Page 12 of Snapdragon

“I can’t really see him properly…” Cleo sighs.

“Fine.” I tell them, begrudgingly. “I have the full photos.”

I pull out my phone and show them both the shots with Sebastian.

“He’s a hunk!” Daisy exclaims, receiving a few strange looks from the other girls in the class.

“OMG, yes!” Cleo agrees. “I’d take a piece of that any day. And you guys look so good together…”

I blush as Daisy nods vigorously.

“Are you into him?” she asks.

“Ladies! Enough chatting, let’s get started on this routine.” Our instructor calls out, saving me from responding.

Chapter 7

I’m seeing him again. Sebastian.

Everything moved so quickly.

I had three missed calls from Frank by the time I finished the dance class. My thighs burned and all I wanted was to go home and get back into bed. It strikes me that Frank would be pissed if I called him this early in the morning.

I waddled to my car and called him back. Frank outlined that my first appearance with Sebastian was tonight. We would be attending an awards show for the film industry as guests. And yes, there would be a red carpet.

So here I am, dressed up to the nines and waiting in my apartment building’s lobby for a car to pick me up.

The label sent me a stunning dress, at least. I’m artfully draped in olive green satin, the corseted waist meeting loose off the shoulder drapes. It flows from the waist, with a high slit up one thigh. It feels luxurious, the buttery soft fabric definitely being an apology from the label for this.

My skin glows. The team that came to get me ready scrubbed and polished me, before dousing me in a fig-scented glittery oil.

I stayed with my natural hair again. I thought that my wigs wouldn’t have met the level of class that we were aiming for with this look. Although, several sets of extensions were currently clipped in tightly to my head.

I catch a glimpse of a sleek black limo pulling up through my peripheral. Oh, the label certainly did not spare any expense.

I leave them waiting there for a moment, my nerves getting the better of me. I wasn’t sure if Sebastian would be in the car or not, and I didn’t know what I would say if he was.

I steal myself and take a deep breath. I can do this.

Keeping my head high and my shoulders back, I leave the building as the driver comes out to open my door.

I’m presented with two things when I enter the car. One, Sebastian looked good before, but the black tux gives him such a sophistication that I can’t even begin to comprehend. Secondly, we’re not alone.

There is a beautiful, delicate creature here. She is thin and willowy, with a set of horns growing out of the front of her head. They’re framed by a pair of down-turned ears, with soft tufting fur.

“Hi!” I say to her in my cheeriest voice. “I’m Flora, it’s lovely to meet you.”

She takes make outstretched hand and gives me a warm, glowing smile. “Hi, Flora. I’m Matilda. I’ll be assisting you and Sebastian this evening.” Her cheeriness takes me off guard. I guess not all Monsters are grumps. She’s bubbly in the way that an intern in their first job would be. It’s adorable, and I warm to her immediately.

“Hi Sebastian,” I speak toward him now. “It’s so nice to see you again.”

He barely looks at me, grunts, and then pointedly stares out the window.

Unfortunately, that is how most of the journey goes. Sebastian, sitting as far away from me as possible. Matilda looking painfully awkward between us. I’ve noticed that instead of feet, she has hooves.

I see her looking nervously between us now. Her mouth opens as if to speak a couple times, and it’s hard to watch.

“Is there anything you need for us to do during the journey?” I ask her, trying to put her out of her misery.