Eliot Strange and the Prince of the Resistance

53)Dinner at Six

I'm getting ready for dinner at six, and I am nervous. I'm nervous about seeing Torin and nervous for him seeing me too for the first time not looking like I am the cover shot for Survival magazine. Funny, I've never felt like such a girl before. I have two choices of dresses, and I've tried both of them on three times each. I don't like my shoes at all. I decide my hair looks dirty even though I just washed it hours ago. I wash it again in the sink and let it air dry. I don't straighten it though because Steven always says it is pretty straightened, but it makes me look younger. Tonight I want to look like a woman, so I am going all curly and natural.

I hope Torin likes it.

I am having dinner with the monster who ended our world, and all I can think about is how dry my legs look. I rub on lotion. It takes two coats. I feel sleek and polished and sexy. Damn, I missed lotion.

Will Torin notice that the lotion is not covering up my bug bites?

I am, as always, a silly girl. Think, I tell myself. Have a plan.

My plan so far is that I am going to look absolutely, fucking amazing.

Reminder to myself - watch the language! Ladies don't cuss, even to themselves.

I am ready an hour early. I know that if I don't occupy myself with something, I will change clothes again, probably more than once. I take several deep breaths and walk to check out the view again. I am just in time to see Carli alone approach my building. I watch as she disappears inside.

Fifteen minutes later and there is a knock on my door. Oh my word, Carli is amazing. She has managed to either sneak inside or charm her way in. I am betting on charm.

I throw open the door and instead of Carli, it is the front stoop guard, Beth.

She looks around and, even though no one else is in the hall, she whispers, "Can I come inside? I got a note for you. It's from a girl with your same name, isn't that weird? Anyway, she asked me to get this to you."

I pull her inside. We talk just inside the door.

She's only 16, but I am starting to think that Beth is not the brightest light bulb.

Even though we are the only two in the room, she leans over and whispers in my ear, "It's about the prince." Then she says loudly, too loudly for someone standing right beside me. "I got that eye shadow you wanted to borrow."

She hands me a note.

I take the note from her and say loudly too, "Thank you Beth." I pull her in for a hug. I notice a blue ribbon in her hair. I don't think that is military issue.

Beth whispers in my ear, "Never know whose listening." She winks where only I can see it. I guess she is not as dumb as I thought.

Then Beth says as she exits, "Well, I hope you enjoy the makeup. Gotta look pretty for your fancy supper."

I look around the room as inconspicuously as I can and spot the camera. Well son of a biscuit eater, whoever is watching me now has been watching me naked and bathing too. I am so mad, but I take a deep breath and walk to the mirror again and straighten my dress and pull in and pat my stomach. I act like a girl with some new eyeshadow. I lean toward the mirror and act like I am seriously in love with some new wonder make up. I even say out loud, "I'm going to be so beautiful tonight."

I dance around the room like I am Beauty and the Beast is here too waltzing me around his castle.

I waltz towards the window and look out. I can't dare turn back where I can be seen because I can't hide my anger and what feels like fear. I am afraid. These people are ruthless, and the least of their atrocities is spying on a naked girl, but still, I'm afraid. And pissed, very pissed.

I remember Carli's fear of the One Nation Army. I feel trapped. I I feel vulnerable. Violated. I try to force the fear away. I think about my father. What would he tell me to do? What would he be planning?

Hide your cards. That is what he would say. Play a role. Let them think you are defenseless. Have a weapon. More than one. Be ready.

Only when my mind stops racing do I open the note. Carli must be channeling the little that Dad taught her too because it says:

                      2 am. Be ready.

It is written on the back of a "Save the Prince" poster.

I stay at the window until there is a knock at the door, and dinner is announced. It is time for dinner with my mom, the prince, and a monster or two.