The Matching

1: Getting Ready

Harper

"Are you excited about the Matching?" I ask Saige.

"No way!" she says, "but there will be good food for three weeks."

"Oh, yeah. I guess," I say, distracted by my griffin. "Quill's chewing on one of your boots", I point out to Saige.

Saige rushes over. "Stupid griffin! Those are my favorite shoes." A brief tug-of-war ensues as Saige pulls her heeled boots away from my pet.

I walk over to the balcony door. "Go drain your energy outside!" I yell as I open it. "Silly animal," I say, shaking my head as Quill flies out.

I turn back to Saige. She plops down on her sloppily made bed. Even in the midst of the most ungraceful of actions, Saige's movements are fluid and elegant. I try not to be jealous as I move toward my bed on the other side of the room, tripping on another stack of my twin's shoes. "Really, Saige. You need to decide which ones you're going to wear for the opening feast and clean the rest up. I can't stand the mess!"

Saige, sprawled face-down on her bed, lifts her head. "I don't know why it bothers you. I would've thought you would be desensitized to mess after sharing a room with me for 18 years. Besides, I did choose a pair of shoes. I was telling you that I'm gonna wear the gladiator wedges. Weren't you listening?"

I sigh. I had been trying to listen... sort of. My sister can talk forever. Sometimes I tune her out, particularly when she gets talking about shoes. "Sorry, Saige." I pick through the pile of shoes in front of me to find the specific pair she wants.

Throwing the shoes at her, I say, "So you're going to clean the rest of them up, right?"

She groans. "Can't we just leave it for the maids? That's kinda what they get paid for."

Marching up to Saige, I pull her off the bed by the arm. She lands on the floor with a grunt. "Come on, Saige. The maids are all busy preparing the rooms for all the guests coming for the Matching."

Saige stands up and starts to grudgingly clean up the humongous mess she's left all over the floor of our large bedroom. Shoes cover every surface, from the low bookshelves on the far wall to the beanbags in the corner. How do all those shoes fit in her closet, especially with all her clothes? I bend down to help her.

Saige turns to look at me. "What are you gonna wear for the opening ceremony. There's a ball after, you know!"

"Yes, I do know. Which is why I'm wearing my favorite dress." I reverently smooth down my full, navy blue skirt. I feel like Cinderella about to meet her prince.

Saige is skeptical. "You wear that to every event! The Matching is special, Harper. Try something new, just this once."

I respond the way I always do. "Mom wore this to her Matching. And Grandma before her. It's a tradition!" I do feel a little guilty that I got the dress instead of Saige, but the poofy skirt and dangling sleeves are so much more of my type than my twin's.

My mother, the Queen, walks regally into the room. I startle and hurriedly improve my posture before I turn toward her. "Mother," I say formally.

She replies in a like manner. "Harper, Saige. Are you almost ready? The guests will arrive momentarily and your absence as we greet them will be noticed." Her eyes pass over my dress and I almost think I see a tear in her eye, but I know better. My mother doesn't show emotion (except for frustration at my sister). As her gaze turns toward my sister, who is still rushing to pick up her shoes and isn't yet dressed, the Queen's perfect features frown slightly.

I interject before she can yell at Saige. "I can come with you now, Mother. I'm sure Saige will join us in a few moments."

My mother nods and walks out of the room. I follow, after giving Saige a look that clearly says You owe me. 

Saige

As my sister follows Queen Bossymom out of our room, I push the last of my shoes into my closet. I know I need to hurry up and get ready or I'll have to face the wrath of mom. My sister is always the perfect one. My mother loves her. I don't fit in the box she set up for me to fall into, so I'm tolerated, or yelled at, most of the time.

At least one thing has to go right this evening: my dress. I've designed it myself, and as I stand in front of the mirror I remember why I was so excited to wear it. The fitted, boat-neck, lace bodice is a gorgeous cream, which fades into the knee-length gold skirt overlaid by a full-length lace overskirt of the same color. Not very traditional, but very me! So worth the lecture I'm sure my mom will be giving me.

I don't bother to do anything with my waist-length chestnut hair. It's so boring compared to my twin's fiery curls. She gets her looks from our gorgeous mother, whereas mine come from our dad. Just what every princess wants: to take after her father and brothers.

I place the simple circlet of my golden tiara atop my head and take a deep breath before walking to join my family at the front gates of the castle.

The first chapter... mostly descriptions. I know, I know. I promise the plot is coming! What do we think of the main characters so far? Why do we think Saige cares so much about how she looks if she doesn't want to find a husband? Any things I should be writing differently? Thank you so much for reading!

Have a great day/night/whenever-you're-not-really-supposed-to-be-reading!

<3 Riqui