I combed my hair back for the fifth time in seven minutes in front of the mirror. mumbling words of practice when the door to my room opened.
"Oh-" My mom glanced at me, and I watched her face turn into a confused smile.
"Oh, hi mom." I continued brushing and afterwards turned towards her, dropping the comb. "What do you think?"
"Well," she stuttered. "Your hair is new."
I frowned. "It looks bad?"
"I never said-". She sighed. "Let me help you, Adam."
"No, I got this. Mom, you can't keep helping me like this. I'm already an adult now."
"Recently turned," my mom corrected. "Consider this an additional birthday gift then, sweetheart. Remember what I do this time, dear. That way you can do it again on your own."
"Alright."
She brushed my hair in several different directions, contrary to my slicked-back style.
Strands of my dark hair fell against the temple of my head, making me look much better looking than the hairstyle before. Even as my mother did this, anxiousness filled my mind.
"Do you think I look good?" I asked once again. My mom smiled.
"Of course you do, Adam. I assure you, Elodie will think the same."
I looked away and coughed. But silently, her words calmed my heart. "I never meant..." I started to say, settling for silence. My mom stiffiled a giggle, but I watched her press her lips together, preventing another one from escaping.
There was a loud knock on the door that interrupted us. We heard it all the way from upstairs.
"That must be her driver. Go ahead, Adam." My mom smiled.
I stood up stiffly. On the dresser was a silver hairpin. I easily picked it up, holding it tightly. I walked downstairs with slow steps, reaching out to the door handle. "I-"
My mom's hand pressed my back. "Go." She urged. "Have fun."
I pursed my lips, nodding. I twisted the door knob open.
Behind it was an old man who bowed. Awkwardly, I nodded. "Right this way, Sir, Adam."
He moved to the side, presenting a beautiful carriage behind him. I felt more nervous just walking towards it.
I pushed the door open, a dimly lit interior, and someone was already seated.
It wasn't until after I faced Elodie, who sat on the other end of me, staring.
And boy, did I stare back.
She was wearing a beautiful long green dress with transparent fluffy chiffon sleeves that only started at her biceps, revealing slender arms and her soft skin.
There were green straps tied into bows around her shoulders, but with the heart-shaped dip against her chest, her collarbones seemed more prominent.
But then again, this was also my first time seeing Elodie dress so extravagantly.
I gulped, looking at her face, only to find that it bested her dress.
Her hair was styled up and out of her face. Expect for strands of hair that were curled and left out of her hair. Her face was dusted over with soft makeup. I could only tell because of the unnatural silver sparkle under her eyes and the fact that her lips were rosy red.
I was staring to hard I immediately noticed when her eyes had met mine.
"Hey." She spoke slowly, being the first to break the silence.
"You're- beautiful."
It was the first time I had seen her become so timid. At my words, Elodie avoided my gaze completely, looking at everything in the cart aside from me.
"You as well. You, look good." She finally cleared from her throat.
"I got you a hairpin." I opened my hands, revealing the hairpin with gold flowers and white pearls as their center.
Her eyes noticeably widened. "That looks expensive."
I smiled. "Cheaper than a barrel full of candies."
We shared a laugh, and Elodie's face brightened up. "Thank you, Adam."
My heart tugged. I only nodded.
"Could you help me put it on? " Elodie had already turned around, revealing her exposed nape.
"It would be easier if you turned around." I said immediately, staring at the corner of the carriage.
"Oh, really?" Elodie turned back around, facing me.
"Yeah." I lied. I got a little closer, carefully raising the clip to her head. "Excuse me."
Elodie averted her eyes; her long eyes fluttered downwards. I fumbled slightly before securing the silver clip to the back of her bun-fishtail braid. I still stared at it for a couple seconds, mesmerized.
"Are you finished?" Elodie looked up rather quickly. Her lips grazed my own.
I froze in my spot, but she didn't move either.
From so close, I could tell her expression better, easily noticing the shy and embarrassed flicker in her eyes. My hand held her chin. Elodie looked back at my eyes, her soft brows relaxing.
'Mesmerizing.' I wasn't sure whether or not I had thought that internally or spoken aloud. Either way, Elodie had closed her eyes.
I pressed my lips to hers slowly. Her lips were soft, warm. I could even feel her shaking breath on my upper lip. I adjusted our lips slightly. As I did, Elodie's body slowly relaxed, allowing me to deepen our exchange.
She was perfect. Everything about her, I mean. The kiss had only become another additional skill of hers that was exceptional.
As if bringing my attention back to her, Elodie's hands held the sides of my face while we kiss. I broke away, our foreheads still together, our eyes still closed.
"Elodie," I couldn't help but call her name, hesitant that I had ruined the best friendship I ever had.
She was breathing shakily. But her voice responded to mine with an equally confused and afraid voice. "Adam."
We pushed our lips back to one another and relinquished any other thoughts. She fought for dominance and pushed her lips harder to mine, forcing me to lean back in the carriage.
My hands moved to her perfect waist. "Elodie." I was weak, completely and utterly mesmerized.
She opened her eyes to scan my own, breathless and gorgeous. "Adam."
We kissed again, more breathless, more racy. My hands tightened their hold while pulling her to me. There was a rustle, but then Elodie was seated on my lap, her hands up in my hair. I held her waist tighter and pulled her warm and perfect body to mine.
"Elodie," I was easily panting, but she kept kissing me relentlessly.
"Adam, Adam." Her voice was pleading, so soft and natural. I had never heard her speak so seductively.
It definitely worked. I pushed her down against my pants. We both stopped and broke away from the kiss. I was shaking, slowly opening my eyes to stare at Elodie. She stared back at me, waiting.
My eyes flickered down to her lips. I was dying to taste them again. That kiss wasn't nearly enough; however, if we went any further, what would've become of our friendship? Would she hate me?
"We...We need to stop." I finally said, logic overriding my desire. Elodie nodded her head.
"I-I'm sorry." She quickly whispered, shaking.
My hand moved up to feel her lips. "Don't be."
Our eyes met. A tiny smile pulled up her lips. Mezmirizing. "You do something like that and expect me to not kiss you aga-"
I smashed my lips to hers, hungrily tasting and nibbling her bottom lip with my teeth. Elodie shivered in my hold but didn't back away. She brought her body closer to mine.
Closer, and closer. I was-
There was a loud voice that spoke up. "Miss Elodie, Sir Adam. We have almost arrived at the ball."
We broke away with more force this time. The realization of where we were hit us. Elodie rushed to answer.
"Thank you, Joffre." She said. She was panting while staring at me. "Thank you, Adam."
I rubbed the side of her face with my thumb. I was panting while staring back at her. "Thank you, Elodie."
We stayed quiet for the remainder of the ride. She slowly returned to her original seat, looking at me. The sides of her mouth pulled up; she passed me a handkerchief.
"My rouge got on your lips." She said, trying to lighten the mood. I wiped my lips slowly with her handkerchief, unable to stop staring at hers. She averted my gaze. "Wh-Why are you staring so hard?"
"Elodie. Would you allow me to have your last dance?"
"!" Her face froze at my words. Slowly, I watched as the apples of her cheeks dusted with pink. Elodie nodded her head slowly. The carriage filled with silence once again.