Black Velvet

It was a Wednesday night and I was sat on the edge of Alex's bed, looking around her vast room. She was explaining the upcoming events for next. Apparently a few times a year a guy called Edward Brook from an all boys school across town hosted a dinner and dance for exclusive guests only. His dad helped fund it and he owned a string of restaurants across the state. I took in all this information, nodding my head like a little puppy dog.

Alex also explained to me that it was very rare for people from our school to get invitations as the invites were usually only given to students from Idestead Boys or Idestead Girl's private schools.

"My mom and dad sent me to Haleworth because she wanted to have a normal experience in school and not be a total slut around guys. Marnie, Taylor and I used to go Idestead, that's how we know each other now. Georgina is like you, she's only known us a couple years," Alex explained whilst standing in her mirror, pouting at herself as she fixed her make up.

She told me how she managed to get an extra invitation for me. I wasn't even sure I wanted to go but she seemed to have already made up my mind. Although I had only known Alex for such a short amount of time I was beginning to realise what her life was like. There were strange social rules she was trying to teach me and although I understood the easy ones, certain things I had just stopped asking about.

We went shopping that same evening as she wanted me to buy a dress but said she couldn't trust me to buy a one by myself.

"I don't know if I can afford this and the lack of price tag is making me think I definitely won't be able to afford it," I swallowed looking around the store. It was three stories with a silver, shiny flooring and matching low slung chandeliers.

"I'll be paying, I know your family don't have much," Alex smiled, her arms laden with dresses. My brow furrowed, still not completely used to the backhanded compliments. Before I even had a moment to answer I saw a familiar tattooed, black haired woman stood over the rack of dresses. Abbie. She was wearing her hair thick and down, it tumbled around her shoulders and framed her pale doll like face elegantly.

"Oh my god Abbie!" Alex suddenly exclaimed, loudly. Abbie's head shot up and she smiled over the low rack of dresses.

"Shopping for Brook's?" Abbie asked, giving Alex a one armed hug. I simply stood there awkwardly, clenching my teeth as I looked Abbie up and down.

"Of course, that time of year again. I love the winter dance," Alex sighed, "This is my friend Mia, by the way, we're also finding her a dress," she then added, gesturing to me.

"Ah yes, Amelia and I have met before, her stepmother and I are currently working together," she replied n a monotone voice, "anyway, please excuse me. I'll see you at the dinner girls," she said, giving us both a small wave before continuing her shopping. I also turned back towards the dress rack and lightly started sifting through them, my fingers fondling the satin material.

"So Deb's not your real mom?" Alex suddenly questioned, breaking the slow tempo of the background music that drifted around the store.

"No, my real mom lives is Wisconsin with her husband and kids," I replied, looking up from the dresses.

"Why don't you live with your mom?" Alex questioned curiously, moving along to the next rack.

"I get on with my dad and Deb more, my mom's got other stuff going on-"

"-What other stuff, she's your mother?" Alex cut in, her tone prickly. I wasn't entirely sure how to answer.

"This is just what works better for us, we don't get on if we're around each other everyday," I said, stuttering as she strutted towards the changing rooms. She swiped back the curtain and hung up a pile of dresses before ushering me in. The dressing room was big, painted a pale mint green and had a plush white couch against the wall.

"Don't get me wrong," Alex began again, "I get that it's better for you but like... it's probably best to keep it on the down low," she told me, her eyebrows raised. A lump arose in my throat and I began struggling out of my clothes to cover the forlorn look on my face.

"Why? Loads of peoples parents have to split up, sometimes it happens, it doesn't change me as a person," I mumbled delicately, pulling the first dress over my head.

"I know that but it's just a bit common. Like, having your parents together shows class and I know that's super judgmental and awful but that's what the real world will think of you."

I didn't reply and I made an effort not to look at her whilst trying on the rest of the dress she picked for me. Eventually I settled on a satin, bottle green one with lace. It came mid calf and was skin tight with skinny cami straps that crossed over my back. It had a small trim of back lace along the bottom and top so Alex chose some black strappy heels to go along with it. I cheered up a little when we went to the cashier and bought it, giving Alex a small hug of appreciation.

"You're going to look amazing, like a dark mermaid. Plus my dress is cream so we'll be totally opposite but completely gorgeous. So sexy," she smirked, staring at my reflection in the mirror that lined the wall behind the cash registers. I smiled back, although my heart was still beating a little too fast, the lump in my throat slowly residing.

We left the shopping mall promptly and Alex drove me back to hers first where I picked up my invitation party bag and a pair of curler's Alex no longer used so I could do my hair on the weekend. She then drove me back to my house where I almost instantly managed to get myself into bed. I felt drained, being Alex's friend was like constantly treading on eggshells. Sometime's she could be so nice but it was always in between layers of backhanded compliments and manipulative comments. Although I wanted to speak to someone about it, I didn't feel like anybody would understand where I was coming from or why I bothered being friends with her.

My thoughts ran away with me as I sifted through my invitation party bag. It came with a small bottle of champagne, a mini box of posh chocolates that tasted like different gourmet desserts, a guest list, a book written by Edward Brook's father, a small map with directions and a calligraphy written invitation.

Dear Amelia Roseden,
Hopefully you have enjoyed our small tokens of appreciation for attending our seasonal dinners. This year it will be hosted at The Queensland Hotel and we have included directions. Our doors open on Saturday at 7:30 and dinner will be at 9:00. As a guest you may also book one of the hotel rooms for the night at a discount price. If you can't attend please RSVP as soon as possible. We hope to see you all there.
Sincerely, Jonathon and Edward Brook

I promptly unravelled the guest list, spotting my name and Alex almost instantly. Then I noticed something else.

Giles Vale
Lydia Vanderbrom
Abbie Way
Gerard Way

Notes