Copper

Chapter Fifty Three

"I think he did it because... because maybe you need me just as much as I need you."

Sat on the crisp white bed of my King Suite, my hair toweled up like a jolly little Christmas elf, my fingers remain pressed together and pushed to the underside of my chin. Before me my bagged-up gown, heels, and accessories I will accept my Nobel's with. Only hours remain and from the tweets, I had read the theatre is filling. It's distinguished guests only. No photos inside, no unwarranted guests inside, no tickets. Members of the science community are gathered by personnel invitation only which makes the event rather prestigious and highly celebrated. With that thought, my stomach is doing summersaults. A community I'm about to be apart of. I have waited my entire life for this moment. Every paper, every decision... every project has to lead me to this. And yet there is an unfamiliar feeling swimming in my stomach.

Quelling it, I roll off my bed to unzip the dress. I've waited too long for this moment and I'm not ruining it because of some bad feeling. Come rain or sunshine I'm accepting my Nobel's and going to be an ecstatic god damn it! Sliding into my dress I have to admire Emori's selective taste. She really did find a gem and it's completely me. A few days before I'd sent her out with my card and told her to buy whatever I needed. Not because she's my slave but because between final patches and checks on the ship I don't have time to be buying a pretty dress. From what Murphy tells me it took unwarranted hours which only left Emori slapping him with a hard glare. It's a sleeveless gown, that floats freely from my hips. Silver sequins decorate the bodice but begin to fall and disperse down the dress. Like falling stars. Admittedly, that brings a smile to my lips.

One hair and make-up stylist later and my face is primed with a simple elegant look of silvers and browns as is my hair curled and pinned half up. My finger twirls around a curl as I slid my feet into the black simple heels. Balanced with surprisingly flawless technique, I shove my phone and speech into my clutch before morally pushing myself out the door. This is it. This is your moment. Stepping into the elevator at the end of the hall, I patiently wait for the doors to slide shut before releasing a squeal of excited delight.

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Stood behind the stage I fan myself to try and bay the nerves. As time moves slower it dawns further on me that I'm here alone. For all my success, for all of my achievement and commitment... I'm here alone. My breath trembles as the Swedish Prime Minister daws closer to my acceptance. Running my fingers up my arms to offer me some comfort I exhale frustratedly. This is ridiculous. To feel lonely receiving something as astounding as three nobles... Avery, you're being ridiculous.