- Gabriella -

Before Isabelle could lock us out again, Vesna caught the door with her foot and opened it. We found her sitting down on her bed staring blankly at nothing, looking like a broken doll. Some part of me felt horrible. Maybe if I hadn't asked Damien that stupid question, things wouldn't turn out this way.

I sat down beside her, not knowing how I should comfort her. Vesna seems to have no qualms about this unlike me. She sashayed in and tutted. "Ah I see some changes. There are more pillows and clothes thrown together. Your room is a mess like usual."

"Oh shut up." Isabelle flung a pillow at Vesna who caught it easily.

Vesna pinched the edge of the pillow and made a disgusted face. "Ew. What if this was the exact pillow that the both of you touched when you guys are making out?"

"Just shut up. Did anyone tell you that you're infuriating?" Isabelle glared at Vesna.

"Hmm your name is now on that list." Vesna shrugged as she dropped the pillow onto the bed. "Wait was the pillow really...?" Isabelle only stared blankly at her and says nothing. "Are you serious? Omg that is so disgusting!" Vesna's outburst shook Isabelle out of her stupor.

Isabelle looked at Vesna in surprise before a small smile tugged her lips.

"Wait I'm being serious here! Tell me right now!" Vesna says looking at her in horror and backing up against the wall. I couldn't help it and started giggling which made Isabelle laugh. "Hey stop laughing both of you. Answer my question, damn it."

Isabelle's laughter was hoarse and slightly strained, but still it was progress. "Oh Suola. This is making my stomach hurt." Isabelle laughed so hard she fell on top of me. Watching us, Vesna gets increasingly infuriated before giving up entirely. "You know what? Laugh all you want. I don't want to know the story behind that pillow."

"We never did anything." Isabelle says after she composed herself. But a dry chuckle escaped her mouth.

"Yeah right." Vesna snorted. "Who the hell knows what two hormonal teenagers do alone in the bedroom.

"Aren't you one of us as well?" I shot back which effectively shut her up.

"How... how did you guys know? Were we that obvious?" Isabelle's eyes were wide, looking at us. She looks so vulnerable that I felt compelled to tell her the truth.

"Well I knew there was something going on between the two of you. I've never seen Damien so distracted until you came along." Vesna sighs as she sits on Isabelle's other side. "You were different though. You've always pushed him away. I couldn't tell if I just looked at you."

Isabelle snorted. "I don't know what's wrong with that idiot's head. No matter what I do, he keeps coming back."

"Honestly, I never suspected a single thing till Damien started crying. That's when I realised that the relationship between you two might be more than what meets the eye." I confessed.

"He cried?" Isabelle let out a disbelieved huff and an eyeroll.

"So what now?" I asked them, changing the topic. I don't want Isabelle to think about Damien crying. "We need to go for the meeting and this... disagreement between the both of you, will it affect the mission?" The words of the faerie queen is far back in my mind now. If Isabelle isn't going, maybe I might stay back with her after all.

"What else? We just carry on with life." Isabelle sighs and runs a hand through her tangled black curls, attempting to comb it. She gave up after the third attempt.

"I have an idea." Vesna announced with a determined glint in her eyes much to our amusement. "Nuh uh. Before you refuse. Listen. The Royale Lè isn't some place anyone can enter any time they like. It's reserved for the VVIP and there are dress codes to follow. Formal attire is needed and that is how we are going to get you sorted out."

"But..." Isabelle protests.

"Girl, if I can't put you out there then I won't call myself Vee. I'm willing to gamble my singer's reputation for this." Vesna huffed. "We will doll ourselves up and have a grand time. Girls can have some fun and boys can excuse themselves."

Isabelle sighs. "I'm not in the mood for dressing up Ves, but I have to admit your idea sounds great. Just leave me out of it please."

"Stay here. I will be right back." Vesna disappeared out of the door leaving me and Isabelle alone.

"Stars. Where else can I go?" Isabelle rubs her temple before closing her eyes tiredly.

Minutes later Vesna appeared with an mountain of shiny silky material in her arms. Don't ask me how she balanced all that with those petite arms. She dumped it onto the bed like they are her trophies. "Alright. Take your pick. These are all my favourites."

"You guys pick. I'm too lazy to move." Isabelle says as she plops face down on the pillow and stays there unmoving as the bed bounces slightly.

Vesna glared at me and I shot her a look. "What?" I said.

"Help me. Let's get her dolled up and show Damien that he's messing with the wrong girl." She whispered and motioned her chin towards Isabelle's unmoving body.

"Okay. You take her upper torso and I take the legs." I said as I grabbed Isabelle's ankles. No way am I going to tell Vesna that it was technically my fault that she's in this situation. Isabelle didn't even resist as we held her. I faintly hear her mumble about something to do with sleep and idiot. Vesna nodded as she put her hands under Isabelle's arms. "On the count of three. 1, 2, 3!" Together we lifted her and carried her over to the dressing table, despite her shrieks.

Once seated, Isabelle looked blankly at the mirror. "Let's start with her face." Vesna declares as she begins to scrub away the streaks of mascara and reapplying her makeup. Isabelle held still as Vesna tended to her face, she's too tired to argue anymore.

"You settle her outfit." Vesna ordered me. "Choose something revealing and not too revealing at the same time. Something cute that screams revenge and regret." She began to list what sort of dress I should pick for Isabelle.

For one second, I almost told her to go pick the dress herself since she's being so pushy, but I swallowed it down. For Isabelle's happiness, I am willing to find her an outfit that will make guys swoon all over her. Damien is going to regret it. I'm sorry Damien, but girl's code over idols.

***

Isabelle stood in front of the mirror in a gothic baby doll dress. The sleeves are long and the neckline covers her neck, an illusion of modesty. The dress stops in a sweetheart neckline and is made of black lace at the top that showed her skin. Black translucent lace torned at the hem, falls naturally down to cover her bare thighs. In actuality, the silk skirt is really short, barely covering her behind. If Isabelle made a spin, I'm sure the guys will have an ample view of her supple bottom. But the piece is beautiful, a vintage collection with lace.

"Now all you have to do is smile." Vesna says as she stared into the mirror. Isabelle attempts to lift a corner of her lips but it turns out more like a sad rendition instead. "Okay never mind. Just do your thing. The ice princess thing you always throw at us."

I shook my head and threw a piece of a scanty red lingerie at Vesna. "Vesna. What's this doing here?"

Vesna looked at me and glared as she gently picked it up. I noted the hint of a blush from her caramel skin tone. If her skin tone was a shade lighter, it would have been more obvious and I could tease her about it.

"A girl's got to have her weapons and treasures ready." Vesna says as she tucked the lacey thing under the pile of dresses, hiding it. I only covered my mouth to stifle my smile. "By the way Gabe, do you have a dress? If you need one you can always borrow from either me or Isabelle. I'm sure the ice princess wouldn't mind." Isabelle said nothing as she returned to her perch on the bed.

"I'll be alright. I think you should worry about yours first. There's only about an hour and a half until we leave and you still haven't even done your makeup." I pointed out. "Based on what I know, it probably takes at least 30 minutes."

Vesna stared at me in surprise. Even Isabelle looked at me with some hint of an emotion. "You've never used makeup before?" Vesna asked me incredulously.

"Yeah. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to search for my dress." I headed for the door.

"Is there a reason why?" Vesna says stopping me. There isn't a trace of mockery in her tone and I was really grateful. "I'm allergic to most cosmetics. That I gave up searching for one. It was pretty scary." I shrugged.

Vesna and Isabelle gave me a look full of understanding. "Yes. We've both been there before. But the HQ has a special research developing cosmetic products for its agents. The products are hypoallergenic and tested friendly on fae skin." Isabelle assured. "Tell you what, let me do your makeup. Isabelle Ytger's never-seen-before free makeup session, excusive to only a few." She sighed as she stretched. "It's time I do something in return for the both of you."

I grinned as I left to get my dove grey tulle dress.

It was as lovely as I remembered and this time I put on the gauzy extensions, hooking it on to my waist. It falls below my knees on one side of my dress. A simple addition that is glamorous without being ostentatious. As I padded back into Isabelle's room, I realised why Damien and the guys haven't yet approached us. Somehow, Vesna had locked the adjacent door between our dorms to give Isabelle space.

Vesna was already in her scarlet dress, low cut that shows her assets without revealing too much to make others feel uncomfortable. I watched as her skirts shifted to reveal her lean olive legs. The two of them looked at me as I entered and eyed my dress approvingly.

"Sit here." Isabelle commands. She pointed to the seat before the vanity table. Trusting her, I closed my eyes as she began to powder my face. "So where did you buy your dress?"

"Erm...a small boutique in the shopping district owned by a french lady. If I remember correctly, her name is...Stella and her shop is called Stella's." I shrugged.

"Cool. Imma check it out." Isabelle hums as she works on my face, and then my lips. Lastly, she did my eyes and my brows. "Okay done ~" She announced. "Next customer please."

I opened my eyes to look at how different I look now. Isabelle has drawn a rim of black eyeliner on my eyes, making them look bigger. The glittery powder she put on my face serves to enhance my gold eyes. "Your eyes are beautiful. Stop trying to hide them." She said as she fussed with my hair.

Vesna rolled her eyes, but grinned as she took my place when I stood up once Isabelle was done. I watched in fascination as Isabelle drew Vesna's lips expertly and Vesna did her own eyes. They worked in tandem to speed up the entire process.

Soon we were all making our way out of school. The walk was full of silence. Tension hangs between Damien and Isabelle, and she ignored him throughout the whole walk.

"This way." Damien spoke. The only words uttered since we left the dorm. We followed him as he stepped into the spot I frequent at the Garden of Sins. I watched in awe as he lifted the viney curtains to the side to reveal a gap in one of the walls. I had always thought that the walls were there to prevent others from venturing too far into the forest. It seems I was far from right.

The path leads into darkness and Damien steps forward before getting swallowed by it.