Page 16 of When Night Falls
I notice that she just walked out of the candy store, probably not paying attention when we bumped into each other.
“That’s okay,” I respond, but really, I’m irritated that my candle is broken.Oh, to want to enjoy the small things in life.
“Damnit, that’s my bad,” she says to me when she notices the glass and wax chunks on the ground.
She helps me gather the pieces and I reach for a large piece of one of the broken shards next to me, when I accidentally slice my finger against its jagged edges.
“Shit,” I hiss, feeling the sting instantly and pulling my finger up to my face to examine the cut.
“Are you okay?” the girl asks and when I look up at her—she’s kneeling on her knees while I still stay planted on my ass—I notice that her eyes seem to be changing into a darker tone and her nostrils flare slightly.
Her mouth falls open as she stares at the drop of blood that slides down my finger, her pupils close in and something in her face twitches.
“Areyouokay?" I redirect the question to her. "Your face…” I trail off, feeling concerned for the girl who just ran into me.
She jumps up on her feet in a blink of an eye and turns around suspiciously.
“I really should watch where I’m going,” she says with her back turned to me, frantic tones lace her voice.
I squint my eyes and furrow my brows at the strangeness of her reaction, but I suck the blood off my finger before dusting my jeans off and getting to my feet.
“It’s fine, really. It was an accident.” I lean over to pick up the bag of broken glass and the bag with my new dress in it.
“Are you hurt?” she asks, back still turned to me and at this point, I don’t even know if she’s still talking to me.
“Just a small cut from the glass,” I state the obvious.
Finally, when her shoulders seem to relax a bit, she turns around to face me and sticks out her hand.
“Troian,” she introduces herself and I give her a reluctant onceover before returning the gesture to shake her hand.
“Nice to meet you,” I say without giving her my name. Not because I’m trying to be rude but because I'm still kind of weirded out by her behavior.
An awkward silence falls over us for a beat and I notice her fidget with her fingers, looking around as if trying to findsomeone to save her from the embarrassing interaction we seem to be having.
She’s about my height and possibly around my age, maybe a few years older. She has long hair down to the middle of her back, just a little longer than mine. Except hers is a velvet black color, the kind that almost looks midnight as the sun sets behind her. And her eyes are the color of the darkest parts of the ocean, hauntingly blue.
“Well, better head back home then. Have a party to get ready for.” She breaks the silence between us, hooking her thumb over her shoulder as she tries to step away.
“Wait!" I stop her from leaving. "A party? Are you by chance going to the masquerade party? The one at the Gilded Hollow?” I ask her, suddenly feeling progress that I might actually be able to go, though I still don’t have a mask.
“Yes." Her interest seems piqued. "Why? Did you get invited?” Her brows perk up and a soft smile forms across her face.
“Yeah, I did I just-”
“Oh my gosh,” she whispers slowly, seemingly to herself. “You’reher.” Her mouth drops open as she covers it with the palm of her hand. She stares at me as if I’m the newest attraction at a zoo exhibit and suddenly, I feel like I’m the outsider again. Like I don’t belong, wanting to go home and curl up with a book that will take me far away from the feeling of scrutiny.
“I’m sorry?” I say in confusion and turn to look behind me to make sure she’s not speaking to someone else.
“I mean, wow. You’re prettier than I imagined that’s for sure.” Her smile widens as she crosses her arms.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I start to feel super uncomfortable and totally left in the dark as she continues to make weird comments about me.
I feel my face get red as she looks me up and down, examining the length of me and seeming intent on judging me.
“Hello?” I wave my hand between us, annoyed and confounded.
“Oh, sorry. Umm, I must have been mistaken. My bad. But I’ll catch you later then,” she waves goodbye at me, turning on her heel and bouncing away with each step but before I let her get too far, I need to find out what she knows about this party.