A mask of innocence *On hold*

A mask of innocence ~6

***So what i've decided is that instead of going for one long post, i'm going to try to post more frequently in little increments. It's just easier that way. I hope you don't mind! Please please vote and/or comment if you like it! Just so i can know if people actually like this story (: and criticism is more than welcome! God bless :)****

By four o’clock, the house was pandemonium.  I was needed everywhere and the girls constantly called to me, demanding that I fix their hair, or straighten out their dress. As if they couldn’t do it themselves. I didn’t have a moment to myself. But that was okay because I already had a plan in mind. As I went through Della’s wardrobe, I picked out at least a dozen dresses that I knew she hadn’t worn and that she wouldn’t recognize.  I chose a simple cream dress made out of lace, one that would match my mask.  I smuggled it out of Della’s room under a bundle of ‘dirty’ laundry and hid it under my mattress for later. 

The clock moved faster than I could get things done. Sweat dripped down my face as I hurried up and down the stairs.

“Cambridge! I need you to fix a wrinkle in my dress!” Delilah demanded for the thousandth time. And I’m not exaggerating.

I rolled my eyes and trudged back up the stairs. Delilah sat on a stool in her room, her face puckered up in a frown. I resisted a laugh at her sour look.

“Where’s the wrinkle?” I asked patiently, as if to a child.

Delilah’s frown deepened but she said nothing.

“Oh, is it on your face?” I reached out to try and smooth out her wrinkled forehead. Slapping my hand, Delilah screamed in rage. “You idiot, the wrinkle’s right here!”

I looked to where she was pointing, her waist, where a little fold of material was caught. In disbelief, I raised a brow but fixed the snag. Miraculously, the wrinkles disappeared from her face and she smiled happily. “My dress is just perfect, don’t you think so?”

Taking in the putrid orange of her dress, I forced a smile onto my face.

“It’s something alright.”

Something disgusting.

Delilah nodded smugly and went back to primping in front of the mirror.

“My dress is amazing. Everyone’s going to fall in love with it. The prince will fall in love with me,” She hummed to the mirror.

It was too hard to hold a grudge against Delilah when she was as misguided as she was. If anyone knew her like I did, they would merely write her off as a harmless airhead.

“Cambridge, get down here this instant!”

Della, on the other hand, was a complete menace. Hurrying down the stairs, I followed the sound of Della’s screeching. She, Delia, and Tommy all stood in the foyer, dressed and ready to depart. I glanced at the clock; it was already seven o’clock. Grudgingly, I had to admit that Delia was stunning. The pale blue gown clung to her figure. Pale blue diamonds made the dress resemble ice, which was appropriate for Delia since her heart was made of it. Della, too, looked very pretty in the deep shade of purple, made to match her skin tone perfectly. And Tommy… well let’s just say I now knew why he refused to dress up and attend parties. He looked absolutely ridiculous in his tight brown trousers and puffy jacket. A muddy brown mask hid his eyes but couldn’t hide the faint blush of his cheeks when he caught me staring. I merely raised a brow and turned to Della.

“What is it that you need?”

“Go and get Delilah. It’s time to leave.”

I stared at her blankly. She ordered me down here just to go right back up the stairs. Judging from the smug grin on her face, that was her plan. Slyly, I walked past her, but not before bumping her shoulder roughly.

“Oops.” I scurried up the stairs.

“Mother, did you see that? She needs to be punished!”

“Be quiet, Della. Your sister is just jealous that she doesn’t get to go to the ball. Leave her alone.”

I paused in astonishment. Was Delia actually standing up for me? That was new.

I found Delilah exactly where I left her.

“Come on Delilah, it’s time to go.”

She turned away from the mirror and I cringed when I saw that she had applied more face powder.

“I’m so excited! Get out of my way!” I jumped from her way as she barreled through the door.

“Goodbye Cambridge!” Tommy’s voice drifted upward.

“See you soon,” I replied quietly. When the door slammed, I rushed downstairs to my mattress. Now it was time for the transformation…