It All Started From the Stop(Sign)

Chapter Nine-The Ball Part 1

I hide behind vegetable table, watching the entrance door for my family. I am perfectly aware of the fact that a guest is only supposed to enter the ballroom by being traditionally announced and must enter through the grand entrance, but I simply did not want to. It was my mission to find another entrance in, and so I did. It wasn't hard to escape the cab and slip away from them. I know that mother will kill me when/if she finds me tonight, but I'll deal. That grand entrance means a lot of attention that I don't want right now. So here I am munching on carrots and I don't even like carrots, waiting for my family to enter and this thing to be over.

The ballroom is huge. Gold and white decorations drape around the high dome ceiling and the guests are dressed to the nines. Many couples are dancing, looking like princes and princesses straight from my books. Other people just hang around, elegantly of couse, gossiping and eating. As I glance around I realize that I'm probably the youngest here. Everyone else looks at least 18. Although, I'm only guessing because everyone is wearing a mask so it's a little difficult to identify the ages.

Up on a little stage sits a small orchestra and a pianist. I guess out of all this, my favorite part is always the music. Especially tonight. The notes from the piano seem to touch my heart. I normally stand next the Alex at these things and criticize the musicians, among other things, but tonight the harmony is played expertly and rings throughout the ballroom.

At that moment, the entrance doors swing open. I grip my clutch tightly as I notice Grandpa Thomas and Grandma Alice.

"Now announcing the presence of the Flaire family," a loud voice booms and silence immediately fills the ballroom. Two men in tuxedos hold the large doors open and a third man stand to the side. He opens his mouth to speak again.

"First, I announce the presence of Thomas Flaire and his wife Alice Flaire."

Grandpa and Grandma glide through the doors, smile, then glide down the stairs. Grandma Alice's hand is wrapped around Grandpa Thomas' arm and they are probably the cutest couple I have ever seen. Grandma has a small smile and looks like a delicate little angel in her pastel blue dress and pastel blue mask. Her grey hair is pulled back and she stares straight ahead.

On the other hand, it's easy to spot the mischief written in Grandpa Thomas' eyes, even beneath the mask. His lips are pulled back in a smirk and if you've never seen an old man smirk then you are very lucky. Im astounded by his similarities to my father. I don't remember a lot about my father but he was playful and clever and many times I would catch him smirking. Like father like son, I guess. Grandpa's grey hair is slicked back and he wears a black suit with a blue tie to match Grandma Alice.

"Now I announce the presence of Clarabell Flaire and her children Alexander Flaire, Echo Flaire, Pyralis Flaire, and Saphira Flaire."

I can't stop the quiet giggle that escapes when I hear him call my name. I watch as my mother enters the ballroom and I hear a few gasps. My mother looks beautiful. She wears a simple but gorgeous white gown and a matching mask. Her brown hair is curled to perfection and there is not one single flaw to her makeup. My mother is 45 but looks younger and she walks like a queen with her chin up and shoulders back.

She smiles and turns towards the silver staircase.

Behind her enters Alex escorting both Echo and Pyra. If my mother looks like a queen then my sisters fit the look as princesses. They both look like models. Echo is in her long pink dress and Pyra in her red cocktail dress. Alex is in a black tuxedo and looks handsome and neat. Next to me I hear a few giggles and I roll my eyes. My siblings all smile then my sisters strut towards the stairs and Alex escorts them like a gentleman.