Chapter Three

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"Miss Astrella?" Alice murmured softly in my ear.
"Hmm?" I grumbled sleepily, as I struggled to open one eye. The curtains were pulled back.
"Arhhg!" I groaned, pulling my covers over my head.
Alice chuckled, "Miss, wake up!" She tries to tug the covers off of me.
I laugh. I rubbed my eyes and say up, throwing the blanket aside. "Mornin'" I grinned, my eyes still squinting from the sunlight.
Alice giggled. "Mistress is waiting for you downstairs. She ordered me to get you ready for your photo."
I nodded, standing up- and accidentally stepping on an emerald necklace with diamond on the sides. "Fudge!" I yelled, grabbing my foot and jumping around on the other.
"Miss!" Alice was trying not to laugh, "Please, let me help you!" She grabs my arm gently.
I sat down with a frown, "Ow." I said glumly. "Oh and, why do I need to get dressed to early on a weekend?" I added, still rubbing my foot.
Alice pursed her lips and said nothing, still doing my hair.
"Why do I need to-"
"Stand up please, miss." She cut in, holding a light green mermaid dress delicately.
I stood up, as she pulled the dress on to me.
I look at myself in the mirror, "I love this dress!" I gushed, giving a 360 turn. "What's the occasion, Alice?"
Suddenly, Alice's eyes dropped, "Miss, may I leave?"
"You don't have to be like this. I-" my eyes floated to my door. Mother was standing in the doorway. "Of course." I said.
Alice left with a glare from my mother.
"Astrella!" Mother patted my dress, "You look amazing!"
I rubbed my eyes a little, "I still like my jeans more." I murmured.
"What was that?" Mother raised an eyebrow, "Don't mutter, Astrella. That's not ladylike."
I rolled my eyes, "Sure," but I still managed a forced smile.

"Sit up straight!" Cried mother, as she positioned Esmeralda on a velvet cushioned chair.
Esmeralda, being the obedient and elegant person as she was, straightened her back even more- to the point I thought it would break- yet still managed to look amazingly natural and amazing. She gave a dazzling smile. A smile not too big, but not to the point you couldn't see. Always the model my mother wanted me to be.
The photographer took her picture and mother pushed me in front.
"Don't mess it up, Astrella."
"I won't." I promised with halfheartedness.
Esmeralda smiled at me, "It's not so bad."
I sighed, and smiled back at her. She looked so wonderful in her soft pink dress. She already looked like a princess.
I perched neatly on top of the chair, smoothing out my skirt. I gave a half-hearted smile at the camera.

"Esmeralda! You looked amazing!" Praised mother, her brown eyes shining, "I have high hopes for you."
I look down at my my hands and fiddled with my fingers.
Esmeralda thanked her and came to me.
"Astrella," she holds one of my hands and frowned, "Are you okay?"
I nodded looking up with a smile, "Yeah."
"Mother loves you a lot, too." She patted me gently.
"Yeah," I shrugged, "Oh well."
She kissed my forehead, "I'm your twin, I'll be there if you need me." She points at her room.
I nod.

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