Two Forbidden Sides (Sophitz)

~20~

I groaned as the seamstress tightened my corset even more.

"Can barely breathe."

"Beauty is pain. And you can breathe enough to dance, that's all that matters." I rolled my eyes. I was fine friends with the seamstress, so our conversations were casual.

"I would prefer to breathe though."

"I'll loosen it a bit." Once she did, I sighed in relief.

"That's so much better."

"So you would prefer it to be like this?" I nodded my head.

"Not too big yet not too tight." I answered.

"Okay good, we decided on a more simplistic design for the gown, correct? Can you please have a trail? It would make the dress so much more gorgeous."

"I don't want it to take too much space on the dance floor, so I'm better off without it." I replied.

"Okay fine, you're not having ruffles on the dress, and we decided on silk right?" I nodded my head. "But little gems on the corset, right?"

"Yup, I don't want it to be too simplistic."

"Oooh, I'm going to add a red bow on the back of it. It'll look really nice. Unless you want it a different color? Red on red is boring."

"Red is fine, I don't care as long as it looks nice."

"Trust me, it will." I smile.

"Okay great. Do I still need to come back?" She nodded her head.

"Yup, today was just the corset, tomorrow will be the actual skirt of the dress. This'll be an amazing gown." She smiled to herself. With her help I took the corset off and pulled on my dress that I was previously wearing.

"Thank you, Delilah!"

"No problem." She responded, her eyes still glued to the board as I left.

I met up with Dex in my room, and we laid down on the bed.

"So how was Christmas?" I asked him.

"Really fun, we played outside in the snow for a bit, exchanged presents, and watched holiday movies. What about you?"

"It was nice. We did pretty much what you did. We did secret Santa, watched movies, and drank hot chocolate. You know the good stuff." Dex nodded in agreement.

"The ball is coming up. That's exciting." Dex said.

"Yeah, and it's a big reminder that we're over halfway through the selection."

"And then you're going to be married. That's going to feel so weird." I nodded my head.

"Yeah, it's surprising honestly. But as the selection continues, I feel more scared. It keeps reminding me that we're closer and closer to our parents finding out about what we did. And I don't want to even imagine what's going to happen. It's just so unfair." Dex placed a sympathetic hand on my shoulder.

"Maybe they'll be promising." I huff, tapping my foot against the ground.

"Like my parents will be promising. After they find out I broke the law, went behind their backs to sneak out of the palace, and snuck an Everglenian into my selection? I highly doubt it." I say.

"Well you technically didn't break the law, Fitz did." Dex said.

"There's a law that also says that there can be no interaction between a Havenfielder and an Everglenian."

"Damn they're really specific." I nodded my head.

"Yeah. We won't be getting no mercy from our parents." Dex pursed his lips. "And it's unfortunate too, because I've truly never met anyone like Fitz." I say, playing with my fingers.