Page 120 of Distortion
An ecstatic Lu gets me an outfit, taking control of it completely after I tell her I want to dress scary. I was thinking a Viking warrior because I could borrow her ax and shield she uses for Dagorhir. She explains to me, almost angrily, and in no uncertain terms, that no one doesscaryanymore. That’s for kids. When you’re an adult, you have to gosexy, especially when you’re going to a frat party. She also says that I’ll get more information out of the drunk boys if I look hot, so I indulge her.
She decides that she’ll get everything together for me and makes me promise not to worry about a thing. After our shift at Grinder on Halloween, she comes with me back to the KIP house, so that we can get ready together.
On the way in, some of the guys greet me. It’s a far cry from how they treated me at the start of the year, so I make sure I say hello back and join in with their small talk a bit to build some bridges I might need later.
Up in my room, Lu sits on my bed and does some homework. I get my laptop out and go through the motions of digging a little deeper into my mom’s death. I have found out where the accident happened and Lu is going to get us a ride out there to check it out. I also found the name of the coroner who did the paperwork.
After an hour or so, Lu makes a show of looking at her phone and gets up.
‘It’s time,’ she announces. ‘You can thank me now.’
She winks as she hands me the bag she’s been so protective over, and I sigh as I pour the skimpy outfit into my bed.
She kicks off her shoes and I side-eye her.
‘You might want to get dressed in the bathroom, or over there by the desk,’ I mutter.
‘Why?’ Then, her eyes widen. ‘Oh, my GOD! No way! They ...watchyou?’
‘Just trust me,’ I breathe, my eyes bulging a little at the tiny dress with the accompanying tail and ears. And the black wedges.
‘Are you sure about this?’ I ask.
‘Babe, trust me,’ Lu mutters as she wriggles into her leopard-print miniskirt and matching crop top.
I glance at the clock by the bed and decide to take a shower since we still have plenty of time before the party begins.
‘I’m gonna take a shower.’
Lu waves me away. ‘Don’t be long. I need time to work my magic!’
I grab my towel with a smile and a roll of my eyes and leave my room. I stay within the cameras’ visual ranges. I usually do when I’m walking around the house in general so that, if anyoneiswatching, they don’t think I know where I can and can’t be seen. A few times now, though, I’ve challenged myself to get from my room to the kitchen or the gym across the house without being caught on them.
Then, I sneak into Blake’s room just after he leaves and his laptop is still unlocked to see how I did before erasing my presence and rebooting the system. Turns out an unintended consequence of me spending my teens skulking around The Heath late at night has made me very good at being stealthy.
As I get to the bathroom, the door opens and Shade comes out wrapped in just a towel.
My eyes widen even as I avert them. All I can think about suddenly is how he washed me in the bath that night after the others ... how I wish he’d have done something with me, too.
I hear him huff a chuckle as I go to slip past him and his arms darts out, stopping me.
‘I feel like I haven’t seen you in days,’ he murmurs from very close to me.
‘I’ve been very busy,’ I say softly, looking up into his hazel eyes.
I’m not counting the seconds, and I don’t feel the need to look away. I’m caught in them.
‘Your work in the lab has been exemplary.’
I can’t help my blush. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re coming to the party tonight?’
I nod.
‘Good. We’re initiating the pledges at nine in the basement, and then it’s a no holds barred night of fun.’
I nod. I know this, and I know the basement is only for members, so I won’t be going to that part, which is fine with me.
