“Congrats.” Marcus was sitting at my desk. The smile he had showed the dimples he hated. Not that I would complain, most of us girls had fawned over him and that smile. He wasn’t a sportsman during school, but he could’ve easily passed as a runner, tall, tanned, and fit. The blonde hair and blue eyes he sported made any girl he looked at swoon. Meg and I kept a safe distance, but we were more makeshift bodyguards come a school dance. Not that we minded.
Staring at my envelope, I held back my own excitement. “Thanks!” The letter arrived yesterday, but because of chores, I couldn’t tell them until today. “You know I’m breaking a rule telling you guys, so don’t share.” I begged. One of the rules about getting a Shadow is to be quiet about it, the less shared, the better. Sitting on my bed, I smiled wide at Meg. “So, what about the party tonight?”
This time, her eyes shone with excitement. “Right! I’m helping you with your outfit. Marc, you’ll meet us outside around seven?”
Stretching back into the chair, Marcus grinned. “Yep.” His eyes found me. “But first, Mila, quick question.”
“Ok, shoot.”
“When you get your Shadow, are you going to show it to us?”
Frowning, I didn’t know the rules about that. “I don’t know. If I can, I will, but no promises. From what I understand, being a Charge is kinda complicated.”
Marcus nodded, accepting my answer. “Well, you girls have fun.” Standing, he made his way to the door. “See ya at seven!” Then he left.
Meg went straight for my closet. “You do realize that it’s only noon, right?”
“Yes, but I’d rather get your outfit done now,” she pulled out a top to inspect it, “so we can just chill later. What possessed you to buy this?” Holding the shirt toward me, I held back a laugh. It was white, but had a tiger’s face on it.
“You did, three years ago.”
“And you still have it? Never get animal faces on anything, ever. Got it?”
I held my hands up in surrender. “Got it. Don’t follow your advice when it comes to buying my outfits because you’ll throw them out later.”
“Not all of them!” Meg beamed when she pulled out a sparkling dark blue tank top. “This one was genius! You’re wearing it.” Throwing it at me, I was almost hit by the hanger. “And maybe a tight pair of skinny jeans or a skirt?”
“It’ll be freezing tonight!”
“It won’t be that cold. We don’t live in Acen, cold spring isn’t one of our worries.”
“Jeans please…” I fell back on my bed, staring at the white fan going in slow circles above us. Lucky for us that Tolian wasn’t too far north. Snow only fell in December and January while the same was true for the warmer months. The temperature was actually quite decent for most of the year. Acen was definitely a winter territory. Deptherian was near an ocean. If I could visit the other territories, I’d pick Deptherian because of its rumored beauty. Each territory has its geographical benefits; Acen had mountains, Deptherian for its ocean and beaches, and Tolian was known for its rivers. What I really want is to travel and experience all I could. What wonders are there outside of Tolian’s walls?
“Mila!”
“What?” I jumped up, staring at Meg.
“Daydreaming again?”
“Sorta.”
Meg rolled her eyes. “When don’t you daydream? At least listen to me when I ask you something.”
“Sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked if you’d wear these tonight?” She held up a sliver pair of gladiator heels. Considering the other options buried in the back of my closet, I liked those. Nodding, I smiled. “Perfect. Here.” Tossing them at me, Meg turned toward my dresser. “You said jeans? Dark blue or black?”
“Your pick.”
“Your clothes. I think I can dress you up as a clown and you’ll still wear it.”
Swinging my legs up then back down, I stood. “True. Since it’s a blue top, black jeans.” Meg nodded before rummaging through my dresser. Pulling out two pairs, I could see the wheels turning as she debated on holey jeans or a nice black pair. Then the nicer pair flew to my bed. Decision made. All I had to do now was change and do my own makeup; I was picky when it came to other people touching my face. The next few hours, Meg and I laughed and joked about everything. There was a guy who worked at a mechanics shop near her house who she said was absolutely adorable when he help fix her bike last week. With us being twenty and he twenty-four, I think she was pushing it on the age limit but I knew I couldn’t stop her as long as she didn’t do anything stupid.
Come seven, Marcus was outside my door with his motorbike. Pulling mine out of the garage, I heard Meg laughing at something Marcus has said. “What?”
Marcus was terrible at trying to hide his grin. “Nothing. You know your hair is going to get messed up when you put your helmet on.”
“It won’t be that bad. Besides, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
Meg rolled her eyes before taking Marcus’s spare helmet. “Sometimes I think you have too much of your father in you.” I frowned at her. “It’s both a good and annoying thing.”
Marcus shrugged. “Either way, let’s go.” He hopped on his bike and kicked it into gear with Meg jumping on behind him. “You both look good, by the way.” I hid my smile behind my visor then turned on my bike and followed him when he pulled out of my driveway. The ride to downtown wasn’t that bad. Riding my bike was peaceful, a way to block out the world and focus on the road. It was a gift from my parents when I graduated and from the amount that I used it, it is well worth it. Nearing a warehouse, we slowed. I’ve only been here twice before but the club was well known. Darkside got its name for the darker interior but it was the lighting that made it; color-changing lights shone up black walls and the laser show on the dance floor was epic with the smoke machine adding an eerie effect. It was cool in a dark way. Meg had been talking about this party for the past week. From the music and cheering I’m hearing outside, the inside must be bursting at the seams. Meg grabbed my arm and dragged me past the security guard. I gave him a quick smile as we passed.
Once inside, Meg yelled at me over the music. “Did you see them?”
“See you?” I started scanning the crowd.
“Duh, the Shades! That’s them, in the far corner!” I followed her finger. Sure enough, there were three Shades on the opposite side of the dance floor. Not even here for a minute and Meg found them. “Oh my god!” Her grip on my arm tightened, painfully. “There’s two more at the bar!”
“Meg! Let me go, please. I’d like to keep my arm.”
“Oh,” her fingers released their death grip. “Sorry.”
“Miss anything?”
I smiled up at Marcus. “Just Meg going gah-gah for Shades and nearly ripping my arm off, so not much really.”
Meg rolled her eyes. “You have no sense of adventure.” I heard Marcus chuckle. “Well, I’m off. Adventure is calling me.” Meg winked at us before disappearing into the crowd.
“Well, so much for our host.”
Marcus threw his arm over my shoulders. “Not like she planned that party. So let’s make the best of it. Care to dance?” Taking his arm off, I held his hand and dragged him toward the dance floor. We let the music take us from there. The upbeat tempo and energy crackled through the air. My arms flew up when there was a sudden spike in the music’s speed. Marcus and I stayed close. As much as I liked dancing alone in my room, in a crowd was a different story. It felt uncomfortable have this many strange people around me. My dad had told me for years to watch out for strangers and if I saw anyone suspicious that I was turn and run. For as long as I could remember, he has been the enforcer when it came to safety and security. Guess some of his paranoia rubbed off on me. Therefore, when Meg insisted on going to a club, Marcus was always willing to stay close to me. He helped me feel safer that way. Ironic considering I befriended a typhoon. As the music slowed, I glanced around, unable to see an easy escape off the dance floor. Marcus held my hand. My fingers tightened around his as I felt someone bump into my back. Understanding my message, Marcus led the way, quickly reaching the edge of the crowd and to the bar. “Two waters!” The bartender nodded and slid us two glasses.
“Thanks.”
I sipped at my drink and scanned the crowd, searching for Meg. Finding her in the corner, I was surprised that the Shade was humoring her with conversation. Nudging Marcus, he found where my attention was fixed. “Only she could get them to talk.” Meg seemed to know I was staring at her since she looked my way and waved me over. “Looks like your turn to meet one.”
Sighing, I gripped my glass. “Do I really have to?”
“I’ll go with you. If you don’t go now, you know she’s going to come get you herself.”
“True.” Taking a few big gulps of water, I hopped off the barstool and made my way over.
Meg was beaming like a little girl on her birthday and the Shade leaning against the wall beside her looked bored. I smiled slightly. If I had to guess, the Shade was only answering small questions and keeping Meg from the others. The sacrificial lamb of the Shade group. I kind of felt a bit sorry for him. Running his hand through his brown hair, he looked at me with his green eyes. I tried focusing on his eyes and not the metal. “Mila, I bet.” I nodded. “This one has been running on about you.” His head tilted toward Meg.
“All good I hope.” I rubbed my arm, embarrassed that Meg was talking to a Shade about me.
He shrugged. “I’d say it was. Congratulations on qualifying for a Shadow.”
My eyes widened so much it hurt. “Meg!”
“What?” She raised her hands. “Who is he gonna tell?” The Shade rolled his eyes. My hands covered my face in embarrassment.
“Meg,” Marcus leaned closer to her. “What part of ‘don’t tell anyone’ didn’t you understand?”
“Relax. I didn’t announce it to the world.”
I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw it attached to the Shade’s arm. “Relax. I’ll keep quiet. I’m a bit more reliable than your friend here.”
“Hey!” Meg pouted at him.
“I hope so.” My eyes fell to the floor. “Hey!” Meg’s frown was leveled on me and I was rubbing the spot on my arm were she punched me. Well, not a hard-hitting punch, more of an attention grabbing hit. “Keep your mouth shut when I ask you too.”
“Fine.” Her smile turned toward the Shade. “So, did you want to go get a drink?”
The Shade crossed his arms, his eyes travelling behind me. “I would, but the others are here.” I turned to see the three Meg had first spotted when we walked in. There was a girl with really long black hair tied in a high ponytail with bright blue eyes. She was wearing a tight black tank top and black skinny jeans. Girl rocked the outfit. The other two both wore jeans but the brown haired one had a dark red t-shirt. However, the other guy had a grey button-down shirt and the brightest blonde hair I had ever seen. It was probably closer to white than blonde. When they stopped, I stared at his gorgeous dark blue eyes.
The girl forced a smile after looking at all of us. “Hi.”
Blinking, I realized that she was talking to me. The one I was staring at rose an eyebrow while the other clapped hands with the Shade I was talking to. “Um, hi.” I smiled at her. “I’m Mila, nice to meet you.”
She nodded slightly before leaning over and whispering to the super blonde Shade’s ear. His brow furrowed slightly. It was creepy that their expressions moved so little. The girl then held her hand out to me, “Nice to meet you Mila, I’m Emily.” I took her hand. She told me her name, freely. This was a first, for me anyway. I haven’t met a Shade that gave their name without being asked. My smile this time was genuine. “And this is Scott.” Her thumb pointed to the Shade next to her. The blonde looked toward the crowd. Clearly, he was uninterested in us. Emily looked behind me. “Ready to go, Matthew?”
So, the name of the first Shade is Matthew. He shifted away from Meg, who had her hand on his arm. I saw her lower lip pout. She didn’t want him to leave. “Yes.”
Emily smiled at me as the boys walked past her. “I hope we meet again. Preferably some place less crowded.” I smiled and nodded. A Shade after my own heart. I liked her already.
“I hope so too.” A quick nod and she turned to join the others. “That was fun.” I turned to face Meg, proud that I held my own and said hello to not one, but two Shades. She didn’t look happy. “What now?”
“What’s with her? When she showed up, Matt lost all interest in me.”
I traded a look with Marcus. We were both far more amused than we should’ve been. “He’s a Shade, Meg. Don’t take it personally. They don’t socialize much with us.”
“Yeah, well, that one didn’t run away.”
“Whatever, forget about it. We’re at the party you dragged us too. Let’s dance!” Meg cheered up instantly at Marcus’ suggestion.
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