Chapter 22

In the days after my first change, I felt like a new person. My skin felt foreign, but somehow more comfortable. I loved being in wolf form, but changing was still hard for me.

Even though the run through the woods felt amazing I decided I would only practice in my room for awhile, afraid of what the triplets might say. My weight and curves apparently transitioned into wolf form as well.

The brother’s seemed overly preoccupied though, and aside from showing up randomly to sit wherever I was, they were staying out of my way. They were planning the homecoming dance, and it seemed to be a big deal.

I was enjoying the reprieve from their abuses and tried to ignore them as much as I could. I was spending a good bit of my time reading, singing in the woods, far away from the brothers, and with Lily.

She, apparently, was beyond excited about the dance. “I absolutely can’t wait. I have no idea what I’m going to wear, but it doesn’t matter because I want it to be a surprise anyway! You have to go shopping soon you know, or all the good outfits will be gone.”

“Mhmm.” I was listening, but only partially. I was skimming through a magazine about up and coming musicians, dreaming of one day being one myself. It had been so long since I had truly sang, with music and an audience, that it pained me.

“I think Nicholas has it all planned out, and it’s going to be wonderful. Everything he plans turns out to be incredible. Have you seen anything Brian’s drawn recently? I bet it’s great. All of his work is marvelous.”

I had learned that Lily could go on like this about the triplets for hours. I could sit back and listen to her, or I could do my own thing, it didn’t really matter. He was obsessed with them. She knew pretty much all there was to know about them, and loved every detail.

Nicholas, who had originally been her perfect man, had fallen a little and now Brian was her main crush. The kindness he had shown her before had put him at the forefront. She had been trying to work up the nerve to ask him to the dance, but hadn’t gotten there yet.

My days went on like this for awhile, and then the day before the dance arrived. Lily and I were sitting in the garden. “Have you gotten your outfit?” She was upset that I had put it off, but I hadn’t really planned on going, I just didn’t know how to tell her.

As he asked me, the triplets walked out of the house. “You’re not going to the dance?” Cheney asked, a smirk on his face. “I’m not sure yet.” I told him, wondering why he cared.

“Well, you need to decide and go get something to wear, quickly!” Lily stressed to me. “I’ve got to go. Call me if you want to go shopping!” As she left, I could hear the brothers whispering.

Brian looked concerned and shook his head, but the other two turned to me, looking pleased. “You really should go, you know.” Nicholas said, a strange look in his eyes.

“It’s going to be a blast. You should at least go to see all the costumes.” Cheney added, the same strange look in his eyes as well.

“Costumes?” I was confused, since I assumed the homecoming dance would be a formal dress type of thing. “Yeah, it’s a fancy dress party. Didn’t you know that?” Cheney looked pleased with himself.

Still confused and wondering why they suddenly seemed interested in me going to the dance, I spoke softly, “My car is still in the shop and I don’t really want to go shopping…” I trailed off, running out of excuses.

“You know father keeps a car service on retainer, they wouldn’t mind taking you at all. And there’s a costume shop open right in the middle of town. When we were there they still had a ton of outfits to chose from.” Cheney spoke nonchalantly, but pressed on.

“So, are you going to go?” He and Nicholas watched her, waiting for her answer, while Brian seemed preoccupied with the flowering bush beside him.

“I-I guess I can go.” I stammered a bit, still trying to figure out why they wanted me to go all of a sudden.

“I’ll run to the costume shop in a bit and grab an outfit.”

“Good.” Nicholas nodded, and turned to leave, his brothers following behind him. “See you there!” Cheney shot over his shoulder, his back to me.

I sat for a few more moments, confused, then shook myself. I guess I had some shopping to do. I stood up, went to the front room to find the number for the car service.

The evening of the dance was quiet. I didn’t see or hear anyone else in the house. I wondered were the brothers were getting ready. All I had heard from Lily was a text that said, “Can’t wait to see you later!”

I had found a cute little turkey costume at the shop the brothers had told me about. It fit me well, and hid the extra weight that everyone around me seemed to hate so much.

I was actually beginning to feel excited as I got into the sleek black Mercedes that the car service had sent for me. The closer we got to the dance, the giddier I felt.

We pulled up to the entrance and the driver opened my door, “Have a good evening madam.” He spoke without looking at me, bowed and got back in the car and drove away. I could hear the music playing from outside.

I rushed up the stairs in excitement, texting Lily to tell her I was there. I opened the door, still looking down at my phone, and heard gasps and things go quiet.

I looked up and saw every eye in the room on me. I immediately understood why. Everyone around in the room was in formal outfits, long sequined dresses and tuxedos. And here I stood in a turkey costume.

I was mortified, but unable to move for a moment. I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and saw Lily rushing towards me. She was wearing a beautiful pink dress that hugged her tiny little body. She was stunning.

“Oh Beryl, what are you doing? Why are you wearing that?” She was in front of me now, blocking my view of the room.

“They said…” I was having trouble finding the words, and tasted wet saltiness. I realized I was crying. “They said it was a fancy dress party.”

Realization crashed into me like a wave. This was just another one of their cruel jokes. How had I not realized it? I felt both embarrassed and stupid now. I turned to leave, “I’ve got to go Lily. I hope you have fun.”

“Oh Beryl, I’m so sorry.” Lily seemed sad for me, but she didn’t make an attempt to leave with me.

As I walked out, I began to hear the roar of laughter behind me, it was finally sinking in to everyone what had happened and they appreciated the brother’s humor, even if it was breaking me apart inside.