I'm Ready

27

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"Do I look ok?"

I asked twirling around the room doing as what Mom said. It was kind of short for my liking, mostly because of the chilling sensation every time my skirt slightly lifts up when walking.

"You can't go to school like that."

Elijah looked at me disapprovingly. I looked down after hearing his comment. Does it not suit me? I probably looked weird. Am I too arrogant thinking they'll like it? It was because I was getting used in their compliments that I didn't expect that reaction from Elijah.

Enzo hurriedly come to my side, wrapping his arms around my waist. He kissed my cheeks afterward as he tilts my head sideways sniffing my nape in the process. What... what? I look at the mirror seeing myself slowly turning red from that slight contact.

"It's not like that sweety. You're just so... "

"Fuckable."

Jackson ended that sentence proudly as I slowly melt from the embarrassment. That was not needed kind sir.

"I apologize, Sky. I just didn't want you to feel more uncomfortable when you go out there."

Elijah hugged me from the back as we are still facing the mirror. He softly brushes a strand of my hair as he kissed it afterwards.

"You'll be swarmed with insects with just your looks. Dressing up nicely would just make it worst."

"I can't kill that many."

I looked at Lantice and Linx weirdly as they entered the crowded room with Qen in tow. Kill insects?

"Do they bite? I've seen some insect repellant in Mom's room." I said as I tried to break free from Elijah's and Enzo's arms.

"Haha no Doll. But I won't let them bite nor stare at you for even a second."

"You have different class schedule with Sky, Canary." Vaughn intercepted as he took my hands leading me away from the group.

We entered Enzo's closet again as he ramage in there looking for specific clothing.

"Must be suffocating, I'm sorry." He meekly smiled as he undresses me.

"Why?"

"It was just... skin ship is their way of showing affection. I know it can be quite overwhelming but at this point that you've..."

Vaughn looked at my eyes as he tried to dress me up again this time with jeans and plain white shirt that I find quite comfortable unlike the previous one.

"Had sex with them?" I asked guessing his intent. He laughed.

"You're quite fast when it comes to that topic." He pinched my checks as he kissed my lips flittingly.

My face heats up from the sudden sweetness. Vaughn was one of the people I'm not that close with. We agreed to be in a relationship, but it was still awkward with him and quite a few others. Our interactions were limited to him giving me sweet drinks and sometimes feeding me at the dining hall. He never makes such advancements like this even if we're alone, not until today.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm your lover, aren't I?" He said looking at me with a playful grin that I've seen for the first time. So unlike the kind and gentle Vaughn.

"Am I not allowed to kiss you?" He asked looking at me with those sad eyes.

"No!..I mean Yes!, Yes, you're allowed to kiss me." I closed my eyes shut from the embarrassment from shouting so suddenly.

"Really?" I looked at him smirking down at me. He... He tricked me!

"Can you kiss me then?"

I know I was red. So red to this point that I can't look at him strait. What should I do? He was taller than me and not leaning forward or anything so that I can kiss him. Wait do I kiss him? I want to but...but. I was so flustered that I'm afraid he'll laugh at my face. But maybe he'll like it too? Father always like it when I look like this. But how do I reach Him?

"When You can't reach them. Grab their collars like this and then pull hard until their face is right next to you."

I suddenly remembered what Canary said after demonstrating "how to make the tall guys your slave" with Enzo. It was way back before I start helping at the bar. They're teaching me how to defend myself from bigger opponents or so they say.

"Ok." I said to Vaughn, determined to do the stunt I was taught.

I reach for his polo and hold the collar as tight as I could and then pulled as hard after I successfully did the first few steps.

"Pfft-...What are you doing, Sky? I told you to kiss me not choke the hell out of me."

"It's - It's because you're so tall!" I was so mad that I shouted at him. It was so frustrating that I'm not as strong as Canary or Enzo to do as what they thought me. But what sets me off more was the fact that I can't kiss Vaughn when he told me to. What if he hates me for it? what more that I shouted at him.

"Pfft Hahahahaha so-haha so that's what you're up to? Haha where did you learn that?"

It was the first time. The first time I saw Vaughn Laugh out loud. I smiled. It's like all the previous frustration was washed away by his angelic laughter and marvelous laughing face. I can't help but laughed too.

"Haha Canary and Enzo thought me how to make tall guys my slave."

"Your Slaves? Pfft hahaha that was so out of your... haha character."

"Are you guys ready? we'll be late- what are you doing?"

Enzo entered the room as Vaughn was already clutching his stomach.

"Vaughn you're being weird again." Enzo then dragged me out the walk-in closet that He had in his room which became my walk-in closet too.

But not before I kiss Vaughn in the cheeks when he finally lean forward clutching his stomach. I saw his shocked face for a second before he smiled softly at my direction.

"Took you long enough."

Canary stood at the door step leaning with a sling bag they call it, in his hand. He was wearing simple black pants and white clothes that both look comfortable and sexy on him.

"I appreciate you eye fucking me but we are late. The boys are waiting. " He said again taking my hands on his, intertwining them as we walk down the hall.

"Look at you." Mom was in the living room with the rest of them looking at us as we descent from the stairs.

"Yeah, I like this better." Elijah commented on the side as he looked me up and down as if contented.

"You did good, Hon." He said as I saw him taking Vaugh on the waist and kiss him softly.

It was rare to see them like that. As both the silent and mature type sharing affectionate kisses seems to gives me butterflies.

"You have to remember to always be careful. You have to look for either Canary, Vaughn or Enzo after breaks or if you need anything. You can contact me directly too using your phone, don't forget that, and if its too crowded and you don't feel great-"

"Just kick them or yell at them." Jackson interjected what Mom was saying.

"Yeah, you can slap them too." And Mom agreed and continued.

"Stop fussing. We'll be late." Lantice said kissing Mom goodbye in the forehead. "Don't worry. I'll drop by the school office before leaving them there. I'll talk to the management. Uncle Raul will be there anywa." He added before taking me towards the elevator.

"Take care Sky."

"Remember to call if something happened."

"You can also kil-."

I bid them goodbye as the elevator door finally closes. Haaaah... I love the attention I get from them but their concerns can be quite...

"I'm sorry about that, Sky." Lantice's big and firm hands found their way to my waist.

"It can get tiring but it's because they are worried... I'm quite worried too actually." He admitted.

I laugh. I saw Canary, Enzo and Vaughn smiling as well as if telling me they feel the same way. I was so happy seeing that reassuring gazes. I'm still nervous and quite afraid about actually going outside and mingling with strangers I didn't know about. It was scary thinking about what could and what will happened but... but I can't contain my excitement as I smiled at them before the elevator opened.

We arrived at the building lobby.

"Hehe, I'm fine. Thanks to you all I'm fine now." I smiled so wide from happiness and excitement as I hugged them tightly, looking up and seeing their  adoring gaze I can't help but utter words of appreciation.

"I love you all so much."

I took the first step. For the first time I'm not trembling or doubting my choices. I'm not second guessing if it's alright to look outside or if I'm breaking any rules. I took a step further and further getting closer to the entrance of the building. I can see it. I'm not chained anymore nor in the dark confinement of my room. There's no eyes or hands holding me back from running towards the exit...towards the outside that I'm so curious about.

I felt the morning breeze blowing past my hair as the sun softly warming my skin. I can hear noises I've never heard before and saw things I've never seen before. People walking and passing me by, animals loitering all around trees swinging as if congratulating me.

It was all here. The outside that I hear in stories. The outside that I only pictured in my imagination. It was real.

"You were right... Nana."

😶