A Unique Kind of Love (13 page)

"How is it possible that everything fits me perfectly?" I asked, intrigued.

"Well, dear,” answered Susie, “We have a new member in the staff and she'd been working on this masterpiece, day and night."

"Who?" I asked, her answer only making me more confused.

As soon as the words left my mouth, it clicked in my head. I felt shock and gratitude all over me. Susie smiled and nodded, confirming my unspoken revelation.

"I knew all that hard work would've never gone to waste. I was designing that dress for a special occasion, and there you are, looking so beautiful."

I turned toward the voice and saw the face of ‘the new staff member’ shine with pride. I felt my eyes prickle with tears. I ran into her arms and muttered: "Thank you, thank you, thank you."  My mother cupped my face in her hands and smiled.

Being herself, Tori wrapped her arms around both of us. We laughed, and I felt my face get wet with tears.

"Family love! Oh my god, Lena! You're not supposed to cry!” complained Tori. “We still have 6 hours before the dance. How about we go to Starbucks and act all family-cute over there?"

I looked back and forth at Tori and my amazing mother.

It’s been a long time since I last felt like a little bear, sheltered and protected by the most extraordinary people in the world.

14

Feeling like Love

“You can’t blame gravity for falling in love.”

~Albert Einstein~

Lena Rose Winter

"Bloody hell, time passes by!” exclaimed Tori while examining me. “We have 3 hours to get you ready."

"Yes. We have three hours to make her look like a princess,” agreed Mom. “
Liam
's princess," she added, making a blush rise on my cheeks.

"Oh, come on! I just need a little makeup, my hair down and my dress on!” I protested. “That doesn't take three freaking hours!"

"Tut, tut. You're pretty, but we need to make you look like the most beautiful girl at the dance," shushed my mother.

I huffed and crossed my arms together.

Are you confused? Let me clear that up. I was sitting on a chair, back directed towards a big mirror. My dear mother and sister were examining every inch of my face. They insisted on making my final look a surprise - to
me.
Apparently, I had no right to look at my reflection until the very end of their work.

"We'll start with makeup," declared Tori, taking her kit. My mom agreed.

I sighed. This was going to be the longest three hours of my life.

♥♥♥♥♥

After two hours and forty-five minutes of pampering, Tori and Mom smirked with pride.

"So? How do I look?" I asked nervously. Tori smiled.
Oh come on! Just reassure me, for God's sake!

"Stand up, and take a look at our marvelous work," ordered Mom. I stood up, and finally turned to face the mirror.

There stood a brunette with an indescribable beauty. Her hair was a rich shade of chestnut brown. It flowed in waves to adorn her glowing, olive skin. Her eyes, framed by long lashes and eyeliner, were popping out in a bright, chestnut color. I saw a gleam of excitement and bewilderment in them. Her cheeks were tainted by a dark color of red. Her full lips made the stranger look mature, as they were curved into a smile. That wasn't all. The dress she was wearing fit her like a second skin, but in an elegant way.

"W-Who is this?" I managed to say, and strangely enough, the lips in the mirror reflected my action.

Tori and Mom smiled, and my sister put a hand on my shoulder.

"You," revealed Tori, nodding in my direction.

I felt myself slowly recover from the shock I was in and my eyes widened.

The alien in the mirror was me. Me?

Yes, me, idiot
.

Shut up, me.

Well, we look beautiful and I don't feel like fighting with me right now.

I looked like a princess and I felt like one.

I grinned, then gave my family a bone-crushing hug. I was Mama Bear right now. A very happy one.

"L-Lena, I need to b-breathe," stuttered Mom. I immediately let go and broadly smiled at them.

Their smiles widened. "You two are officially my favorite people in the whole world," I declared.

"Tut, tut. We know we're great, but everyone knows Mr. Prince Charming is on top of your list," teased Tori, winking at me.

I felt my face get hot, but I was determined to defend myself.

"Who are you talking about?" I asked, eyebrows raising. Tori chuckled.

"Oh, I think you know exactly who I'm talking about."

I sent my mom a look, signaling for her to help me out.

"Hush, Tori, don't embarrass her," said Mom, slapping Tori’s shoulder lightly.  I thanked her with my eyes.

"But, I have to admit. You two are perfect together," shrugged my mother, making me take back the gratefulness I felt.

My mouth fell open and I glared at her. Tori grinned, feeling successful.

"Liam and Lena sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a Leniam baby, in a baby carriage," sang Tori, dancing a little while she was at it.

A poking war began. My revenge commenced by directly poking my finger on her belly button. Tori shrieked.

As soon as I started, Tori's cries, giggles and screams filled the room.

"Girls!" yelled Mom, breaking us apart.

I stuck my tongue out at Tori.

She blew a raspberry tongue at me.

"Grow up! Now, it's 6 o'clock and Liam should be here any minute, so behave yourselves," reminded my mom.

Oh.

My.

God.

He's coming.

He might be on his way, he might even be in front of the doorstep.

Mom went downstairs, leaving me with Tori. She eyed me with a playful look. Frankly, she looked quite comic, wearing her Tweety pajamas.

"Oh, stop it! I'm just really nervous okay!" I cried out.

She commanded, "Lena, breathe."

I let the air flow deeply through my lungs, and indeed, I felt more relaxed. I opened my eyes, which I'd closed, then faced Tori.

She smiled, as if she knew something I didn’t. “Bear, why do I feel like this?" I whined.

"Now, the answer to this question is really simple. But I'll leave it to you. Figure it out," said Tori, just as the bell rang.

Deep breaths.

He's here.

"Go, your prince wants you," urged Tori, nodding towards the door. I frantically grasped her arm, refusing to let go. She shook off my grip and pushed me away. I put on a coat, as it was freezing outside.

What if I pretended that I was really sick? Liam's really kind, he wouldn't mind.

"LENA ROSE WINTER, GET DOWN HERE, LIAM HAS ARRIVED," shouted my mom loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.

Damn it.

I blew Tori a kiss as she whispered "Good luck."

My heels made a "click" noise on the stairs. My legs were shaking, my palms were sweating and I felt slightly dizzy. As the staircase was on the side of the door, I'd probably see Liam right away. My eyes were glued down on the stairs as I made my way down. I was afraid I'd fall.

As I stepped on the landing, I finally looked up.

Oh, how I wished I hadn't.

His hair was messy, yet perfectly falling in his eyes. The blue gems danced and twinkled in amusement, happiness and shock. He was dressed in a black tuxedo and a white shirt perfectly tucked into his pants. His hands held a bouquet of a dozen roses.

I felt woozy, just looking at him. His mouth fell when he saw me and he gaped for about 10 seconds. When I was done checking him out, my eyes met his. Liam cleared his throat and smiled at me. It was contagious.

"
Utterly beautiful
," he mouthed to himself, I think. I bit my lip and felt a blush rise on my cheeks. I'd momentarily forgotten my mom was still standing here. She eyed us with joy and mischievousness.

"Liam, bring her back by 11. Have fun kids," winked Mom and left us alone.

I looked at Liam through my eyelashes and saw him intently staring at me. He took the notepad and pen he always kept in his left pocket, then scribbled something down and showed it to me.

"I always believed that angels didn't exist on Earth, but you proved me wrong. You look quite perfect, as always."

Maybe it was how cheesy that line seemed, or how nervous I was, but I started uncontrollably laughing and giggling.

Liam looked at me as if I were a Martian.

"Don't look at me like that! You know why I was laughing, this line is just so cheesy!" I exclaimed, still laughing my butt off.

Surprisingly, his shoulders slumped and his expression fell. His eyes read, "I really meant that." Guilt washed over me and I immediately put my arms around him.

"I'm so so so sorry, Liam! I didn't think, I-just-" I blabbered, to be cut off by Liam's hands lifting my chin up. His expression softened and his eyes took my breath away. I could feel his hot breath.

"It's okay
," moved his full, red lips.

I nodded, speechless. The way he was looking at me made me melt like ice cream exposed to 500-degree weather. If it wasn't for his hand firmly, but softly, holding my waist, I was pretty sure my wobbly legs would abandon me.

Liam released his grip and opened the door. He slightly bowed down and offered his arm to me.

He asked, lips tracing the words,
"Shall we?"
 

I felt a surge of adrenaline pulse through my veins. I shot him a small smile and nodded.

"We shall," I replied, taking his arm.

There was a fine layer of snow outside. And with fine, I meant huge. Little snowflakes fell, twinkling in the moonlight. Sure, it was only 6, but the sun went down early in winter, here.

We headed for his black Mercedes. He opened the passenger door in a gentlemanly way.

My cheeks already hurt so much from smiling.

♥♥♥♥♥

Liam and I stepped into the gym, which had gotten a very successful makeover. There were huge snowflakes
"floating"
in the air. The floor had been covered by fake snow and the air just twinkled.

Apparently, we'd been the last to arrive, because everyone turned to look at us. Gasps could be heard. Girls shot Liam and me a jealous glare and boys groaned. I was still clutching the bouquet with my right hand and on Liam's arm with the other.

Tired of their stares, I yelled, "Nothing to look at here! Back to your onions." They did exactly as demanded. I was almost certain that everyone had heard about my little fights with Jonah.