Fan Fiction ❯ Smothered In Shadows ❯ Auction ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Here is the first chapter. I hope you like it!
Oh! I changed some stuff in the bios chap thing because I realized Rayne's birthday didn't exist in 1989. Oops. So yeah you might want to go back and re-read that part.
Smothered In Shadows
Chapter 1 - Auction
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BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEE—
`God damn machine!'
I threw my hand out of the covers and slammed it down on the offending clock. The beeping ceased and I withdrew my hand with a sigh, snuggling deeper into my sea of blankets.
BEEP. BEEP. BE—
“Shut up dammit! People who like sleep should never buy alarm clocks!” I mutter as I once again smack the alarm clock. Satisfied that it wouldn't make anymore noise I pulled my arm back into the covers.
Sighing again I pulled myself out of bed and staggered in a sleep induced stupor to the bathroom. I opened the medicine cabinet and stared blindly at them for a minute before shaking my head to clear away the last dregs of sleep.
“OK. Which pair of contacts today?” I say to myself, browsing the different colors. “I'll think we'll wear brown today.”
I pull down a case labeled `BR' and proceed to put them in, making my mismatched eyes now brown. Then I brushed my teeth and applied a little black eyeliner before exiting the bathroom for my room once again.
“Rayne? Are you up?” A woman's voice called from down the hall.
“Yes.” I called back automatically.
“Good, we're leaving in ten minutes, so be ready. We don't want to be late to this social event.” She called again.
“Kay.”
`Of course we can't be late to a social event. That's sacrilege.' I remarked in my head. I would never say it out loud for fear my mother would take me seriously and think she had turned me. No way in all the seven levels of Hell.
Mother dearest had picked out an outfit for me because I wear too much black; I need some color in my wardrobe. Tch. She had laid out a pair of royal blue slacks and a light green tank top with a white sweater. I want to kill myself now. Good thing I have the exact same sweater in black. She also picked out my boots. They are a dark gray with black stitching and they added a good three inches to my height. I've had these damn things for about 4 years now and they still fit, how humiliating. I sigh once more and leave my room.
“Now isn't it nice not to be wearing all black for once?” Mother asked me.
“It's too bright.” I said, “But as usual I'll deal for your benefit.” I add under my breath.
Mother and Father are big shots in the business world therefore they have to attend all the big social events, and drag me along, and are always in the spotlight. Most of them are formal so I can get away with a black dress or pant suit type thing, but when they were semi-formal, Mother took control of my clothes. After all, the others couldn't know that my parents had a Gothic witch for a daughter now could they? Though, the pentagram never left my neck, no one ever put two and two together.
“Everyone ready?” Father asked.
“Where are Nik and Ali?” I asked.
Nik and Ali are my best friends in the whole world. I've known Ali since third grade and only met Nik in ninth grade and even though we are polar opposites in the style department, we are inseparable.
“They're already down by the car. And might I say that they look great, almost as if they came from rich families as well.” Father replied.
“The last part was uncalled for, Father. Rich or poor they are my best friends and always will be.” I retaliated.
“I didn't mean anything by it. They just look better off then they have in the past.”
“Whatever.”
I stormed past them grabbing Wazo and a pen on the way. Wazo is my writing book. I like taking random words from other languages and using them to name things. Wazo means Thought, and what's a better name for a writing book than Thought?
Unfortunately, I had to wait for my parents in the elevator because if I left without them I would get another manners lecture and I didn't need to get angry over something as stupid as a manners lecture. When I'm angry I can't pull off the act of willingness to be out and interacting with society. So being angry is bad, at least when not in the comfort of my sound proof room.
Reaching the lobby I saw Nik and Ali lounging on a couple of chairs. My mood immediately lightened and I caught Nik's eye. Putting a finger to my lips I started to silently creep up in Ali, who had his back to me.
“BOO!” I cried poking him in the sides. He is violently ticklish. Hehe.
“AHH!” He cried leaping up from the couch.
“HAHAHAHAHA!!” Both Nik and I were clutching our sides in laughter.
“Yeah, ha ha so funny.” Ali sulked.
“Rayne, quit fooling around. We're going to be late.” Father chided.
I just rolled my eyes. This is standard for every event we go to and still we are never late. If anything we're almost always one of the first families there.
Nik, giggling silently, nudges my shoulder toward the door. Also standard procedure. I wind up dragging both her and Ali to every social event I can. They love it. I don't know why, but they do. The only way I get through these things is because they're with me. If they weren't there, Goddess help the snob that said the wrong thing.
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As usual we arrived early. And were greeted by a bunch of rich, stuck-up snobs, who couldn't remember my name, even though they see me every week.
“Good to see you again, Mr. Penn. And the lovely Mrs. Penn.” Mr. Graves greeted. “And who are these lovely young ladies you have here, and this strapping young gentleman?”
“This is my daughter, Rayne, and her two friends Nik and Ali.” Father replied.
“Pleasure.” I said with a false smile and put my hand out for him to shake. Nik and Ali did the same.
“Such polite young people. You don't see that very often...”
I tuned out after that. Still looking like I was half listening to the conversation, but not really. I scanned the crowd, seeing a lot of people that I was introduced to, and then one I had never seen before.
He was young, not too much older than myself. Maybe in his twenties. He had long glossy black hair tied simply back in a low ponytail at the nape of his neck. He had a finely boned face, strong chin, and deep chocolate brown eyes set above defined cheekbones.
He must be here with parents or something. Fresh out of college and looking for a way to make his own money, or take mommy and daddy's.
My eyes traveled over what he was wearing. I took in his designer suit and shoes all neatly pressed and not a single mark on them.
Feeling eyes on me I look up to see him looking back at me. Quickly tearing my eyes away, my face burning, I excused myself to get something to drink.
“Whats with the five alarm fire on your face?” Nik asked.
“I got caught staring.” I answered.
“At who?” She asked looking around. “Oh. I can see why.”
“Why I got caught or why I was staring?” I ask already knowing the answer. “I've never seen him before. Do you think he's some old couples kid that just got out of college or is he new money?”
“Why are you asking me? I'm not rich.”
“Yeah but your practically my sister. Your at these things almost as much as I am.”
“True.”
I opened my mouth to say something else but was cut off by a some one making an announcement. He must have one set of lungs to be hear over the noise in this room.
“The auction will be starting shortly. The Master of Ceremonies requests that everyone find their seats.”
“'Bout damn time.” I mutter.
“Come, Rayne. We don't want to be stuck at the back.” Mother says coming up next to me. I feel like a dog being called to its masters heel. How humiliating.
“Come, Rayne! Good girl! Fetch!” Ali teases, like he knew what I was thinking.
“Just wait until we get home.” I hiss between clenched teeth, my face darkening with embarrassment and rage. He was so gonna die.
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This auction went by painstakingly slow. I wanted to die. We were seated about four rows from the front on the aisle. My parents bid on all 49 items so far but never enough to get it. It wasn't until the very last item, a beautiful necklace of pure silver inlaid with intricate designs and a single bright orange-red gem. My parents went back and forth with a man across the room. They were bidding extremely high for a piece of jewelry I'm sure Mother could have spent less on and had it look twice as good at the local jewelers.
Who is this guy? I thought when the bidding took an even higher turn. I turned my head and looked around for the guy and found, much to my surprise the same guy that I had been caught staring at in the other room. I was shocked that he had that much money.
“Ten million, going once, going twice, sold, to Mr. Penn!” Announced the MC.
I snapped back into reality when he banged the gavel on the podium. I looked over at the man again to see he was looking at me too. Our eyes locked and I swear his flickered from brown to green and back. I quickly looked away, my breathing quick. I don't know what was going on or who he was but he gives me the strangest feeling of being hunted, or watched. I shivered unconsciously.
“Ten million bucks on a necklace!” Ali exclaimed.
“I don't get it. Mother could have that same necklace made for ten times less at the jewelers. Whats so special about it?” I ask.
“No clue. But the guide book here says its about a thousand years old. Maybe that has something to do with it.” Nik offered.
“Who knows. Come on I want to get a good look at this thing.” I said following after my parents.
We followed them into a back room were they would give the bidders their prizes and take the money. We went straight to the MC, who just happened to be Mr. Graves.
“Excellent choice today!” He exclaimed when we got close.
“My wife saw it and just had to have it. Who am I to deny her. Besides we can make back that money in two days time.” Father boasted.
I feel like gagging. Is money the only thing these people think about?
“Well here is your prize. How will you be paying for it?” Mr. Graves asked.
“Is Visa accepted here?” Father joked.
“Of course. Come this way and we'll finalize this.”
Father and Mr. Graves walked into another room and came back out a few moments later. A box tucked safely under Fathers arm.
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Once home I was dieing to ask about the necklace.
“So Father, whats so special about this necklace?” I said. I never was one to beat around the bush.
“Its very old and was once in our family many years ago. Your mother and I thought it proper to restore it to that place.” He said stiffly.
Tch. Right. I might not be the brightest star in the sky but I'm not stupid. Father doesn't back down from anything. He wasn't going to let that new kid win something he wanted.
Of course none of this left my mouth. Like I said I'm not stupid. Being grounded would suck major balls.
“When do you kids need to be home?” Mother asks walking into the kitchen.
“Whenever.” Nik and Ali answer in unison. The same answer they always give.
“Okay. Just tell us when you would like to go home. Have fun.” Mother says before walking off somewhere with Father in tow.
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I changed into something more comfortable, baggy black jeans and a dark gray sleeveless, hooded top. I walk out of my closet and collapse on my bed next to Nik. She looks at me with that secretive smile of hers.
“What?”
“I saw you checking out that guy again.” She smiles.
“Oh, what guy?” Ali butts in.
“Nobody. And I wasn't checking him out. I just looked to see who was betting against my parents.” I said. Hell for once its the truth. I was certainly not checking out Mr. Creepy Eyes.
“Uh-huh. Sure you were.” She continued.
“Do I really need to get out the duct tape again?” I said mock sighing.
“No I think we're good.” She squeaked.
“Hey what guy? All I saw were old guys. And thats just grimy.” Ali continued.
“There was some new guy there. Rayne says shes never seen him before. Probably some rich old couples kid or just new money that will fade fast. Especially, when he's trying to make purchases like that one.” Nik said. “But when Rayne got caught staring, her face turned tomato red! It was great!”
“Really now? How come your face never turns tomato red when I catch you staring at me?” Ali pouted.
“Cause if I'm staring at you its because you have something between your teeth.” I responded.
“Ouch. That hurts. Right here.” Ali said holding his hand over his heart.
I laugh and throw a pillow at him, causing him to flip over in the chair he was sitting in. Nik and I howl with laughter as he pulls himself back up.
Even with the comic relief in my room, I still can't help but think about the guy at the auction and those weird eyes.
It was just my imagination. I'll probably never see him again anyway. New money fades fast.
Those thoughts sounded false even in my head. I just shrugged it off as nerves over being embarrassed by someone I didn't know twice in one day.
I'll know for sure at the big party this weekend. Too bad I can't bring Nik and Ali to this one. Oh well... Back to the present and making fun of Ali.
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Sorry it took so long to get this out and sorry for the shortness. I'll try to make it the next chap longer!
Raevyn Out!