Starlit Fantasies

What happends when he's your prince charming, but you're not his cinderella?

I woke with a start as my chamber maid knocks on the door. "Ms. Aadya, it's time to wake up. You need to prepare for the anual outing today." I sat up and ran a hand through my thick black hair. That's right. I'm eighteen today. The ball starts in a couple of hours. I have to get ready.

I kicked my feet out and jumped playfully to the floor. "I'm up! Be sure to have breakfast ready when I come down!"

"Yes Ms. Aadya." She said as she left the door and headed toward the kitchen to prepare my morning tea and eggs. I walked over to my dresser and picked out a couple different dresses to choose from. Choice number one, a light blue dress with glitter lining the outstretched patterns of swirles around the chest. Choice number two, the deep scarlet red, sleevless, knee high, skintight dress my mother had bought me before she had died. Or choice number three, the purple hand-me-down my sister gave to me last year, with silk threads, shiny stones sewn into the breasts and down the sleeves. Obviously I am not wearing something my dreaded sister gave me, so that leaves two options. Either the blue dress or mom's dress. I stared down at my two choices for almost five minutes. Finally I decided that mom would have wanted to be here for me today, so I can still have her here in a scence with the red dress. I mean she did buy it specifically for today. I slid gently into the dress and it fit perfectly, matching and molding to my every curve. I quickly brushed my hair and slipped out the door, heading dow to the dining hall.

The table was set and My tea was hot. The eggs that were so delicatly prepared for me were delicious. As I sat there eating my mind drifted to the near future. What will this ball be like? Will it be fun? Will it be like all those stuck up rich folks events I am made to attend each year? Will someone ask me to dance? I jumped; startled at my dads voice suddenly interrupting my train of thought. "Good morning Aadya. I assume you slept well?"

"You assume correct father. I stelp like a baby." My dad bursted out laughing as he sat down across the table from me. "Man, I think I really sounded like Mrs. green for a second!" I started laughing uncontrollably with him.

"Yeah, you really did sound like there was a stick up your butt!" To this we choked on our own breath as we laughed , my tea almost spilling out my nose. When we finally calmed down dad stood and walk over to my side of the table and hugged me in a tight embrace. "Happy birthday Aadya!"

"Thanks dad!" I replied as I squeezed him back. "I just wish mom was here for today." Dad's expression went somber for a second, but quickly switched to a soft smile as he looked me up and down.

"You look just like her. Perfect in every way. There is no doupt that every man in the ballroom will fight for your attention." I smiled at my father in return for his praise. Oh father. You have no idea how much I wish that could be true! Dad shifted on his feet and pulled out a silver box from his pocket. He put his hand out for me to take it. "You're already wearing mom's present, so how about you wear mine too." I took the little box from his hand and gently opened it, and was shocked breathless at it's beauty! Inside the box was a silver chain that led down to the most beautiful pendant I have ever seen. It was a silver moon, with scarlet red gems lining the outside of a wolf. the wolf had rich golden eyes, and black fur.

"Oh! Dad this is beautiful!" He smiled into my eyes as I set it back into his hand. "Will you help me put it on?"

"It would be my honor." The chan was cold as it settled into the curve of my neck, setting just below my throat. I looked at dad with tear-filled eyes as he stares back into mine. He lifts his hand, gently wiping my eyes clear of the forming tears. "Don't cry today. It's too great of a day to wash away with tears."

"Okay dad, well I am going to see what Elise is up too." I smiled at him and and then left the room.

As I walked down the street many people stared at me. My hair was in a simple braid, and I was still wearing mom's dress. I kept my eyes on the ground, being sure not to look up at people. I have always been judged by the color of my eyes, though I don't think having red eyes is such a bad thing. I mean, It's not like I would jump into the middle of a crowd and start biting people for fun. My eyes don't define me. I am not even into senceless violence!

As I arrived at the cafe, I looked up to see my best friend standing at our usual meeting area. The booth in the very back of the cafe, almost completely out of veiw from anyone who might look our way. I quickly walked to the booth and sat across from Elise. I put a smile on my face to mask the dread in my voice as I greeted her. "Hello stranger!" She looked up from the book she was reading, as if she just noticed I was here.

"Hey Aadya. I can't believe you are finally an adult!" She smiled at me as she set her book down and waved the waitor over. She wispered something into his ear that I couldn't quite hear, then waved him off. He grinned back at her as he walked away. Elise was like a goddess compared to me. her long blonde hair reached down to her waist, and her long eyelashes could make any soul jealous. Yes she wore glasses, but they only seemed to enhance her beauty. Suddenly the lights in the cafe blank 'off' then 'on' and there was a whole crowd around us. Elise jumped in front and faced me head on yelling "HAPPY BIRTHDAY AADYA!!!" Behind her, the whole crowd echoed her exitement and happiness. And that was the last straw. I looked into Elise's deep blue eyes and the tears started to swell up in my eyes.

"OH MY GOD ELISE!" I said as the tears spilled over. I jumped to my feet and pulled her into a tight hug. I held her by her arms and looked back into her eyes. "You know I love you right?"

"No homo, right?"

"Of cource! I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be playing for your team anytime soon. Though, I will still happily cheer you on from the sidelines." I squeezed her shoulder as I smiled at the group behind her. "Thank you guys. It means a lot to me that you all did this!" My mouth fell to the floor as the waitor Elise had whispered to earlier came out of the kitchen pushing a cart. The most delicious smell arose from the ginormic four layered cake that sat in the middle of a platter the size of a small table. It was beautiful with the amazing colors of the sunset, the picture of a human, hand outstretched toward a wolf, and the full moon behind them. As I took a closer look at the woman in the picture, my heart dropped. It was my mother.

"I thought that you might want to see her one more time." I looked to Elise, my eyes already puffy and red, feeling the sting of fresh tears come back to me.

"Oh Elise....!" I hugged her once more, then we partied the day away until it was finally time to get back home and replenish myself for this evening.