SAVANTS
The 18th Chapture

I spent the next few days tormented over my decision. Part of me was happy because I was asked to date Zed. I've been maneuvered to agree to it, it's true, but I'm not human if I'm not flattered.

As Zoe once told me, any woman who has a pulse would want to be invited on a date by a Benedict. Still, I didn't want to spill it even to my boyfriend, especially since I didn't dare to think it was true.

I have a crazy idea that saying it out loud might make him disappear like coach Cinderella in the middle of the night. I was also worried about what Tina would say. Something I can say 'have you lost your mind?'.

I'm afraid that if I talk to him, he'll convince me that he's manipulating me, that he'll love me and leave me what the bad boys are doing today.

I want to believe in the new Zed, if I misunderstand, that he can be gentle, if we have something in common and can find more time.

But there are so many things to take - things I don't yet understand like a soul mate being and that's the focus.

My deepest fear is that she's just pretending to like me because she needs me in a way I can't yet understand.

My mother noticed my uneasiness but she did not guess the cause.

"Sky, are you listening to me?"

"Um .. yes'" I just agree.

" You didn't listen to me huh"

"Sorry, I didn't hear it. Whatdidyou say?"

"Said we had to buy you something special for the art house opening." Sally observed the contents of my limited closet with her usual taste. "You've been worried about him, haven't you? That's what makes you dumb."

"Nr ..."

"I agree, you have nothing here to wear. We have to buy you new clothes for the party"

The Arts Center held its official opening event with a black tie reception. Everyone at Wrickenridge is expected to attend anyway, not much competition for entertainment until ski season arrives. And if Sally thinks I don't have a matching outfit, I'm in trouble, Zed must be there.

"I want that but where can we go shopping? I can't stand going all the way to Denver."

"Mrs Hoffman-"

I groan.

"There is a very nice boutique in Aspen, only forty-five minutes by toll"

In the end, Simon also came, saying that we had not spent enough time together as a family since arriving here.

He bought us lunch at an Italian place, then made himself rare while Sally and I went to the boutique.

°°°

"I'll probably get something new too" said Sally, groping the row of dresses happily.

"Oh, now the hidden plan has been revealed!" I teased her, taking out a long red dress. "It's not about me - it's all about you. Try this."

After thirty minutes of hesitation, we chose two dresses at a price Sally tried to ignore. Aspen caters to exclusive skiers, listing Hollywood A, so there are matching tags.

"It's an investment" he said, issuing his credit card. "Your sound will be suitable for a dance party in the summer."

"I think parents should be nicer to a new dress. It's tradition." My word.

"Then I just need to sell a few more paintings." He closed his eyes and signed the bill.

We giggled like crazy conspirators as we got ready that night.

"Don't tell Simon about the shoes" Sally warned. "He doesn't understand the need for fusion." He bit his lips.

"Where are my girls?" simon shouted from below. "We're going to be late!"

Sally went downstairs first, posing for the effect in her red sheath dress.

Simon gaping.

"Do I look charming?" he asked, a small frown formed on his forehead.

" I've changed my mind. Let's just stay home." He grinned, stroking Sally's satin-clad back. "I hope Sky is wearing something a little less revealing. I'll throw out all the boys if anyone teases her."

Simon shook his head. "I don't think I can handle it. Go back to your rooms, girls."

We laughed and clutched his arm, pulling him into the car.

"But look at you, you look dashing in your James Bond outfit!" I said to him, straightening his bow tie.

He made it an honor to use the original, then always had to make us tie it to him. "Sally and I will fight the girls with canapes and cocktail sticks."

"I'll look at you two to defend me" he said, winking at me in the rearview mirror.

The Rodenheim Art Center has a roofline that echoes the peak at the back, halved by an irregular glass pyramid illuminated with a sweep of blue light.

On a cool, cold night like this, the shapes make a dramatic contrast to the star-studded sky.

It could almost be the bow of a spacecraft traveling through the Alpha Quadrant. Through the windshield I could see the party was going well. Mr. Keneally also came that night, singing light music from the piano in the lobby.

Waiting staff slipped through the crowd with trays filled with snacks, ranging from elaborate sushi to Mexican hot sauce.

Tina welcomes guests. He doesn't even care about our name badge.

"Wow Just wow!" he exclaimed, accepting our little trio. "you guys are really getting ready well."

"Most people do it with just the right credit card app" Sally smiled.

"And your shoes!" My god.

"Don't call the shoes," Sally sizzled.

"What's that?" said Simon.

"Nothing, baby."

"Do you need help?" I asked expectantly, wondering if I could avoid the painful small talk and sit here with Tina for the night.

He's evicting. "No, Sky! Anyway, my shift is almost done. I'll come looking for you."

Simon has moved away, chasing a waiter with a tray filled with drinks. He took me soda water and took two white glasses for Sally and himself.

I lost my parents two minutes later. Sally is cornered by a local art reporter from Aspen and Simon forgets his dislike of this kind of event in a detailed discussion of Hockney with an earnest young student from Denver. In the end, I went around, exchanging greetings with some of my schoolmates.

"Now there is a sight worth seeing!" exclaimed Zoe who was already beside me, licking the sauce from her fingers. He pushed me towards the door. "The entire Benedict clan has appeared - not an ordinary event."

So this is the story of Benedict's boy. Now, after getting ready for the night, I see why people think they can be a problem, they seem like a team of superheroes, the jury is still out on whether they are on the good or the bad side. My eyes were on Zed first, who looked really cool with a black shirt and matching trousers.

'Celana?' . A correcting voice came to my mind with the impression of a smile.

'I don't want to know about that'

'Why hem?'

How could he make me flutter from across the room? In fact, how could he talk to me? 'Go from my mind.'

'I can't stop him now, you start. Did anyone tell you that you could stop traffic with that dress?'

'Is it good or bad?' I returned his voice.

'That's good even Very good, the dress fits you'

Zoe was unaware of our conversation, Zoe giggled. "Geez, Zed is staring at you as if he's going to eat you! Oh no my heart feels like it's jumping"

I tilted my shoulders at him, trying to keep calm again. "Not him."

"It wasn't me he saw, it was more unfortunate. And also, that still leaves my Trace, Uriel, Victor, Will, Xavier, and Yves to enjoy. Aren't they just-" He twirled his hands, at a loss for words.

"Which way, they all look the same"

"Xavier is supreme. Just graduated. He's really serious about skiing. Got a chance on the Olympic team if he keeps doing it. Trace is a cop in Denver, I guess. He was a cool and capable person who seemed to be able to eat razor blades without flinching. Uriel lectures, taking post-graduate courses in forensic science. Will is a big, big-boiled guy, he's in college, I don't know what he's majoring in. He's a bit of a comedian and has longer hair than the others. Hmm, who's left?"