Halo

25 Substitute

“Excellent!” said Jake when I told him the news. “We’re going to make a stunning couple.”

“Mmm.” I nodded.

There was still a nagging doubt at the back of my mind, a feeling of foreboding that caused a slight shiver to run down my spine. When I was lying safe in Xavier’s arms, the idea hadn’t seemed so bad, but in the cold light of day I was beginning to regret my decision. I couldn’t explain my uneasiness, so I chose to ignore it. Besides, I couldn’t back out now and disappoint Jake.

“You won’t regret this,” he said in a silky voice, as if reading my thoughts. “I’ll show you a good time. Shall I pick you up at seven?”

I hesitated a moment before answering. “Make it seven thirty.”

Molly’s jaw dropped in disbelief when she heard about the change of plans.

“What is it with you?” she said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “You’re just a magnet for the hottest guys in school. I can’t believe you were going to turn him down.”

“He’s not Xavier,” I said sulkily. “It won’t be the same.”

I knew I was starting to sound like a broken record, but my disappointment was overwhelming.

“But Jake’s not a bad substitute!”

I gave Molly a stern look and she sighed.

“I suppose he’ll just have to do,” she amended. “You’ll have to suffer in silence with your male model… I feel for you.”

“Oh, stop it, Molly.”

“Seriously, Beth, Jake’s a great guy. Half the girls at school have fallen in love with him. He’s giving Xavier a run for his money.”

I snorted.

“All right, I know no one can measure up to Xavier Woods in your eyes, but he’d be upset if he thought you weren’t going to enjoy yourself.”

I didn’t try to argue with that.

Knowing that prom fever would hit and hardly anyone in the senior year would turn up for classes, the school had given us Friday afternoon off to get ready. Naturally, nobody could focus on work during the morning and most of the teachers didn’t even bother trying to be heard over the excited chatter that flew around the classrooms.

Molly and her friends had been busy the previous night and showed up at school looking like toasted almonds from their spray tans. They had French manicures and fresh highlights in their hair. Taylah’s hair, which couldn’t possibly get any blonder, was starting to look a little talcum powder white.

When the bell rang at eleven o’clock, Molly grabbed my wrist and hauled me out of the classroom. Her pace didn’t slow, nor did she release me until we were safely strapped into the backseat of Taylah’s car. I could tell from the expressions on their faces that they meant business.

“First stop, makeup,” Molly said in her best commando voice. She stuck her head between the two front seats. “Let’s roll!”

We drove down to Main Street and pulled up in front of Swan Aesthetics, one of the two local beauticians. The shop smelled of vanilla, and mirrors lined the walls along with displays of the latest beauty products. The owners had opted for a bohemian, back-to-nature feel, and there were beads hanging from the doorways, incense burning in little jeweled holders, and the calming sounds of a rain forest filtered from hidden speakers. In the waiting room were bright floor cushions and bowls filled with potpourri. Herbal teas were available from urns set on a low table.

The girls who greeted us didn’t look at all in touch with the natural world, with their platinum blond hair, tight T-shirts, and theatrical makeup. Molly seemed to be on very friendly terms with them, and they embraced her warmly when we went in. She introduced them as Melinda and Mara.

“Tonight’s the night!” they crooned. “Are you pumped or what? Okay, girls, let’s get started so the makeup will have a chance to settle.”

They seated us in high swivel chairs facing a wall of mirrors. I hoped their own makeup wasn’t an indication of how we’d look once they were through with us.

“I want a baby-doll look,” purred Taylah. “Sparkly eye shadow, pale pink lips…”

“I want classic sixties Catwoman. Lots of eyeliner and definitely fake lashes,” Hayley announced.

“I want to look soft and smoky,” said Molly.

“I just want to look like I’m not wearing makeup,” I said when it came to my turn.

“Believe me, you don’t need any,” said Melinda, studying my skin.

I listened, trying not to wriggle in my seat, as the girls explained the beauty treatments for the afternoon. To me, it didn’t even sound as though they were speaking English.

“First, we’ll just strip your skin of any impurities, using an herbal mask and mild exfoliant,” explained Mara. “Then pop on a layer of primer, use a formula-one ivory concealer stick to get rid of any spots or blemishes, and then apply base foundation with either a yellow or pink tone to match your own coloring. Then we’ll talk blush, eyeshadow, lashes, and gloss!”

“You don’t seem to have any blemishes or uneven skin tone,” Melinda said to me. “What products are you using?”

“None really,” I said. “I usually just wash my face at night.”

Melinda rolled her eyes.

“Top secret, is it?”

“No, really, I don’t use skin-care products.”

“Whatever, suit yourself.”

“It’s true, Mel,” said Molly. “Beth’s family probably doesn’t even believe in beauty products. They’re kind of like the Amish.”

“I guess reading the Good Book works miracles on your skin,” muttered Melinda.

Although Melinda didn’t seem to warm to me, I had to admit she knew what she was doing when it came to makeup. When she showed me the finished result in the mirror, I was rendered speechless. For the first time there was color in my face and my cheeks glowed a pale rosy pink. My lips looked full and red, if a little too glossy. My eyes were huge and bright, framed by long delicate lashes, the lids dusted with a fine silver shimmer and the rims outlined by a thin black line. I looked so glamorous I almost didn’t recognize myself. The best part was that I still looked like me. Molly and the others had such thick layers of powder and bronzer, they might have been wearing masks.

From Swan Aesthetics the others went straight to the hairdresser, but I decided to go home and let Ivy deal with the issue of my hair. I was already weary from the first ordeal and didn’t think I could sit through any more grooming rituals. Besides, there was no one I trusted more than Ivy to get it right.

By the time I got home, Gabriel and Ivy were already dressed and ready. Gabriel was sitting at the kitchen table wearing a tux. His blond hair was slicked back, making him look like a cross between dreamy Hollywood actor and eighteenth-century gentleman. Ivy was standing at the sink washing up in a long, emerald-colored gown. Her flowing hair was loosely coiled in a knot at the nape of her neck. It was incongruous to see her looking more like a mirage than a human being, and wearing a pair of pink rubber gloves. It just went to show how little she cared about physical beauty. She waved at me when I came in, still holding her sponge.

“You look beautiful,” she said. “Shall we go upstairs and get that hair done?”

Ivy helped me into my gown first, smoothing and arranging the fabric so that it sat perfectly. In the dress I resembled a column of shimmering moonlight. My delicate silver slippers peeped out from beneath spools of fabric. My delight showed on my face.

“I’m glad you like it.” My sister beamed. “I know things haven’t gone exactly as you might have liked for tonight. But I still want you to look dazzling and have the time of your life.”

“You’re the best sister anyone could hope for,” I said and hugged her.

“Well, let’s not be hasty.” She laughed. “First, we’d better see what I can do with your hair.”

“Nothing complicated,” I said as she began to free it and shake it loose. “I just want it to… reflect me.”

“Don’t worry.” She patted my head reassuringly. “I know exactly what you mean.”

It didn’t take Ivy’s nimble fingers long to fashion my hair perfectly. It fell in natural waves, and she took two sections from the sides and wound them into braids that joined across the top of my head like a band. The rest she allowed to fall gently down my back. She laced the braids with a string of tiny pearls that complemented my dress wonderfully.

“It’s perfect,” I said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

At six o’clock Xavier arrived to see me in my dress so we could pretend, at least for a little while, that our perfect evening hadn’t been ruined by one ill-timed tackle. I heard him downstairs chatting to Gabriel and instantly felt an armada of butterflies spring up in my stomach. I didn’t know why I was so nervous when being around Xavier usually felt as easy as breathing. I suppose I just wanted to impress him, to reassure myself that he loved me by the look on his face when I came down the stairs.

Ivy squirted me with an atomizer, took my hand, and walked with me to the top of the stairs.

“Will you go first?” I asked, swallowing apprehensively.

“Of course,” she smiled. “But I don’t think it’s me he wants to see.”

I watched Ivy descend gracefully and wondered why I had asked her to go first. Nobody could look elegant next to her — it was an impossible task, and I might as well have conceded defeat immediately. I heard Xavier applaud softly and make complimentary remarks. I knew that Gabriel would have been waiting at the bottom to take her arm. Now it was my turn and my family waited expectantly at the foot of the stairs.

“Coming down, Bethany?” I heard Gabriel ask.

I drew a deep breath and began my shaky descent. What if Xavier didn’t like the dress? What if I stumbled? What if he saw me and realized that I didn’t measure up to the girl he had created in his mind? The thoughts rushed through my brain like small bolts of lightning, but as soon as I rounded the curve in the stairs and saw Xavier standing below, all of my worries and inhibitions slipped away like flour in the wind. His face was turned upward, alight with anticipation. His eyes widened into two vivid pools when he saw me, and his mouth opened slightly in surprise. He was resting against the banister, his left ankle in a brace. He looked dazed, and I wondered if it was me that inspired such a reaction, or just the concussion.

When I reached the bottom, he took my hand and helped me down the last step, never once taking his eyes off me. They traveled over the contours of my face and body, drinking everything in.

“What do you think?” I asked, biting my lip hesitantly.

Xavier opened his mouth, shook his head, and closed it again. His blue eyes gazed at me with an expression even I couldn’t translate.

Ivy laughed. “Xavier, you’re a man of few words.”

“I think it’s more that words have failed me,” Xavier said, seeming to recover somewhat. The corner of his mouth crept up in his familiar half-smile. “They’d only be an understatement. Beth, you look incredible.”

“Thanks,” I murmured. “You don’t have to say that.”

“No, really,” he said. “I can hardly believe that you’re real. I feel like you might disappear if I close my eyes. I wish I could be there with you tonight just to see everyone’s face when you walk through the door.”

“Don’t be silly,” I scolded. “Everyone is going to look amazing.”

“Beth, have you seen yourself?” Xavier said. “You’re radiating light. I’ve never seen anyone look more like… well, like an angel.”

I blushed as he gently fastened a corsage of tiny white rosebuds around my wrist. I wanted to wrap my arms around his waist, wind my fingers into his schoolboy hair, trace the smooth skin of his face, and kiss his perfect, full lips. But I didn’t want to ruin Ivy’s careful work, so instead I leaned forward gingerly and gave him a single kiss.

I felt as though Xavier and I had barely spoken two words to each other when there came a knock at the front door. Gabriel went to answer it and came back with Jake Thorn at his elbow.

I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it, but Gabriel, who had seemed perfectly at ease a moment before, now seemed to be standing straighter. His jaw was clenched, and I could see the veins in his neck throb. Ivy, too, seemed to stiffen when she saw Jake, and her rain gray eyes took on a rare glazed look that meant she was alarmed by something.

Their reactions were disturbing and brought my own doubts about Jake flooding back. I caught Xavier’s eye. Something in his expression told me that the feeling of uneasiness was mutual.

Gabriel placed a hand heavily on my shoulder as he disappeared into the kitchen to get drinks. My siblings were usually wary of strangers; they’d warmed to Xavier and Molly but nobody else. Still, their guardedness toward Jake made me uncomfortable. What could they sense? What had he done in his lifetime to cause angels to flinch at his presence? I knew Ivy and Gabriel would never ruin the night by making a scene, and so I tried to dismiss silly notions from my head and enjoy the evening as best I could. Sensing I was on edge, Xavier stood close to my side, his warm palm pressed against the small of my back in a gesture of support.

Jake, on the other hand, seemed completely unaware of the effect he’d had on us. He wasn’t wearing a tux as I’d expected but fitted black pants and a leather aviator jacket. Trust him, I thought, to choose the unconventional option. It was dramatic though, which was probably why he liked it.

“Good evening all,” Jake said and strolled over to me. “Hello, baby, you look great.”

“Hi, Jake.”

I stepped forward to greet him, and he took my hand, bringing it to his lips. I saw a flicker of something close to anger cross Xavier’s face, but in the next moment it was gone and he stepped forward to shake Jake’s hand.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, but there was a hard edge to his voice.

“Likewise,” Jake replied. “This introduction has been a long time coming.”

Unlike Xavier, Phantom made no effort to be sociable. He sank down on his haunches and gave a guttural growl.

“Hello, boy,” said Jake bending, and proffering his hand.

Phantom sprang up, barking furiously and snapping his teeth. Jake withdrew his hand, and Ivy hauled a reluctant Phantom out of the room by his collar.

“I’m sorry,” I said to Jake. “He’s not usually like this.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he replied, and withdrew a small box from his jacket. “This is for you. I think corsages are a little passé.”

Xavier scowled but refrained from comment.

“Oh, thank you, but you shouldn’t have,” I said, taking the box.

Inside was a pair of fine white-gold hoop earrings. I was a little embarrassed by how expensive they looked.

“It’s nothing,” said Jake, “just a thought.”

Xavier chose this moment to intervene. “Thanks for taking care of Beth tonight,” he cut in with a pleasant voice. “As you can see, I’m a little indisposed.”

“It’s my pleasure to help Bethany out,” Jake replied. As usual, his voice came out sounding affected and a little pretentious. “Sorry to hear about your accident. What a shame for it to happen just before the night of the prom. But don’t worry; I’ll make sure Bethany has a good time. It’s the least a friend can do.”

“Well, as her boyfriend, I would have liked to be there,” Xavier said. “But I’ll make it up to her somehow.”

Now it was Jake’s turn to scowl. Xavier turned his back on him and took my face in his hands, planting a soft kiss on my cheek before wrapping my silver shawl around me.

“Are you all set?” he asked.

In truth, all I wanted to do was stay home and curl up on the sofa with Xavier and completely forget about the prom. I wanted to take off my dress, put on sweatpants, and snuggle up to him where I felt safe. I didn’t want to leave the house, and I certainly didn’t want to leave on the arm of another boy. But I didn’t tell him any of that; I just forced a smile and nodded.

“Take care of her,” Xavier said to Jake. His face was friendly, but there was a note of warning in his voice.

“I won’t let her out of my sight.”

Jake offered me his arm, and we stepped out into the street where a limousine was waiting for us. I saw from Gabriel’s expression that he thought it was excessive. Before I left, Ivy leaned down to fiddle with the strap of my dress. “We’ll be close by all night if you need us,” she whispered. I thought she was being a touch overdramatic. What could possibly go wrong in a ballroom filled with hundreds of guests? Still, her words were comforting.

The limousine looked like an alien spaceship with its sleek, elongated body and tinted windows. I found it vulgar rather than glamorous.

Inside, it was even more spacious than I’d imagined. A modular couch in white leather stretched around its walls. The lighting was purple and blue and came from halogen lights that studded the ceiling. To the right was a bar built into the wall, and blue lava lamps illuminated the rows of glasses and the bottles of liquor that had been brought along by the underage partygoers. A television screen formed part of one wall with speakers in the roof. A song about girls just wanting to have fun was blaring, and it made the whole interior vibrate. The limo was almost full when we climbed in as we were the last to be picked up. Molly’s face split into a huge smile when she saw me, and she blew me kisses from the opposite end of the car in lieu of an embrace. A few of the other girls looked me up and down, and their smiles froze on their lips.

“Terrible affliction, jealousy,” Jake whispered in my ear. “You’re the most stunning by a mile. I’d say prom queen is in the bag.”

“That doesn’t mean anything to me. Besides, you haven’t seen the rest of the competition.”

“I don’t need to,” Jake replied. “I’m putting all my money on you.”