The Hidden Sun

Chapter XI

 I take it all back. Trusting Jessie seemed like the start of my misery. Deep down I knew the end result would be worth it, but I'm a very impatient person.

"Are you done yet?" I asked for the hundredth time.

Jessie sighed shook her head. "Why do you ask questions that you already know the answer to?"

I pouted and stuck my tongue out at her. I know, real mature, right?

"I've been sitting here forever!" I exclaimed. "You could at least let me stretch my legs."

"You'll be doing that on the dance floor tonight, honey," she replied.

I snorted. "Like that's gonna happen!" I didn't dance. At all.

She sighed again. "I can only dream, right?"

After hours of going through the rows of clothing racks, Jessie finally found what she was looking for. Of course she didn't stick to her original plan. Instead, she was dressing me up as a tango dancer. I absolutely despised it at first, but now that the dress was on, I couldn't help but marvel at the familiar feel of the smooth fabric.

The dress was a deep red that could almost be mistaken as maroon. It had a sweetheart neckline with thick straps and a slit up the leg. The fabric draped across my body like it was made just for me. The best part? It was five dollars.

Today it was November 1st. The day after halloween and a week after the track meet. It was also known as the day of the dance. It all began that morning when Jessie decided that she needed multiple hours to get me ready. I had been sitting in that chair for hours and I couldn't wait to just get up and walk around. I honestly don't know how she hasn't run out of things to do. Maybe I was exaggerating a little bit, but like I said, I'm an impatient person.

"Alright," she said. "I think I'm done!"

I quickly tried to turn towards the mirror, but before I could, Jessie stopped me.

"No no no!" She cried. "I have to put on the finishing touches first."

I sighed and rolled my eyes at her back as she walked out of the bathroom and disappeared into her room.

"I thought you were done!" I exclaimed.

"I have something for you," she replied. Her voice was slightly muffled due to her being in another room. She reemerged a few seconds later with a small box in her hand.

"I've been saving this for a long time," she smiled at me. "It was your mother's"

I felt my breath catch as she handed me the box. I felt the weight in my hands as if it weighed a ton. After a few seconds of staring at it, it occurred to me that I should remove the lid. I let out the breath I was holding and slowly lifted the top. Inside was a hair comb that perfectly matched the dress I was wearing. The metal on it was curved and twisted into an intricate design. I wasn't sure how it was possible to create something so delicate yet detailed. To pull it all together, there was a red rose on the middle of it that seemed like it was plucked this morning.

"How does the rose look so fresh?" I asked.

"Magic," she gave me a mysterious look. "She wore it the night she met your father." She paused a moment with a nostalgic look on her face. "It all started with a dance."

I turned and smiled at her. "It's so beautiful," I paused. "Thank you so much." I felt like crying. My mother should have been there for my first dance, but I was glad that I had Jessie more than anything.

With shaky hands, I held the comb out to her. "Can you put it in my hair please?"

She smiled and motioned me to turn around. "Of course"