Fairytale Green

The mirror attached to the closet door was small. That is why I was sitting on Lana’s bedroom floor to see properly as I applied eyeliner.

In the mirror, I could see Lana coming out of her small ensuite bathroom, finally dressed.

She swirled around in her red dress while she sang a song about cherries. One that she had been singing on loop a lot lately.

After I finished perfecting my second cat-eye to look the same as the first, I stood up and whistled ‘You look great. That shade of red looks amazing on you.’

She twirled again and then mimicked my whistle ‘You do too. You are definitely the hottest date I have had.’

I winked at her ‘Thank you.’

‘Now, let me curl your hair.’ Lana sang while motioning to my hair that I was now protecting with my life.

‘No way!’ I argued, in a stern voice ‘I am already being dragged to this dance. You always have to push it.’

Lana pouted and her eyes went all sad ‘I will never ask you for anything ever again.’

‘I find that hard to believe.’ I tutted before giving in ‘Fine. I will let you curl my hair. Only if we go for food after the dance.’

‘I will even pay.’ She replied with a grin.

I jumped onto her bed and waited for her to come over with the curlers. She started separating my hair into strands while I looked myself in the mirrors

My eyes went down to my black dress again and I could not help but admire the way the silk fitted me.

Then I happened to notice that my green laced bra was sticking out from underneath my dress.

Lana started to curl a piece of hair while I tried to tuck the bra back inside, so it was not noticeable.

‘Can you sit still?’ She exclaimed, ‘These are hot, and I do not want to burn you!’

‘I am trying to fix the dress.’ I replied, ‘You can see my bra.’

She looked down at where I was still pushing at ‘Just take it off.’

After she finished another strand, I gave up and nodded while reaching to the back of my dress to unclip the clasp and throw the green material on the bed.

‘Why did you want to go tonight?’ I asked curiously.

A sigh escaped her before she answered ‘I thought Brennan was going to take me. I thought this would have been something we could have done together. Anything to keep the relationship afloat.’

‘It is just weird.’ I said to her as curl fell on my face ‘You two met and it was all gooey eyes and rainbows. It is weird how things do not work out.’

‘It is like you said. Not all great couples end up together.’ Lana hummed ‘What was your example again? Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Spike. Like you said high school relationships are fickle.’

‘I was wrong.’ I vocalised, thinking about one person in particular who would love to hear me admit I was wrong.

Lana pulled away and switched off the curling wand as she sent a knowing smile my way ‘It is weird how things do work out.’

Small but harsh knocks at the door end our conversation when a child’s voice called ‘Lan Lan, can I come in?’

Excited to see the little troublemaker, I rushed to the door and opened it. When Charlie saw that I was standing there he then jumped into my arms.

‘You will ruin your hair!’ Lana shouted in an agitated but amused tone.

I pulled back but stayed at his level while tickling his cheeks ‘How is my favourite boy doing?’

‘I’m super-duper, Drizzy.’ He said while tickling my back but then he saw what I was wearing so he added ‘Wow. You look like a princess. A sea witch princess.’

‘The best kind.’ I told him while laughing at his imagination.

A hand grabbed my arm and Lana yanked me back ‘I have missed a piece of hair. Quick, get here. Before the curlers cool down.’

Charlie looked around the room in boredom while Lana demanded that I stayed still once more.

The small boy danced around the room excitedly before he stopped. His eyes landed on something that interested him. My bra.

The next thing I knew, he had it against his chest and he was prancing around ‘I have boobies.’

Lana and I had no idea what to say to him, so we just laughed as the little boy continued to hold the bra to his chest.

‘I think that I am going to end it with Brennan.’ My best friend blurted out.

‘I am sorry.’ I let out gently, not knowing what else to say.

She admitted ‘I just wanted him to be the one. He is what I wanted. I told myself repeatedly that it would all work out. I wanted it so bad. I wanted it to be him so bad.’

I stood up and pulled her into a hug while I reassured her ‘There is nothing wrong with changing your mind. You just need to be honest with yourself and with Brennan.’

Once she had pulled back, she nodded and then her face contorted from heartbreak to confusion ‘It has got awfully quiet in here.’

I searched around and seen no sign of Charlie before I looked back to Lana with horror ‘He is away with my bra.’

Her hand waved me off ‘He is probably away showing my mom it. He will be back upstairs with it now.’

She was right because I heard small pitter-patter footsteps up the stairs a minute later. The bedroom door swung open, and the little menace stood at the threshold with nothing in his hand.

‘Where is Ella’s bra, Charlie?’ Lana asked while giggling.

The boy tilted his head ‘What is a bra?’

‘The boobies.’ She corrected, biting her lip to stop herself from laughing even more.

I was laughing too but my laughter died down when Charlie spoke up.

‘I gave it to Ella’s boyfriend of course.’ Charlie replied ‘The giant did not really like it though. He looked mad.’

The small body had a wild imagination, so I nodded and pretended that I believed his story. I did not have the heart to tell the boy that Stone was busy and could not come.

‘That is unrealistic. You would think Stone would be happy that it was off.’ I joked to Lana.

Lana shook her head ‘Not when you are about to attend a room full of spiked punch filled teenage guys without him.’

Mrs Armstrong came into the room in a hurry, and she smiled largely when she saw us both in our dresses ‘Both your boys are here. They wanted to come and see you before you went. How sweet is that.’

It was sweet and I would have been happy that Stone had come to seen me if it was not for the fact that I was too busy glaring at the back of Charlie’s head.

When the little boy turned around, my anger disappeared because he was way too cute.

I crossed my arms at him and asked hopeful that he was just joking about the bra ‘Where is it?’

He pouted ‘I told you, Drizzy. I gave it to the big giant. He looked angry but I think he might have secretly liked it.’

‘Ella dear, Stone does have your bra.’ Mrs Armstrong inputted.

‘Charlie, why would you give him that?’ I questioned, leaning down to meet his level while trying to hide my amused smile.

‘I am his spy.’ The little boy explained ‘Like last time in the garden. You were in the kitchen with Auntie and Lan Lan while the giant gave me a whole dollar to tell him what you told me in secret. I told him that you said you really, really, really, really liked him.’

I bit my lip to seem like I was annoyed. It was really amusing the picture that I had in my head of Stone giving the small boy a dollar.

I instructed Charlie ‘Well go and tell your spy boss that he has five seconds to run because I am going to wring his neck with that bra.’

‘What is a bra?’ He asked again.

‘The boobies.’ I exclaimed while sending him on his way downstairs.

Lana and her mom were in hysterics at the situation, and I joined in with them begrudgingly before our laughter died down.

‘You cannot keep him waiting, Ella.’ Mrs Armstrong said.

Going down the stairs first was Lana. I was close behind with Mrs Armstrong, but we held back to watch Lana smile sadly at Brennan making polite conversation with her dad.

Then like a magnetic pull, my eyes went to Stone.

His eyes were on me. I felt my body heat up as his gaze trailed slowly down and then back up. The dark irises covered every inch of my body. He looked almost hypnotised. His obsidian orbs held me in place, freezing me and grounding me.

The bone in his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed infinitesimally as his attention lingered on my legs.

It was so intense and luring that I felt myself being pulled towards him.

‘I have never seen anyone look at anyone like the way he does at you.’ Mrs Armstrong whispered from beside me ‘I knew it the first time you brought him here. That boy loves you more than anything.’

I smiled but I did not take my eyes from him. I was not tearing away from our heated eye gazing match.

‘I did not bring him here.’ I pointed out ‘He came charging into my life and demanded a place in it but I would not have it any other way.’

‘You glow when he is near.’ The woman’s smile was noticeable even from my peripheral view as she said it.

I think I did glow when he was near.

Mrs Armstrong’s attention fell to my bare feet as she asked, ‘What shoes are you wearing?’

‘I have got my green converse.’

Her expression changed to one of almost disgust ‘Green converse?’

‘They are my best pair.’ I shrugged while wincing at the idea of wearing heels all night.

Brennan stood up from the sofa and made his way across the room to his girlfriend who was fidgeting with a red thread on her dress.

He smiled but it did not reach his eyes as he looked at Lana ‘You look nice.’

‘Thanks.’ She replied quietly.

My attention shifted back to the large figure who was still looking over my way.

Stone never took his eyes off me as he walked across the living room with large, determined steps. When he was in front of me, his arms wrapped around my waist, and he pulled me close. He kept a small distance between us so he could study the whole of me further.

‘I think you are meant to make some sort of nice comment about what I am wearing.’ I joked, feeling flushed at his unfaltering gaze ‘Even if it is a lie.’

‘You look beautiful. Always too fucking beautiful.’ His mouth moved up slightly as he said it but then his jaw clenched again ‘I should be there with you.’

‘Why?’ I smiled up at him.

He sneered ‘To make sure fuckers keep their wandering eyes to themselves.’

Crossing my arms, I tilted my head at him ‘What would you do if you were there? Gauge their eyeballs out?’

Stone went quiet. He almost appeared to be contemplating the idea.

I shook my head at him and attempted to hide my amusement ‘I think you have made it pretty clear to everyone that I am yours.’

That is when he chooses to pull my body into his chest as his husky voice tickles my lips ‘Damn right.’

Feeling the need to mention it before he did, I asked with a nervous laugh ‘Did you like Charlie’s present?’

His mouth moved until it was against my ear ‘Why are you not wearing a bra?’

‘It is visible under the dress.’ I explained.

My sentence did not lessen the tension in his wide shoulders. It also did not stop his jaw from ticking.

I could not resist poking the bear as I feigned innocence ‘So is it a bad time to mention my lack of lower underwear?’

‘What?’ He bellowed, his rough voice deepening.

Jumping up, I gave him a quick kiss on the jaw ‘Just kidding.’

A low grumble came from his chest ‘You are going to be the death of me.’

‘Maybe you will be the death of me.’ I mentioned while shamefully feeling up his chest ‘You are not even dressed up and you are still ridiculously handsome. I think you would look great in a tux or even just a dress shirt. It is a real shame you cannot come.’

He placed a piece of my curled hair behind my ear before apologising ‘I am sorry.’

‘It is okay.’ I let out a small sigh ‘I know you and Brennan are busy. Plus, I would not make you go with me.’

‘I would go anywhere for you.’ He spoke before complimenting me again ‘You are bewitching.’

‘Bewitching? Who are you? Mr Darcy?’ I teased as I smiled up at him ‘Charlie said that I look like a sea witch princess.’

Stone’s chuckle came out hoarse ‘The most beautiful sea witch princess.’

From what I had gathered, he had eased and was more relaxed now that the conversation about him not being able to come with me was over.

I was not finished there. I needed my revenge on him for paying a little boy to spill my secrets.

‘I will have to dance with somebody tonight though.’ I taunted.

Silence.

Then he growled ‘What?’

‘It is a dance, and I can’t just sit around.’ I mentioned before adding more of a lovey-dovey tone to my voice ‘I have also always wanted to have a magical dance. Like in the movies. Where my heart will soar, and I will be swept off my feet.’

His eyes lightened at my sarcastic tone, but he did not completely lose his scowl.

Another soft growl left his mouth as he promised ‘You will get your dance.’

I was left confused as he took my hand and lead the both of us to the front door. He only stopped his purposeful steps once Lana called us.

‘Where are you two going?’ She asked from the living room.

Shrugging, I glanced at Stone who answered for the both of us ‘I will have her back in twenty.’

Lana did not look mad. She grinned widely as I was whisked away down the driveway and into his black truck.

Once he had started up the car and set off down the street, I looked out my window in the direction we were heading which was towards the ocean.

‘Where are we going?’ I asked.

A smirk but no answer was all I got for the next five minutes as he continued to focus on driving.

Just when I had come to the conclusion that he might be kidnapping me, he parked the car up on a small patch of grass on an empty part of the promenade.

I was about to ask why we were at an abandoned part of the seafront when he opened the door to the truck and stepped out.

Walking around to my side, he lifted me out of the car and placed me down a few yards away from the car without a word. He then returned to his side of the car where the door was still open, and the engine was still running.

The sun was setting over the horizon with only a little light left in the sky. Above us, the sky was dark but not yet filled with stars. The pier’s neon lights shone from a distance but a brighter light from Stone’s truck’s headlights lit up the space around us.

I still did not understand what was going on as I stood staring at the back of him that was still messing with something in his car.

Then it became clear what his intentions were as soon as the familiar beat of my favourite song filled the air.

Teenage Dirtbag was blaring from his car speakers, and I could not help but stare at him in awe as he made his way over towards me.

He set out his hand and then commanded ‘You are dancing with me.’

Tilting my head at his demanding tone, I laughed ‘That is not how you ask a girl to dance.’

Stone grabbed my hand and brought my body closer. Slowly. It was like he was somehow taunting me. It was working because I wanted us closer. I took a step forward with his hand still in mine.

Just as my chest was about to touch him, he twirled my body around when the lyrics from the song started. Then he brought me back into him so that every inch of skin was resting upon him as we start to sway. His arms wound around my waist and rested there as the song continues. Mine moved around his neck which he had to move down slightly so I was able to.

I had every intention of resting my head on his chest but because of the largeness of him and smallness of me, my cheek ended up closer to his stomach.

‘Thank you, Lurch.’ I breathed into him.

His chuckle vibrated right down to my toes as he spoke ‘It is our song.’

I tilted my head upwards so I could see his face better before raising my eyebrow at him ‘Who says it was our song? I said it was my—’

My sentence was lost in the air by his lips colliding on mine. I was on my tiptoes but that was not enough. His grip on my hips tightened and he lifted me up so he could taste me properly.

A moan was about to escape me, but it was cut off by his tongue delving deeper. My hands gripped his shirt when he deepened the kiss, and I could feel that his heartbeat was just as erratic as mine. I let my hands wander up until they gripped his hair. I could feel his hands trailing down to my lower back to grip it. Long passionate kisses and a few small loving ones in between passed and then we were both gasping for air in each other’s arms.

‘You were saying, Medusa?’ He cockily remarked while looking down with adoration in his gaze.

Shrugging, I surrendered ‘I was just about to say that I am willing to share the song.’

He smiled down at me while caressing my face in his huge hands ‘I know you were not being serious about the dance thing, but I can’t take any chances.’

‘Nothing could compare to this.’ I asserted with a matching smile ‘I do not want to dance with anybody else. I only want you. It is you for me. It is kind of set-in stone.’

At the pun of his name, he released out a deep laugh ‘How long have you been waiting to use that one?’

‘Too long.’ I confessed before resting my head against his stomach again.

We stayed in this position for a while. The song was fast, yet we swayed slowly to the sound of our laboured breaths and our beating hearts. I did not want to let go. Not ever.