Strawberries And Crows (Canceled, For Now)

Part 2- The Dressmaker

Crickets chirp outside my balcony, owls hooting alongside them.

I yawn, stretching my arms wide.

" Ah, Kalese you are awake! "

I startle, jumping out of bed. " Oh, " I let out a breath of relief, " It's just you, Alice. "

Alice laughs. She's standing over near the manquin, sewing the hem of my ripped up, dirtied dress from the dinner last night.

" How was the dinner last night? " She asks, a smirk on her face.

I sigh. " Most wonderful. Richard is engaged. "

" So I've heard. " She pauses, the needle inbetween her teeth, " What about you though? "

I reach up to the dress and stroke it. " When will you be finished with this? " I ask, ignoring her question. I couldn't bear to lie to my best friend.

" Soon, I believe. " she sighs, "Before your shower will be finished, hm? "

I laugh, " Alright, I'll go shower. Where can I find you after? "

She thinks for a moment. " The library, Fabric section. "

" Perfect. " I say.
I turn, gathering my undergarments and a dress off the hook in my wardrobe. It's a light pink, gradually fading down to white where it touches the floor.

- After the shower -

I sigh, reaching a hand up to look run through my messy dark brown hair. I only just pulled it into a bun but it's gone wild already. I flop down onto my bed when I hear a creack behind me, where my balcony is.

I whip around, ready to fight, but only find Elizabeth, holding a pair of binoculars to her eyes.

I cough, but when she doesn't hear me, I tap her on the shoulder.

She jumps out of her skin, " Oh! " she tells. " Oh... " she sighs.

" Hello Elizabeth, may I ask why you are in my room? I know I said we could be friends but... "

" I'm incredibly sorry. " she reaches up to give me a hug, and I flinch. She pulls away. " I asked the maids where the best view in the house was and they said this room. " She looks back out the window.
" I didn't know it was yours. " She claims.

I laugh. " Okay, apology accepted. "
She reaches to pick up the binoculars and makes her way to exit my room.

" Wait. " I say grabbing her shoulder,
" What where you looking at? "

She beams her whole face lighting up " The birds. " she says, " They fascinate me. Crows especially. "

I nod. " I remember my mother complaining about the crows for pecking up her gardens when I was younger. " I cough, " She doesn't do the gardening anymore, that's up to the gardener. "

" Does the gardener like the crows? " Elizabeth asks.

" Well, " I shrug, " When they aren't harrasing the plants. "

" I have an idea. " She begins to pull me down to the garden.

" Wait, Elizabeth, can this wait? "

" Oh? Oh... Sorry of course. "

" I just have to talk with my friend, Alice. She's in the library. "

Elizabeth's eyes light up when I say library, " Library? " she asks. " Could I... Come? "

I laugh. " Sure, It couldn't hurt. "

" Okay, let's go then! "

I lead Elizabeth to the library and she trails behind me like a dog.
" there's a party tonight. " Elizabeth says as we approach the library doors. " For... My engagement. " she sighs, " Will I see you there? "

" I suppose I don't have much of a choice. " I say.

The library doors creak as they swing open. " This way. " I tell Elizabeth. As we approach the fabric section, Alice stands. " Oh! Who is this young lady? " she exclaims.

" Elizabeth. " I say, " Richard's Fiance. "

" Well, she sure is a charmer. " Alice says, twirling a strand of her blonde hair in her fingers. " Wow, that dress is absolutely gourgous. "

Elizabeth smiles shyly. " My own mother made it for me. " She blushes. The dress is beautiful a pale yellow with white accents, accompanied with white gloves up to Elizabeth's elbows.

" So, " Alice starts, " What do you need me for, Kalese? "

(End of part 2)