Broken

Two

I woke up, my body wrapped in blankets. It felt like I was sleeping on a cloud, and for a moment I really thought I was. Slowly opening my eyes, I looked around my room. Eyes darting from the window, to my lamp, to the alarm clock. 6:59. The Locket ceremony starts at 11:00, I thought, and there is no school or work today. That gives the candidates enough time to get ready for the big day ahead.

Yawning as I sat up, I thought about who my cosmetologist might be. Every sixteen-year-old is assigned a hair and makeup artist to look presentable in front of President Chalice. My appointment was set at 7:30, so that gave me a half hour to look somewhat decent.

I walked silently to the bathroom, my feet padding against the cold tile floor. As I walked in, I looked at my reflection. Hm, I smile to myself. Not too bad. I turned on the water and rinsed my face. Then I brushed my knotted long, brown hair. A memory of my mother cutting my hair in bangs flashes in my mind. I savor it, remembering what it felt like to be 5 years old, not a care in the world. Back then, Dad wasn't abusive. He cared for me. I can't say he loved me though. I don't know what love feels like. A twinge of pain in my chest suddenly comes, like a weight pulling me down. Down, down, to the memories of my dark childhood. I shake it off. Don't think like that. If you get soft, you can't take care of Aaron. If you can't take care of Aaron, then nothing matters.

Suddenly the doorbell downstairs rings and I scurry down there to open the door. Throwing it open, a woman who looks a couple years older than me smiles, showing off her perfect white teeth. As I looked at the rest of her flashy attire, I noticed in one hand she held a giant suitcase of some sort. The other was in my face, bright neon yellow nails popping from her dark skin.

"Hello hun," she drawled. "my name is Katherine, but you can call me Kat." I shake her extended hand and gesture for her to come in.

"Hi. Um, my name is—"

"Amelia Claire Burson, I already know."

"Oh, well ok. Sorry the house is a bit of a mess, my Dad isn't awake," thankfully the little voice inside my head says, "and my brother, his name is—"

"Aaron! Of course," she interrupts. At the odd look on my face she says, "Oh don't act so surprised, I searched your records sweet cheeks!" she cackles in a crazy sort of way. That's not creepy at all.

"My records?" I inquire with a shocked look on my face. She chuckles at me with closed eyes.

"Hun, it's mandatory for us artisans. No need to be creeped out." She chuckles some more.

"Oh," I murmur to myself. "well I stand corrected." I smile politely at Kat then lead her to my bedroom. She plopped the giant leather box on my desk and pressed a small, blue button. Suddenly, the entire case opens, shining a brilliant light traveling all over the walls of my room. Glittering and gleaming like a thousand stars in a clear sky, making me yearn to go stargazing. My mouth dropped open in astonishment. After the light vanished, the case opened, revealing brushes and powders and creams galore. Then, she pressed a green button, and a smaller, purple case came out. She opens it and it is filled with hair styling equipment.

"Alright Amelia...lets see what we'll do with you." She taps a long yellow nail on her chin nonchalantly, in deep thought. With squinting eyes, Kat spun around gracefully like a ballerina and pressed a red button on the bigger of the boxes. A dust cover holding a lump inside slowly rose out of the box, hovering upwards. Kat reached for the hanger and handed it to me, smiling encouragingly.

"Your dress." She looks at me merrily, and gestures for me to change in the bathroom. I nod and walk to the bathroom, careful not to step on the plastic cover. This is it.