Assurance

Twenty | Nerves

TWENTY

B A I L E Y

- 7:29 pm -

The time comes to put on the dress. They don't really let me see it, but Ruby, and Gina hand me a set of matching undergarments. I don't wear fancy lace undies, so when I put them on it takes me a bit to get used to them. I feel very pretty in them to be honest. The girls help me put on the dress and once it's on Rolli and Link come back into the room and help touch ups. I haven't looked down at it yet, but it seems large, and a little heavy. Link tells me to look straight at him and he puts on a masquerade like mask on my eyes.

"Okay. You can look." Link tells me.

I open my eyes and look into the mirror. My jaw hits the floor. My dress is so gorgeous. It's green like my nails, lace and long sleeves. A plunging neckline. The skirt is an over-skirt over a fitted one. All green, lace on the inner skirt. It is so beautiful. I just stare at it for the longest time.

"I know it's very pretty, but you have to get your shoes on so we can get going." Brttney says from the doorway.

I turn to look at her, she is wearing a sparkly red dress with a cape like thing over her shoulders down her back. "You look amazing." I say in awe.

"Thank you, but you look absolutely divine." She compliments me. "Now, let's get your shoes on. We have to get into the car." Link brings the black heels over and helps me into them. Once they are on, Brittney puts her arm in the croke of mine and we walk out the door.

"Thank you all!" I say before we leave. Brittney walks me into the elevator and two suited men stand in front of us. "You said it wasn't that fancy." I question.

"You'll see." She laughs.

"Goodness. Brittney, I don't know how to act with fancy, rich people. What- what if I mess up?" I panic.

"Bailey, we are going to have fun! You'll be fine!" She says as we get into the limo.

- 7:56 pm -

After the car ride, we pull up to a red carpet, which is full of people taking pictures of beautiful people posing. Then everyone heads to our car. Charlie opens the door and takes Brittney's hand. They wave to everyone with bright smiles. But then Brittney silently waves me to get out of the car.

When I get out of the car, a man in a suit holds out his hand for help, I take it just to help me stand up. All eyes are on me, it makes me so nervous, I feel like the mask they put on is suffocating me. I follow Brittney and Charlie about fifteen feet behind them. I try different poses for the cameras.

But soon my anxiety fades, and I begin to feel more confident. I look over quickly to Charlie to see him talking into a microphone with a brilliant smile. Once Charlie is done with his interview, I follow them inside, but am stopped by a perky blond woman. She shoves a microphone in my face.

"Hello! Diana Riggs, channel 42. What are you wearing?! What is your name?" Diana asks with a voice going a mile a minute.

"I- I am wearing a dress." I answer. I'm not saying my name.

"Oh I love the sass! It goes with the dress! Are you here with anyone?" She asks.

I am about to answer, but then Charlie and Britteny are at my sides, holding my arms, saving me. "She is here with us, a close family friend. If you'll excuse us." Charlie says then walks us inside.

"Thank you." I said to him.

"Anytime." Charlie says with a nice smile.

A set of doors open and we walk into what looks like a castle. I didn't get a good look of the outside, but I think I am in a literal castle. "Charlie Wang and his wife, Brittney Wang, accompanied by Ms. Bailey Torres." An announcer tells everyone.

Once again, all the eyes are on us. I stand next to Brittney, she holds my hand. Charlie stands in front of us. "Thank you all for coming to our forty-fifth Annual Remembrance Gala." Charlie continues his speech.

I look around, it's just us and a couple men in black suits behind us on the balcony looking down at a big ball room. All of the people are wearing masks. I feel as though I am overdressed. As far as I can see, my dress is the biggest, and honestly the prettiest. A new rush of confidence floods me. I feel myself stand up straighter and smile lightly.

"So sit in your assignment seat, and relax as the servers bring you your plate. Thank you." Charlie finishes his speech and puts his arm out for Brittney to take.

"I am going to take Bailey for a second. We will be right behind you." Brittany explains to Charlie, putting her arm around mine.

"Is there something wrong?" I ask her.

"Oh no, nothing is wrong. I'd just like to give you some tips." She says with a reassuring smile. "Charlie and I will have to talk to some people. So you'll be left alone from us for a little while. If you need anything, just come find me." She explains.

"Okay. Yea, that's fine." I look down.

"Chin up darling. And don't talk to anyone about your personal life, make stuff up, nothing worth knowing." She says.

"Okay, got it. Boring life." I say back.

"And go find yourself a handsome man. You'll need a partner for the dance." Brittney says.

"Good idea. Do I need to pay for anything? Do I need to pay for anything? I brought cash." I offer.

"Heavens no! Now, let's take a seat for dinner." She tells me.

We follow Charlie to a table at the top of the rest of the other tables, it's a little elevated. Seems like the important person table, with three chairs. "Are you sure you want me to sit with you?" I ask.

"Of course! You are practically family." Charlie says.

"Thank you guys." I smile.

Three people pull out our chairs and one helps me sit with my dress. I thank him silently. A few minutes later dishes of delicious food are placed in front of us. Charlie is sitting in the middle, so I lean forward and give Brittney a nonchalant look about the food. She returns the same look.

Before I dig in, I wait to look around to see if others are eating as well. They are, and starting conversation. When I take a bite the food melts in my mouth. It is so delicious. It's better than how Brittney explained it.

- 9:13 pm -

Our dishes are pulled away, and some people come up to talk to Charlie, so I excuse myself to the restroom. I'm not sure where it is, so I walked around a little bit. Everyone is out of their seats and all socializing. I keep having to say excuse me because the dress keeps getting in the way. But I find an empty hallway that leads to a balcony looking outside. It looks like something out of a fairy tale.

The dark sky is lit up by the Northern lights. It's so illuminating, very beautiful. I am not sure how much time passes. "Ms. Torres?" I turn to the voice. "You are due back to your table." A man in a suit says.

"Oh, okay. Thank you." I replied.

He puts his arm out, signaling for me to go first. A few minutes later I am seated back at my table with Charlie and Brittney. After a minute more, Charlie stands up. "We are all here today to acknowledge our fallen soldiers. So if you'll look to the screen please." He says before sitting down.

I look to my left and on a big white screen a slideshow begins.