Before I have a chance to question Carver about it, the two men step toward the handles and begin opening the massive doors.
We’re instantly flooded with loud music and conversation, and as the doors completely open, I suck in a breath as I find myself standing at the very top of a grand staircase, staring down into a sea of beauty.
The room is massive, so much bigger than the one beneath our homes. It’s been completely decorated with white drapes hanging from the high ceilings with fairy lights and designer bouquets. Everything leads back toward the massive chandelier that hangs in the very center of the room, directly above the dance floor.
Everything is laced with a soft gold trim, making the room look like it was plucked straight out of a fairytale. Tables are scattered around the left-hand side of the room, each of them perfectly set with marvelous centrepieces. The right-hand side is lined with tables of food, enough to feed the whole freaking country, but it’s the people who stand at the bottom of the stairs who really have my attention.
There must be at least two thousand people in this room, each of them dressed amazingly. The men look drool-worthy in their expensive suits with their Rolexes and sharp jawlines, while the women—holy shit. The women look as though they just stepped off a runway. The gowns that flood this room are incredible. There are big ball gowns of every color, and sexy mermaid style dresses that show off perfect figures. It’s almost like a competition between the women of who can come with the most extravagant gown.
Not a hair is out of place and every single female lip in the room is painted perfectly with a color that compliments her gown. It’s a sight I’ve never seen before, something I never thought I’d ever be lucky enough to be a part of. Hell, I didn’t even think my senior prom was going to be in my cards, but this out does any function Ravenwood Heights Academy would be able to put on a million times over.
Carver leads me toward the first step, and as he does, I grip his hand tighter, terrified that I’ll fall. He shoots his devastatingly handsome smirk my way, silently reminding me that I’ve got this, and everything settles inside me. Why am I being such a bitch about this?
I’m Elodie Ravenwood. This is what I was born to do.
I hold my head a little higher and as my heel hits the very top step leading down into the grand party below, every eye turns my way.
It’s like being a princess for a moment. You’re the center of attention and you know that nothing could ever beat this. Awed gasps and whispered encouragements filter through the room as the younger kids blatantly stare with slack jaws.
A soft blush creeps into my cheeks, and as we hit the second step, I finally find them—King, Cruz, and Grayson.
They stand beside Ember who looks flawless in a deep red, satin gown that sits just off her shoulders with a short train that would have her non-stop gushing. I hope the guys told her how beautiful she looks tonight because I’ve never seen her look so amazing.
She looks up at me with a proud smile on her lips and her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “You look beautiful,” she mouths, making a big, cheesy smile stretch across my face.
But the guys.
My mouth instantly waters and I suck in a breath. They look like the best kind of nightmare.
My gaze travels over King first, scanning over his sharp jaw and dark messy hair, that for once isn’t hanging forward into his ocean blue eyes. He wears a four-piece grey suit that fits his strong body perfectly, and I know that when I get to the bottom of the stairs, I’ll probably find each of them in designer suits that I won’t be able to pronounce.
Seeing that I have his attention, King smirks, and I have no choice but to shift my gaze toward Cruz before I become a fumbling mess for the whole organization to see, but I’m lost for words. Cruz looks like my next meal. His suit is a softer shade of grey than King’s but looks just as good. He went without the vest, leaving the top button of his white dress shirt open and hinting at the deliciousness hidden below.
He licks his lips and I just about die.
These boys better be meeting me in my room after the party, still wearing these suits. I think I just got a whole new fantasy that’s going to get played out before the night is over.
A small smile pulls at my lips, and as I turn to Grayson, I find his stormy eyes already on mine. They seem to smile up at me despite the hard set of his strong jaw, trying to appear as though he isn’t having the time of his life.