure yet whether he is my salvation or my damnation. Either or, I need to deal with him at some point. I haven't heard from him since Christmas day. Let's just say that the circumstances haven't been favourable.
Because Commander Addison is still sulking over his son's failure, being a rather poor company, I'd rather take my chances with the goofball eyeballing me from two feet away. Ashley is staring at me with gooey eyes, and a smile so wide that I'm pretty sure has his jaw cracking.
" Wow, Lily...you look, " He gives me a slow once over, taking stock of all the assets I have on display. Mainly my boobs and his eyes latch on them like a leech desperate for blood. He is blatantly staring at them, not even bothering to conceal it.
" Stunning, " He says loud enough to be heard over the music, but his eyes are nowhere near my face.
" It would be nice if you'd make that compliment while looking into her eyes. Talking to her breasts will get you nowhere," Commander Addison pats Ashely on the back, " It's sound advice. I'd suggest you take it," He adds as he pushes past Ashely, and disappears into the crowd. No less than five seconds later, Mason is hovering at a safe distance glaring murderously at Ashley's back.
As if Commander Addison didn't even speak, Ashley is gawking openly at my breasts, unapologetically. Would it be nice to make eye contact with him for longer than two point five seconds? Yes, but the man has lost all sense of decorum. Does it feel nice to be ogled as if I'm a piece of meat? No, not really. Since I have no interest in the man.
I slide a finger under his chin and tip his head back, forcing him to make eye contact with me.
" I'm in love," He gives me an intoxicated smile, and I can't help myself but glance over Ashley's shoulder to see Mason's reaction. I swear he has bat ears, because he takes a step forward, hands clenched at his sides, jaw ticking, ramrod straight, unaware of the people watching him, watching us. Either that or he doesn't care.
In this particular situation, the rule of thumb dictates that I take this somewhere a bit more private, but that would also mean that Mason would follow, thus contradicting the lie we've told Eric. Since Emmeline is his sister, I'm sure they share a decent amount of details from their personal lives. So, I decide is not worth the risk.
" You'll have to be a little more specific. Because so far you've been speaking to my chest, mostly," I smirk, he smirks back, lightly shifting on his feet.
" What can I say, they're great breasts," He cups his chest to make a show of it. Fantastic.
" I mean don't get me wrong, I'm no stranger to a woman's assets but your breasts are perfectly round, " I swear, if he says one more time the word breast, I'm going to punch him.
He licks his lips and glances down, his eyes linger a few long seconds and then looks up at me," They are fantastic. I haven't seen-"
" Ashley, could you please for the love of all that's sacred stop talking about my breasts," He gulps, and I finally lower my hand back to my side.
" As you wish," And there it goes again, his eyes go down and then catches himself, " We were supposed to have a date a while ago, but unfortunately I had to leave after the holidays. I left a message with Mason. My deepest apologies for my inability to uphold on my end," He finally gets a hold of himself, and behaves. And it's no surprise that Mason hasn't said a peep about it. Why would he?
" You're stunning," He adds, forcing himself to hold my gaze.
" So, you've said, " I take a deep silent breath, " It's alright. About our date, I mean. Don't worry about it. I've been meaning to speak to you about it. I'm afraid we'd have to postpone it indefinitely," His brows climb up his forehead, reaching his hairline. Not happy, about the new development. But not exactly torn either. His reaction is extremely confusing.