In a Different Light #2
Jayce better get his shit together, for Ma, at least. She would be ecstatic if she had her own daughters-in-law and sons-in-law.
“Congrats, man.” I slap Tatum on the back. “No wonder you were extra chatty; you’re all loved up,” I mock, before looking at his mate. “Good to meet you. Your name’s a mouthful. Mind if I call you Sher?”
“Sure, and you’re Theo, correct? It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She holds out her hand.
“You’ve done your homework,” I say, accepting it and giving it a quick squeeze. I can feel a certain blond looking at me and smirk, not turning towards her.
I wonder if she’s still pissed at me…
Well, one way to find out.
As my brother moves in to congratulate Tatum, I look at the four girls and cross my arms.
“Ain’t you girls a tad overdressed?” I remark, even Katara is. I look at her questioningly as Raihana steps up from behind them.
“You diss the dresses, and I’ll take it as a direct insult,” she warns me.
I smirk. “I’m terrified,” I say sarcastically.
You should be. Heaven’s words almost hit me in the face, forcing me to move back.
Katara snickers. “Thank you, Aunty, for the dress. There were so many options, I didn’t know which one to choose.”
“You’re most welcome,” Raihana says. “You girls look gorgeous.”
“I don’t know. If you ask me, you guys look a mess. And Zombilesandra, the hell are you wearing? All glammed up and glittery, the fuck happened to you?”
She glowers at me, her eyes burning red, and I snicker. So, she was probably coaxed into wearing that.
“Go to hell, Theo,” she snarls.
“One day, one day I will, but for now, I’m going to enjoy annoying the fuck out of you,” I reply mockingly.
I see Heaven’s brow crease slightly, and my eyes flick to hers. She’s the only one who knows how real that remark is.
“Hey there, Blondie,” I say, now turning my full attention to her.
Up close, somehow, she looks even– cut it the fuck out, Theo.
“By any chance, did you freeze your face into that expression? I mean, that’s a lot of makeup.
You probably had to use an entire bottle of that freezing spray to keep it on. ”
“It’s called setting spray? And shut up, Theo,” Katara intervenes.
Don’t talk to me, Heaven writes before she flicks her hair and looks away. Damn, she’s not as easy to rile up.
“Yeah, don’t talk to us. Get lost, Theo,” Allie growls.
“Theo, you do ask for it. Leave them alone,” Dad says warningly.
I’m getting a drink, Heaven writes as she moves away.
She’s definitely still pissed…
“But why, Daddy? It’s not my fault.” I turn when Azura’s little nightmarella speaks. She has a little, poisonously sweet voice and big, creepy, psychotic eyes. The kind that are so cute they’re suspicious.
I spot her standing in front of Leo, who is looking down at her sceptically.
“Kind of hard to believe,” Leo says.
She nods slowly. “I know, but they said because I’m so ugly, I needed makeup.” She looks towards the girls, and I glance between them, amused.
Sienna’s eyes are wide, and Katara and Allie have narrowed their eyes at her.
“The story becomes even more unbelievable,” Leo remarks as Allie walks over.
“Hey, you said to us you wanted makeup when Sienna and Heaven said you didn’t need it.”
“Allie, don’t argue with a child,” Aunty Kiara scolds lightly.
“She’s lying,” Allie points out.
“Aunty, you forget Allie’s mental age is the same as Phoenix’s, so it’s all fair,” I say.
“Well, we’ll make sure to remember no makeup for you again,” Katara adds.
Phoenix gives her a deep frown, promising revenge.
This family has way too many crazy girls…
“And even you’re picking on a kid, someone several years younger. Damn, girls grow up,” I say.
“Want to take your own advice? How many years older than Katara are you?” Ares points out.
Oh yeah. Well. Damn.
Everyone is helping themselves to drinks as they congratulate Ahren, Tatum and Sher.
Dinner will be served in about half an hour, enough time for me to get Blondie to mellow up.
I slip away into the crowd, spotting Ares talking to a couple of other kids from the Academy. I spot Blondie by the drink table and, walking over, step up right behind her just as she’s about to turn to walk off.
She narrows her eyes at me, that same frown settling on her face.
“Still mad at me?” I ask quietly. She looks away, about to sidestep, when I block her off. “Want to dance?”
She looks at me in surprise, and I signal with my eyes towards the wanker who I know is watching. She looks in the direction I gestured, clicking instantly.
“Want to make him jealous?” I whisper quietly, leaning in, amused when her heart begins to race, but then she purses her lips hesitantly. “What harm will it do?” I say.
Do you even know how to dance? she writes with a sceptical expression.
I scoff. “Did you not see me on Halloween? I’m offended.”
That’s solo dancing. Can you dance with a partner? she declares.
“Let’s find out,” I answer, stepping back as I start walking towards the dance floor, motioning her to follow. She pauses for a moment, taking a sip of her drink before she places it aside and walks towards me. Once she reaches me, a small message appears in front of me.
I’m still mad at you.
“I’ll make it up to you. For now, let’s see how good you dance. Can you keep up?” I mockingly hold out my hand to her.
Without question, she writes, accepting the challenge by placing her hand in mine just as a new song begins to play.
I smirk. Well, this is going to be fun.