#Chapter 46 - The Ball

Layla “A ball?” I stared down at the cream cardstock invitation, the curling gold script declaring that I, Layla Bennett, had been invited to a goddamned ball. How cool would this have been, if I was seven? “You should go.” Aldo hovered in the doorway to the guesthouse kitchen, arms crossed and a shoulder propped against the doorframe. Casual. Almost friendly. Were we friends? “Why?” I half-turned towards him. “So I can play dress-up and pretend like I belong in this world?” A smile flickered at the corner of Aldo’s mouth. “Maybe.” “What’s that look for?” I narrowed my eyes at him. He was up to something, but I couldn’t read him well enough to know what. He turned back to all through the doorway. “You ready, El?” “Yes!” Eli whizzed into the kitchen on socked feet, his smile reaching from ear to ear. To say he buzzed with excitement would’ve been an understatement; he vibrated with it. In his hands was a giant, gift-wrapped box. My gaze bounced from Eli to Aldo, s