Page 71 of Knox Academy Omnibus
When it’s a couple of hours before the car picks us up, I head back to my room to shower. I make a point of properly drying my hair where I’d normally let it dry naturally because I know we’regoing to be outside in the cold. I’m standing in front of my closet debating what to wear when there’s a knock at my door.
“Hey, need a hand?” Elsie asks, taking me in still in my bath towel.
“Please,” I beg. “I’m so scared that I’m going to freeze! I won’t enjoy it if I’m cold.”
“Ah it’s just as well the boys gave me these for you then, isn’t it!” She beams at me holding up two fully laden shopping bags.
“Come in. What’s in the bags?”
“Clothes, hair and makeup first. Treats later!”
I acquiesce to Elsie’s demands because I know there's no stopping her when she starts on a makeover kick, and I play the dutiful model by quietly letting her dress me in whatever the hell she likes. She spends ages throwing stuff at me and holding items against my body. Eventually she settles on an oxblood leather skirt with thick wool black tights and a black fitted sweater which she calls a jumper. I find this hilarious.
She gives me a smokey eye - my standard go-to if I have to wear makeup - and pulls a dark lipstick which matches my skirt out of her bag. She even curls my hair a little more to define my mess of waves. I love the overall look, but I still think I’m going to freeze.
“Damn, we need to go in a minute. You better check the bags for the rest of the stuff you need,” Elsie tells me, racing to the mirror to finish off her own look. She looks like a beautiful ice queen in shades of ice blue and winter white; the polar opposite of me. Side by side we look awesome though.
“Bags!” she hisses at me, shoving me away from the mirror so that she can apply another coat of mascara.
I open the first bulging bag and find a black winter coat. It’s a heavy, almost felted material, double breasted and form-fitting with a dippy hem and flap pockets. It’s gorgeous, stylish and looks oh-so-warm.
The other bag is heavier, but less full. I pull out a pair of sturdy winter boots. These too are black, knee-high suede with a small block heel and a full fur lining. I quickly pull them on and discover they’re a perfect fit. My toes are lovely and toasty.
“Oh wow, I might never take these boots off.”
“They look kick-ass with your skirt.” Elsie smiles.
“Did you plan the whole outfit around these boots?”
“So what if I did? They’re great boots.”
The final thing in the bag is an oxblood red hat, scarf and matching leather gloves set.
“Wow this stuff is all gorgeous. Where did you get it?”
“Kalen dropped it off at mine earlier and told me to bring it round, but I think it’s from all of them. Kalen wanted special credit for the hat and stuff though.”
I smile, put on my coat and then add the finishing touches. I’m so warm that I think I might melt, but I am not complaining, and there’s no way I’m taking the stuff off. It all goes together beautifully. It may be the first real set of winter things that I’ve ever owned, but they’re also the nicest gifts I’ve ever received.
“Yeah, yeah, you can 'thank you' fuck them later! Let’s go before we’re late and all the good spots by the fire are gone,” Elsie grumbles pulling me out the door and off towards our meeting point.
“You really like fire don’t you?” I tease but Elsie freezes and clams up. “Sorry, I was only joking. Let’s go.”
We meet the guys, climb into the gaudy black limo that my mother sent, with sideways glances and smirks, and say hi to Larry the driver. It doesn’t take too long to get to wherever we’re headed but Kalen cranks the tunes and passes round the booze, so it feels like a party en route anyway.
The guys all compliment me on my clothing, and praise Elsie for the great job she did with me. I thank them all for their generous gifts. Kalen insists I give thank you kisses, to himat least. It’s a bit awkward, but Kalen doesn’t seem to notice, pulling me in for a loud noisy smacker on the lips. I blush when Slate gives my hand a squeeze and tells me “later” and Onyx just gives me an awkward kind of pat on the leg like I’m a damn dog or something. Elsie just giggles at it all.
When we arrive at the country club where the bonfire celebrations are taking place, it’s the valet, not Larry, who opens our door for us. I feel a bit sad that I don’t get to say goodbye to Larry, but I’ll see him the next time my mother wants to assert her authority over me by refusing to let me drive the damn car she got me.
The country club is stupid posh. Like something out of a movie. It makes me snort when someone opens the door for us. Are rich people not able to do that for themselves? I’m surprised this place would have a bonfire; won’t it make everything smell?
I let the guys lead me through the club - which is more like a stately home or mansion - and out to the grounds. There are crowds of people everywhere, with suited servers running around with trays of canapes and champagne.
“Oh man, this sucks!” Kalen whines. “I wanted to give Amelie an authentic experience.”
“You mean the whole country doesn’t eat caviar on November 5th?” I quip.
“Laura,” Kalen groans. Which is enough to explain everything.
