This was more terrifying than it really should have been. Considering it was just an outfit. And the first time I was going to dress like this in front of everyone. They wanted to see the real me, whatever that meant. Whoever that was.

But maybe it was time I let myself find out.

I laced up the boots and took a deep breath before letting myself look in the mirror.

'Real' Serafina didn't look that different from me. Maybe. Assuming that's even who this was. Masks were getting tiring.

I was wearing lipstick for the first time since arriving here. Black. My nails were painted for the first time since Celica had demanded it. Also black. My shirt was a bold red, with large sheer claw marks with a darker red undershirt showing through. I was wearing a black asymmetrical skirt with striped red and black leggings. I had fingerless gloves that were black with white bats. I pulled at the wrist of the left one, it just barely covered the scars.

I wasn't new to dressing up. But Halloween was a bit different than…

Deep breaths. You can do this Serafina.

I opened the door to the rest of the tower slowly. Dread and hope bubbling in my stomach like hot magma.

This was a stupid idea. Why did I let Celica bully me into this?

I crossed my arms over my stomach, I didn't want to go out there. I didn't want to do this anymore.

But the door was open now. I could see the railing overlooking the main room of Dragon Tower. It was almost like that first day all over again. No more going back.

I wanted the Earth to swallow me whole.

I took the step outside the room and let out the deep breath I was holding in to steel myself. "Good morning," I said attempting to be as casual as possible.

I leaned on the railing to see only Jarec and Celica waiting below. Maybe that was a mercy, but I also wanted to get this over with.

Celica was grinning from where she sat. "Get down here, I want to see up close!"

I didn't want to. But even with my instincts screaming at me I took slow shaking steps down the stairs.

Jarec was just…observing. Hopefully not telling the others about this. I could only handle so much at once.

I stood there at the foot of the stairs, dressed in a way I always wanted to in front of people I couldn't run from. The magma in my stomach wanted to escape as much as I did.

Celica didn't seem to notice the fact that I was not having nearly as much fun as she was. Instead she was inspecting me.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Where in the hells has this been the entire time?" Celica demanded.

My voice was on lockdown. Refusing to leave my throat.

"So this is the real Serafina…" Celica continued. Not caring that I hadn't responded. "It suits you. I would not have guess black lipstick for you, but it does work."

Some of the tension in me eased.

Jarec still hadn't said anything. Hadn't even moved from his spot where he'd been sitting.

Come on…say something. If you hate it put me out of my misery.

"Huh," Jarec finally said.

That was it? I could feel the stress tears starting to form. This was a stupid idea.

"The shirt reminds me of your summon," Jarec commented. Like that was supposed to make sense to me.

Thankfully, I was not alone in my confusion.

"What in the hells are you talking about?" Celica asked, turning her attention to our terrible towermate.

"Serafina's summon had claws that would probably do that. I mean…you've seen what it did to her arm."

Right. That. I hadn't given much thought to the thing that nearly cut off my left hand. Though, knowing what I knew now I wondered if that might have been for the best if it had.

Celica grinned, "That's not an uncommon thing."

"I don't see you guys doing that." My voice made its grand return and that's the first thing I say? Ugh.

"We're Dragons. Normal people rules don't apply to us," Jarec said around giggles.

"Then why did I bother?!" I hoped they could hear the panic in my voice.

"Because you're one of us and you should act like it. We're onto your little tricks Stewart. You're no different from the rest of us," Celica pulled at my right hand and held it up for inspection. "Next time, ask me for help. Mean…it's okay, but you need more practice."

"Is that you volunteering?"

"Maybe."

Was it bad that I was hoping she'd say no? I probably shouldn't tell her that. Perhaps something else would net me a better result? "Just to be clear, I've never done anyone else's nails."

Celica rolled her eyes. "Everyone's got to start somewhere."

I wasn't going to get out of this, I realized in a moment of dread. Oh no.

(*********)

I sat down at breakfast and refused to look anyone in the eyes. Maybe they can operate on T-Rex logic if I sit still enough.

"Serafina!" Angelina greeted because my luck was dreadful. "You're so pretty!"

Ugh. Don't perceive me!

"Oh, can we talk about that now?" Russel commented. "I mean…it's different. Not what I was expecting."

I wanted to go home now. Get me off this stupid island.

Fethris hadn't said anything. But there were definitely thoughts going on in that head. I could all but hear the shifting of plates in his mind.

Come on, just put me out of my misery.

"The attention makes you uncomfortable," he finally said.

"Is that a new observation?" I asked in disbelief.

"If I say yes, will you be mad at me?" Fethris asked as Angelina gasped and exchanged a glance with her girlfriend.

"Kinda? I don't know how you missed that." Could he hear the panic in my voice? I could. It always seemed obvious to me.

"Dress like this more often. After a while, no one will notice or care," Fethris pointed out.

"I'm noticing you haven't shared your thoughts," I told him.

"Do you want them?"

"Whatever they are, it can't worse than what I'm imagining."

Fethris sighed and looked at me with a contemplative expression.

I shrank inwards.

"You picked this out for yourself?" Fethris asked.

Oh no.

"Yeah…" I trailed off.

Here it comes.

"The real Serafina looks like more of the one we've gotten to know over the past few months. And I look forward to seeing what else there is to learn."

It wasn't really a compliment. Not like Angelina's words. But…somehow they made me feel much better. The tension uncoiled just enough that I could finally sit normally.

Well…the way I usually sat at these tables.

And as the rest of them started to talk about their plans for the ever-looming break I relaxed a bit further. It was…nice. Nice in a way I hadn't felt in a while.

It made me think of a quiet campus corner with a tree overhead and a friend whose voice I was struggling to remember.

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